I have nobody and need positive conversation. BMI - 54.

I have gone to three information seminars in the last year, two weeks ago being the most recent. I have my first visit with the surgeon coming up on January 5th. I'm extremely excited about it. He'll tell me more of what my future holds but I know that with what my insurance requires, I have to be on a supervised diet and nutrition plan for six months. So, hopefully I'm looking at July or August for surgery. I understand exactly what you're talking about with the desk and having to lean forward. I am a hairstylist/cosmetologist and when I'm shampooing clients hair, I have to lean over a sink bowl to do so. It is very uncomfortable trying to keep good posture while leaning over them and keeping my stomach sucked in so that it doesn't push out towards them. It hurts my back on a daily basis to do so. It's weird, the little things that make you realize just how much better life will be post-op..... and the not so little things. :)

Good for you!! My highest recorded BMI was 53 (it was probably higher at some point but I refused to weigh myself for a long time). Weight loss surgery gave me my life back.

Just remember that it is a life-long learning process. The first year was overwhelming to me mentally, learning the new ropes and getting used to the new me, but then things all evened out in the wash.

Thank you so much! My BMI now is 54 but this is not my highest. I don't know what my highest was but my highest weight was almost 20lbs more than I weight now. I am trying my best to lose some weight on my own. It's just so out of hand and I think I deserve happiness that this weight loss surgery will bring me. My health is so important to me. I am 25 years old and a single mother. I have a little boy who counts on me for guidance and I want to be healthy and live a long life for him and I also want to lead a good example for him. He is so fit and active and I want to be able to keep up with him and have that bond with him that I can't have now when it comes to sports and fitness. I know it'll be hard but I am ready for it and I know I can do it! :) I'm extremely ready for this even with the fears behind it. 

Do you mind if I ask you if you've had to get a tummy tuck or any plastic surgery for skin removal or has your stomach tightened up fairly good? 

I had my arms done as soon as I got to goal. 2.5 years post-RNY I had a lower body lift and a breast lift. I hid it all fairly well in clothes, but mentally it bugged me so I found a way to get it done.

I am extremely worried about extra hanging skin. I am hoping it's not as bad as I am imagining it to be. I'm overthinking it I think but I know it's gonna get to me. I have already began looking into loans and credit lines for plastic surgery. It just really scares me because I know I'll be uncomfortable with my body, something that I actually am not at all uncomfortable with. I love my body and I love the way I look. I see nothing unattractive about my body now, maybe because I have learned to love it and be comfortable but I'm afraid it'll be different one I lose the weight. I'm sure it sounds stupid to most people to be this worried... but I am. 

Welcome.  My starting BMI was a bit higher than yours.  My son was my impetus for changing my life, too.  My advice to you is this: don't go to the hardware store to buy milk.  Some friends/family will not be able to give you the support you need (hardware store) -- so don't look to them for support.  

As far as excess skin -- I have some but it isn't as bad as I had thought it would be.  Of course, I am older and married so maybe I just care less.  At 25, perhaps you will be lucky and have greater resiliency?  

I will tell you this, regaining my health has been a wonderful thing for my little boy.  I am able to do so much more with him now.

My son is my world. I have been so worried for the last few years that things will be hard on him because I am overweight. He is starting sports next year.... soccer,basketball, karate, gymnastics.... and anything else his heart desires. I have begun teaching him work outs he can do at home. When I am explaining to him why working out and being healthy is important, he has asked me before why if I eat healthy and work out, why am I overweight and if being healthy and staying fit is important for him, why is is NOT important for me. I try my best to explain to him about my health problems and things but it is still hard for him to wrap his head around. Now he asks me why I can't run around with him outside and play chase and tag and why I don't play sports and do karate with him. I want to be able to do those things and I can't wait to be able to do them without having to sit on the side lines while he sees other parents playing with their kids. It kills me. 

As for the extra skin, I have been told by a few doctors that being younger, my skin will be healthier and I have good elasticity in my skin so hopefully it won't be too bad. I feel it's very vain to care so much and put so much thought into it but I am worried and I can't help it. I am going to learn every work out possible for toning and tightening my stomach and I drink loads of water and I'll look into wraps and lotions and all that because I know tummy tucks are very expensive. I don't worry about it so much that it sways my choice to go through with the surgery. My health and future is more important than vain thoughts of what my tummy skin will look like. :)

good luck. you'll find many positive, supportive  people here, and some negative. being BIG folks sometimes people can be especially cruel and resentful about us having surgery. even other WLS people who like to think and even say "well, i was bad....but not THAT bad."  and they'll take little jabs and shots about how THEY just gained weight because of "this and that" and how they really didn't have an eating problem or one with food, just a weight problem. and some might even put down your choice of surgery. because they are stupid and insecure

so the haters can hate, but YOU will just keep on keeping on, losing weight, and doing what you need to do for yourself and your son. good luck and you can PM me any time you need support, a kind word, or to simply say "hi." 

we are special, us "50+" people who decide to do this. and anyone who says otherwise can go get f**ked. and not in a good way. you are NOT alone in this, and many here will not let you be. i cannot promise you anything about wls, how much you will lose, or what it will mean to your life. but i know you are courageous, bold, and taking a step many fear. and not just concerning wls. 

stay up, good luck, good things are about to happen for YOU. forget all the rest, and the haters 

Thank you so much. It's okay. I'm used to people having something to say. People always feel the need to put their opinion in when it's different than yours. I have dealt with negative people my whole life, even some people close to me are very against me getting surgery, each for different reasons. This is MY life and MY choice and I will not let people hold be back from the choice I believe is the best choice for me. Thank you so much for being positive and replying to my post. It means a lot because I just don't have the support from the people in my life that I'd like to have. You can't force people to be there for you though. They either are or aren't. Today was my first meeting with my doctor and I am so beyond happy. He is just a darling person, very very nice and dealing with him felt very comfortable. I am so happy. Thank you!