I am 50. I have been really fighting this weight battle my whole life (except when I was born- I was premature- the only time I was ever underweight!). I looked into bariatric surgery starting about 15 years ago, after I was getting chest pains and the cardiologist told me I was 50% overweight and he recommended the RNY. I was shocked, because even though I knew I was fat, I was in denial and did not think it was "that bad". Anyway, I did not want every thing rerouted, so even though I went to many seminars, I did not have the heart to go through with RNY surgery. But I still kept trying to diet. I would lose weight, then regain it back plus 10 or 20 lbs more. Then lap band came out, and I have alot of sensitivities to chemical and metals ( I had to get a copper iud removed because it made me sick), so I was afraid of foreign materials in my body. So I kept trying to diet- I was always hungry, then I'd lose weight, and regain more. The cycle continued until I got up to 308 lbs and I felt totally frustrated. Then a co-worker got sleeved and I saw what a big difference it was for him. I researched and researched, and went to more seminars. Bottom line- I got sleeved. I think you should not feel you need to wait until you hit a specific weight. In my case, I did emotionally eat, which I realized when I did pre-op dieting, but I also realized that I was eating huge volumes of food, because I was hungry. No diet could shrink the size of my stomach and make me less hungry. The sleeve actually reduces the hormone grelin (which makes you hungry), as well as reduces the size of your stomach, so you won't feel as hungry. Good luck what ever you decide- but find out as much as you can before making a decision.

Thank you RoseSweetie! I feel like this will change my life, I appreciate you telling me your journey. How do you feel, have you lost the weight, and how is your hunger? My only real fear is I will continue to be hungry all the time and want to eat. Of course I feel like no one can eat as much as I eat or want to eat, but maybe we all feel that way in our own private thoughts. Thanks again!

Congratulations on your surgery date. I recently scheduled my surgery for 3/6/12. I have the same apprehension that you do, but I come to the board daily to read people's success stories and remind myself why I'm doing this! I wish the best for you!!