Hi everyone - this is my first post but I have been very encouraged by all the amazing information you all have to give. I am 27, almost 28 and have been morbidly obese my entire life. I can remember being the chubby girl in daycare when I was only 4 years old! Being a fairly active child and being involved in sports throughout my entire adolescence, I never understood why I was so overweight. During my college years I actually lost a bit of weight (down to about 250lbs at my lowest) and felt awesome. But as soon as I got a big girl office job the weight started to pile on. I am currently at my highest weight and still can't believe I am so big. Unfortunately the last 50lbs I gained have really taken its toll on my body. My entire body hurts, especially my knees and feet. Everything physically is so much harder to accomplish and I feel like I'm judged daily for the way I look. I was recently passed over for a promotion when I was, as my direct supervisor put it, "the clear choice" for the job. I can't help but feel it has to do with my image, as I would be working with executive level clientele. What's a girl to do? On the flip side, the rest of my life is moving in all the right directions. I have been considering having gastric bypass for about 8 years now and I finally decided it was the logical choice, the only choice if I wanted to live much longer. Luckily, I am at the borderline stage for most of the co-morbidities so health wise it could be worse. The biggest health factor that I am fighting is PCOS. I want children more than anything in the world, but between he infertility issue and the thought of being a mom who can't even play in the floor with her kids, it is out of the question until I am healthier. My boyfriend of 4 years proposed to me on Christmas morning and has been nothing but supportive of my choice to pursue gastric bypass surgery. We are going to wait until the fall of 2015 to get married so that I can look and feel fabulous in my own skin. I have never been more excited about anything in my entire life... He's my world and I'm a terribly lucky girl. I am so glad that I ran across this website and decided to join the community of WLS patients. It is so inspiring to read the stories and see the progress of everyone's hard work paying off. I have went through all of the preliminary testing and letter writing and general headache prior to insurance approval. My surgery center will be submitting to insurance his week and I hope to know something soon. I am hoping to have m surgery in March, no later than April. Please keep me in you thoughts and prayers that I will have smooth sailing through the approval process!

Edited February 4, 201412 yr by musiclady2014

Congratulations on your decision it is life changing and for me the best decision I could've made. I had mine in march 2013 and lost 132 lbs...I have 4 daughters and I wanted to be around for them . It is not easy in the beginning and you will go through a lot of emotions but in the long run you will be so much happier and healthier..there are a lot of good forums and chats here. U will also see some sad stories..please know there are risks for everything ....do as much research before your big day and follow your drs plan

The decision to have surgery was the BEST decision I ever made !!! The most stressful part of the whole process was the waiting for insurance approval. Good luck !!!

Welcome to the boards. Congrats on your descision to have WLS!! I have found through my posts that this community is very friendly and supportive. This site has become my "Facebook." It took 2 letters from my doctor to get my insurance to bite. Overall, I couldn't be happier. You will be in my thoughts!! Best Wishes!!

Welcome and congratulations on your decision. You definitely sound like you're well on your way to a healthier you. I've not had my surgery yet either, mid-March is my target time. I have a NUT meeting tomorrow, sleep study on Saturday, pulmonary on the 17th and with that clearance, my surgeon will schedule me. Insurance has already been contacted, everything is order with them, I just need to satisfy the doctor before he submits for final approval from them. Very exciting, nervous and anxious times for us all. Good luck on your journey, keep us updated.

Welcome Musiclady2014! I agree, this board is awesome. I am fulfilling insurance requirements too. One more NUT class, and the letter from the psych eval/testing. Hoping for March or April surgery date. Congrats on making a decision for you and for your future. You will definitely learn a lot here, and they are very supportive. Don't hesitate to share your ups and your downs, sometimes we will have them and it is easier to know you are not alone. Just a little shout out for "My Fitness Pal" -great tool to help you along the way, free apps available. Prayers for your journey. Keep in touch.