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I would love to hear any rituals or other such things that people have done to reclaim their power, as it were. Yesterday I "unsubscribed" from my Men's Big & Tall email list that sent me monthly specials on clothing, since I will soon not be needing them. I felt like a million bucks, with even such a small action. I think of the Butterfly Principle, and what that might imply for my initial throws on this path. It was amazing what such a little thing like an email "un-subsubscribe" could do to boost my confidence. I then considered what I already know to be true about the human experience, and how small actions can influence the larger picture, not unlike the simple choices I made that compounded one upon another that got me "here" to this place where WLS is necessary. I surmise that there are more things in our control and that lend power to our actions to include, but not be limited to, choosing positive speak, rather than focusing on pain, suffering or discomfort. I would imagine there is a lot of power simply in an exercise such as unsubscribing from "fat guy" catalogs such as ones I have utilized for years. I would imagine there is power in simply speaking and thinking as though I were already thinner and successful with this process we are engaging. I know we know this, but it helps to think about the power of simple choices/actions. I would love to hear the simple rituals/reclamation of power actions that others have taken.

This is great news! Here's to the new you!

I performed some basic YouTube searches and what not, but have only found a few home-made videos about the processes. Granted, those are very informative, but also include personal interjection based upon ones personal experience, which isn't what everyone may experience. With the temptation some have to offer armchair therapist advice, I am wondering if there are any medically sound documentaries that could be recommended with regard to the sleeve procedure, pre and post op. Any recommendations/links would be greatly appreciated.

Excellent! I'll look into that one as well. Mucho appreciated!

I do see a lot of lists going around as to what to bring to the hospital. With a thousands of posts its a bit hard to read all of them, so this question may have been posted before... Is there any helpful items that people have found handy/desirable post-op that they wished they had known about (e.g., a special Water bottle with special crazy straw, medical supplies/gauze, journal for writing down questions to ask later, special known teas that are comforting/healthy, a pet buffalo, etc. etc.)? I am still in the early throws of this process, although I have funding secured, psych eval out of the way, and my first surgeon and dietician appointments already scheduled for a week out. With that said, I wanted to start accumulating anything that might be useful/helpful/needed that I won't wish I had known before I was down for the count Any advice or suggestions much appreciated.

Excellent! Thank you!

Excellent! Thank you!

Thats awesome! I am thinking about collecting the snail mail catalogs and ritually burning them in a bonfire after one year. There is something pretty awesome about incorporating the metaphor of fire into the mix.

Excellent!

This is indeed where I am going. I appreciate the advice on the monthly meetings, and will definitely attend the next one. Thank you for the idea!

Good habits are always the best measure for making the bad ones die out. Find a way to recapture and relive/re-experience the thrill you experienced when you first started loosing weight. I believe that in many ways it comes down to the emotions we choose to embrace, which in effect, affect the outcome of our footsteps on the path of power we are on. Wishing you success, and peace, as you reclaim what is yours! You got this!

Thank you MisforMimi, and good luck to you as you walk this path. I appreciate the cheers!

Best wishes to you, and peace to you as you walk this path of personal power. Excited for you!

Thanks for all the support and well wishes. I really appreciate it. A week from today I will have a better grasp of the process as I meet with my surgeon. Still new on this path, but resolved to press forward now that funding is secured. Funny...I have more fear over the prospect of loosing my job over this than the surgery itself. As an independent contractor, working through a staffing agency who places me in a job I have been for over three years, I have seen peoples contracts cancelled for less. Granted, my life means more... yet it is a form of stress that I need to learn to walk with... and definitely not worth giving too much power to something that hasn't even happened yet Im not even sure if I qualify for the FMLA, but will definitely pursue the paperwork in case it can help.

I have secured funding, and will be attending my first appt with the surgeon May 8th. I have lots of support from my wife and family, and am looking for any local support group that I might be part of as I engage this process.