New member, in need of surgery support!

[krizt33n]

Hi all!
I perused the internet today in order to find a gastric-sleeve support system. I've recently let family and friends know that I've officially been accepted into the weight loss surgery program at my local hospital. However, the news has been met with much resistance. Both of my parents and best friend have gotten the surgery, yet only my father was successful with it. I meet the requirements as my BMI is 40 and I have type 2 diabetes, high blood-pressure, high-cholesterol, etc. I've lost 70 lbs on my own 6 years ago and kept it off for 3 years, but am now at the highest weight I've ever been. I understand that family and friends have their concerns because I'm 28 and getting an invasive surgery when I've proven successful at it before, but the thought of losing nearly 100 lbs seems almost impossible without this surgery. My best friend got it 2 years ago and never once changed her diet after surgery and only lost what she gained a few months prior to her surgery which was 50 lbs. I had a conversation with her today about it and told her I know I can be successful and am ready for this lifestyle change and all she said was "good luck, that's what I thought, too". I honestly believe I can be very successful as I've shown discipline and healthy habits in the past. I never saw the gastric sleeve as a "quick fix" (or so a few people have told me) and am just frustrated. I'm hopefully due to get this surgery sometime in the summer and just need some people to turn to for all of my questions! Thanks! Nice to meet everyone!

[Christie13]

Hi Kristin! I am sure you will be successful. If you were able to lose 70 lbs and keep it off for 3 years I am sure you will do well with the sleeve. You have the right mindset to change. I would definitely not let someone else's negativity derail you. You can get lots of good honest support and tough love when you need it on here. The more active you are, the more you will get out of this site and all the wonderful people on it. I know you can do this!! It is the best decision I have ever made. The lifestyle change was easy for me as well. I've always loved to exercise but my biggest issue was I ate too much. So now I get to exercise and eating too much is no longer an issue. Welcome!! We are rooting for you!

[Stacey03]

Yes Kristin you can do it, just don't engage with anyone about it... drive your own bus :-) and welcome!

[Luv49ers19]

Welcome Christine! You have to do what is right for you. It sounds like you know how to avoid failure like your friend. It is work and you do have to change but I think you've proven you can!

I lost 51 pounds on my own before surgery. I had my best friend tell me I didn't need to have it now because it could lose weight on my own. She wasn't very supportive when I told her I needed it to help me keep it off. Now she knows I did the right thing for me. I've lost a total of 145 pounds in 18 months. It has been a crazy ride but I wouldn't change a thing!

You got this! Don't wait like I did and have the damage done to your joints from being morbidly obese for 25+ years. That is the only thing I would change was to have it done sooner!!!!

[Dutchie]

Good for you for choosing to get your health back.
And, very important, you know how NOT to do it, after surgery!

[krizt33n]

Thank you for the support everyone! Its inspiring reading all of your responses and truly motivational. I'm so happy I joined this forum!

[mandyjdc]

I think the fact that you lost 70 lbs and kept it off is a good indicator for success! Don't let others bring you down. They are not you and you are not them. You will be successful if you do what you're supposed to. Those that had the surgery and weren't successful, didn't bother to use the tool they've given effectively.

My big problem was always overeating and emotional eating. Physically can't do it anymore, and because it hurts/makes me feel so badly, I'm not even tempted to overeat anymore.

Good luck!

[Gvn71]

Welcome aboard! Lots of great information here on this site and lots of supportive people as well.

I know your pain of hard work to lose weight and then the inevitable regain that occurs later. Did it for many years before having the sleeve. Keeping 70lbs off for 3 years must have taken some serious determination and effort!

I hear stories all the time of people who are not very successful with the sleeve, and when you get right down to it, it doesn't seem as though they are actually willing to make the necessary lifelong eating / food changes necessary to be successful. Seems as though you are of the right mindset and know what it will take to get it done, and more importantly, keep it off.

Good luck in your journey!

[DHB]

I didn't tell many people but the few I did tell all seemed to know someone who knew someone who hadn't been successful. And yet, this is a community full of people who have succeeded. Some of us are losing more slowly than others. Some of us had more to lose or are older or have other conditions. But we are here to support one another and succeed. You can do this!

[krizt33n]

That is my exact issue, I understand you completely. Congrats on your progress

[KiwiGal]

Apart from my partner I have only told my 3 best friends. Thankfully they are really supportive. Mind you over the past 42 years they have seen me struggle with my weight so probably know me better than anyone.
I didn't tell anyone else for fear of their comments. I've heard disparaging remarks about someone else that has had the surgery and I wasn't prepared to open myself up to those. Some people are comfortable telling everyone, others not.
I'm sure some may have guessed I've had WLS but when asked about my weight loss I just say I'm eating smaller meals and exercising more - which is true.
Quite frankly it's no ones business but yours.

There is so much wonderful support on this forum and you seem to have the right attitude towards this being a tool to help you lose with, not a magic wand. I'm sure you will do very well.