WLSResources/ClothingExch

If you lose weight without surgery and have confidence in maintaining, great. I never proselytize for surgery. All that matters to me is that people get where they want to go regardless of transportation. If staying at BP will help you achieve your goals, pull up a chair.

One of the reasons on the list of reasons for doing surgery is to look better. If you deny it, you will notice that your nose has grown. People who compliment the change aren't saying that you looked like crap before. They are commenting only on what is in front of them at the moment. They are acknowledging your choice to change and being supportive of it. The rare individual who thinks, "Gee, she really did look like crap before," is just a tad jealous and perhaps has a mouth filled with sour grapes. Who cares? Ask yourself how you'd feel or what you'd think if people you see infrequently didn't notice. "Don't they see me?" "Don't I make an impression on them?" "Am I not here?" "Are they stupid?" When a person looks dramatically different, how easy is it to pretend you don't notice? When you see an acquaintance in that position, it certainly can't feel natural to avert your eyes and bite your tongue. Even more to the point, it falls within the category of withholding good feelings for the success of the altered party. How mean-spirited that is. Relish the compliments. Flash your most dazzling smile and say, "Thank you. It's so wonderful to see you again."

Sometimes it works, sometimes not. When you really want to say what you mean without interference from idiotic asterisks, a slight misspelling will work. It's not entirely satisfying, but also doesn't completely Water down the meaning. @@Alex Brecher, why in hell are you wasting time "liking" posts in this thread? To the drawing board with you.

@@salmon77, I'll read pages two and three of the replies later. For now, I'd go with one of two things. "Mother, do you think you could hate me just a tiny bit less?" The other option would be, "Mother, do you think you could hate me just a tiny bit less?" and walk away. Too bad people don't have to turn cartwheels to be approved for parenthood as do bariatric-surgery hopefuls. You're great and she has to go through life being herself. There is justice in the world.

After reading replies from the others, I'd say that the only thing you damaged was your peace of mind. Be good and you'll be fine.

It's wonderful that you and your parents have such a close relationship, but you probably owe them money for the house and car. You don't owe your soul or your health. I'll make a wild guess that, because they are thin, they've been after you to lose weight and have watched you make efforts with no lasting result. All they need to "get" -- and not really, as it's your body and your life, not theirs -- is that you want surgery. If you needed a kidney transplant, would they try to talk you out of it for fear of surgery? Weight loss surgery is about all facets of your well-being. That's an excellent idea. Also ask them to accompany you to a couple of support group meetings given by your chosen surgery practice or another in your area. They'll have a chance to listen and talk with people who have had surgery or are in the decision-making process.

If it has to happen, I'd prefer not waking up and never knowing a thing. Picturesque, but not the most apt analogy. It's the aforementioned piece and all subsequent pieces of cake that brought us all together in the first place.

The surgeon was the greatest risk in this case.

I handled it with some slight sounds of "Go 'way, lemme be" at being awakened from a deep, delicious sleep. What are you afraid of?

I'm getting the impression that most attendees and professional participants are part of the surgery world, despite Holly Lofton's involvement. Is that correct?

It's some of each. No way of knowing how you may be presenting yourself differently, @@besser1961, but you more than likely are. Moreso, though, is that others are now taking you [more] seriously as you fit the images they have of themselves and the image of those they wish to be linked with in the minds of others. Why waste your time on speculating where you'd be had you lost weight long ago? That was then, this is now. You weren't ready or some such then. Focus on the great, multi-pronged gift you're giving yourself now.

I lie on the table and do a modified (i.e., slight) crunch to make the port more accessible. As soon as the needle is in, I relax the crunch. @@ltoni90, you'll get more useful replies if you reveal the mysterious experience. If you wish to keep it private, you can discuss the possibility of altering the technique with your doctor.

@@ltoni90, I'll be interested to know what you find out after talking with reg. doctor and surgeon or someone in the surgery office. Here's hoping that you've just picked up a bug and it will pass.

@@ltoni90, I was only suggesting a couple of things for you to consider. It's time to call your doctor. This website has reat merits, but it does not provide medical advice or medical care. I just noticed that you mentioned dizziness in addition to headaches. Because of something I'm experiencing (concussion), let your regular doctor know if you've had a head bang recently, either in a fall or any other way. It's nothing to get upset about, but also nothing to ignore.

All things are possible, but that's one I've never heard. Are you perhaps for an annual physical? I'd check in with my regular doctor and, because you're associating it with eating, with my surgeon. (Are you well hydrated?)

My last pizza-topping dinner came four or five years ago. I was too late to request a special order for an evening of volunteer work, so opted for the toppings only. Even though the pizzas came from an especially good, well-known local pizzeria rather than a chain, it was my last. Since surgery it had become all too gloppy and sloppy to be appealing. Not related to surgery, but ever so slightly amusing...After appendectomy about 30 years ago, I was inpatient for four days because of low fever, the first few of which were on IV. On day 3, I began to feel some hunger and slyly asked the chances of getting some pizza sent in. When reminded that I was to be on either liquid for a while, I asked about pizza in a blender. I didn't really want that, but the little joke told me that I was feeling better.

You'll decide for yourself whether this is good news or bad: You are not unique. 1. food is necessary. What you are describing, however, is a lousy, unfulfilling marriage. You'll meet someone better: Yourself. You'll also find things about yourself that you never knew, but will value. 2. Excess skin is a cosmetic matter. Don't get so far ahead of things to worry about. At the right time you can choose solutions. You're fine.

I'm coming up blank with my hunt for the first notice from BP (probably an Alex offering). Was it in a BP Newsletter or a post in the forums? A road map or a link will be appreciated. Thanks.

Repeat as often as necessary: I CAN DO ANYTHING FOR TWO WEEKS. Two weeks out of a lifetime? You can do it. I've never heard if called a "liver diet," but you can do it.

If your daughter is aware of having gained weight through the years, you can say nothing. As common wisdom dictates, there's is no need, no point, and no good end to telling a person what she already knows. She's an educated woman who has had enough exposure in all quarters to know the story. That said, if she brings up the subject, all you talk about is weight and good health being intertwined, nothing about appearance, societal pressures or the rest. If she broaches those aspects, however, speak frankly from your own perspective and experience. Someone above suggested "dragging" her to a WLS group. Nay, no inviting, no dragging, no suggesting. To do so would suggest you think she's a surgery candidate and, moreso, smack of Marley's ghost or the ghost of Christmas future -- gloom and doom. Any discussion must be upbeat and positive. Only if and when she initiates. You know this, momsmith, and I suppose that that's the crappy side of being a mother.

Thanks, Alex.