Chapter 1: The Beginning

[SarahBeth 11]

I guess I'll start at the beginning. I have been overweight my entire life. I remember being in the second grade and wondering why all of the other little girls around me where dressed in cute clothes from LimitedToo while I was ordering plus sized outfits from the Sears catalog. Throughout my life weight has always been a big issue for me. I've dealt with feelings of depression, worthlessness, and self-hatred for as long as I can remember. I went on my first diet in the 7th grade, and have been trying since then to lose weight. I have had a few (slight) successes but never anything more than 20lbs here or there. My mother has always been a huge influence in terms of the way I view my body. She has been on me about losing weight since I was very young. I think in the past I have failed, in part, because I focused too much on pleasing my mother and not enough time trying to make myself happy. At the age of 22 I am still severely overweight. It's funny, because looking back I don't understand how I got to this point. Sure, I've been overweight my entire life, but I am so far past the point of just being a little heavy.

Yesterday my mom sat me down, and before she could even start talking she began to cry. She told me she wanted to talk to me, but didn't want me to hate her. She asked me if I had ever considered weight loss surgery. Initially I was in shock. How could my mother, the one person in the world who is supposed to love me unconditionally, have just asked me if I'd ever considered such a thing. I was humiliated. I felt so disgusting. Of course I had thought of it before, but it was never something I thought was a viable option for many reason. From the financial burden to my young age...I always considered weight loss surgery to be just an out of reach dream. I never thought my parents would support me, and I feared they would think I was being lazy or 'taking the easy way out'. Although I was hurt at first by my mom's suggestion, I realize she is just giving me the opportunity to make a positive change in my life.

I joined this website because I would love to learn more about the process of weight loss surgery and prepare myself for the drastic life change I am choosing to make. I have done a ton of research, and it is nice to talk to people in similar situations who understand what you're going through. I am looking so forward to this journey and sharing it with all of you.

[Sparklette 381]

Hey, I'm Ashley, and I'm about four weeks post op. I'm 21 years old, and your life story sounded like mine, to the T!

My dad was actually the one who mentioned the idea to me, And I was in "wtf did you just say to me" mode at first, but then considered it further, dove head first in to research and well, we see where I am now. Nearly 40 lbs down, and feeling better than i have in a long time.

I've had my ups and downs the past few weeks, but I've never regretted my decision. Because I know that if I had kept going the way I was I'd die before I was 30.

If you have any questions feel free to send me a message, I'd love to answer any questions you have, and it's always nice to have someone around your own age to talk to about this stuff.

[ElleG 394]

I guess I'll start at the beginning. I have been overweight my entire life. I remember being in the second grade and wondering why all of the other little girls around me where dressed in cute clothes from LimitedToo while I was ordering plus sized outfits from the Sears catalog. Throughout my life weight has always been a big issue for me. I've dealt with feelings of depression, worthlessness, and self-hatred for as long as I can remember. I went on my first diet in the 7th grade, and have been trying since then to lose weight. I have had a few (slight) successes but never anything more than 20lbs here or there. My mother has always been a huge influence in terms of the way I view my body. She has been on me about losing weight since I was very young. I think in the past I have failed, in part, because I focused too much on pleasing my mother and not enough time trying to make myself happy. At the age of 22 I am still severely overweight. It's funny, because looking back I don't understand how I got to this point. Sure, I've been overweight my entire life, but I am so far past the point of just being a little heavy.

Yesterday my mom sat me down, and before she could even start talking she began to cry. She told me she wanted to talk to me, but didn't want me to hate her. She asked me if I had ever considered weight loss surgery. Initially I was in shock. How could my mother, the one person in the world who is supposed to love me unconditionally, have just asked me if I'd ever considered such a thing. I was humiliated. I felt so disgusting. Of course I had thought of it before, but it was never something I thought was a viable option for many reason. From the financial burden to my young age...I always considered weight loss surgery to be just an out of reach dream. I never thought my parents would support me, and I feared they would think I was being lazy or 'taking the easy way out'. Although I was hurt at first by my mom's suggestion, I realize she is just giving me the opportunity to make a positive change in my life.

I joined this website because I would love to learn more about the process of weight loss surgery and prepare myself for the drastic life change I am choosing to make. I have done a ton of research, and it is nice to talk to people in similar situations who understand what you're going through. I am looking so forward to this journey and sharing it with all of you.

I totally get your mom... She loves you, don't want to lose u and she wants you to b happy. She knows your not. Your still young u can change your life and start really living life and b happy. I wish u the best! I know you will b happy with the results

[deaddemmama 474]

Wow...I feel for you! I would urge you to get in touch with a local weight loss surgery center of excellence. You usually start this journey by attending an informational seminar. I chose gastric bypass after being disabled for many years which led to me being greatly inactive....and of course eating to stuff feelings! I now have dealt with my disability and co-existing depression and it was time to get healthy! That was my driving reason for WLS...not being thin. Please know this is a process...and not always an easy one. I am four weeks out from surgery and have to remind myself daily that it's a commitment. I hope you stay in touch and get the information you need to make an informed decision. Good luck!

[SarahBeth 11]

Wow...I feel for you! I would urge you to get in touch with a local weight loss surgery center of excellence. You usually start this journey by attending an informational seminar. I chose gastric bypass after being disabled for many years which led to me being greatly inactive....and of course eating to stuff feelings! I now have dealt with my disability and co-existing depression and it was time to get healthy! That was my driving reason for WLS...not being thin. Please know this is a process...and not always an easy one. I am four weeks out from surgery and have to remind myself daily that it's a commitment. I hope you stay in touch and get the information you need to make an informed decision. Good luck!

I have contacted three local weight loss surgical centers and am in the process of choosing between the three of them. I am planning on attending the informational seminars to better understand what each center can offer me before making the decision. I completely understand that this isn't just a magical thing that is going to 'make me thin' & I definitely am not doing this solely to be 'skinny'. I am doing this because I have always battled obesity and it is beginning to interfere with my daily life. Tasks that used to be part of my daily routine are becoming difficult, and I want to take control before I develop any serious health problems. This is strictly a preventative measure I am taking to ensure that I have a happy & healthy future.

[deaddemmama 474]

Good for you! I wasn't intimating anything about your experience...hope you didn't take it that way.I just wanted to share my reasons for getting WLS. Hope everything works out for you! I wish I had your maturity at your age!

[Godzchild1982 31]

I guess I'll start at the beginning. I have been overweight my entire life. I remember being in the second grade and wondering why all of the other little girls around me where dressed in cute clothes from LimitedToo while I was ordering plus sized outfits from the Sears catalog. Throughout my life weight has always been a big issue for me. I've dealt with feelings of depression' date=' worthlessness, and self-hatred for as long as I can remember. I went on my first diet in the 7th grade, and have been trying since then to lose weight. I have had a few (slight) successes but never anything more than 20lbs here or there. My mother has always been a huge influence in terms of the way I view my body. She has been on me about losing weight since I was very young. I think in the past I have failed, in part, because I focused too much on pleasing my mother and not enough time trying to make myself happy. At the age of 22 I am still severely overweight. It's funny, because looking back I don't understand how I got to this point. Sure, I've been overweight my entire life, but I am so far past the point of just being a little heavy.

Yesterday my mom sat me down, and before she could even start talking she began to cry. She told me she wanted to talk to me, but didn't want me to hate her. She asked me if I had ever considered weight loss surgery. Initially I was in shock. How could my mother, the one person in the world who is supposed to love me unconditionally, have just asked me if I'd ever considered such a thing. I was humiliated. I felt so disgusting. Of course I had thought of it before, but it was never something I thought was a viable option for many reason. From the financial burden to my young age...I always considered weight loss surgery to be just an out of reach dream. I never thought my parents would support me, and I feared they would think I was being lazy or 'taking the easy way out'. Although I was hurt at first by my mom's suggestion, I realize she is just giving me the opportunity to make a positive change in my life.

I joined this website because I would love to learn more about the process of weight loss surgery and prepare myself for the drastic life change I am choosing to make. I have done a ton of research, and it is nice to talk to people in similar situations who understand what you're going through. I am looking so forward to this journey and sharing it with all of you. [/quote']

You have a wonderful, caring & loving mom!!! When I told my mom I was having the surgery, she cried because she knows my issues & wants me to have a healthy life. Good luck on your journey & congrats for making a life changing decision

[michelecaples 224]

I hope you will follow my journey on youtube. My name on there is shellsmells1. I am nearly 8 months out and have gone from a size 2x and 20 to a size 2 and xs and childrens clothes.

[karlam29 221]

I hope you will follow my journey on youtube. My name on there is shellsmells1. I am nearly 8 months out and have gone from a size 2x and 20 to a size 2 and xs and childrens clothes.

I just saw your videos waoo!! Inspiring im only in begining stagest preop you know testing consults and all that but its good to see good results and i appreciate the information really good congratulations! Wish i can be a 2 too soon! Im actually 20 and 2x sizes and i relate alooot thanks again really inspiring! It makes me confirm that im doing the right thing! :0)

[Khuff 12]

I will promise you that it is the best life change. You feel in charge and gain self confidence as the scale goes down. I had GBP in Dec. And I have lost 80 pounds so far. I feel so much better. Go for it so you can enjoy life!

[nursejb 38]

I have contacted three local weight loss surgical centers and am in the process of choosing between the three of them. I am planning on attending the informational seminars to better understand what each center can offer me before making the decision. I completely understand that this isn't just a magical thing that is going to 'make me thin' & I definitely am not doing this solely to be 'skinny'. I am doing this because I have always battled obesity and it is beginning to interfere with my daily life. Tasks that used to be part of my daily routine are becoming difficult, and I want to take control before I develop any serious health problems. This is strictly a preventative measure I am taking to ensure that I have a happy & healthy future.

[michelecaples 224]

I just saw your videos waoo!! Inspiring im only in begining stagest preop you know testing consults and all that but its good to see good results and i appreciate the information really good congratulations! Wish i can be a 2 too soon! Im actually 20 and 2x sizes and i relate alooot thanks again really inspiring! It makes me confirm that im doing the right thing! :0)

It will happen very fast. You will do great!

[deaddemmama 474]

How are things going? Have you had the chance to hit a seminar yet?

[SarahBeth 11]

How are things going? Have you had the chance to hit a seminar yet?

I have attended one seminar, but I don't think I'm going to go with that particular center for my surgery. The other centers offered online seminars which I watched. They were really helpful, but also made me extremely nervous! I'm working on scheduling my first appointment now

[deaddemmama 474]

It's a big step...I was nervous too.mainly about the lifestyle change. The surgery didn't really freak me out. But after almost four weeks...I'm kind of in a groove already....still some days I think about food!