Hello. I'm new to the forums and I just wanted to stop by to say hello and tell a little about myself. I am 30 years old, I am married and have 2 sons, 12 years and 2 years old. Let me start off by saying that I have been overweight my entire life. Currently 260lbs and 5'6. I haven't had my WLS yet, I am scheduled to have it in August. Though I have been over weight my entire life, I've put on that majority of my weight within the last 7 years. I am bigger now than I have ever been and I am miserable! I would like to think that I am not so over weight that it inhibits my ability to do daily activities or be more active with my children, but I would be lying if I said that. I have so many important people in my life telling me that I look good the way I am now, there is nothing wrong with me- but its not all about the looks. I just really want to be healthier. I can feel a tremendous difference in my health in the past few years, I'm not sure if I chose to ignore it before or if I was blinded. I'm currently a full-time student (graduate next July) and I find that my weight even interferes with school-because I don't have the confidence in myself to speak up or make friends. Anyways, I just wanted to introduce myself to the forums, I know Ill be here a lot. I would love to find out how losing weight has changed your life in anyway (good/bad), do you feel less tired all the time? Do you still have back problems?

Bobbi

I have a lot more Energy since my sleeve surgery. I can jog without huffing and puffing. I am Much more active. I was having high blood pressure and high cholesterol because of my weight . I was afraid that I would get diabetes if I did not lose weight. Usually as you get older and remain obese..health issues escalates with age, So you are wise to get things under control now that you are young, best of luck. !!!!

Ps..not on any cholesterol or Bp meds anymore .. Not to mention looking good in my size 8 clothes.

Welcome ! I have been where you are and I am happy that you are making the decision to change your life! If you read any one of our stories it sounds just like yours I just know you are going to do really well. If you ever have a question, just ask - we are all glad to help!

Congrats on you graduating from college, that's so great!

** If anyone read this earlier post, I mentioned "I don't know what this crap above is." There was a long advertisement that was posted just above mine. I reported it and Alex must have taken it down.** Was not referring to any of "our people."

Edited April 24, 201412 yr by jamilyne 102668

Welcome to the site! Best wishes on your new goal! i know with an active life like you have that losing weight will make it easier and better.

Just wanted to say welcome and congrats on your decision to get healthier! :)

Hi there and welcome! I am only five months out (coming up on six -- time is flying!) and for me this is absolutely the best decision I could have made. I love the weight loss, of course, wearing "regular" sizes again and feeling more comfortable in general, but what I didn't really expect was this joy of being released from food jail, having the appetite monster off my back. That feels great. Best wishes to you as you get ready for August. I was glad I upped my exercise prior to surgery. I didn't want to, but I forced myself and that gave me something to step into right after surgery. My body got it that we were in a whole new mode. Also I went to a therapist to sort out any remaining issues once and for all. We broke down all the triggers for stress eating, eating as a reward, boredom, etc. This was tedious but now when I have those impulses (head hunger) I can mostly pass them by because I know where it's coming from (usually feeling overwhelmed) and because the appetite is dimmed by the band and I can overcome. For me that's the way it works. I can make good choices now because I'm not feeling ravenous. Best wishes for all -- so glad you're here on the forum!

A big warm welcome GOM! Yes, you will feel much better and have energy to spare! I've lost 41 lbs. and feel amazing. I'm an old fart on top of it all, so at your age you will feel even better. I started to get my energy after losing about 20 or so lbs. I remember the days of having two little ones to keep up after and that's not an easy job. Pretty soon you will be wearing them out, and still have energy for "me time". Good luck on your journey!

Welcome! You want to know how losing weight has changed my life? Well...how about I start with the fact that prior to WLS, I was barely walking. I have arthritis in my knees and also found out that I had degeneration in my hips as well. I was on heavy duty pain meds and still couldn't make it more than a block without needing to sit. I was on a cane for a couple of years and was getting to the point where I was going to need a wheelchair.

That's why my name is gowalking. That was my goal....and I made it. I'm off the cane, I'm able to walk farther than I have in years. I can do simple things again like bend to tie my shoes, put on socks, shave my legs.

I have energy, I'm more outgoing, I fit into any seat or chair, I wear regular clothes...not the tents I used to wear. I use makeup again...I put on jewelry, my labs are all good...cholesterol, sugar, BP all normal.

I could go on and on but I think you understand that what I'm trying to say is that my whole life has changed due to the weight loss. I hope it does the same for you. Good luck and let us know how you are doing. Oh...and I attached a before and after pic of myself so you have a visual.

Hello Bobbi and welcome.

Two days after surgery when I left the hospital, I was off my blood sugar medicine. Three weeks later I was off my blood pressure medicine. Other problems went into remission. I never had back pain. In my support group, one individual was going to have a knee replacement, but after weight loss surgery found out that they no longer needed it. So I suspect, the loss of weight might help relieve back pain.

I don't know about having more energy, but I find that I have more stamina. At age 65, before surgery I might go to the mall and after a half hour find a bench and sit and wait for my wife to finish shopping. Now when I go to the mall, I walk around for several hours without resting. This winter we had a lot of snow. My driveway is 800 feet long. So I cleared it a dozen time, without even building up a sweat. One downside is that because I do not have so much fat, I am more susceptible to the cold. But then I found out about hand warmers.

I don't think I cared about the way I looked before surgery. But after I lost the weight after surgery, one of the unexpected changes was that I began to care a little more about the way I looked. It was actually fun to replace my wardrobe. Its nice to be able to go into a department store and actually buy clothes instead of a specialty big and tall shop. And the clothes look good on me. In shirts I went from a size 3X down to a size small.

Here's a recent goal reacher: Very inspirational. Check out her photos too:

http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/305070-i-cant-believe-it-is-this-reallty-happening-for-me/?p=3445432

2 Much Fun - Thanks for keeping me in line ! lol have a great day

there is no doubt that if you have the surgey and follow the guidelines, you will do well...and feel better... @gowalking your information read just like me...same problems, same situation, about same weight loss (so far) ... no pain meds helped my RA... now I can function like a human being again...it's so wonderful!

there is no doubt that if you have the surgey and follow the guidelines, you will do well...and feel better... @gowalking your information read just like me...same problems, same situation, about same weight loss (so far) ... no pain meds helped my RA... now I can function like a human being again...it's so wonderful!

So glad to hear BGP. It's like a miracle to be walking again without that overwhelming pain, right?

@gowalking the pain is much less...but still there... I need knees replaced, which I couldn't do until after I lost weight...you know that vicious cycle... so I will be looking into that again soon.

I have to use a cane/walking stick if I do a LOT of walking, it helps...

@gowalking the pain is much less...but still there... I need knees replaced, which I couldn't do until after I lost weight...you know that vicious cycle... so I will be looking into that again soon.

I have to use a cane/walking stick if I do a LOT of walking, it helps...

Oh I understand for sure. I had the hips replaced. Both of them at the same time. The surgery was awful and the recuperation and rehab very challenging as well. But I'm six months out now and feeling so much better. You will too.

Thank you all so much for sharing your stories and life changes with me. It truly is amazing how things have changed for all of you. I can't wait to get banded in August and I regret not having gone through with it sooner. I've always pictured what my life would be like as a smaller person, because right now, I can't even stand to do house work for 10 minutes before my back begins to burn so badly that it makes me want to cry sometimes. I know a lot of my back pain is a result of epidurals and my breasts, but it is mostly due to my weight. I hope that my story turns out as well as all of yours- I'm so ready!