At 24 years old, I find myself stuck in bed or in my apartment more than anything. I suffer from chronic back pain, depression and pcos.

I have struggled with my weight all my life. I grew up learning that food is there for happiness, sadness, stress, and everything you can think of. I was a very active child, but the amount of food I would eat outweighed my activities. As a teenager my depression really kicked in and I had no idea how to handle it or really what was going on with me. I ate.

At 19 I was working my dream job and 3 months in... My back gave out. I have arthritis, bulging discs, degeneration and just recently compressed nerves. My legs give out on me out of no where and the pain I'm in daily is chronic and sometimes unbearable.

Here I am a month away from my 25th birthday and unable to go for walks, drives or anything that a person my age should be doing. I am to embarrassed to go on dates, hang out with friends and even go out in public. I often am limping from my back/hip, or having to be pushed in a wheelchair.

I have dieted and I love working out, but the weight I lost would come back with a vengeance and my back compromised my ability to do much of anything.

I have chose to have surgery to help get some weight off so I can get up and go cycling, jogging, shopping and meeting people. I understand this is not a fix all, but for me its a tool that will help me get my life that I never had.

I'm glad you found the forum. Lots of great people and advice. Thank you for sharing your story and welcome!!

I am glad to hear you are doing something about this now. I am often asked if I regret having gastric bypass. I always respond that the only thing I regret is waiting way too long.

I am 52 and I have severe osteo arthritis of my spine as well as other joints. I have had a total of 6 back surgeries as of November and I am looking at another. Multiple fusions. I also have severe bone on bone arthritis of my shoulder and will have surgery on 2/12 to repair it.

Don't wait one more second than you have to. People do not realize the permanent damage to their bodies. You are still very young but it is definitely time to do something now.

Good luck and if you need anything or have questions, feel free to reach out.

I am glad to hear you are doing something about this now. I am often asked if I regret having gastric bypass. I always respond that the only thing I regret is waiting way too long.

I am 52 and I have severe osteo arthritis of my spine as well as other joints. I have had a total of 6 back surgeries as of November and I am looking at another. Multiple fusions. I also have severe bone on bone arthritis of my shoulder and will have surgery on 2/12 to repair it.

Don't wait one more second than you have to. People do not realize the permanent damage to their bodies. You are still very young but it is definitely time to do something now.

Good luck and if you need anything or have questions, feel free to reach out.

I have heard several stories like this, and watching myself get worse has really lit a fire under my butt haha. I hope your surgery on the shoulder heals quickly!

You and I have a very similar history, PCOS and all. I got much heavier than you currently are, but I had similar problems. I had to leave a job at 6 weeks because I was in such excruciating pain. I found out later that I screwed up some veins in my leg because I had too much weight on my frame for 8 hours a day. I'm 24.

Feel free to friend me/message me sometime. It sucks right now but it will get better, and you have a good attitude about it which is very important. Hang in there, and take care of yourself.

I had severe back pain before I had surgery and it is now gone. You are doing the right thing. Go for it

You have all the motivation in the world to use this tool for a healthier life. Addressing the primary issue at a young age is admirable. Thanks for sharing your story and best of luck with your upcoming surgery!

Thank you everyone for your kind and encouraging words! I appreciate it! I have my wls orientation on February 11! Its a whopping 4 hours, but I am so ready!