New here, oh where to start with wls?

Just saying hi right now and finally signed up to the site. Ill give a quick backround of myself and why im here.. Well im 29 5'7 and 275lbs(give or take 5lbs) and feal like garbage. This is the biggest i have ever been. My last real battle and heave ho go at weight loss was 3 years ago when i topped 250lbs. Went to the doc to get a check up and make sure nothing was out of wack before i started working out again(at that point he tells me i need to loose weight--well du thats what im here for). Well anyway i got myself down to 210 in a few months,fealt really good then the hunger pains really set in. At that point i was taking in about 1,700-2,000 cal a day but still not low enough to really loose weight but it was low enough to make me hungry all damn day(already eating 6 small meals). Well needless to say i caved and slowly started eating till i wasnt hungry(of course you all know thats too much food for the adv person but about enough for a 250lb person) Well anyway 2 years pass and i put it all back on plus 10lbs. Now its another year later and im 15lbs heavier and need to do something. My moms side of the family is on the large size (300lbs would be the adv) and im working my way to it. Other family members had the surgery(uncle,cousin,--Recently my mom-in august, and my aunt is scheduled to get it done soon) Of course they all want me to look into it, not really pressure from them to get it but more of the"our family has a weight problem and if we can qualify for it you can too" Family history of arthritis,diabetes,hypoglycemiea,high blood pressure etc. So i really want to do something about it, tried diets,dieting with a doctors help and you know the rest. I have no problem working out, its the eating too much part i fall really short on. Family members are all doing great, cousin was the first 2 years ago and 100lbs, her dad(uncle) was the next and i think he is a bit more than 1 year out and 100lbs and my mom is about 2-3months out and 35 or so lbs gone. Aunt is due to have it soon espically after her heart attack.(would say she is over 400lbs but not so sure) Now my girlfriends mother also had it done last october and is down 110lbs so far.. As you can see im surrounded by people that had it done but still looking to talk to new people in nj,make friends and get oppinions from them as i dont really talk to my uncle,cousin or my girlfriends mom... My mom on the other hand has been inspirational and i can talk to her more freely about it,how its working for her etc but she lives in a different state and i dont talk long on the phone.. sorry for the long intro but i hope to get to know some of you,your progress,things to look out for etc.. doug

Welcome Doug, I'm sorry you feel like "garbage" but getting educated about WLS is a good place to start the journey to feel better about yourself. I suggest reading people's profiles. It will give you a wide array of experiences to learn from. You can also find folks near you to chat with by checking out profiles online. I'm looking forward to hearing from you again. Robin

Welcome, Doug I think you have a better start than a lot of us in that you have people close to you who have had it done and will be there to support you. I am the first one in my family to have it done, and they have had to learn to be supportive. I would browse some profiles, check out some of the surgeons, look at the pictures, etc. This is a great place to gather information. Good luck as you begin the journey. I know what it's like to feel like crap, but here I am, not even 3 months out, down 70 pounds, and enjoying having a life back!

Welcome Doug!!! I was banded a month ago today......I too felt like Garbage.....that was the exact reason I had WLS! Your doing the right thing, you are only 29 and trust me, it only gets worse when you get older. (metabolism goes right out the window!) Best Wishes!!

I feel for you and the decisions you need to make. No one can make them for you but from being with this group of people it is already helping me with many of the questions I had. I am now waiting for the Dr office to call with an approval for the surgery. My husband is supportive but concerned with my well being regarding the surgery. I come from a family of diabetics, high blood pressure and heart disease. I am not sure why I have been so lucky to make it to 44 without any of these problems but I have been until my last dr's visit when she told me my cholesterol was a little high and she didn't like it. Although I am heavy, I was over 300lbs in high school and now run around 245 with much work in the watching what I eat dept. I have come to the conclusion I need help with my weight because the dieting just doesn't work anymore, so that is why I have made the decision to do this. I hope part of my history can help you in some way.. Good luck!

Doug~ Best of luck in your journey. It's a long road for most of us, years of dieting and gaining and then right back to the same thing, gaining over and over and eating because you get discouraged. This is a good place to start your quest. Your quest to better health and a better state of mind. A good place to start is asking about different doctors you have heard of, maybe the doctors your relatives used? A surgeon is a good place to start. Look for a few informational seminars, after you hear a doctor speak at them, it sometimes gives you an idea of what you are looking for in that aspect. Best of luck on this journey Michelle Brennan

Hi Doug: Welcome to OH! Research is the key and you will get lots of info here. when I was starting out I started looking at different doctors through recommendations and from this website. I actually found my doctor through this website, Dr. Jean-Baptiste at Muhlenberg Hospital. I see you live in Edison and Muhlenberg is part of Solaris that also owns JFK. His next support group is on Nov. 16...you should come. There are many men there who have been losing and look amazing! I selected 3 doctors and then decided on Dr. JB! His patients give him rave reviews and I hope to also after my RNY on 11/9. Good luck!