losingsoon

Wow, This is just the thread I needed. I am just getting started on this journey. I have been thinking a lot about what I will feel like when the weight is gone. I am only 4' 10" and I weigh 267. I have been obese all my life. Only once in my adult life did I get close to being at a reasonable weight and that is when I was on the weight loss clinic diet and went down to 142. When I was there I could not see the "thinner" me. I'm concerned I will be in the same place now and will still feel like a fat person. More importantly, I won't feel like ME. I can see that it is a huge relearning process. I'm just turning 65. I hope I this surgery gives me the time to relearn who I am and can finally feel like a normal person.

It's funny. I woke up this morning thinking about what I will be able to do once I unload this weight. I have just started my journey. I had my first Dr. appt yesterday. Lots of tests scheduled. I'm done with the first month of supervised diet but I'm not following it right now. That is about to change. I'm starting to take this seriously. My head is slow to react, but it's getting on board. Some of the things I am planning to do once the lbs are gone: Dance! hike ride my bike go to festivals resume doing seminars climb a ladder and do stuff lots more ... Above all, I will be able to take control and be who I am supposed to be. No more excuses. I'll be free!!!

Thanks for the info, Dorian. I'll check him out. I had my first appointment with Dr. Chaing today. I'm not sure he is the right one. What kind of followup did Columbia have? How often do they have groups? I'm hoping to get a lot of support since I don't have any at home.

I was wondering the same thing. I just created a ticker. Just checking if it worked.

Hi KathyN14. I'm from Racine. I'm just starting this process and looking into doctors. I have been looking at Elmbrook Memorial and Dr. Chaing. Have you heard anything about him? What made you decide on Columbia St. Mary's?

This thread is so inspiring! I waiver back and forth about the sleeve. I have serious doubts about being successful because I tend to sabotage myself. I am 4' 10" and weigh 267. The lowest I have weighed in my adult life is 142. I can't even remember weighing less than 100 lbs --- ever! I have yoyo'd with every diet known to man (or woman for that matter). I have little or no support from family. Ugh! That said, I read the postings and get so excited about the possibility of losing this enormous weight. It's hard for me to believe (and I fool myself all the time) that I weigh more than some football players! Little me! So, I need to bookmark this post and read it over and over again. I find it so inspiring and hopeful. Thank you all for your stories and successes. I am just beginning this journey and it means so much to me to see all of your successes. I only hope mine can compare.

I am turning 65 next month and am seriously considering VSG. I am 4'10" and weigh 267 lbs. I have had both knees replaced. I take cholesterol medication and am prediabetic. That said, I believe VSG would be extremely helpful for me. I just have to convince myself that I am capable of going through with it and able to do what is necessary to be successful. Since I am struggling with this decision, I can only imagine it would be a difficult decision for your parents. They have to be the ones to make this decision. It certainly would be good for you to approach them with your concerns and demonstrate to them, as I assume you have done, that it is a healthier way to go. I can see you love them very much and want to help and support them in staying as healthy as they can be. I'm sure your weight loss and subsequent improvement in health is a great inspiration to them. Ultimately, though, they have to want it.

I'm actually in worse shape than you. I am 4'10" and am currently 267. Just starting this journey. Appointment with Surgeon June 5. Currently on supervised diet, although I did not do well at all this month. Got fired today from my job. Maybe the stress will subside now and I can get on with my life.

I have been reading everything I can about the surgery and the changes that take effect after. I was just wondering how much my food choices will change after surgery. I don't mean cravings, just foods I love now. For instance, I love anything with tomatoes in it. I love chocolate. I love salads. I love lots of different vegetables. How much will my food choices be altered by this surgery? I understand that the amount will be reduced, but what about the taste and enjoyment of food? Oops, I guess I should have posted this in the post surgery thread. Sorry Thanks.

Thanks, everyone, for the information and candid responses. They are very helpful. I'm still feeling my way. I just made my first appointment with the surgeon and I'm reading the Big Book of VSG. Just need some practical advise. Thanks again.

Hello everyone, I am just beginning on this journey. I started my supervised diet last week. I'm not doing very well. Although I want this more than anything, I'm sabatoging myself. Ugh! I hate my head sometimes! Anyway, I have three months on this supervised diet. I need to get on track. I just don't know how right now. Any words of wisdom? I have not made a doctor's appointment yet but I will very soon. I am turning 65 next month and my insurance will change to a medicare advantage at that time. My current insurance won't cover anything that relates to weight loss. I attended a seminar at Wheaton Franciscan in Milwaukee and I am pretty sure I will go with them. They are a Center of Excellence. I'm thinking that means that they are one of the best, is that true? I just ordered the Bariatric Sleeve book and will read it from cover to cover. I think I am having trouble getting started because I am really scared of the permenance of the whole process. I'm afraid it won't work for me or I won't be able to handle it. I'm afraid I'll be a failure just like I have always been. I am 4' 10" tall and weigh 267 lbs. I have always felt like a failure in this area and have hated myself most of my life. I read this board every night and, even though many of you talk about problems and setbacks, you seem to keep going. I applaud that courage. I just don't know if I have that in me. Some days I feel ok and other days I am terrified and tell myself I can't do it. I'm sorry to ramble like this. I just feel so lost right now. I could use some honest feedback. Thanks

Thank you travelmego and vanessak8. Great information. I'm working on the supervised diet. I'm still not doing really good. I have not lost anything yet. I figure this is a new week and I can start over. I understand the idea of failing this diet. I have failed at every diet my whole life. I hope they take that into consideration. I haven't started the approval process yet because I won't have insurance that covers the surgery until June 1. At that time I can start the approval process. The doctor just said I should start the physician supervised diet to get that requirement out of the way. So, it's onward and upward! Thanks again for the info and encouragement.

I'm so sorry to hear that, especially since you are making such a monumental change for yourself. Some people cannot, or will not, deal with change. They want everything to stay the same. That way they stay in control. This will all work out for the best for you, I'm sure. Change is difficult, but freeing! Hang in there.

Wow! That's all I can say. I can't wait until I have great photos to share like you do. Keep up the good work!

Amazing transformation! Congratulations. It's wonderful to see before and after pictures. I can't wait to have some of my own. Thank you!

Thank you for that wonderful synopsis of your journey and the great recipes. I printed it and will keep it in my file for future reference. Congratulations on your success!

Thank you for the information, Mi75. That is helpful. I am planning to go to another seminar next week at a different hospital. I have time to do the research and I'm planning to learn as much as I can about the process before I make the commitment. You are all such an inspiration to me. I'm so glad I found this board.

Travelmego, I am on the doctor supervised diet that Medicare requires to qualify for surgery. I am really in the beginning stages of this journey. Medicare requires three months. My insurance company does not have any requirement except that you have comorbidities and your BMI is high enough. I don't know, am I supposed to fail it? I thought it was kind of a trial to see if you are serious about this process. BeagleLover, thank you for the words of encouragement. I am reaching out. I'm trying to combat my stress and depression about the financial situation. I know I have to move on. It's just hitting all at once right now. I think I was just pretty down last night. It is better today. Thanks all!

Thank you everyone. I am going through a lot of stress right now and I think that is messing with my head and my self confidence. My husband just lost his job and I am losing mine next week. I will try your your suggestions. That book "Emotional First Aid" souinds great. I am always on an emotional roller coaster. I am planning to go to as many support groups as I can (especially now that I have time to do it). I'm also looking forward to getting the "Big Book", I'm sure that will help. I know I need support. Thank you for giving it!

Funny, I just had a talk with my husband about this very topic this evening. He is also clueless. He says he wants to know about it but when I tell him how he can find out more, he doesn't do anything. I have just started the supervised diet. This is really just the beginning for me but I have thought about it and talked about it for a very long time. I am just resigning myself to the fact that I am on this journey alone. I will be using the board as my support instead of my spouse. I just want you to know you are not alone. I'm really sorry you have to deal with this, though. I'm sure you will be able to find the support you need on this board.

I'm 4'10". I'm just in the preliminary stage of this journey. I just started the dr. supervised weight loss. I have been obese and morbidly obese most of my life and I'm going to be 65 on June 10. At one point I went down to 142 and I felt fantastic. When I get to the goal stage, I will be very happy with a number close to 142, maybe 135. I am not willing to go much lower than that, at least not right now. I currently weigh 267. Even getting to 140 or so will be quite an achievement. I'm not interested in getting skinny, I just want to feel better and be able to live my life instead of sidestepping it all the time.

This is my first post and I am very happy that it is in celebration of your 1 year anniversary. I am just in the beginning of this journey. Went to my first seminar session a couple of days ago. I'm planning to get my 3 months of supervised diet completed by July and then move on to the next step. I want to thank you for the wonderful encouraging words and enthusiasm. I needed that. Congratulations on your success and future successes!