My BMI is pushing 60.

I am feeling miserable.  I had seen my doctor last month for my annual physical.  I weighed in at 302 pounds, my heaviest and he said my BMI was 59, I was shocked since I'm short at only 5'0".  Where ever I go, I seem to be the heaviest woman around in all my groups.  I can't stand looking at myself in the mirror any more.  At my church and in my college classes there are other overweight women but none close to my size.  I feel like a freak.  I want to lose 150 pounds and look normal again. On outings, I struggle to keep up with my husband and other friends.  I'm only in my thirties and desparatedly want to be fit some day.  I never see other young peopla as morbidly obese as I am.  I have been unable to find many clothes that fit for years.  Is there anyone else out there facing similar challenges?

I have been EXACTLY where you are now! At 5'10, I weighed 477 lbs at my heaviest, which is a BMI of 68. It sucks. I especially know the "heaviest woman around" feeling. I literally didn't know anyone as fat as me. It's sometimes hard not to feel like a freak. The good news is that there are ways to get your life back on track. Additionally, if you want suggestions as to where to buy cute clothes that fit, please ask.

You're not alone. We're all in this together!

I was facing similar challenges and then I decided to have weight loss surgery. It was the right choice for me. I am thankful to have my life back.

I know exactly what you mean.  I'm 5 1/2 .... i now weigh 310.6.... I started at 350.4 in Feb...... My surgery is the 12th of June.  So I do understand and my BMI started at 68.5. 

I felt the same. You need to research the different surgeries. The DS shines for weight loss and maintenance compared to other surgeries, but especially in those with BMIs over 50. You need to study up as most surgeons only recommend the surgeries they perform, and at least for me, that wasn't what I would be best served by. I had to change surgeons at the last minute. I'm forever grateful I did.

You are young, so I'd be especially cognizant of long term stats for the different surgeries. I didn't want to undergo a major surgery if it wasn't going to serve me well for the rest of life. A place where a nonprofit group has compiled many medical studies about the different weight loss surgeries and comparisons that you can access for free is DSfacts.com.

Information is your best friend at this stage of the game. I felt exactly as you do, but my life has been so different for the last 6 plus years. I eat a more normal diet than I ever did pre-op, and maintain almost effortlessly. I hope you get to the same happy place.

Hi, arkloser -

My highest BMI was 67 - I had surgery 5 weeks ago with a BMI of 64 and am so glad I did. I began researching surgery 5 years ago, and chickened out time and time again. Then it dawned on me - all I had to show for those 5 years was poor health and getting bigger, and a lot of pants I'd busted out of. Had started shopping online because I was close to outgrowing Catherine's.

I am SO GLAD I had surgery and I'm on the way to better health and a more active life.

But of course everyone has to make that decision for themselves. Like the above post says - research, research, research. Ask questions. And if you are like me, be prepared to deal with what's underneath a lot of the eating (for me: abuse in past, stress, poor self-image) - hopefully if you decide to have surgery there will be an integrated counseling/psych component.

Look forward to seeing more of your posts. All the best to you ... feel free to friend/PM me :)

not anymore, but you just reiterated my OWN recent past.  yes i lived that very same scenario.  If you're contemplating surgery, I highly recommend it.  You'll get most of your excess weight off, you'll FEEL better, you'll be more active because you actually CAN be more active.... i mean, i could go on.  life is much better when you feel better and actually feel GOOD about yourself. your whole outlook on life changes.  inner peace, it's amazing.