Introductions, maybe?

So, I'm kinda new here, but hopefully not for long, right? I hope this is an appropriate way to introduce myself. I've been reading older posts, and although I don't have any major questions, and I might be breaking some kind of netiquette rules here, mostly I just wanted to extend a friendly "hello!" and meet some people. (: I'll try to steer clear of a long-winded story-of-my-life type intro, and instead just stick with saying my name is Rochelle, and I'm a 20 year old Philosophy major from Bellingham, WA and that I'm hopefully getting my WLS in July. I've been posting on my blog thing for a couple months, so you can read more there if you are so inclined. Oh, wait! I do have one question. I was discussing this whole surgery thing with my best friend, and she suggested that I don't go into it under the assumption that it's going to make me happier. Well, as much as I love my friend, I think she's wrong, and that I //can// assume that I'm going to be happier when this is all said and done. I feel like my weight has been such a barrier to my happiness, that having it gone (or mostly gone) simply has to improve my quality of life in every way. Can anyone speak to this from either side? Anyways, thank you all for your time and for being beautiful people. ^_^ -Rochelle

I think your friend has the right idea but perhaps said it a little wrong. I would say, yes, definitely more happy. BUT, it is NOT a fix to all of your life's problems  -- aka it is not the means toward happiness in all  areas of your life... and that includes body image, social life, etc. But I'm sure you know that :-) We've all learned that throughout the years. Besides that, Hi! My name is Helen or Yelena or Lena--- whichever you like better. I am 23 years old and work as a journalist in Minnesota. I am getting the LapBand in the next month or two. Nice to meet you!!

I love your new avatar!

Thanks!!

Hi Rochelle!  I'm Jaci, 24 year old music education major. Your friend is correct to a point... the end result is happiness and what not... but don't forget about the obstacles we have to go through to reach it.  I am still dealing with social and body issues, but I can safely say I have never been more happy with myself as a person :)

Hi Rochelle! I'm Leslie, and I am newer to the boards as well.  I am approved to have the RNY, just waiting on the date.   I haven't been throught he weight loss part yet so I don't have words of wisdom just yet. Great question though!~Leslie

Howdy Rochelle, I'm Amy, a 22 year old History and Comprehensive Social Studies major from Wisconsin.   To answer your question - my RNY *helped* make me a heck of a lot happier, but it came with its own little trials as well as shed some light on problems I was previously able to hide with food, poor body image and so on.  So like a few other folks said, it isn't a cure all, but it has the potential to *help* make your quality of life 100% better if you do your part (your part being: learn to eat appropriately, learn to make exercise a part of your life and get the psychological tools you need to deal with what  contributed to you being overweight to begin with). Let us know when you get a solid surgery date and I hope to see you around

Welcome to the group. Your friend is right... while losing weight will improve certain areas of your life you will find that 'skinny people have problems too'. Many people go into this thinking their life will be so different/so great/become a fairy tale because of the weightloss and that just is not true. In fact, for some (not all) losing weight brings up all the problems they were buring under the pounds and soothing with food and they now have to face them... thats one reason why some suffer from transfer addiction.  I wouldnt say the surgery made me happier... the surgery has made my life easier and opened up more options - there are things I can physically do now that I couldnt before. I dont feel as held back as I did before and I do get more pleasure out of life because I can do everything I want. It has taken away some of the sadness that came with the obesity... I guess you could say Im happier more of the time now than before but Im not like woooooooo Im freaking Disneyworld on legs (the happiest place on earth! haha).

HEy Rochelle....I'm Stacey and a teacher in NC...I had RNY a little over a year ago and I've lost 125lbs....I don't post a lot but I read and lurk more often then not.....as far as happiness goes it depends on you....I have always been a happy person so I'm really happy now....but if you have suffered from depression before than you may suffer after....it def isn't a magc fix but I will tell you that I feel great and focus on the great things that ths surgery has done to my life!

Hi! I am Alisa! I am pretty new to this forum as well. I have been on the lap band forum for a while, but never really posted around this one. I just had surgery a few days ago, and I can't say i have been any happier yet. For me I don't think it will make me much happier. I have never let my weight impact my happiness. I've always been outgoing and active, but I do think it will help me enjoy life more and get out and do even more than before. Like others said if you think your weight has been a barrier to your happiness you can expect that it will make you happier, but can't expect it to fix all of your problems. Like if you are having relationship problems you can't expect it to fix them, but as for heath problems it is okay to expect that they will be fixed.  Its all about going into it with a realistic attitude and for the right reasons, But I think you will be a lot happier! =)