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I never considered WLS for many of the reasons you listed...fear mostly. But my sister was sleeved about two years ago and I watched her transform. I still always thought that it just wasn't the right thing for me, then one day it just clicked that I needed help. I went to an informational meeting and walked out before it even started. Looking back I realize that I was not at the point mentally ready to make this big of a change. So I mulled over it for a few more months, did tons of research and joined the program that my insurance offers about three months ago. I still have three months to go of classes, and I feel like that time is a blessing. About a month after I started the class I was on the forums everyday...reading everything I could find about surgery and after and before and anything else even a little related.

I too debated whether I would tell people or not. I always knew that I would tell my parents and sister. My sister had the same surgery and I knew I would have their support because my sister had their support. From there I have mentioned it to people, and some have been positive and other negative. The people that are negative I just make a note and remember not to discuss it with them again. I have not had anyone in my life be overly against it, even the people that were more negative could at least respect that fact that they didn't know enough about the surgery to make negative comments and if they wanted to learn then I would teach them. The major thing that surprised me were the number of people that were very very supportive. People I never would suspect would be supportive of this are really excited for me. Both my cousin and best friend are two people that I really didn't know how they would react, but they also both know how hard I've struggled with this during my life so they are very supportive. My best friend is a personal trainer and if anyone is just going to tell you to get your butt moving, it is her, but she knows I'm past a certain point and is very supportive. That all being said, I haven't told my boss yet and he really just knows that I'm having a surgery at some point near Summer time...I'll probably tell him if the topic of be missing work for a bit comes up, but I don't really feel a need to hide it. Bottom line (I know im rambling a bit) is that you need to do what you are comfortable with. If you choose not to tell people you don't really have to look at it as a lie (unless they specifically ask you if you had WLS....which isn't too likely) but just say you are eating well and exercising...which you will be doing anyway!!

Yes...Im halfway through my 6 months and am required to lose 10% of my weight. What we have been told is that not accomplishing this doesn't mean that you will be denied, but rather that it slows down the process. If we don't meet the requirement then its an additional visit with the doctor who assesses where you are at and may tell you to wait until you lose the weight, or may send you through if you were close to the 10%. My goal it to hit the 10% for sure.....I don't want to be forced to wait any longer than I have to...especially over something I have control over!! My sister also had the surgery via Kaiser and she didn't reach her 10%...she just had to meet with the doctor, but after that they sent her to the next step.

wow...I was going to watch this, but I think I may skip it now!!!

thats fantastic!!!!

I think every insurance and situation is different....my insurance still technically offers that lap band, but they have made it very clear that they do maybe one a year and it really isn't an option. I have Kaiser and even they way that they do things from county to county here is different. My sister did the Kaiser program and had 3 months of classes, while Im doing the same program and have six months of classes just because Im one county south of her and thats how they do it here. The waiting can be good to. gives you time to wrap your head around everything. In my sisters classes, there were actually quite a few people who lost weight while in the classes and opted out of the surgery cause they felt they had a good jump start on the weight loss (or they couldn't give up soda and just quit

My insurance dictated the 6 months of classes that are required before. What I find interesting is that the surgeon decides if the sleeve or bypass is the proper surgery for you....after only one visit!! Im glad that they said that we get to have some say in the matter, but the surgeon can override us after only one meeting.....I just hope my surgeon thinks that the sleeve is the better choice for me!!

congrats to you...that is great success!!! You clothes are just hanging off you!!! So, is there anything that you find surprising since having your sleeve? Anything you didn't expect??

I'm not positive, but I've heard no. I've heard that chewing gum increases the amount of air you swallow....Again, Im not positive of the reason, but it is on my list of no no's The major thing I have noticed from this forum is that everyone reacts to things different. I would wait till you are a couple of months out and maybe give it a try and see how you react,

I definitely have people in my life that are not supportive but I instead just focus on the people that are. I just stop telling those who aren't supportive about the process and look towards people who can be constructive and positive about the whole thing. The website is good for support as well, but I'm also in a group that meets weekly as part of the preop stage. We are a great support to each other, so I definitely recommend attending support meetings with people who are going through the same thing

I went to one last week. I imagine that they are all a little different, but mine went like this. They start out by going through the process and the things that you would need to do and the appointments that you would need to make and complete. The surgeon spoke the whole time, he did a slide show and went through the history of weight loss surgery and how it has evolved over time. Then he covered the two different surgeries that their office offers and the benefits and downfalls of both. They gave time to ask questions at the end, but it wasn't a requirement to have to speak at all

For those of you who did a Protein shake preop diet (whether is was only shakes and Water, or shakes and one meal) can you tell me how long you were on that diet and how much weight you lost in that time frame? Just curious mostly...THANK YOU!!!!

I'm totally with you as far as avoiding love for right now. I split with my ex last May and dated a bunch right after. But decided the right thing for me to do right now if focus on being healthy and getting myself where I need to be and then I figure out love a little later on (of course it doesn't help when the ex emails on Christmas to say he regrets splitting...only took you 7 months to figure that one out!! ) but regardless...It sounds weird to say, but I'm all about me right now!! I'm going to be selfish for the first time in my life and make me the most important thing!!! I think you should do the same, get your own insecurities in check and don't allow anyone else s insecurities to feel bad about yourself or your accomplishments.

Really....you gained in back after surgery?? is that normal? It came right back off again though...right??

This is a tricky topic. I think that you should be proud of your accomplishment and that posting to support sites is great to show people that it can be done and give them inspiration. I think posting to facebook or instagram may be a different story. I have had that friend before who only felt worth if men were giving her attention so she was constantly posting new pics of herself to get the positive remarks to feed her ego. Im not in anyway saying that that is what you are doing, but I understand why someone would think that if they were just seeing you post picture after picture. I think ultimately you should be proud of your accomplishment and not really worry about it...this is all about you being happy with you. I also think that there are a lot of people who do not understand how sucky it is to feel fat and ugly for so many years and I'm not going to feel bad after my surgery for showing off a bit cause it feels so good to finally be proud of how you look. As for love...it will come when you least expect it...just be happy with you and be open to the idea. My two cents anyway...hope that was helpful (and didn't come off as mean in any way cause I didn't mean it to be!!!)

Quick question...everyone always talks about drinking Water, but I've not seem many mention drinking other things. I knows that obviously sodas and things like that are out, but can you drink crystal light post op??

I like premier Protein also. Im not on a pre op diet as of yet because my surgery is still a few months out, but I've started just replacing one to two meals a day with a Protein shake to kick start the weight loss I'll have to have before surgery.

So, I am currently in San Diego's Kaiser program, which in San Diego is a 6 month class that you go to weekly. I'm about six weeks in, and a friend came to me with an opportunity to see a Dr client of her's in Mexico for surgery instead of going through the class. They are offering me discounted rates and and payment plan I would need as a favor for my friend (who is the doctors personal trainer) I'm torn about this because I looked up the Doctor in the forums and people have had great experiences with him. I don't want to miss out on the opportunity if I could get the surgery quicker (it won't happen till after June if I stick with Kaiser), but Im just not sure. My initial thought is that since they want to help me, that I stick with Kaiser for the sleeve and since their office in Mexico also does full body lifts, that I ask for the deal on that later down the road. I don't know what to do...I guess Im just looking for thoughts or suggestions?? They were going to send me a quote for the surgery and lift after the fact....I suppose I just wait until I see what that is and go from there Thanks for reading my venting !!!!

Im totally with you. I finish up my classes on May 1st, so Im hoping to have surgery in June. But it does seem so far away. I was hoping that the Christmas holiday would make it seem like it was going by quick...but it's slow as ever. I know the reflection time is good, but I really feel like I just want to get my life started already!!

Yes...Im in San Diego!! They told us at Orientation that it was the weight at orientation, but once we started classes they told us it was the weight you were at when you met with the doctor. Now, my sister said that she didn't meet with a doctor until halfway through the classes, so if you don't meet with a doctor before the classes start, then I would assume that they use your orientation weight. My sister had me downing bottles of Water before each appt to keep my starting weight high, but it didn't really matter..its still about 30lbs that I need to lose. My sister didn't actually reach her 10% and still had the surgery, but I'm going for the 10% just to avoid any delays!! And no, they told us in one of the classes that one lady lost like 60 lbs throughout the classes and the surgeons didn't want to let her have the operation (we use Scripps surgeons in San Diego) and so since she still wanted the surgery and had done everything to qualify, they sent her to another county to have the surgery through a Kaiser surgeon. So they say it isn't possible to lose too much to not get to qualify

Thank you all for the suggestions.....from the suggestions I guess Im doing pretty good!! I already gave up caffieen and carbonation and I have been logging all my food into an app!! I've only been working on the chewing and not drinking while eating for the last week or so, so I guess Im doing well to prepare myself. Thanks Again!

Hi All, I'm early in my journey (I'll be at least five months before I have surgery) but I can't stop researching and I have a question. I read a lot on the forums that this whole thing is just as much about a physical change as it is a mental change. A lot of people mention the brain change they had that enabled them to rethink how they think about eating and food. My questions is this...being that I'm a few months out from my surgery? are there things I can do to retrain my brain to this new way of thinking? My program requires that I lose 10% of my weight before surgery and I'm trying to find a good program for myself to help facilitate this weight loss. So far I've been doing at getting rid of things I have daily that I know I'll have to do without after surgery (monster drinks in particular). I'm just wondering what people did to retrain your brain? or if this is just something that comes as a side effect of the surgery?

I agree with everyone....do your research and being prepared will do wonders for your confidence in the procedure. But also.....you'll have to take some of what you read on different forums with a grain of salt.. when it comes to some things, everyone thinks they are an expert Good luck and keep us updated!!

I think that doctors have different opinions. My doctors office has stated that they feel that the sleeve is ideal for people with 100-150 lbs to lose and the bypass if for those looking to lose more. They both have their positives and negatives but I think on either you have the potential to lose lots of weight. I'm choosing to go with the sleeve because those who go with bypass with have a problem with absorption and therefore have to take Vitamins for the rest of their lives...plus I just don't like the idea of rerouting my insides. Bottom line is you should do your own research and decide what is best for your body...with either surgery you are going to lose tremendous weight Good Luck to You!!

I know a lot of people use my fitness pal, I've always use Lose It. Its a great app and connects to fitbit also. What I like best is that it is a community like on here and when you log things or ask questions, there are a bunch of people out there to cheer you on and answer questions.