*Lexie*

My psych eval was on the first things I did. I think it depends on the psychiatrist because my meeting was 2 hours long and it was a lot more than just making sure I knew what I was getting into. She did make me cry and I don't think I'm that emotional of a person but when she started asking me how I felt about gaining weight back and being at my current weight, it was a bit emotional. Overall, I got a paper later that said I should work on "developing emotional regulation" and that she thinks I have anxiety. So I took her advice and got a workbook on anxiety and started reading it and I just don't see it. I am truly being open minded but I don't have any of the symptoms of anxiety. Course I don't want to tell her that because she might think I'm in denial or don't want to face something. I am afraid of her brain witchcraftery. I don't buy into the things she said but I'm putting my head down and go through each of these pre-op hoops one at a time. Look at this as just another hoop you have to jump through and you will get through it. If it helps, I learned recently that the most prescribed medications in America right now are anti-anxiety and anti-depressants. I'm sure they've seen tons of people just like you and everything will work out just fine. Remember, they are in the business to get patients to surgery, that's how they make money.

I'm just excited right now, even after reading about some of the struggles people have. I figure I'll just be better prepared. And in the long run, it's worth discomfort for a limited amount of time. That being said, I'm pretty sure as soon as I get a surgery date, I'll go from excited to scared so fast that I'll get whiplash!

Thank you for posting this. I think it's great for those of us getting started to really understand that this is not a magic bullet and that if we don't do the work, the surgery will not work. I know for me that there was a little voice in the back of my head that said if my stomach was smaller, I would automatically lose weight, no matter what I did. But the truth is, that is crazy, food addiction thinking. I am on a pre-op plan and have to lose like 15 pounds to be approved for surgery. I've tried to do exactly what I've been told, eat balanced meals, no snacking and exercise. I have lost half the weight I need to lose without counting a single calorie. That is very freeing for someone who has counted calories her whole life. It shows me that if I maintain these habits, I will be successful post op. Everyone has given you all the tips and you probably already knew what you were supposed to do. Now, it's just a matter of putting what you know will make you successful into practice. Start small if you have to with slowly cutting out grazing and doing some walking 3 days a week. You'll see results from the small changes and it will prompt you to keep making changes. Best of luck and welcome back.

You look younger in your current picture and you look smaller than 240lbs. So inspiring! You'll really start living now.

I feel you, waiting is the hardest. My consultation was in early June and then I had the psych appt in early July. My surgeon requires an 8 week skills course and I have to lose 15lbs. At the end of the course, if I've lost the weight, they'll give me a surgery date. Oh but wait, there's more. They have a 2 week pre-op diet too. So I finish the course on September 9th and I'm hoping for surgery by the end of September at the earliest. I really thought about going to see another surgeon to see if there were less pre-op requirements but I really do like all the education they provide and I think it will really help. Their goal is that you're not surprised by anything after surgery. So I'm sucking it up and going through the long drawn out process because I know it will help me be more successful. Here endeth my rant.

If you are so hungry that the cat is starting to look appetizing, your liver is probably shrinking. Just kidding!

What a great topic. I don't think this only happens with weight loss. When I quit smoking, I would hear people brag that they just put those cigarettes down one day and never looked back. Well, that did not work for me because I was addicted to smoking. I used the tools out there to increase my chances of success and guess what, I haven't smoked for two years and that's really what matters. I heard the same thing of mothers that would brag about natural child birth as if they are superior because they opted out of the drugs. We all get the same thing in the end, a baby. What does it matter how we get to our goals as long as we get there? At this point I would sell my soul for sustained weight loss. But no one's in the soul buying business so I'm going to do whatever it takes to make me successful. And when I am successful, it won't matter how I got there. It'll only matter than I met and maintained my goal.

I'm hoping for a September date. I'm working through an 8 week skills class required by the surgeon. In 2 weeks they'll submit for insurance approval but I won't get a date until the class ends on September 9th. I'm hoping for the end of the month.

Congrats! I have the same coverage and am hoping to submit for approval in a few weeks.

Today's weight - 251

At 254 this week.

Here's my 2 cents. In the last year, I gained around 30lbs while trying very hard to lose weight. What I'm doing isn't working. If I don't try something new (i.e. WLS), I can probably expect to keep gaining year over year. I truly believe that if I trust my doctor and follow their instructions, I will be successful. I have seen repeated posts as well as feedback from my doctor that people that get WLS and aren't successful are the ones that either received little or no education on what to do or didn't utilize the resources provided them by the doctor.

Love this topic! I'll try not to repeat too many things already listed. ~Feel comfortable in my own skin ~Go dancing ~Actually go to the bar where the dancing is happening ~Cross my legs comfortably ~Wear cool boots that actually fit my calves ~Run a marathon ~Wear a bathing suit in public ~Wear a pair of beautiful heels without fear of breaking the heel or a body part ~Wear a skirt ~Getting a haircut without worrying about how fat my face will look

I am still pre-op and last night at a support group, someone who had just gotten the sleeve talked about how great they felt, lots of energy, no nausea whatsoever, etc. Then the nutritionist pointed out that she was very rare and almost everyone experiences quite a bit of nausea for a month or more after surgery. I wanted to ask all of you about your experiences with nausea. Did you have it? Was it manageable with meds? How long did it last? Thanks!

I am looking at an October surgery date. I have completed my consultation, psych eval and dietitian appt. I've been to 2 of the required support groups and next week I start an 8 week skills class. It's one hour with the psychologist and one hour with the dietitian. During the 8 week skills class, I have to lose 11lbs to be approved for surgery. Then they process the insurance approval and I would have a 2 week pre-op diet. I am impatient and hate all the waiting but I'm thankful that my surgeon puts so much effort into preparing patients for this big change. I'm hoping I'll be better prepared when the time finally comes. And a few pounds lighter.

Thanks for all the feedback. This really helps. I get horrible nausea from pain medication so I will try to get off of that as quickly as possible.

P.S. surgery for an ulcer is totally my cover story too.

I work for a fortune 100 company and manage a department of 150 people. Neither I nor HR can handle any return to work notes from doctors since we make hiring and firing decisions. The notes have to go straight to our leave of absence team. You should double check with another source. Likely your boss is just misinformed on the policy.

Today - 254

For my own reasons, I won't be announcing to the world that I'm getting WLS. But I've told my closest friends and family which I consider my support system. The other night I was talking to my closest friend about a requirement that I have to lose around 15 pounds to be approved for surgery. (surgeon's requirement) I am nervous that I won't be able to lose it or I'll lose it and won't be able to keep it off. But I'm trying to have faith in the process and I'm following the guidelines that my dietition gave me. She asked me, "If you lose 10lbs, would you consider not getting surgery?" I didn't understand the question and had to ask her to clarify it. Basically she was asking that if I saw results with the diet, would I cancel my surgery and continue to diet. That really bothered me. I said that I would not change my mind. I've lost weight before and it comes right back (usually brings a few friends too). So here are my questions... She makes a good point, how do you respond to that? I read it all over these forums, we have to make permanent changes to be successful. So how do I explain the part that surgery plays in this without sounding defensive? My last question is how do you not let comments like this bother you? I feel like I have to justify my choice.

I'd like to join. I'm pre-op and need to lose 17lbs before surgery. CW - 257 GW - 240

@lisacaron Your post brought a tear to my eye. Thank you! Thanks everyone for the encouraging words. I am definitely a little defensive and one of those people who feels bad/guilty for my weight gain/size. It took the psychiatrist like 4 seconds to figure that out during my appointment. I'm definitely working on that.

I expect I am probably going to be homicidal within a few days of starting the liquid diet. You are doing fantastic, you're in the home stretch now. Good luck tomorrow.

I am pre-op so I don't have anything I'd do differently but I love to read what everyone else is sharing because I'm going to take it as advice. I'm going to work hard over the next few months so I can get a head start on losing instead of saving it all for post surgery. I'm going to work on my food issues and not go on an eating extravaganza (as fun as it sounds) before surgery. And once I have surgery, I'm going to follow the instructions I'm given so I can maximize my results. Thank you for sharing, you are making a difference to those of us who haven't yet gone through surgery.

I'm 3-4 months away from surgery. Likely will have it sometime in October. I have to lose approximately 15 pounds over the next 10 weeks so I could really use a diet buddy.