Hi all, I'm new

My name is CJ... I'm very new to this message board thing. Though I have been lingering and trying to figure it out for quite some time. I just wanted to finally introduce myself. While I haven't undergone WLS... I have struggled with obesity my entire life. A few years ago, I experienced rapid/drastic weight loss -- I mean, I am 5'3" and I went from 250 lbs at my highest, down to a 175 in 7 months. In any event.. I'm interested in talking with others about their experiences with obesity/weight loss. I know that I was forced to make drastic life changes in order to lose the weight... and it's affected my life in so many ways. I'm looking for people who have experienced even a similar feeling of change -- social, psychological, etc etc. If I'm out of line here let me know... I'm just looking for people who can relate to the issues regarding the struggle, the journeys, and then the triumph. My friends are all skinny minnies and never understood...

Hello CJ, Welcome to the OH Family. We are a wonderful group here. Everyone here has gone through alot of the same things as you in the subject of obesity. I myself have been obese since I was 10 years old. I have tried every diet program on the market, I have even tried medications and hypnosis. They would work awhile then I would gain plus more. I finally made the decision of wls when I was on vacation last year and I had trouble breathing while walking around with my family. It scared the heck out of me. I am 11 months out now and have lost 105lbs so far. I had the gastric bypass surgery laporscopic at St Raphaels. My surgeon Dr. Barajas saved my life. She was wonderful and so was the nurses, staff, etc. I would do it over again in a heartbeat. I feel fantastic, more energy, I am happier and I can enjoy my 11 year old daughter and do things with her. I did a 3mile walk in the summer with some of the OH members, the first time in a very long time for me. I have accomplished so much. I thank God everyday I made this decision. You need to make sure you are doing this for all the right reasons, talk to your surgeon and your primary physician. Go through the seminars and do alot of research on what surgery is best for you. You can ask any of us here at the OH family whatever questions you need to. We are all very supportive here. Good luck and welcome!!!! Hugs KimC

Hi CJ, I have been heavy most of my life, but not to the point that most who have the surgery. I had co-morbidity facotrs. I am 5'8" and weighed at my highest 264 and my lowest 222, I started my journey at 255 and I am down to 178 and a size 10. I am happy and healthy and that is all that I wanted. Shopping is a joy, and now I need to deal with the sagging skin and the money that it is going to take to revamp what the surgery did. Welcome and this is the place to share and maybe at some point you will make a permanent decision regarding how to deal with your obesity. I lost my best friend when I got the surgery, then I realized that she was not a friend, and i look so much better then her now. Your friends may be skinny, but what is your goal? and how are your going to accompli**** Best of luck and if I or anyone can be of help, let us know, Jannie

Jannie: I hear you on the sagging skin thing 100%! It never dawned on me when I was really heavy, that if I lost the weight the skin wouldn't go back to 'normal' too. Well... I found out quickly that skin stretches, but doesn't go back. That is probably one of the biggest things I'm self consious about now. Not only the sags... but the stretch marks too. My entire midsection is ruined. I too lost a very dear friend when I lost my weight. In my case, that friend was my husband-at-the-time. Turns out he wasn't as much a friend as I thought him to be for so many years. But in the long run, I'm glad I made the decision to change my life -- loosing the weight AND the husband. I have yet to really figure out what my exact goals are. I know I'm still not happy looking in the mirror. I'm still recovering from years and years of having NO self esteem... but that will come with time, I suppose. Like I said in a response down below, I might be considering checking into plastics for those horrible flaps of loose skin. But for now, I'm just looking to relate to others about thoughts/concerns and the things I'm happy about, too.

Hi CJ, Welcome to our Ct message board! We are happy to help your journey. Please let us know what you want us to help you. Have you research the doctors ? After you tell us what you want then we will walk through with you with our helps Good luck for reserching! Come back to talk with us. I do understand skinny people will NEVER understand this and how we struggle this...!!! Have a good day! Kathy K

Hi CJ, Welcome! Are you searching for a doc or just wanting some support (or all of the above!) Please feel free to ask any questions. I had my surgery October of '02 and went from 298.5 to 130. I was a size 30-32 top and a size 24/26 bottom. I am down to a sm/med top and a 0-6 (depending on the brand) bottom. Jessica

Hi Jessica: I suppose I'm looking for a little of both. Mainly the support of some kindred individuals who I can relate to, and just sort of befriend. Right now, I'm past the phase for GB... I dont qualify for insurance coverage anymore. But since I lost so much weight in such a short period of time, I'm considering checking out plastic surgery to remove the ugly unsightly skin sags in my arms and stomach. (I know, unwanted graphic image I'm sure.) I started out wearing a size 24 pants... and 22/24 top. Now, I'm in 12/14 pants, and Med/Lg/XL in shirts (depending on style -- stupid boobs).I'm sure if I got rid of all that extra skin around my abdomen I could get down to the single digits in pants!

Hi CJ , Welcome to the board. One thing to remember that we all carry with us as we go on our "Journey" is the awareness that in our hearts we are the same people that we were when we were heavy. We life in that unique way that so many are not able to. Knowing that a person's weight doesn't suggest what kind of person they are. The same go's for a bit of sagging skin. I go to the gym to try to build up where the sagging skin is but I don't go crazy about it. Will take the loose skin over the extra weight and problems it gave me. Know we can all be proud of making the choices to take control of our lives for ourselves as well as for our families. So, be proud of yourself for what you have accomplished and enjoy the fruits of your labors. Be well, Julio