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I speak pretty straight because I think this is a serious issue. I am a nurse and I have been reading/researching bariatric surgery since 2007. I am preparing to be sleeved on 2-19. I waited till now because there was not a procedure that met my "best criteria" till I found the sleeve. Also my employer is VERY RESTRICTIVE on who can have it...I have jumped through many hoops...as many of us have to get schedule. I did not want a foreign object in my abdomen with the band and I did not want to have my intenstinse rerouted like the Roux-n-Y. I have seen MANY people regain their weight after the Roux-n-Y....and I did not want to deal with the absorption and dumping syndrome with the Roux-n-Y. That procedure is very scary to me. The sleeve is the only acceptable procedure I would choose for myself. I know there will be foods I love (coffee, wine, bread) that I will have to take out of my diet..maybe forever. I am 63 and getting to a normal weight after fighting this for 40+ years....is worth to me whatever modificiation I need to make. I do not want to have the continued knee pain I have...and the blood pressure issues that are starting to creep in. I have 85-90 pounds to lose and I am 5'2". I look like a little square blimp I am so fat. None of these surgeries are the answer by themselves. You are still going to have to exercise and tone your body and you are going to have to track your food like you have never done on a diet. It will be critical to get in Protein and fluids. If you are looking at surgery as a "answer" then I would not do it. It is part of a solution...one part, only. You will lose as much weight as you are willing to put in the effort to lose. It will most likely come off fast in the beginning and then by 4-6 months you will need to get behind it with effort. I would say that effort should start before your surgery. I am in therapy working on my "root" issue of why I over eat.I will stay in therapy till all my weight is lost and I have stabalized new habits. I am also going to go to OA...and the group at the bariatric center where I am having my surgery done. I am going to surround myself with as much support as I need to make this transition. My body weight is one thing...my thinking is quite another. It is my thinking that I need to shift BIG TIME. I would never choose the procedure based on which one I would lose the most with...you can do it with any of them...and the fact that you are exploring it from this angle might mean you are not ready???? Helen RN

I have not said much on this forum. I read it, just do not take the time to write as I have had nothing to report, till now. I have been scheduled for my procedure to occur on Feb. 19. It has been a long hard battle with my employer to grant it...as I challenged the 6 months of weight watchers...they lowered it to 3, and I challenged that, and won. Last week on Tuesday, I got cleared and got my surgery date. It was funnly, Feb. 19 was the date I held in my mind...and when I offered another date the nurse said, the clearest day is Feb. 19. It fit...I teach at a school of nursing and Feb. 19 allows me to miss a few days the next week, then we have 10 days off for spring break. I should be fine to return mid-march and resume my activities...oh, lo, I will also be working from home. I am busy getting my house organized post-op. I am a 63 year old divorced woman. My children have flown the nest. My oldest is nearby and will be with me the day of surgery but he is a chef and has a very demanding job. One of my nurse friends will stay with me the first night. So, while I am not excited...I am not scared either. I have been fat my entire adult life...well most of it. I look forward to being a normal weight. I know I will have to work...be vigilent about my food, Fluid, Protein and exercise. I have lost weight before, just never been able to keep it off. I am in therapy working on my head issues...and will follow-up with the clinic's support group. Right now, I am okay. Will be checking back with you all as my journey continues. I have always wanted one of those Pandora bracelets. Yesterday I bought the base bracelet in red (my surgery is in Feb)...and bought the first charm...a STAR. To represent that I am going to be the star of my own life. With each 10 pounds and each milestone that occurs, I will add a charm that is significant to me. Then at the end, I am going to have a custom charm made with my total pounds and the date. I hope my bracelet is full by fall. Be well, Helen in Durham

Mike, I know nothing about your surgeon or your hospital. I am an RN scheuded for the sleeve on Feb. 19 in Durham, NC. I have a colleague who is also a PhD nurse who had his done in May....and he has been my #1 support. When I emailed him that I had a surgery date (there have been lots of hoops to jump through), he immediately wrote back to say that "you will have moments of terror that you are taking what will seem like a drastic step. Keep moving forward, it will be worth it in the end. My only regret is that I did not do it sooner. I feel so much better, I look better and my self-confidence is the highest in my adult like. Join a support group, either on-line or in the area...but keep moving forward. You will get negative feedback from a lot of people, but I tell you, it is worth it. I am 9 months post-procedure. I can eat almost anything, just not very much of it. I want to lose 10 more pounds (he has lost 85)...and I know to do this, I will have to get back to the gym." My friends, John B. in Ohio. His support and his experience has kept me going forward. I do wake up and think to myself, am I crazy for doing this? Then I remember that I have been FAT, off and on...more on than off since I was 16 years old. I am again at my all time high of 217 pounds, I am 5'2" and am 63 year old. My mother and my grandmother had my same body type, same obesity issues and both died at 84. So, I figure I have 20 more years left...if I follow their genetic path..maybe I will live longer as I have no co-morbidities (no high blood pressure, no known heart disease). My knees are shot, most likely from the added weight. Bottom line, no matter how long I have left, I am tired of being FAT! There is a new reality show of a young woman from NC who had a dancing video go viral on Facebook. She says she is "happy fat." I do not believe her....and I do not believe you can be morbidly obese (as I am) and be healthy. I just have good genes...and they have not yet caught up with me. Both my mother and my grandmother had cardiovascular deaths...just really late in life. So, I am moving forward...I am going to assume that I will have no difficulty...because I do not think I will. I have chosen my surgeon well....trust in my team..and my gosh, I have had to fight to get this far. As late as 2 weeks ago they wanted me to do another 3 months of Weight Watchers! OMG! Think positive.....know you are doing this for yourself and your family....and FORGE on! Stay in touch and let me know how you do...and stay connected to this site as my friend John said, it will help you with those middle of the night terrors. I would add, plan ahead, have your fluids, your Clear liquids ready, liquid Vitamins...things to do while you recover. Get up and move at least every hour to fight the tendency to develop blood clots after a surgery like this. I am sure there will be "moments" but I just look at the book where I have torn picture of cute clothes I am going to wear...and I envision a few months in the future...and a healty body and more self confidence...and riding my bicycle...and seeing old friends who will be amazed that I am 63 years old...and look so vital and health. Be well, Helen in Durham

This is scary to read that people are falling back into old habits. I am Not yet sleeved and i have set up time with a therapist for first 6 months to get at root causes of my self loathing so i do not my efforts. Weight is a complex issue. Look deep as to why you want to hold yourself back from health and vitality in your life. Stop doing what you are going. Just stop.