choosehope

My first appointment with the surgeon is 9:15 tomorrow morning. Here I am wide awake at 3:00 am. Excited, apprehensive; can't stop reading posts here; can't stop thinking!

Wow!!! Amazing transformation!

Congrats!! You give me hope!

TeamMe, this is something I've struggled with as I contemplate surgery. A large part of my faith is trying to live as I think Christ would and trying to have integrity in all my doings. Right now, the way I see it is that a change in your diet and lifestyle are why you've had the success you have had. If someone compliments us on our complexion, we don't feel the need to tell them our beauty regime; if someone compliments my disposition, I don't feel the need to tell them I take antidepressants. Certainly if someone asked me directly, I'd tell them but other than that it is between me and God. I speak the truth but I don't always have to tell the whole story that led to the truth. In my case, I've asked God to very clearly convict me if I'm outside His will in keeping it from others and until I feel that heavenly kick in the pants, I'm resting easy. Best wishes for determining what's best for you and your relationship with God.

Headache is one of my biggest fears. Know it sounds silly but I already have chronic migraines and the thought of my headaches increasing or getting worse makes me want to cry.

I have my first meeting with the surgeon on Wednesday! At the seminar, they said this one would be fairly short and the second one would be about 2.5 hours!! Went into the seminar thinking gastric sleeve and left thinking bypass. Yesterday I was sure I wanted and needed the surgery; today I'm beating myself up over not losing and keeping it off on my own and thinking I need to try again! ( I've lost 100 lbs twice in the past and hundreds of 25-50 lb increments!) Sure could use some prayers, good thoughts and encouragement! I need to try to think sanely and judiciously about this and not let my emotions flip flop all over the place! Thanks!

@djmohr Thanks so much for your encouragement and words of wisdom! You are so right about it getting harder as we age, and it seems that in the past year my body has finally gotten fed up (pun intended!). sleep apnea, horrible arthritis in my knees, increased problems with degenerative disc. Your story is an inspiration! I'm sorry that you are having to have surgery today and hope it goes well, but wow! Look at how much you've accomplished!! In addition to the boost with weight loss, I think one of the things that is most appealing to me is the long term support via the doc, nutritionist and support group. I tend to be a lone ranger when it comes to my weight, but I'm learning I really need community and support. @jane13 Thanks for the reminder to follow my heart and mind!! Wishing you both continued success!!!

After forty plus years of beating my head against the wall with diets and treatment for compulsive overeating, I finally made a reservation to attend a WLS informational meeting. My heart is beating out of my chest. I've tried every diet and treatment program or center possible. I've traveled around the United States going to the "best" places for help. I've lost over a hundred pounds twice, but I always gain it back. I just can't live like this any longer. I've been pretty lucky health wise until now, but things seem to be snowballing. I always thought I could handle this; that if I just had enough faith; or enough will; or enough strength that I could lose the weight and keep it off. As I get older, it is harder and harder. My reality is that if I don't do something about this that I am going to die a miserable death. BUT I am scared to death of WL surgery. I don't want anyone to know I'm considering it, but can't figure out how to keep it hidden if I go through with it. I'm scared of the surgery and whether or not I'm in good enough health to make it through the surgery. I'm afraid of Protein Drinks and not being able to tolerate them. Bottom line is that I am a bundle of fear. Praying I will even make it to the meeting on Saturday. Thinking about the sleeve. But I'm in my 50's and on medicare due to being on disability for a chronic pain condition. Don't know if I'll even qualify and that scares me as I don't know what the future holds if I can't have it. Back on Weight Watchers in the meantime. Looking for advice, suggestions, encouragement, warnings - anything you have. Thanks. Bethel

Trying to read and see everything I can to help with decision making. There is a LOT out there! What are some of your "must-reads" and "must-sees?" What have been your favorite?

As I contemplate WLS, one of my fears has to do with headaches. I have chronic migraines and am afraid the super low calories will trigger more migraines and cause more headaches.

As I'm investigating WLS, it seems that everything you do post WLS is also what comprises a good weight loss program. If I can't reliably stick with a good diet or always gain the weight back, what changes this or makes it easier after surgery? In particular, I'm thinking about the sleeve but that may change.

Whoops. Meant to say thanks for the info!!

I love reading all of these!! ???? I'm 56 and attending the informational seminar on Friday. Been worried that I was too old and have too much health stuff going on. Reading this thread has given me so much hope!!! Thanks to you all!!

I am seriously considering WLS and am attending a seminar on Saturday. One of my concerns is telling anyone about it. My family and friends have watched me do program after program, succeed and then fail for the past thirty years. It just feels too overwhelming to have everyone watching and commenting. (Particularly if I have it and blow it or if I end up not having it.) Additionally, if I can have the surgery, it will be somewhat high risk as I have a bleeding disorder. It was discovered when I bled out after a hysterectomy. There are things they can do to control it, but I know my family will be worried to death about it. I live in the same town with all my family - dad and siblings - and don't know how I can have surgery without them knowing. I fear it would be too much stress for my elderly father. Plus my closest friends work at the hospitals where I could have it. I'd love to know how others handled telling people about it and how you who kept it secret were able to keep it secret. Thanks!!

After forty plus years of beating my head against the wall with diets and treatment for compulsive overeating, I finally made a reservation to attend a WLS informational meeting. My heart is beating out of my chest. I've tried every diet and treatment program or center possible. I've traveled around the United States going to the "best" places for help. I've lost over a hundred pounds twice, but I always gain it back. I just can't live like this any longer. I've been pretty lucky health wise until now, but things seem to be snowballing. I always thought I could handle this; that if I just had enough faith; or enough will; or enough strength that I could lose the weight and keep it off. As I get older, it is harder and harder. My reality is that if I don't do something about this that I am going to die a miserable death. BUT I am scared to death of WL surgery. I don't want anyone to know I'm considering it, but can't figure out how to keep it hidden if I go through with it. I'm scared of the surgery and whether or not I'm in good enough health to make it through the surgery. I'm afraid of Protein drinks and not being able to tolerate them. Bottom line is that I am a bundle of fear. Praying I will even make it to the meeting on Saturday. Thinking about the sleeve. But I'm in my 50's and on medicare due to being on disability for a chronic pain condition. Don't know if I'll even qualify and that scares me as I don't know what the future holds if I can't have it. Back on Weight Watchers in the meantime. Looking for advice, suggestions, encouragement, warnings - anything you have. Thanks. Bethel

So glad you posted this. It's one of the things I'm most curious and concerned about! Following!

Not sure of how to tag people - if anyone has any input for tagging, I'd appreciate it. BLERDgirl, I also don't think of WW as a fad diet. I'm using the program for a structure to stay honest about my food intake. I've also eliminated all sugar from my diet. Haven't had sugar since the beginnng of October. Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing your Medicare experience! Anikka, thanks for the suggestion about Protein shakes. Which ones would you suggest that I try? VSGAnn2014, definately not bloviating. I think that the thing I'm really afraid of is doing it and failing. Like so many people here, I have tried a a lot of things - some of them pretty extreme (like residential treatment). Thanks all!

Thank you all for your encouraging responses. If I'm honest, I think that the thing I am most afraid of it failing again. I know I'm a food addict. I've been in 12 step programs; I've been to residential treatment; I've been to short-term treatment - just to work really hard, do really well, and then gain it all back and become even worse. I hear so many stories of people who just eat past the limits that the surgery imposed. I'm so afraid that I will be one of those people. Without having a pity party, I have a long history of repeated failure in this area. I guess most people do who end up having bariatric surgery. But how do you know it will be different this time? I went into every program and most diets with determination and acceptance of powerlessness and a whatever it takes attitude to end up here again. I'm sorry if this post is a downer. I just have to know how to make this different.

Thanks Queen of Crop - I'll look into it! Glad to know that you had it in your 50's and are happy with it!