Having panic attacks. Surgery schedule April 10th

[Cait]

My BMI is 37.4. I am 5'6" tall, 233 lbs, and 36 years old. I keep getting comments like "why are you having this surgery? You are young and healthy. ". BUT I am about 80-90 lbs overweight, which I have lost and gained 4 times since I was a teenager. Every time I hear a comment like that, I start to have panic attacks that maybe I am not making the right decision. But I desperately want to lose this weight! The thought of going on ANOTHER diet just exhausts me....thinking about how hungry I get trying to reduce my intake. Please tell me I am making the right decision?!?! I need to hear it over and over again. I am getting on that plane Next Sunday. After that, there is no looking back!

[ladydi]

I havent had surgery yet but im getting the same comments from friends and family. I dont know about you but after loosing the weight over and over again just to regain it. Cant do it anymore. Know you are making the right descision for you. Im not sick but i am tired all the time and have terrible back pain this surgery is supposed to help the quality of my life.

[SKINNYMINNIE]

My BMI was a 31 when I had the surgery a month ago and I don't regret it one bit!! I needed to lose about 60 pounds and, more importantly, KEEP IT OFF THIS TIME!! I gained and lost and struggled for so long and this sleeve is helping me win the battle once and for all. Personally, the surgery was a breeze for me. I had very little to no pain and would do it again in a second. Everyone is different and only YOU know what is the best decision for you but don't let anyone talk you out of it or scare you if you decide to do it. It will change your life!! Best of luck!

[dolphinchica77]

You are doing the right thing! Don't let anyone make you second guess yourself. I have been fat since I was 14. I am now 35 and tired of it after losing and gaining constantly. Those who ask don't know what it is like or don't care. My surgery is April 9. I am in it with you!!! Chin up young person!

[LoveLife]

Cait, sent you a PM. Listen to your heart and your body...only you can make this decision. Others do not understand and are not "in" our body to know how the weight is effecting us physically, mentally and emotionally. Hugs

[badclg1821]

I have not had my surgery yet. I also am getting lots of comments to from people. Especially my husband and good friends. I have been up and down my whole life and I am sick of it. I just want my energy back and to be healthy for my 3 kids. Go with your heart! You know what is right for you. There opinions do not matter only your does.

[lisamarie0814]

I was in the same situation, my BMI was 35 when I had surgery. I had the Lap Band 5.5 years ago and it had failed and I had gained all of my weight back (+20 more pounds) and I was so depressed and I was told I would get gestational diabetes and probably Type II after my pregnancy and that for me was when I decided that I needed to do this, not only for me, but for my husband and my future family - to stay healthy and keep the weight off. I have gained and lost weight so many times before - but it always came back. I got some negative comments from people about how I didn't need the surgery, but I finally realized that this is for ME, not for them - they don't know what it feels like to battle your weight and how it feels to have no feelings of self worth. Listen to your heart, and realize that you are making a choice that is going to forever better your life and make you a healthier person. Good luck on your journey!

[carolynodien]

Hi Cait,
I am also 5'6'', but I am 49 years old. I started gaining weight in my 20's, before that I was normal/skinny (high school weight was 128). A few months before my 10 year HS reunion I weighed about 175 and thought, OMG, I am a COW; went to Jenny Craig and got down to 145 and looked FABULOUS (even though they said I needed to lose another 20 lbs to reach THEIR goal, bastards!). Six months later I was at 185. Back to Jenny. Lost 25. Couple years later I was at 195. Went to Weight Watchers. Lost. Gained. Lost. Gained. Realized I couldn't keep it off. Then came the "F"-it factor. I was scared to death do diet because I knew I could diet my way up to 300 lbs. So I stopped dieting, but the weight still crept on because I was pretty much a bottomless pit of hunger, never felt full, was always planning my next meal. I was so dead set against weight loss surgery for years, but something clicked in me last year and I started researching. When I found out about VSG there was something so appealing to me about it (rather than bypass or lapband). I am SOOOOOOOOOO glad I did it! I have been freed from my compulsion to eat, eat, eat. I hope that my story is something that helps you! xox Best of luck!

[melanie0941]

ok... my 2 cents... best to stop talking to people about it... They are most likely un-educated on this procedure and the details of your situation. This decision is 100% yours... 0% theirs. The more you involve others, the more you are going to have to explain yourself and this will lead to second guessing your decision. I think we all get a little skiddish going into any surgery... but in my case, it was the very best decision I could have ever made. I would do it again tomorrow. I recovered pretty fast and was on a trip to the beach 5 days after surgery. Good luck on your decision... Keep us updated!

[Slimcia girl]

Hi Cait I am from the UK and haven't had my surgery yet. I feel exactly the same, but after reading through the threads (which were very helpful) I have decided enough is enough .... this surgery will help with the quality of my life, not just physically but mentally. I want to spend the rest of my life living and not lock myself away because i don't want to be seen. Good luck mate xx

[SabrinaM]

You and i are very similar. Same height and age. I have about 15 more pounds. I have only told a small group of people about my upcoming surgery because i don't want all the negative comments. I haven't even told my Dad or any siblings except one. I want to go into this entirely for myself. I don't need every person in my life giving me their two cents and watching my journey over my shoulder. Just remember that you are doing this only for you.

[Cait]

Thank you all! I just read your posts over and over again until I feel better. I am sure I will have more panic attacks before I leave for Dallas, but I sure do appreciate you all helping to calm my fears!

[Sunflower]

You're doing the right thing. I wish I could have done this when my bmi was 37 and not 48.

[ShrinkingViolet]

You are doing this for you, and it is a personal decision that you have thought over (and over and over). Really, it isn't anyone else's business. I don't understand why people feel free to comment on it, something they would never dare to do with other types of surgery. And you should feel free to tell them "this is personal, but thank you for your concern" and leave it at that.

I only told a few people before surgery. I was 5'3" and 240 when I started the process. I had gained, then lost, then gained some more, over and over again. It was only going to get worse, and the weight was causing me health problems and quality of life issues. I don't regret my decision for a second. I feel like I have been given a new lease on life.

[pconrad]

Make a conscious decision not to appear to solicit advice...avoid telling certain people...I was 217 lbs. and now I'm around 160lbs....it not only helps with weight loss but you also stop thinking so much about food, weight etc. You don't have to obsess anymore or join in on all those convos about diets. I'm happy for you - I wish I knew about this when younger (don't think it existed until recently, however). Start getting excited about this neat thing you're doing...get rid of your ugly fat clothes now!! have fun deciding what your fashion will be...you'll not be the same weight by summer so get rid of fat summer clothes Now - make room for the new you...it'll be awesome.