Hi all!

This is my first post so I hope it goes ok. I am considering the gastric sleeve (I hope the doc agrees that is the best option for me). My first consultation is April 10th. I have been very apprehensive for about 10 years now and for the past couple of months I have been seriously contemplating going through with it. Should I??? I know the answer is yes. Nothing is ever going to get better for me if I don't take the chance. I am just so scared! I have never had general anesthesia before. Nor have I ever eaten in moderation except for the several failed diets I have tried but even then portions were generous. What was it that convinced you to go ahead with setting your surgery dates? I could certainly use the support! Thank you for listening!

@@jatmagg I just got tiered of being on the weight loss/gain roller coaster So I decided to get off that ride for good! Soooo beyond glad I did! I'm just like you I had never been put to sleep but you probably won't even realize you were and it's over.

For the last year I've seen my mom go through the stages of WLS courses and doctors appointments. I've even attended a few of her appointments to show support and I've heard a lot about the different types of surgery. I've always known from a young age that my body wasn't the same as all the other girls around me. I've done all the diets, gyms, drinks, pills, food controls that I could possibly think of... but what hit me the most was BuzzFeed's "How you really lose weight" marshmallow analogy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjw8gPhT7E8). No matter what I do the possibility of ballooning up can and will happen no matter how much I lose on my own. I realized that I needed some type of strong mechanism to help me realize that I'm full when I am full and not over indulge.

Trust me, if you've done all that you said you've done without promising results. This may be the step that'll benefit your life entirely.

I hit my breaking point in August, 2013...I was sick of being sick, I didn't like myself, I felt hopeless and helpless. I walked into the living room and told my husband, "I don't know what else to do. I think I want to explore weight loss surgery." For the first time in our 16 years together, I was honest with him. I told him how I felt about my weight and that I hated myself. I was scared about my health and the fact that I had a feeling I would die without the surgery. He was so supportive - he didn't understand, but he supported my decision and never made me feel bad about myself.

I had my surgery in November, 2013 and I can whole heartedly say, short of marrying my husband and having my son, this was the best decision of my life. I went into this saying that I hope my only regret would be that I didn't do this sooner - it it so true. I do not regret my decision one bit.

I have a fully and happy life now - I'm active (I do hot yoga, hike, bike, run, walk), I have a positive outlook, I received a promotion at work, I am vibrant and happy. I attribute that to the surgery.

Only you know if you are ready...my advice would be to not let fear stand in your way. If you are ready, commit and go all in. Best of luck to you!