I was slender as a child, but when I hit puberty I began to binge eat. I grew up without access to a lot of food, so whenever the opportunity to eat arose I dug in. I graduated high school about 30#s overweight. My self esteem was really low.

I started college two weeks after graduation and I began to eat fast food for the first time in my life. My freshman year of college I gained over 100# in 15 months. I went on to lose and gain the same 100# for the next few years. Having small success only to rebound with even more pounds. I lost weight around my pregnancies but gained a lot with post partum depression.

3 years ago I started working 3rd shift. I was awake over 20 hours a day, which meant I was eating most of the time. I tried changing my diet, exercising, going back to the things that helped me lose weight, but I couldn't maintain any momentum. I was battling severe sleep deprivation and fatigue. I was overwhelmed.

Along with food I have another addiction which was totally out of control. In the beginning of 2012 I started getting help. I gained even more weight during my recovery, because as my other addiction began to be slowly healed, my food addiction flared up, then calmed down too. I am in therapy and 12 step groups. I'm also at the absolute heaviest I've ever been.

I changed jobs six months ago, and now I sleep every day. I have a great support system, therapist and sponsor who are working with me. I started to try and lose weight on my own, but now that the extra 100# is an excess 170#. I am in constant physical pain. I need a tool to help me with my portion sizes and a support group to help me maintain accountability.

I looked into WLS seriously this year, after many years of my doctors expressing concern. I wanted to be able to do it on my own, but I have learned that if I keep trying the same things and expecting a different result I'm absolutely crazy. I need to try something different. I need a long term solution, and I believe that support groups, food journals, and regular exercise are the solution for me. The surgery will help me with my hunger and will help me with my portion sizes, but it's not a magic cure all.

My surgery is going to be in January of 2014. I am looking forward to it!

Welcome! Awesome. Yes awesome. You are doing great in this Journey. I work 3rd shift too. And had a recent bout of insomnia as well. So I'm here with you. Sis if you don't mind me saying. I started at 267, I couldn't walk to the mailbox in front of my house without being short of breath. I watched as my then 5 year old son cry and ask to go to the park with my skinny next door neighbor. He didn't even ask me! My heart sank. But on the outside, I didn't show emotion because someone had to take him. Lol

Now 10 months later, I'm 174lbs. Yay

I out Ran my now 6 year old to the bus stop for school. Woohoo

My Blood Pressure went from 170/102 to 102/70

My love affair with my Hubby is even better

Most important I'm one with myself. The skinny girL within coming out.

.

Wishing you the best. Keep us updated

Post op day one!.

Feeling really tired and sluggish, but overall much better then I imagined that I would be feeling.

Back at home Day one. I'm so glad that my mom has the kids ATM. Their screams in the car were a bit much.