True Stories of an Overweight Teen

by Sandy
(Houston, TX)

My name is Sandy, and this is my true story.

I was a "big girl" for my age my whole life. But I didn't officially become obese until junior high school, I believe. And believe me, it is hard enough being a teenage girl, but when you are overweight, it becomes such a burden.

I was already shy from childhood, but the added weight I put on in my adolescent years made me even more withdrawn. I didn't play any sports in high school, didn't join any clubs, and didn't even go to my prom.

I was so afraid that the other kids would make fun of me, like they did at lunch, or walking through the halls. My obesity took a part of my youth that I will never be able to get back.

Now here I am a 28 year old, unmarried, no children, morbidly obese woman, considering weight loss surgery. I don't want to look back in twenty years and regret everything I didn't or couldn't do because of my weight issues. Life is too short!

But the fear of what could go wrong with gastric bypass surgery, or not losing enough weight with the lap band has me paralyzed. Which one should I choose? Am I prepared to live with whatever consequences, good or bad, that will come from having a weight loss surgery? Will I be here after the fact, at all?

I wonder how it would feel to be a normal size without even trying? Life is so unfair. Well, anyway, that's my true story of an overweight teen that couldn't kick the habit, so to speak.