I'm just about to start one of the biggest challenges of my life....

Hi everyone, my name is Debbie and I am about to have a sleeve gastrectomy. I have previously had a gastric band but after 7 years had to have it removed. I the 4 years since I have regained 5 stones. I had forgotten quite how miserable weight gain is, I have noticed that I have started to remove myself from social activities, from being lively and involved with life I have become withdrawn and fed up. What does everyone who is addicted to food do when they are fed up .... you got it - binge.

After much soul searching and procedure research I have taken the first step and have booked my surgery. The second step was to find a forum where I could share experiences and get the help and support I am going to need in this difficult journey. So here I am looking forward to the future with trepardation.

Welcome DebbieP!! It seems that you've already made several difficult steps. Realizing that you' have a "food addiction", and needing to go the next step and getting the sleeve! That's the hardest part!
Next, you need to stop putting yourself down. Perhaps find some you can talk to to get through that!!
Glad you found this forum! People are so awesome :)

Hello,
I know exactly how you feel. I have yo yo dieted for so long and I always said I would never let myself get to 200 pound Never. Then I reached 200 and I said i will never be more then 200 but I have to lose. I have been 215 for the past 2 years and it is so bad. the little things people take for granted like painting your toes in the summer was impossible for me to do. My surgery is on the 24th and I am looking at it as a tool to help me control my love for food. Don't look at this as a failure look at this as a new chapter and you are owning your issues and now doing something to fix it. Stay positive and positive will keep you strong

Thank you for replying. I have done so much research on this and I agree with you In that I will use it as a tool to help me change my eating habits. This is such a positive thing for me although I am very nervous about the first few weeks until I understand how my stomach reacts.

Good luck with your surgery!

In MHO the surgery will not "make you change your eating habits." Those coping skills you have acquired over your life are deeply ingrained and it's going to take daily and mindful work to overcome the slightest of changes.

The surgery is not a "magic wand" that will make your weight or anything disappear, but if you let it it will be a constant reminder of the drastic actions and measures you need to take in order to see life long results.

You will get a lot of sage advice from this forum, but it is still up to you to implement that advice in your own journey.

What other tools do you need to have in your toolbox when all else fails?

One that has been really essential to me has been my ability to stop and to reflect and to restart working my program. If that doesn't help me get back on track I need to reevaluate and look for what will push me in the right direction I need to be going.

My program consists of Nutrition: eating vitamin rich and protein dense foods in their natural state or as close to it. Supplementation: take my multivitamins and other supplements to support my well being. Hydradate, that means my minimum water goal. Exercise, get to the gym 3x week, and do a minimum of 30 min of walking daily. Self-Care, keep up daily routines like brushing teeth, flossing, shower, lotion skin, look clean and presentable. Take time outs. See therapist once a month. Do things that make me smile.

When I reflect and any of these things are faltering, my weight goes up.

I'm close to 8-months post op, and this past Holiday proved that I can eat around my sleeve. I don't want do that of course, but it is possible and I need to do everything in my power to not let that happen. Ever.

Yup it is a tool and you still need to put in the work. You have to make sure you eat right and exercise. You have to make sure you are only putting the highest quality nutrients in your body. This tool can help us be successful but it is just a tool. We have to wrap our mind around the lifestyle. We can still overeat if we keep trying. We can still make poor choices and fall back into bad habits. We all have slider foods that won't fill us up and will wreak havoc on our bodies. But as long as we work our sleeve and embrace the new lifestyle....we can succeed. Welcome DebbieP! This place is awesome for great support and tons of valuable information. We are all different and when we reach out we can always find someone who's been there!!

Wow!!!! I can't believe i just read what I totally feel. Being overweight is miserable. I really did not binge, I ate sugary foods and carbonated drinks. It was my comfort. Since being on pre-op mostly protein, I am proud of myself. Sunday I will be on a 3 day liquid diet.

You've been around the rodeo before; I have no doubt you'll be great in losing.

Wow!!!! I can't believe i just read what I totally feel. Being overweight is miserable. I really did not binge, I ate sugary foods and carbonated drinks. It was my comfort. Since being on pre-op mostly protein, I am proud of myself. Sunday I will be on a 3 day liquid diet.

You've been around the rodeo before; I have no doubt you'll be great in losing.

Thank you for your support and good luck with your surgery. You are already doing really well and on the road to success - and this iseven before your surgery, you are going to do really well.

Welcome, and I can honestly say this was one of the EASIEST thing I've ever done in my life! I was lucky to have no complications at all, so it was a breeze. Watching weight fall off quickly was so much fun. Shopping, I could hardly control myself. People say "it's only a tool." Ha, that's crazy, it's an amazing, miracle tool, a tool I have waited my entire life for. I credit my positive attitude, try it, it will take you far. Don't start off thinking this will be the biggest challenge of your life. My job is a much bigger challenge. Or raising thee children!