very scared 23 year old.....

I was supposed to sit down with my parents today to decide where I was going to do my sleeve. I am very scared and just told them that I dont want to do it!

I know there is a part of me that wants to do it, but at the same time I am not sure that I am totally for it yet either. I just feel like it isnt something I should have to be doing at age 23 and should be able to do it on my own!

Does anyone have any advice for me? I want to be that nice looking young lady but I just cant get around the life changing decision. I am afraid I wont be able to do it......change my ways, my diet, my exercise, my social life.

being heavy all my life, i can only give u the advice that i have seen come up on here a million times...people say that they should have done it sooner. so while u are young, take back your health and GO FOR IT !!!!!!

My social life is better than it ever has been . You won't regret it and it is easier than you think . I wish I had done it many years ago . So much wasted time feeling crappy and unhappy . I'm older and feel like I've been given a wonderful gift , it's nice to like what I look like and love how I feel every new day I have been given. I have dieted most of my life and even lost almost 50 pounds before , always to gain that and more back . This time I KNOW  IT IS GONE FOREVER . I am in control of my destiny and the rest God carries for me . Put your mind at ease , It's your decision , no one can make you do it , but YOU are worth it .

I turned 24 only 3 weeks before my surgery. I wanted to get it before it was too late for my skin not to shrink back. Well it was too late anyways, I should have had this done at 18 when I wanted it...but then I wanted RNY and I know i would not have had such a wonderful experience as I did with my sleeve. I lost 99 lbs by my 6 month mark and went on to lose an additional 25 lbs after that taking me down to 153 lbs at 5'7. My life has taken a turn for the better and I'm not the biggest girl in the room anymore...or even close to the biggest girl in the room! I can shop with my size 7 cousin and we share clothes...never in my life did I even dream of that. it's an amazing thing. Your mom and dad will give you 100 reasons not to do it...you know in your heart that's whats needed. Once they see how happy you are, they will be glad you did it as well. Take the leap!!!

This is a serious undertaking so don't do anything you are not 100% ready for.

I am 32 years old and, despite being morbidly obese most of my life, it took me 10 years to make the decision to have weight loss surgery. Of course I could have benefited from this procedure at any time in my life but I would not have been 100% committed to what post surgery life is like.

For me, the life I was faced w/living was worth any risks that came w/surgery. When you are at that point, you will be ready. If you are on the fence and not sure, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE take your time until you are ready and committed. Right up to surgery most of us have jitters and second thoughts but there is a big difference between jitters and not ready.

At the end of the day, go w/your gut. Something can be right for you but the timing is off and that is just as bad or worse as the wrong thing for you. When you are ready you will know that you are willing and ready to change your ways, diet, exercise and social life. There are some adjustments and inconveniences in the beginning but you can adapt. Your life depends on it either way.

The past 8 years twice I had attended seminars and classes about getting the weight loss surgery and I left thinking I can do this on my own and failed.  The last time I went something clicked and I new I was ready- and I did it and it's the best thing I ever did for myself- I'm turning 38 on Monday.

Do I wish I would of did it years and years ago- yes HOWEVER I wasnt ready than and I think it happoned when it did because it was the right time for me.

If this is your time- than take and run with it! And do not let anyone take that from you- only you will know if this is your time.

My only advice- therapy! It is my number one tool fighting my obesity- they operate on your stomach but not your head.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU!

 I'm 20 and getting ready for the surgery. I am confident that it will be a very wise decision!

Lindsay when r u having ur surgery? Did u ever have these same thoughts that u didn't want to do it any more

I hope to have it this month, pending insurance approval! I didn't really have these thoughts. The past few years, my mom had always talked to me about wls, but never helped me access the knowledge or ability to obtain it. I finally told myself that if it was something I really wanted (and it is!) that it is something I was going to have to prepare myself for, and work hard to achieve. Since I have been working towards insurance requirements, I have been trying to prepare myself for the idea of surgery. It is a big deal, but I know that I don't want to spend the rest of my life overweight and unhappy. 

What it all comes down too, do it for yourself, and not for anyone else. If you feel like you aren't ready, don't rush into it. You will know when the time is right. Check out the seminars for all of the different places in your area. When you do decide to have surgery, don't settle, make sure the place you go is where you are most comfortable. I was going to sign up at the first seminar I went to, but my aunt urged my to check out the place where she worked, and now I feel like I would have made a big mistake if I went elsewhere! And remember, if it is something that you really want, you will have to prepare yourself for it and work you ass off to achieve it!

I love how confident Lindsay above is. I think you will be ready when you can make a confident statement like Lindsay did above: "I am 20 and I am getting ready for surgery." That is the sound of a confident young woman. I had my surgery at 54 years old. How I wish I could have done this 25 or 30 years ago....