Hello all,
First I want to thank everyone who has posted about their very own emotional journey regarding obesity> I too have resonated your struggles and have benefitted from everyones prsonal experiences.  What a support and community to have during such a life changing experience.  A little about myself... I have struggled with my weight since elementary years...flash forward 25 years and I found myself approaching 300 lbs.. Shocked and numb from the pain of ignoring my own insecrtities and hang ups I finally came to once while looking at pics of myself and not even recognizing who I was anymore.  I had lost myself.  I was so ashamed and angry that I let myself get so out of touch with my unhealthy and sad life. A couple friends of mine had WLS and I was very much in awe of their weight loss that I started to consider it myself.  Last year I started the ball rolling and decided to contact a WL surgeon.  Luckily for me I did not have insurance issues and within 3 monts I had VSG.  My initial weight was 291, my surgey day weight was 260 and now I am 212.  I exercise for 1 hour a day on my lunch instead of going out to eat like I used to do everyday, (somteimes twice a day.) I love discovering things about myself i never knew I had like a collar bone and a hip bone and some other NSV's like my wedding ring will not stay on anymore as it is too big.  I am more confident in myself and no longer allow others to mistreat me for accecptance becuase I was too ashamed to stick up for myself.  I am a proud mom who now excersies with my kids instead of parenting from the couch.  I have a new lease on life and boy does it feel AWESOME!!    For the first time in my life i am looking forward to going to an amusement park and rding ALL the rides i want to and not having to worry if I will fit in the seats or not.  One sad thing about my jourey is my hair is starting to fall out..ALOT.  It makes me so sad as I have very thin hair to begin with...:( I want to make myslef a support to others, perhaps even start a meeting support group.  i live in Michigan, Downriver area to be exact.  

I have my struggles and the biggest is learning to love myself again fr the first time in my adult life.  I never knew how to please me as I was always wondering what others thought of me, I lost the focus of myself.  I always put others first and myself beyond last.  I m so thankful to rediscover a life I have yearned for but never knew how to achieve,  I am a very accomplished person academically and professionally. I have aMasters degree and hold a managerial level position among a government agency.  However, I never was truly happy.  I always thought of myslf as never quite being "good enough".  My OH friends i want to tell you all and share with you that we are ALL worth it and good enough to have the best life we can.  We are worthy and DESERVING of health, happiness and love.    

I wish you all the best, message me if you would like to be fOH buddies.

To health, love and happiness. *CHEERS*

Great introduction and so glad you shared.  Congratulations on your sleeve and weight loss.  You are where I want to be in a year.   I know it is doable.. 
great job!

Thanks so much for  the welcome...it means alot to me.  Also congrats on your weight loss. Your well on your way :)

Thanks for sharing, you’re doing great!

Thanks Alan...Your doing GREAT yourself:) So nice to see everyones transformation! What a life changing experience:) Keep it up!

 From a fellow-Michigander - welcome!!  I related to your entry.  Every day now is a journey and I am so glad to find fellow travelers.

You've done great and I look forward to supporting and being supported on this journey.

Best to you!!