New here...

[zizi]

Hi,

I'm new to this forum/site and I'm planning on getting surgery done once my insurance approves it. I still have a few hoops I need to jump through before that'll happen.

I'm excited, nervous, really nervous and then excited some more! I can't wait to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight/body! It's been a losing battle for 4 years now...here I am 2 kids later and carrying around 125+ lbs of extra weight...can't blame it all on the babies!

I can't wait to get the procedure done!!! There have been a few friends that are trying to talk me out of it, giving me examples of people they know that it just didn't work for and how I just shouldn't do it. So I've decided on not sharing it with them anymore and then I came across this group...hopefully this forum will help keep me excited about the procedure!

I look forward to great things to come!

Zizi

[miamiblake33]

Hi Zizi,

stick to your guns. This is a statistic that blows my mind every time I think about it. 95% of people who lose weight gain it back. 95 people out of a 100!! No wonder weight watchers is a booming business, and the diet/exercise/nutrition world is making millions. It is ridiculous. Get it done. It will be the best thing you will do for YOURSELF. No one else, just you! I have made many friends on this site and the one thing everyone says is "I wish I had done it sooner." Best wishes you are doing the right thing!

[zizi]

Hi MB!

Wow! I can't believe that statistic...it's insane! I am going to stick to my guns! Had I done this the first time it crossed my mind I would've been a year into the procedure already...but it's ok. Better late than never!

Thanks for your kind and encouraging words! I'm so happy I joined this group!

Zizi

[ghost_ryder]

One of things that helped get me to the end has been listening to Podcasts WLS related. It seems everyone goes through close to the same things. Worry, wonder, second thoughts, and naysayers. The Podcasts got me in the right mindset to see it through. Two I can suggest if you want - Reeger Cortell - Weight loss surgery podcast and William Reynolds - The Bariatric Podcast. There are several others but those two are currently recording new episodes.

[Shirl]

To add to previous comments, as a healthy obese person in my early 20's, 30's and upto my mid 40's it eventually catches up to you. I never had any comorbidities related to my overweightness until a few years back, all of the sudden I was diagnosed with PreDiabetes and last November I was told I was 1 point from Type 2 diabetes. I also had high cholesterol in the high 240's. That's when enough was enough. In July 2014, I was at my lowest weight around 205 (since having my second child, now 27 y.o.) and I was losing as I was on a Raw Food diet, juicing and only raw food, for about four months, then I had the a gall bladder attack, a relative who is a biochemist told me it was related to my high consumption of spinach. Maybe, I did look it up and it may have contributed to the 60+ gallstones that were trying to come out all at once. After the gall bladder surgery things just got worse, and last November I weighed 245lbs. The highest I have ever weighed.

My only regret is not looking into the gastric sleeve sooner.

[zizi]

wow. I've been having pains from my gallbladder and my surgeon recommended getting it removed during the sleeve procedure.
How r u feeling now?

[zizi]

Thanks. I'll be sure to check them out.

[Blove2012]

I told only as necessary before my procedure. I did not want to hear from the naysayers. This forum is an excellent place for info and support.

Best of luck to you!

[barbaradear1]

It is interesting to come across your post. I never told anyone about my surgery or that I wanted the surgery because of naysayers. I want to say that a large portion of the time they are people who don't have weight problems themselves. Yesterday I went to my job because I hate being at home and, of course, everyone wanted to know how I was. One girl was telling me she was scheduled for January and a couple of other girls started talking her out of it. "Don't take the easy way out," one of them said. Of course it was the one that has never had the surgery nor would she ever need it. I had to leave the conversation, How does someone say that when 2 out of 4 people in that conversation have had the surgery and the third one wants it? Stick with your gut and follow your dreams. "People can’t keep you from your dreams. The critics, the naysayers, they don’t control your destiny. God does."-Joel Osteen

[zizi]

Thanks Barbara,

I know I can't let people dictate my life or my life choices. But when really close friends look down at me for wanting to get the surgery to help me get where I need to go, it hurts and it makes me feel embarrassed to say I am going to get it done. I know that's not how it should be, but that's how I feel. One close friend talked me out of it almost a year ago....now here I am again...trying to lose the same exact amount of weight.

Can I do the diet without the surgery, yes, can I exercise without the surgery, yes. But will I? NO! I know myself and food is my frienemy. I eat when I'm happy, I eat when I'm sad, I eat when I'm bored and I eat crappy food because I work and have kids and only have time to make one descent meal a day.

I am hoping that this surgery keeps me away from food long enough (pre-op and post-op liquid diet) to make me realize food is my enemy not my friend. We need to eat to survive, currently I live to eat. My day revolves around each meal, what's for breakfast, I want a snack...what's for lunch...then I have another snack...it's to the point where I'm disgusted with myself but I can't help it, I always feel hungry.

I think pregnancy ruined my mindset with regards to food. I was always a chubby person, I was even a fat kid. But in my twenties, I got my body where I was actually happy with what I saw in the mirror. I was still considered "chubby" according to "society" but I was happy and I stuck to it for years. But when I got pregnant and started eating anything and everything I wanted, it re-opened old issues I had from my past. I remembered how much I love to eat and honestly it's been a rollercoaster ride ever since. Weight watchers didn't work, beach body workouts are piled up in my DVD box, my elliptical is collecting dust in my room. I'd do a diet and exercise regime for a week or two then get bored or skip a meal and get so hungry that I'd eat 2 or 3 meals in one sitting.

This is my last chance to regain my life. I want to be able to run with my kids without getting winded. I want to be able to take them to the park and fit on the slide so my 1 year old can play too. I want to do so many things and my weight holds me back. I get winded easily, I am always short on breath. I've developed sleep apnea and I snore like crazy. I have other health issues too now that I've been overweight for a few years. My gallbladder is always inflamed and I keep getting attacks, it's been about a year now and I'm living with the pain. I found a surgeon that said he would remove my gallbladder and do the sleeve procedure at the same time. Two birds...one stone.

I've finally set my goals and they're in my grasp. This procedure will help me along the way. I won't let anyone take this away from me, so I'm not telling anyone but my husband. I'm not even going to tell my mom!

[Blove2012]

Oh my. Someone needs to tell her that she should educate herself rather than passing judgment and that her behavior was rude. I swear, weight judgment is one of the last "acceptable" forms of prejudice.

The decision is between patient and Doctor. Period

Don't listen to those people. Surround yourself with positive influences. You can do this!

[zizi]

Thank you!
xoxo

This site is so awesome!

[Shirl]

Zizi, I told one good friend because she and I were on a perpetual diet, we'd tried everything together. She was the one friend I thought would get it for sure. Guess what? She didn't. She also said something about the easy way out. She started telling me about a new Green Food Only diet she was trying and that I should join her. I was pissed and before she finished another sentence I cut her off and said "I'm not asking for your opinion, and as a friend I just would like your support. If I can't get it I rather not talk about diet or my health with you." I know that was harsh, but I had just told her that I was 1 point from Type 2 diabetes and how my dad had passed away from Diabetic complications at 50 y.o. She also had been a pillar of support during my sister's passing away from cancer just a few months before. So I was on a short fuse. She apologized of course and so did I. Sadly enough this was last November, she had lost about 40lbs, but when I saw her in May before my surgery, she had gained most if back.

I told my mom around March, when things were getting real, I had self imposed a liquid diet and she was wondering why I was eating or drinking as much. She acted indignant first, then she acted like my food police. I had words with her too lol! But it just goes to show how ignorant and down right prejudice people are about Bariatric surgery.

I also told my kids and that's about it. I told my partner just a few days before surgery. I knew he'd talk me out of it. I'm kind of pissed at him right now because he just had to go tell a couple of people we know, and I wish he hadn't.

Get mad if you have to. This is your health, you life and your body. Do not let anyone dictate what is good for you, except you.

[Shirl]

Oh... I was miserable after my gallbladder surgery! It took me over three months to recuperate from that horrible surgery!

The gastric sleeve has been a breeze in comparison, I was AM very fortunate because I have not had any complications or had any type of pain ever!

[barbaradear1]

I have to say that most everyone I finally told was super excited for me. I only had the one girl and I don't think she knew I had the surgery when she said it. Wouldn't matter to me anyways cause she is not a friend or family member. The people that I love all stood beside me and praised me for taking the step. My sister wants to do it but she is scared of complications so I just talk to her and if she decides to...I will support her 100%.