It just happened only moments ago....I decided to let go. I decided that I am worth fighting for and that I will not allow anyone to make me doubt my self worth again. So at this moment...my journey begins. So if you are curious(even a little bit) I will start from the begining. Well..as I am sure most of you can relate...I have been overweight almost all of my life. I have "dieted" so much that I feel like I could be a licensed nutritionist. Further more, I could probably teach a class on exercising from your desk. I know the importance of 8-8oz glasses of water a day and how portion control is way out of control in our society. BUT.....as I write this, my weight is at the highest I can remember. My weight is my biggest battle in life. At times I forget about it, only to be reminded when it's time to walk up a flight of stairs or when I am out with friends and they insist on sitting at a booth. Don't even get me started about when I have to board an airplane. Six or seven yrs ago I was on an emotionally charged misson to get insurance approval for a R&Y gastric bypass. It was a terrible experience for me. Of course I was never approved, and due to my lack of information and support I never appealed the decision. My support team consisted of my mother who never had the same struggles with her weight. I know her intentions were only good but I can remember her diets consisting of not eating for a couple of days so she could keep her trim figure. So, I always felt she never really could understand my desire for the surgery. Today as I am sitting here at my desk writing this I have givin myself permission to move forward with another attempt at being approved through my insurance. The difference between then and now is that I am educating myself with as much knowledge as possible. I will reach out to others who are also struggling with the same weight issues and learn from their experiences. It feels good to be at place were I know that people understand that my struggle with my obesity is more than a quick fix...it's more than not eating for a couple of days.

Good for you! That is a hard journey...figuring everything out and deciding what's best for you. Best of luck on what you decide. There is a TON of information here, so you have come to the right place.

The better you are to yourself the better you can be for others! I have received a wealth of information from my doctors office and off the internet. Good Luck on your quest!

Yes, I think you're ready! I also made the decision before I had my surgery that I was going to be selfish this year and do this for me no matter how it affected anyone else. Now, I do have a lot of support but I decided they will just have to put up with me talking about this surgery all the time. I've never been one to talk about myself so giving myself permission to dwell on me, me, me is a big step. Good Luck!

Great first blog! I think those same words could have come out of my mouth starting here. You're going to do great! -BG

Good for you!!! I myself have struggled with my weight since an early age and I too tried all the "diets" and so forth. I was banded last September and have lost 30 lbs....although I wish it were coming off a little faster...I'm thrilled that for the first time in my life, I'm losing instead of gaining! Good luck to you in your journey and God Bless you.

Thank you so much for all of the wonderful and encouraging words. It means a lot to me. I am going a information seminar on the 22nd of Feb...:frown: