WELL, here we go !

 I have been big my whole entire life . I am 24 and I am currently 340ish pounds and I am 5'6. I have tried fad diets,pills,wraps and probably all the other stuff you have tried too. I held steady at 280-290 for years but the last couple years I have let myself go. I now have PCOS, high b/p and my joints hurt all the time. I have been thinking about VSG surgery for about 1 year and the last 3 months I have decided with my husband that I am going to this :). My First apt is Oct,17,14 ! I am tired of being this outgoing loving *****y person and being trapped by my body and mind. So I would like to know, how long did it take from start to finish ( from 1st apt to surgery), the best and worst parts ( before and after) and what kind of test did you have to have before surgery. Plus any other info you think is helpful ! Thank you in advance :) God Bless!

I'm in Canada and here, our surgery is covered by our provincial health care plan. There's a whole process to go through in order to determine your suitability for surgery, so unfortunately, I can't advise you on what is required in IL... nor what are your next steps because in the USA, it depends on if you are self-pay or if you are going through your insurance. I know that many people check with their insurance to determine what is/is not covered and what are the requirements.

I can relate to your post though. I was overweight my entire life... since I was a young child, and I didn't have my surgery until I was 43. So applaud you for doing it now, while you can make even MORE of your time count! Good for you! Now, at 44, I'm in sizes I haven't seen since I was 14 years old! It's incredible!

Wishing you lots of luck as you navigate your path and find out what is best for you!

Thank you so much ! 

 I am scared about doing the surgery BUT i am more scared if i don't.

I can't give you info regarding your timeline, but I do want to wish you well with your decision. Congratulations on taking your health under control.

K.

Are you sure the surgery is a good idea? I believe that diet and exercise will help as it helps everyone. 

You are posting on a site where at least 90% of the members have either had weight loss surgery or are waiting to have weight loss surgery. If "diet and exercise" worked, do you not think we wouldn't have tried that? Your post is just about the most ridiculous piece of "advice" I've read here. Ever.

SMDH.

What you believe is not the same as what is fact.  For example, I may believe that the earth is flat.  It doesn't make it so.  

Oh my god, why didn't I think of this! No one has ever suggested this to me before.

You, sir, are a genius. Time to go back under the bridge now.

Why didn't I think about that?  Wow... I could avoid the surgery...crap...