Hello,

I have read your post and know how you feel. I have tried every diet out there with no long term success. I have been thinking of weight loss surgery for the past 3 years and have had so many people tell me not to do it. I know they have my best interest but they are not me. I feel that I am in a prison with all this fat: I can not walk for very long, I do have sleep apnea for the past 2 years and I have to use a cpap machine at night for me to keep breathing. My knees hurt all the time, I get out of breathe too easily I could go on and on but I will stop. Like you have not told too many people, I just trust a few people with my upcoming surgery. I have only told those who need to know. To have this procedure you have to jump thru lots of hoops, lots of paperwork and running around and many phone calls. I have already gone to a meet and greet the surgeon meeting. Filled out lots of forms. I have blood work and chest x-ray the week of Feb 11th. I will start my pre-op liver detox on Feb 15th. I will follow this for 2 weeks before my surgery. I will have a 2nd visit with the surgeon on Feb 26th so all my forms and tests must be completed before that visit. I am so scared and excited at the same time. Reality is just starting to kick in that I am really doing this. I hope we can become friends going thru this process, I have a husband that is hard to talk to as well and I am not sure he is going to be a great support system for me. Going thru this we need a positive support system. We can help each other thru this chapter in our lives. Take care.

If you have a wt loss support group in your area I recommed that you go. We have one local and it has a mix of peopel there.....sleevers, bypass, lap banders......we all have the same common goal and same frustrations and concerns....it DOES help to talk over you concerns.

This forum has helped me as i travel to become a sleever. It is very hard when those we love don't understand or support our decision. But we here offer all the support, acceptance, and virtual hugs u need.

Hoping you have great success on your journey. I liken WLS patients to any other addiction groups like AA/EA or drug addiction. Until you've experienced the control food has over your life, you can't relate to it. So just do what you need to do to get better.

I have never felt the need to tell anyone that didn't need to know about the surgery. But if I'm ever in a position that I have to disclose, I'm just going to tell them that I had my gall bladder removed or had a hernia repaired.

And if they ask about the dramatic weight loss, I'm going to tell them that Oprah inspired me! :-O

Sorry I wasn't able to write this out any clearer, but the right words just wouldn't come.

I didn't want anybody to know either. I had to tell a few because I would need their help with my little boys. But I don't plan on telling everybody about the surgery. The fact is-- you still have to do the work for this to succeed. You have to adhere to a strict dietary guideline and exercise. So to me- people don't need to know what tool we use to loose our weight.

We have to work just as hard as others- who do not have surgery. Don't worry about keeping it to your self - it really is your own business!!1