Chatis36

I am a 36 year old woman who's been dealing with weight issues since I was 12.  Growing up, I was a healthy thin child but once I hit puberty, I started to gain weight like crazy.  I did not realize that I had changed until I started getting teased at school.  After that, I went from an outgoing child to someone introverted and painfully shy.  Being overweight robbed me of a chance to grow up as a normal teenager. I was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes 3 years ago and also have high cholesterol.  This has been a hard pill to swallow; I've been dealing with depression and feelings of worthlessness.  I avoid going out and have become a recluse.  I do find solace at work but once I leave there, I go home and stay there.  I live in a beautiful place, yet I avoid doing any of the activities available for fear of looking like a fool.  Today, I finally took that first step and emailed Dr. Kirshenbaum in Denver.  I received an email this morning and will contact them tomorrow to schedule an appointment.  I have done research and this seems like the best choice for me.  I know that if I don't lose the weight, I will die very young.  I hope that I will be accepted because of my health problems (even though my BMI is 34) and know that this procedure will be the best tool to control my weight for the rest of my life.  I am hoping to find support here.