Hi all,

First off I want to just say thank you to everyone who writes in this forum. Because of all you... your stories and your questions and answers, and before and after pictures have completely motivated and inspired me to take control and to learn more.

I have been going through the process of gearing up towards weight-loss surgery for a long time now. Six years ago I tried to get myself in the program but unfortunately it just wasn't the right time for me.

I have been overweight ever since I was a little girl. I have been through a lot of difficult things in my life including being molested, raped, in abusive relationships, and of course I allowed myself to be bullied by people because I was too afraid to stand up to myself and feared more of what worse things could happen and the repercussions. Unfortunately this gave me a big step back in my 33 years of my life because I never allowed myself to be who I wanted to be. I don't think I ever even allowed myself to just be me.

I've always been a creative person and have always enjoyed using writing, art, and music as my only way of a catharsis and therapy for myself to get through everything that I have been through. It has always been my dream to be even better at the things that I love and to go forth and make my dreams come true.

This past November 2014, I decided to give it all that I could and realized it was time to be proactive about my health and about my life. I've been on this WLS journey for the five months that built up to my actual date of surgery and just this past week after constantly going back-and-forth in my head, I allowed myself to have the surgery. It's been a bit of a tough recovery but for the first time in my life I feel very proud of myself. I feel proud that I did this for me.

I have not told anyone except my mother about what I have been through and I'm thankful that I at least have her for her kind support. However the hardest thing throughout this is the friends that I do have I wouldn't even dare tell them about my surgery because of their reactions. So I am reaching out for the first time to this board in true hopes then I may share to get through some of these emotions in this recovery process. I like the feeling of knowing there are others out there who are going through the same types of feelings and understandings that I am, and that we are all trying to work hard to get through and become the best version of ourselves.

Again I just wanted to thank you all because even though you may not even know it as I looked on the board and learned through all of you, it helped me stay strong and it helped me believe in myself to do this.

I hope you are very, very proud of the decision you made. As time passs, you won't care who knows about your surgery. Because as time passes, you get healthier and appreciate the new you, it won't matter what anyone else thinks, or feels. You will know that the only one who can make you happy with yourself.....is you. It is the one thing that I learned from surgery. It was all about ME and I was worth it!

You should be very proud of yourself for taking such a big step to put your needs and your health first. Welcome!

Congratulations on your decision to start your new life!!! It is not an easy thing to do, let alone doing it alone. I'm glad you found this site, too, it will help get you through the harder times. And there will be hard times, part of the deal. But always try to look past those times while you are in them, so you can focus on the positive. It will truly help.

Have a list of things you want to do, that you may never have done before, to help you on your way. It will give you a purpose for that particular moment. A PURPOSE! Some lose track of why they did this surgery, a PURPOSE to focus on will help you get back on track. These little "grippers" will help you get a hand-hold on your real mission for WLS, and keep your head above the waters of the blues.

You can message me anytime, just click on my logo. I am so proud of you and you efforts...good luck to you!

Awww thank you so much, it means a lot to hear that! I had surgery on Tuesday and it's been a mix of emotions filtering through me. The actual physical pain hasn't been easy but with each day it seems to get better. It's a really major thing that all of did or have worked on to better ourselves. And to those on the sidelines who ever thought this was taking an easy road has no idea. In a way, I'm glad it hasn't been easy because in the long run it really is so worth it to see just how we all have come

@@miaxx

No, they have no idea how hard it really is. That's why we can smile, hold our heads up high, and just brush off negative comments and the inevitable "you took the easy way out". Our strength saw us through this surgery, through the incredibly difficult afterwards, and onto success! It's definitely NOT for everyone!

@@miaxx

No, they have no idea how hard it really is. That's why we can smile, hold our heads up high, and just brush off negative comments and the inevitable "you took the easy way out". Our strength saw us through this surgery, through the incredibly difficult afterwards, and onto success! It's definitely NOT for everyone!

Beautifully said.