SeattleSue

Thank you for the responses! I am seeing my regular provider here stateside on Friday. While i don't 'need' his approval, I certainly hope he is supportive and willing to continue to be concerned with my health even if he wasn't part of the process. I suspect that there may be some antagonism because i left the country for healthcare. I hope I'm wrong. :-)

Awesome! Congrats to you John. I feel like this surgery has saved my life and I haven't been sleeved yet! I look forward to seeing your progress. Thanks for sharing and welcome!

lol Just in the last month, my decision time, I have told only my family, and one very supportive co-worker. :-) But it has been on the tip of my tongue a few times. A lady I work with had the Lap band done over a year ago. I had asked her once, "what are you doing?" and she had replied something ruefull like, "I'm starving myself!" I just sort of laughed with her. I asked her again some months later, "seriously...what are you doing?" She told me then that she had had the lapband. I guess it was rude of me to pry, but the fact that she had used humor to shine me on last time...well, I guess I'm sort of slow. lol I'm still considering how I will answer. Part of me agrees with everyone of you who hasn't told anyone anything...for all the same reasons!!! The other side of me, the one that is in counseling and desperately want to be free of the shame...I just don't want to carry any secrets. I know that it certainly doesn't make it sameful to not tell anyone; but I guess I need to decide if it is more cethardic to be "a man" hahahaha forgive the sexist remark, and to heck with what anyone thinks--stand on my own two feet and decision! oooooh just saying that felt good!! hahahahaha

Thanks ladies. YES. Onward and upward. Just the conception of a plan has made a difference! Thanks again for the words of encouragement. I'll see you on the boards!! Muah!

My name is Susan. I feel very vulnerable, very overwhelmed, and for the first time in a long time...a glimmer of hope. I'm 43 and that is my age, not my BMI *snort It's sort of like being a teen and having 20 lbs to lose and you think you are "so fat". Yeah, I wish I was only that fat. I'm 43 years old and my BMI is a shocking 59. I cried when I saw that number. No wonder my knees hurt so stinkin' bad! OK...no more excuses. I think that is going to be a slogan for me. I'm TIRED of fighting this battle with a plastic gun! As I've read your stories and your updates, your "serious complaints" , looked at your photo whoring (wtheck?), cried and identified with your dreams...I realized I have wasted so much time. I'm ready. In 2 days', I went from "surgery is an admission of failure" mentality to, "dang...why fight this fight with a Water pistol when I can have a bazooka?" Wow...I don't even own a gun...but you get me, right? I mean, it's not like I was ignorant of what WLS was, howbeit the Sleeve was a new discovery for me. I went to a seminar at a local hospital 3 weeks ago; fully intent on learning about the LAP band--which I was NOT thrilled about--but when it's life and death, and at 59BMI, it definately not only feels like life or death...I'm here to testify that I only live today because of the Grace of Almighty God. I heard about this "new" procedure that has become so sought after -- the VSG. Hmmm. One thing led to another and I found this forum. You all should know; you sealed the deal for me. Thank you. I can't name you all by name but I've literally read hundreds, if not a thousand of your posts and now, POOH my feet are wet! I've been in contact with Trish at Dr. Kelly's office. I am awaiting a consult with him. I know that I have historically had a low Iron count (okay okay...it's redonculously low...last year, a 7). So, right now that is my first hurdle. New labs...the magic number is 10. If I'm above 10, I can proceed to step 2. If not, I need to have an iron infusion or something...and at this moment don't know if I would have to wait 90 days for an updated lab (takes 90 day's to build a new cell). You'd THINK that I would have been taking my iron pills like a good girl...but bugger if they aren't inconvenient when you can take them within an hour of dairy, coffee, BP meds, Vitamins, breathing (HA!) and that more complicated when they want you to take 3x 325 mg daily but not together, spread out over 8 hours. Ok, yeah...sure, no problem. Anyway, there you have it. That's my "start" or actually a snap shot of where I'm at. Of course, I'm more than the sum of all my mistakes, of all the problems I cause...sorry, lines from one of my favorite current tunes... I just mean that the weight is just a manifestation of other issues; abuse, rejection, self loathing.... It goes on and so with that, I should say that I also took the HUGE step of admitting I need counseling and have my first appointment with a bonafide professional today. I want to give a shout out to Jesus who has loved me through it all...who is not repulsed by this mess that I am. Also to my amazing husband of 19 years and my two outstanding son's. They have walked this with me and I know that God is going to bless them with the wife and mother that they deserve! Thanks for listening and for welcoming me into the community. Susan

Aww GA Girl, I feel for you. I'm sorry she hurt you with these ugly words, and I'm sure she will be sorry too. You are her co-dependency buddy. Sorry, calling it like I see it. A soft word turns away wrath... You just go with your decision, moving forward, but everytime she 'goes there' you need to repeat, this is what I choose for me--I don't need or expect you to agree with me, but if we are going to be friends, you need to accept and respect my choice. Girl, she desperately wants to be free too. Maybe her fear is she doesnt have the resources and she'll be alone... either way, sounds like you've been friends for a long time and she probably didn't get the crazy mouth over night. lol If she drags you down sister, you may have to exit...but I suspect you can survive the walk. Best of wishes to you. Sounds like hubby is a wonderful man! Susan

We all arrived with our own baggage! For me, obesity is a symptom of something else I couldnt pin-point and couldn't face. I've started counseling and one of the first "ah-ha" moments for me was the comment, "Be kind to yourself...food has saved your life AND your sanity." Stand back and think about that for a while. Wow, 43 years and THAT is like falling down the rabbit hole! hahaha food has saved my life and my sanity. OK. Now I get the whole 'self medicating' thing. NOW, I'll wrap my mind around being kind to myself and allowing others to help me in the weight area while I work on the root cause! I feel a burden lifting already. There are friends I will not discuss WLS with right now. I KNOW I will look like a sharpe' puppy with rolls of skin. But I will be alive and living and not polarized any more. I will have to learn that I'm as valuable thin as I AM FAT. The change will be in the ride!!

Hopeful, oh, I feel for you! I haven't been sleeved yet, so maybe this is empty advice for you, but try to just focus on your Fluid intake and Protein. You know, when our body has a trauma (and sometimes even a heavy work-out can be considered a trauma...certainly major surgery!) the body tries to protect itself and pad with Water...hence water retention. Don't worry. It will happen...like you, I've read about this happening to others and it is only temporary. Focus on your fluids and protein and the rest will follow... Chin-up girl. Remember that this too shall pass! Susan

You are going to do great! Best wishes...

Congrats! I am excited to watch your progress... :-)

That's cool! I'm excited for you.,,,

Hahaha "Big sissy" Thanks for the pep talk! I look forward to reading more about your success! I recently fell over the fence...so I'm in the early stages of the prep process. Susan

Congrats Tina! You are on your way!! I know you are going to do great. Susan

Good luck Tex. Being morbidly obese is hard on the old pride... Remember, you didn't win a solitary football game by yourself. It was a team effort...everyone working their man, running their routes, following the ball. I think you have your eye on the ball and you know the play. Now it's time to execute. You got this. WLS is not for the weak and it won't solve every thing...but it does give us a second down to convert! Eye on the ball. Susan

Best of luck! I'm proud of you for working through the set-backs of insurance issues. Keep us posted...I personally am only 2 steps into the process and no dates. Susan