startingyoung

I have grown up yo yo-ing with my weight since before I can remember. I joined weight watchers, saw a nutritionist, tried cross fit, cycling, and even had the gastric sleeve surgery all before I was even 21. After on and off diets, I am finding myself feeling hopeless again. I have an extremely unhealthy emotional relationship with food that I am starting to believe is an addiction. I have dealt with a lot of difficulties in my life and have always turned to food to be my support system. Food has always been there and hasn't ever emotionally hurt me, so I continued. It has now become apparent to me that in order for me to finally lose the weight I need to in order to be healthy and avoid health issues, I need to deal with my addiction and break my emotional relationship with food. I feel really lost and really wish I could make people understand just how deep my relationship with food goes. I am tired of yo-yo-ing and running the risk of having health issues or even getting winded walking up stairs. I really need some support from feel who know exactly how I feel and some advice. I know the best thing would be to go to therapy and/or a nutritionist to really work on my issues, but I just don't think I can afford either (especially both) right now. Anyone in the same boat?

Hi! I am 21, I had my sleeve done July 2014. Was at 225 at my highest and am at 194 right now. My goal is 140-145. I am in Oregon. Fell off the wagon and struggling to get back!

I had my surgery July 2014 and after a lot of hard work was only 20 pounds away from my goal! Well life happened and I've gained a substantial amount of weight back. I'm having the hardest time staying on track and living a "normal" life that doesn't include never touching a sweet or having such an insanely restricted diet. Need some encouragement. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

FrankiesGirl thank you. you are so right, that is exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you too thunder32 Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Being only 19 years old and a month post op, I realize that there are a lot of things that I will not be able to do anymore. Take shots on my 21st birthday, drink soda, enjoy a drink with my dinner, and others. Some of my friends that know were worried for me before the surgery because of these factors. And yes these are things I will not be able to do, but everything comes with a price. In my case, all the things that I gain from this surgery completely outweigh those that I am unable to do. I now can have more confidence in myself, have a smaller chance of developing heart problems, have a smaller chance of developing diabetes, be truly healthy for the first time since I was young, I can buy smaller clothes, I can buy clothes is sizes that don't have an X next to it, I can eventually wear a bathing suit comfortably, I can finally stop the excuses of why I haven't lost the weight, I can love my body, and I can stop feeling like I am wasting my "glory years" by being overweight. These are only a few of the things that I have and will gain from this surgery, and I could not be more content. For anyone who is on the fence about this surgery, yes there are disadvantages and life changes that need to be made, but it can also give you your life back. After years, I am finally going to love everything about myself, including my body.

so I am having my surgery next week and I am starting to get nervous. It didn't really hit me until now and I can feel myself unconsciously stress eating and holding stress in my neck and shoulders. Just what I need right now, stress eating! My mom just had her surgery ( as well as surgery for a hernia) but I feel like she was way more dedicated pre-op than I have been. I don't want to have a big stomach and liver during surgery but my nerves are getting to me. Its scary to think that I am making such a permanent and life changing decision at only 19. I know this is what is best for me right now, but I guess I am getting some cold feet. Any advice?

I am a week and a half post-op and starting to feel A LOT better! However, I am having trouble getting all my required stuff in. I know I am not expected to get all my daily water, all my protein, etc yet but I am struggling to get a decent amount in. Going from someone who was hungry all the time to hardly ever hungry is making me forgetful. I for some reason am having a very hard time remembering to get a sufficient amount of water and protein in. Any tips on how to help myself remember? I don't want to lose any muscle mass or get dehydrated, so I know I need to do this right. Any suggestions?

UPDATE! 4 days post -op and feeling pretty nauseous. I have not thrown up yet (and i hope i don't!). just trying to fight away the thoughts of "why the hell did i do this" and remind myself why and that the outcome will be great. I have to go back to school tomorrow and work on wednesday. hoping to be feeling better soon! i am, however, not in a lot of pain. other than menstrual cramps, I am doing pretty well pain wise. I am quickly finding out what I can and cannot tolerate. (chicken broth being one i can' t tolerate). How are you feeling now tammy? @tsangia Best to all!

thank you so much for everyone's input. I am happy to hear that others feel the same way as I do. I have decided to continue with my surgery as planned. I thought it through by thinking if I didn't do this what I would do and if I thought it would work. I came to the conclusion that this is definitely what I want. My surgery is on Thursday! Getting kind of anxious but I am so ready to start a new and better life for myself. I have the same concerns about filling that food void. I figured I would deal with that when I need to. Best of luck Tammy! Just going to keep focused until Thursday!

I had a reluctant dad. He could not be reasoned with and was convinced his method was the way to go. (even though he too is overweight!) Finally, my grandmother (his mom) talked to him and he suddenly had a change of heart. Being possibly the biggest momma's boy alive, we knew that my grandma would be a changing factor. I would suggest maybe approaching the situation in a different way. Maybe even a different person. If he's hung up on numbers, get Weight Watcher's success rates etc to see if that can help prove your point. Also like others have said, its more about keeping the weight off not losing it. With my own experience with Weight Watchers, they definitely help get it off, but keeping it off is an entirely different story. Best of luck!

Hi all! It's about week before my surgery in Tijuana and I'm starting to worry about my skin after all the weight loss. I am hoping that I am young enough (almost 20 years old) that I have enough elasticity in my skin to not have "skin flaps" due to rapid weight loss. I wouldn't be able to have a corrective/ cosmetic surgery to "fix" it until later in life because I don't want to hinder my chances for having children in the future. My mom just had her surgery yesterday and ended up having her unknown urnea repair too! She's very nauseous but good! Help?