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I've always been overweight. I honestly can't remember a time when I wasn't. But it's crazy how when you're a kid, you're not fat, obese, or whatever, you're cute and chubby, and the extra weight that you're carrying is no need for concern. But as you get older that quickly changes and you're no longer perceived as chubby and cute, and the extra weight has become a major problem, not just for yourself, but for others as well. I wonder if any of you can relate to this. I've struggled with my weight my entire life. I know many people say this and it's as if they're just talking, but I've actually been the biggest person in my class, school, church, etc. It was rare that I would see someone that was just as big as I was, if not bigger. I've tried different diets, exercise plans, supplements, nothing has worked for me. If I did lose any weight, it was a short-lived accomplishment. I've struggled with deeply rooted insecurities that only further fueled my horrible relationship with food. I have struggled with anxiety and depression for years because in my mind I could never get to that perfect weight or body. Just a constant battle with myself for most of my life. It has taken a great deal of trial and error for me to get to where I am today in how I see myself, physically and otherwise. I have come to love myself and my body and I feel that there's nothing wrong with loving who or how you are physically, mentally, spiritually, and yet you feel the need to change a part of you. I believe most people would associate this with insecurity, but I beg to differ. I believe that it is the reasoning behind the decision to change that makes the difference. While I have learned to love and appreciate my body for all that it has done and continues to do for me, I am also very aware that carrying over 200 pounds of extra weight is not healthy for me. I want to have children one day and I don't want to put them or myself at increased risks because of my weight. I don't want to be at an increased risk of high blood pressure, sleep apnea, diabetes, or congestive heart failure. These things run in my family and I don't want to be next in line. I want more for myself. I haven't went swimming in years, but I remember how good it felt to feel weightless in the water, how peaceful and serene it was for me. I view this surgery as an opportunity to experience life in a different way. Even though I can walk or run at the weight I currently am, I know that my body will feel a lot better walking and running with less weight being carried around. Even though I can go swimming now, or travel the world just as I am right now. Simple things such as "will I fit in this seat? Will they have clothes my size? Is there going to be a lot of walking, etc...". I don't think many people understand the daily struggles of an obese individual. Yes, we're all aware of the "health concerns" associated with being over-weight. But not many people are aware of those small things that affect us daily such as standing for extended periods of time, back and body aches, getting winded or out of breath easily, etc. I've made the decision to have gastric-bypass surgery as I'm confident that this is the tool that I've been missing to help me finally be successful in my weight-loss journey. I'm nervous and excited, but in the end I know this is the best decision for me. I'm interested to meet anyone who would like to go through this journey together, no matter where you are in your own journey. I'd love to hear from you all and know how you're doing and if I can be of some help to you, even if it's just a kind word. Good Luck! And Blessings to you all!

I'm okay to have decaff coffee. I'm prone to constipation now, so I hope that I get to drink coffee postop.

If you get an ok on coffee, mix it with protein shake to make it creamy and sweet. Plus you get the all important protein. Also, my surgeon’s office ok’ed regular at two week post-op to help me with constipation. Wins all around! All the best to you!

I tend to scar as well but I have to really look to see my scars now. They’re just tiny, thin white lines. I used bio oil & gently massaged it in twice a day once the wounds were healed. I’ve used it before & it helped heaps then too.

Look up “eggface’s baked ricotta’ recipe it’s yum

I'm having this BEFORE eating, but I think a trip to your doctor should be the next step 😕 Good luck, be safe ❤️

The scars are pretty small, but I look like a pin cushion because I had my gallbladder out 6 months before my surgery. I have like 10 holes! [emoji23] I'm not too worried about it but if you are, you can try scar massage. I had a breast reduction years ago, and I used Mederma to massage my scars and they're barely noticeable. Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

Im a bad scar-er too. Always have been. My scars stay red/raised for a long time, but eventually flatten and turn *almost* back to skin colour...but this takes YEARS. I am two years post op, and my WLS scars are still brown, and one is still raised (don't even talk to me about my plastic surgery scars that are only 10 months old!) Unfortunately aside of proper wound care (keep it clean, keep it moisturized, keep it out of the sun) not much you can really do to influence the way your scars form the way they do. However, you CAN do some "scar maintenance" after the fact (i.e., steroid shots.., surgically excising them in hopes that it will heal nicer...but there are no guarantees to this). The WLS scars are very small though, so unless you suffer from serious keloid formations, they aren't so very stand-out-ish. Edited to add: just remembered something you else can do to aid in better healing: DON'T SMOKE! (at least that is what both my wls and plastic surgeon said...)

Manage your expectations and try not to compare yourself to others (technically, that's 2, but you get what I mean, lol)

Remember your why. Why did you want this back in 2014? For me it was not only my physical looks but other things. I couldn’t bend down and tie my shoes without having to breathe in between. Bending down like that cut off my breath. Another thing and this May be TMI, but I couldn’t hardly wipe my butt when I went potty. I remember sitting on the toilet crying because I couldn’t reach. I couldn’t walk or stand more than just a few minutes without my lower back burning and aching. Diabetes and high blood pressure run in my family. These are my whys. So you’ve gained 40 back. Thank God it’s not the 101, right? Start back with the protein shakes, maybe substitute a meal a day for one and when you’re comfortable with that substitute two meals a day with a shake. I lost 26 pounds in 3 months prior to surgery from that alone. When you want a snack in between, have one. But make it something healthy and filling like a banana or cottage cheese. You’ve done this before. You know what to do. All you have to do now is, just do it. Sending you positive vibes and hopes for your success!!! ❤️