Here I Go!

[RachelP 0]

Hello Everyone,

I am so excited to have found a site that has people like me, that outstand me!!! I have been reading your stories and just have tears of WOW in my eyes. It is so comforting to have that connection now with others that have falling over the same hurtles I have. My family is so supportive and great so I can not knock that! My friends are having trouble understanding why I just can't do it on my own. But lets get real!! Everytime I diet I lose weight and then BAM I gain back even more. They all have the "Oh if I could just lose 10 lbs life would be easier". Which I laugh at and roll my eyes! They can't understand that I have been fighting the bulge since I was, well forever!! I had a few small years in there but that was far and few inbetween. I have so much weight to lose, they just can't even imagine how much. Let's just say it......I need to lose basically a person. How different is that than 10 lbs?

I was always the biggest in the class all the way through elementary and middle school. I came back to high school looking great because it had finally shifted to the approved areas. That did not last long though. By 17 I was again the largest in the class and it has just gone up and up, down and up, up and up, down and way up. I did have a period in College that a doctor put me on Phen phen and Redux. I lost a lot of weight. I looked great but I was shaking and worked up all the time. Then when the study came out that those drugs were going to damage your heart for life. Wow...

I am excited to be starting this journey for real this time. We looked into the surgery 3 years ago and I chickened out and kept thinking if this is just a committment thing I have it in the bag. I am committed to my health and family. I have given losing weight so much attention in the last 20 years. Well, after three years I now know that I need this tool to help me in my journey. I ready to sound selfish and that is just that. I want to send more time on me!!!! I want to feel important enough to put the countless hours dieting, reading about diets, going to doctors to see if they can get me on a path behind me. I am ready to move forward and kick some fat out of my life FOREVER!!!

I have my surgery on May 11th, 2012. I am nervous, excited, thrilled, overjoyed, freaked out, and ready to rock this new person that I am going to unleash!!

Thank you all for taking the time to be on this site and telling your story!! I will use your stories and wisedom in my journey!!

[Lissa 2,631]

Rachel, Welcome to VST! It sounds like you're ready to do this and get on with your life! Yes, it does require being a little selfish, but that's okay. It will pay off BIG dividends for those who love you because they'll get to keep you around longer!

[LadyIvy 159]

WTG on this life changing decision. It is a little scary, but I am only 3 weeks out and even though I feel like my whole life has changed, it really needed to. Your story sounds like so many people here. I wouldn't give back this decision for anything and in all likelihood you won't either. Congrats on doing something great for yourself and your family!