Hi all,

my name is Carrielee. I’m 32, from TN. I’ve been overweight/obese since childhood and the weight keeps piling on as well as the co-morbid diagnoses. I was finally referred to Bariatric surgery earlier this year after an Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension diagnosis and just finally scheduled my initial consult. I’m scared and anxious and overwhelmed and questioning things but also don’t want to die early and that’s where I’m headed with things as they are so it’s time for a change. At 5’1”, I currently weigh 298 pounds, putting me at a BMI of 56.3.

I currently have Hypertension refractory to medications, Type II Diabetes, angina, high cholesterol and triglycerides, sleep apnea, arthritis in most joints, past history of pulmonary embolism, IIH, fatty liver disease, tachycardia. I’m on a fast track to early death due to obesity like my mom and grandfather faced and that isn’t what I want my reality to be.

It will be alright. Some of your issues probably will get better for you. I am 74 and I am going through this process now. I wish I had the option in my 30’s. I am proud of you for confronting your weight issue.

I started about that BMI with multiple health issues as well. I had hit rockbottom. Nothing worked anymore. I just kept getting bigger. I felt like I had no choice or I would die soon .

I'm glad you are considering it. It was the best decision of my life many years ago. All my comorbities are pretty much gone. I would do it every year if I had to.

Good luck. We are here for you, many of us have been in a similar situation.