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@melissac79: You said it melissac79. What's interesting about my change is not about having to buy clothes that fit, but fitting into the clothes that I have. My weight gain was due to my inability to condition myself thoroughly after having my spine "rebuilt" because of severe scoliosis surgery. I had only gained weight post-op in my stomach area because of exercise limitations. What's really wild is before getting sleeved, I was a 46" waist. I am now down to wearing clothes at a 40" waist. I have separated my clothes for someone with a 40" waist and a 38" waist and a 36" waist and my goal is to get myself to a 36" or 37" inch waist. I don't want to look at the scale because no news is good news. I will check my weight when I have follow-up appointments. I'm sure that this a realistic goal for me because everything in my closet that I have prior to my back surgery fit fine. My weight gain started when I was 50 years old. Now, at 57, little by little certain items are starting to fit and every time something fits, it's just a signal for me to keep going with my Physical Therapy harder each day. I keep telling myself "Enjoy this for this the good part". "No, try not! Do or do not! There is no try" -Yoda

The gym I belong to recently remodeled the weight room so I thought it an appropriate time to focus on cardio. The remodel was scheduled to take 2 weeks, so I figured I would dedicate myself to hitting the elliptical with a vengeance. The weight room was done early, but I kept my promise to myself and stuck to the cardio for the entire time. This gave my entire body time to "rest" from the weights, but I have to admit that it was damned hard to stick to it since I really don't like cardio. As a result of my experiment, I can squeeze into a medium shirt comfortably now. But as a headscratcher, I have gained 4 lbs since I last weigh-in (3 weeks ago). My pants are also down to 34's, so I don't think that it is weight gain from lack of exercise or a BM waiting to happen. Today was my first day back to the weights and it was leg day. I am not a fan of leg day, but I know it is necessity. I am happy to say that I have finally made some gains on my squat, 155 lbs! Just two months ago, I could only do 115 and now through perseverance I am making some gains. I am only 45 lbs away from my goal of body weight. Well, almost... it will depend on how much muscle I gain in the coming months. Everything else appears to have stayed the same, deadlift is still a working set of 185 with a max lift of 200. I am curious how my chest and arm days will turn out later this week. I'll have to report back then.

For the past month and some change I have been following a strict pre op diet consisting of 1 meal a day and two Protein shakes. I lost 28 lbs in 40 days and worked really hard. Dealt with everyday headaches and still am. The program requires that once I reach 5 lbs within goal weight I get weighed at a Kaiser facility and speak to a psychologist, get my chart reviewed by the surgeon and get scheduled. The scheduling person told me a week ago I I hurry and lose the last few pounds I can be scheduled for August well one week later today I speak to her and told her i reached my weight goal and she tells me the doctor is on vacation and he's all booked for August and I need to wait till september to have surgery This is so discouraging because im afraid of gaining weight. I've been waiting for so long and im just frustrated at this point. It seems like this process is never ending and with my luck I have a feeling something else might stall the process. Anyone else experience difficulties during the wait time of getting surgery date? or weight gain?

I've had Nexplanon for a few months now. They let me keep it for my surgery. I didn't notice any weight gain or loss after starting it. I had some spotting issues immediately after surgery, but nothing in that department from the day it went in. I love it and will probably never use anything else again.

Thanks! I should also mention that this weight gain came about in the midst of my going to the gym 3xs a week! I like the idea of the 5 day rest. What is that? Sleeve in October of 2011 Lost 95 lbs from heaviest Gained back 25 (working at shrinking that number)

@@loca_lette813 when I had my first appointment with Dr., I was 271. My insurance requires 90 days supervised weight loss. During my middle appointment I was up to 283. By my last appointment I was down to 276. They just submitted to my insurance (BCBS Federal) yesterday so I don't know yet if I'll be approved because of the weight gain. I'm really nervous, but Drs office thinks it should be okay... Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I am on my third week of my pre op diet and I've lost 25 lbs I am 2 pounds away from my goal weight and I cheated and over ate tonight. I am supposed to go to the DR tomorrow morning to get a check up and I know I effed up if I have any weight gain the moment I was done eating I regretted it. I was regretting it WHILE I was eating it but did it anyway. Tomorrow morning I'm definitely going to skip Breakfast and resume my pre op diet but I definitely feel discouraged rightnow because I cheated and I feel like if I can't change my habits now the surgery will be useless. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My team said not to weigh myself so I don't get discouraged from the post-surgery weight gain. I did anyway and gained too. I lost it plus more a week later. Get your fluids and Protein and keep walking! You'll feel better as you heal. I didn't poop for a full week, btw. Best wishes! Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Yes I agree try to get documentation from your doctor saying the reason for the weight gain... When I appealed and my appeal stated that I gained weight due to medication they denied it and in the letter it stated I didn't have any supporting documentation so a letter from the doc would be good

@@Amurillo04 And that's why weight loss surgery gets a bad rap with regards to weight gain. Some people just think it's the magic bullet, that they will no longer have to sacrifice some of their favorite foods or can continue to give into cravings.

@@diamondchic94 I have PCOS. High Testosterone Weight gain and irregular cycles. I'm early in my post op journey so im interested to see how my weight loss is affected by PCOS.

I Have PCOS. Sleeved 7/1. My only real issues weight gain and irregular periods. Still no period but I'm not looking forward to it either. I didn't take Metformin consistently therefore i didn't take it. I've lost about 13lbs most of which happened 5-6 days post op. I've stalled since then. I fear that PCOS makes my body recognize weight loss sooner and then my body panics and holds on. Other than that I'm just continuing to do what I'm supposed to and I'm certain things will keep moving right along.

As I haven't had the surgery yet, I can't comment on any of the after stuff. I can share my thought process in getting to the decision, and hope that helps. First, if you recognize you have issues with emotional eating, I strongly recommend seeing a therapist. I'm seeing one because I have some trauma to deal with around food, in addition to being a stress/emotional eater. I knew that whether or not I have the surgery, I need a healthy relationship with food. It's really helping me work through some of those issues. I'm a nurse, and know a lot of people who have had bariatric surgeries - lap band, RNY, sleeve. Many of those people had complications and problems, and a few have been really successful. I have successfully lost 30+ lbs with diet/exercise in the past and kept it off for a few years, so I believe I could be successful without the surgery, so I was seriously on the fence about it. My therapist also had the concern that I'd be trading one set of issues with food for a surgically imposed eating disorder, and that was a serious concern for me. That's really where the fabulous people here on BP helped me. I and my therapist both had the idea that the picture of highly restrictive and controlled eating was the life-long picture after sleeve. Many of the vets here shared what their life and diet looks like 2, 3, 4+ years out, and it's actually pretty normal. Diets range from about 1,000 kcal to about 1,800 kcal (women), some are low carb, some are balanced carb to Protein, and most eat "treats" when they want. Certainly not a picture of disordered eating. What struck me most was that almost to a person, the only regret anyone shared was that they waited so long to do it. I was still on the fence, until a conversation with my rheumatologist. I have auto-immune arthritis, and I was not aware that the surgery itself would make huge improvements in the hormones that drive both hunger and cravings, but also inflammation that worsens my condition. Then, losing weight will reduce the stress on my joints as well as further reduce inflammation. I know historically many of my health concerns have worsened with my weight gain, so things like my asthma and migraines will improve as I lose the weight as well. So while the surgery and weight loss will not cure my auto-immune, it can vastly reduce the severity and help the meds work better. So I went to a seminar with my surgeon, and started doing some research in the medical journals. We're learning so much about weight gain and why it's so hard to lose. It's a serious uphill battle for anyone, fighting setpoint and cravings and metabolic rate slowing. In my situation, the pain and fatigue from the auto-immune and my other chronic conditions make it even harder. So the surgery gives me a tool to help make it a little easier, especially at the beginning when I'm trying to gain momentum with all of these lifestyle changes. The surgery alone isn't enough, but it can be the edge I need to be successful long term this time. My parents will support me, but they are against the surgery. My Dad thinks I just need to buck up and have willpower. Mom is worried because my older sister who had the sleeve has a huge number of health issues, and Mom incorrectly associates them with the sleeve. Some of my closest friends are concerned because we have a friend who died several years after having bariatric surgery and they believe she had nothing but problems after the surgery which eventually caused her death. As a nurse, and now with the research I've done, I do not believe the surgery was a significant factor. I understand and appreciate their concern, and am grateful that they'll all support me whatever choice I make. But I know it's hard to hear so many voices saying "don't do it". I think a lot of people go into this thinking the surgery is a magic bullet, and they won't have to make huge changes in order to get healthy, and that they set themselves up to fail. I know I went back and forth for a long time about it, and know that it's not a magic bullet, just a tool to help the process. Right now I'm just trying to keep my chin up through the insurance nonsense, and am hoping for a quick approval and surgery in August. Keep questioning, investigating, and learning. Start doing the work needed to move to a healthier place, because you'll need it whether you decide to have the surgery or not. And best of luck!!

My surgeon highly encouraged yearly followups, but as I am self pay and know what I am supposed to be doing and the last few appts were frankly unproductive for me (paid, charted progress, told to keep doing exactly what I was doing), I am not returning unless I have an actual issue or serious weight gain. My regular doc knows I had the sleeve and can monitor my general health otherwise.

I thought that the relationship between losing weight/appetite level/clothing size was straight forward, but now I'm confused and need perspective. As a 3-month post-op, I only had 1 fill so far and I wanted to get my second fill since it took me 1 week just to lose 1 pound, and then I remained the same weight for another week. My surgeon said I should come in for another fill once my weight loss stalls. I am feeling hungrier, but I still only eat once or twice a day. When I'm hungry I try ignore the sensation as long as possible. Part of me feels that if I get a second fill it just might be too tight for me to eat anything, or it'll take away the hunger sensation like I felt in the first post-op month. Since last week I also had NSV. When I went to buy work uniforms the salesperson took out size M when I asked for L, and it fit! Even in highschool (before the weight gain of my mid 20s) I always wore size L, but the number on the scale doesn't seem to match this newer clothing size. I'm still 41 pounds over my goal weight. My bra band size is also down another 2 inches since the measurement was taken. (I can't exactly remember my previous waist size measurement, I need to write this stuff down!) I'm also moving to a new place soon that's a 4.5 hours drive away, so I'd like your input on whether I should go ahead and squeeze in an appointment for a second fill or just wait longer once there's no other noticeable NSV.

@@theantichick The weight gain may have been a result of the blood pressure med change. Hopefully they added a diuretic and you'll be down again.

When we first got married I was at 174. Then I had babies and several surgeries so my weight gain started. I has cheated on me before so I would not be surprised if he did again. Thank you everyone for the support. I really don't have anyone to stay with. I can do this. It will be hard but I can do this.. If he wants to leave after I loose my weight I really don't think I am going to stop him. Like someone said he is controlling. Thank you again Sent from my N9518 using the BariatricPal App

I had an issue like that but my coordinator assured me that it just has to show steady weight gain not that you just recently got overweight and decided to get wls. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Wow - I've been reading a lot of these stories and some reasons are familiar, but even the ones that aren't really resonate with me. For most of life - from my teens to my early 30s, my weight went back and forth over the years and I usually ranged from a size 10 to 14/16. Not obese, but always overweight. But I was an active overweight person, and I felt much healthier than many of my skinny friends who did not exercise and ate junk all the time. I did hit a healthy BMI when I was 24 from all the dancing I was doing, but knee problems forced me to quit and the weight slowly crept up. I did manage to stay under 200 pounds until about 8 years ago the weight started to pile on and nothing I did would last long. WW, Southbeach diet, etc worked for a while, then I would stall and the weight would come back + more. I was depressed and the weight gain just made the depression worse. I remember my personal trainer talking to me about what I needed to do if I was serious about losing weight and I walked out on her - I was angry that she thought I wasn't doing my best, but at the same time I didn't want her to see me break down in tears. I never went back. Like many people here, I had a lot of "well, I'll never let myself get to _____ weight," but it has happened time and again. The first WGD (weight gain defeat) was hitting 200 lbs. Around the same time, realising that I had stop fighting myself in the regular stores - the size 18s were barely fitting, and department stores like Sears had nothing I wanted to wear - and walking into a dedicated plus-size store for the first time. Walking from the parking lot into the store was really embarrassing, but once I was inside I was surrounded by clothes that fit and very positive people around me. Then I hit 220. Then 250. Now I'm fluctuating but hitting a high of 275. Over the past 10 years I have gained, with consistency, 10-15 pounds a year and nothing I do seems to stop it. My overall activity and eating patterns haven't changed (except when I try a new diet or exercise). I don't drink alcohol or any carbonated beverages anymore, no junk food other than chocolate (!), and I still get over 10,000 steps a day. I had a couple of minor health problems last year that really reduced my ability to move and exercise, which is why I've gained so much in the last year (at least 20lbs). At the time I realised that I have no one to help me. I'm single and live alone. Most of my family and close friends are 1000's of miles away. I thought about "what if I die here" (in case of a worse case scenario - some recent events that happened to other people made me more aware) - because being an expat means you can't rely on what you know from home - and realised that it would be much cheaper for my family to cremate me, rather than to have my body flown home (airlines charge by the kilo). But even then, there was no "straw" that broke the camel's back. I woke up one morning, decided to (randomly) research weight loss surgery in Japan, came across a post from this site, and I haven't looked back since. Maybe my brain, my subconscious, whatever, was quietly making a list of problems that I just couldn't ignore, so that when I woke up that morning about 6 weeks ago, it knew that I needed to start making some real changes in my life and that this would be the best way to do it. Now that I've decided to do it, this surgery, this new life plan, has become my new obsession. It's the most positive thing that has happened to me in a while, and I really hope it works out! None of these is the straw, but they've all contributed: Living in a country where absolutely no clothes fit me (I don't even know where obese Japanese women get their clothes - I have a feeling quite a few make them) As a result of the above, spending a ton of money on online shopping and shipping, knowing that it's not worth returning if it doesn't fit, and having to make do with what comes Also because of the above, spending a lot of time looking for stores with plus-size sections when I do travel abroad because I need clothes - bottoms fall apart in the heat and humidity here, and tops seem to shrink with time Worrying about fitting into plane and train seats when I travel Having to bring extra clothes when I travel in case things (especially pants) get ruined by the dreaded chub rub Having to deal with extra heavy or larger suitcases because of my bigger clothes Having 90% of my shoes not fit anymore because of the weight gain and edema (especially in the summer) The looks I get from people all the time. It's not disgust, more like amazement - how can somebody be that big? She must eat 24/7! The fact that people feel they can comment on my weight at any time - from my little nephew asking me why I was so fat, to a Buddhist monk in Burma commenting on my need to exercise more and eat less (!). I'll never see the monk again but I hope the next time I see my nephew he won't even remember asking me that question. My brother laughing at me when we Skyped over Christmas. He hadn't seen me for a few years and he had no problems making me feel humiliated when I was already so depressed. His "just eat one meal a day like I do" didn't help either Friends "forgetting" about me - I get a lot of excuses when I ask people to do things, but they never get back to me about getting together when a time is convenient for them Still single. I've accepted that part of my life but I also want a chance of happiness with someone. That will never happen while I'm in the obese part of the BMI. The only time men seem interested me is when I weigh less than 150 pounds, and it's been a long a time since I was that low. Realising that, over the past 6 years, I have missed 2 family reunions and have avoided visiting friends from a thinner time in my life because I don't want to see the look of shock on their faces when they see the current me. Every time I see that look (like "what the he!! happened!") it's just so depressing Also realising that I keep postponing trips and activities I want to do because I know my weight will either prevent me from doing all that I want, or will really get in the way Looking at photos of myself with my students or other people and realising I am more than double their width Hitting 275. That's a big blow and I definitely do not, cannot, will not hit 300.

Hey chavezmommy! I've mentioned on my previous posts that I stop losing weight after my fifth week after surgery and I have followed a low carb, moderate Protein and high fat diet since then with great results. Sometimes I overeat and I've been fluctuating between 60 and 57kg (my goal weight is 55kg). I have incorporated since last week a juice fast of four days that led me to an over 2kg weight gain but an amazing feeling of accomplishment. I stopped the juice fast and went for a 24 hour fast of non-caloric-liquids like tea, coffee and Water. After the fast I ate a bariatric portion dinner and went back to 57.5kg again. It had taken me a lot of trials and errors to find what is best for me and definitely I believe that this lifestyle is the safest and must correct for me because it prevents me from binging and brings me towards my weight goal. I also would like to add that my blood tests looks amazing: Vitamins, minerals, etc are all great, blood sugar, blood pressure and LDL cholesterol (the bad one) are perfect, so there is no reason that I'm wrongdoing. Let me know if you want to try this! Best, Ariana

Hey, @@pinkbunies! First of all, big kudos for losing over 100 pounds--that's amazing! And good for you for being so dedicated at the gym, it sounds like the lifting is paying off. I'm not even going to jump into the whole "sleeves stretch v. no they don't" debate. And I'm certainly going to second-guess your Protein intake requirements. I can say, though, that I too have hunger again. I am nearly three years out and about 6 months ago I suddenly started to experience hunger again or at least a growling tummy. It was weird, it was like someone threw a switch, one day no rumbling, next day rumbling. I noticed, funny enough, watching a food commercial on TV. For years, I had no hunger response to food stimuli, no tummy rumbling when I saw or smelled something appetizing. But, suddenly, while close ups of big gloppy plates of Pasta passed across my TV screen. . .grumble. It actually startled me because I hadn't experienced that sensation in so long. I still don't quite experience "hunger" the way I did pre-sleeve. I am doing a fast day and I don't actually feel hungry even when I don't eat for 24 hours, but if I see something that looks or smells good, I feel "hungry." I do still have pretty significant restriction as well. I do, however, respond again to visuals of food or good food smells again. There is evidence that the sleeve significantly reduces the body's production of ghrelin, the "hunger" hormone, but as I recall from the research I read at the time of my sleeve, they don't really understand why cutting away part of the stomach reduces or seemingly eliminates the body's ghrelin production. I am assuming that in my case, at least, my body is now producing this hormone again after a 2+ year hiatus. Building muscle definitely requires a large supply of good quality protein and muscle burns significantly more calories than fat, so it's possible that your newly muscled body does need both more protein and more calories. However, you may, like me and from what I see anecdotally from my perusals of articles on this subject on line for other sleevers, may be producing the hunger hormone in larger quantities than you were after the sleeve. I've come to accept this and accept that it doesn't necessarily mean weight gain, just makes it a bit harder. I don't know that I have any specific advice other than to say that you should be aware of this and come up with strategies to determine what your body actually needs in terms of fuel v. a renewed desire for food. I wish you the best of luck!

Hello everyone. I'm looking forward to hearing what you all have to say about sleeve surgery. From those that are considering it and those that have experienced it. I've spoken to a facilitator over the phone and email and hope to meet her mom who lives near me as she has had the surgery as well and is a facilitator too. She's also close in age to me (I'm 54) and I thought that meeting her face-to-face may help me make a decision. I'm in Canada and the hospital is in Mexico - it has a Canadian connection (I think owned by a Canadian woman) and meets very high standards. Although it's in Mexico I don't feel worried about the level of care, or the abilities of the doctors and staff. I've asked a lot of questions of the facilitator - to the point where I think I've asked more questions, or taken more of her time than she wishes to give. That did turn me off a little - it was only two phone calls and a couple of emails. I guess they have their limit as per how much they get paid? As the hospital is in Mexico I don't get to meet the surgeon to discuss things and that's a worry for me. I'm relying on facilitators with no medical background, just the fact they've been through it and have had some training. My biggest worry: REGRET. This is a permanent procedure. I read something where somebody commented - "why would anybody want to remove a perfectly healthy, functioning body part?!" I get this - it's what makes this whole thing a bit on the bizarre side to me. And what if I just cannot STAND the changes? What if I feel nothing but sorrow and regret and horror at what I've done to myself? There's no going back - this thought haunts me in the time that I've been considering this as an option to weight loss. I don't see myself as somebody that is super obsessed with food. Not once have I ever gotten up in the middle of the night to eat something - not one time. I don't overeat. I choose the wrong foods a lot of the time and I love chocolate. My servings at dinner are likely too big, but I've never just eaten non-stop. Don't eat a bag of Cookies, nothing like that. I noted that I was putting on weight at 9 years old. I distinctly remember the moment I was aware of this. I've battled weight gain for much of my life. The thinnest I've ever been was when I was eating around 1200 calories a day, and working out (literally!) 2-3 hours PER DAY. Yup. I was super fit and looked good. This of course, was before I had 3 children. I'm a Weight Watchers "joiner" as my friend and I refer to ourselves. Never a WW grad, always a joiner. I did Weight Loss Clinic in my early 20's and lost weight. Up and down, up and down. Always weighing more with each subsequent weight gain. I'm sure what I've said here is pretty close to what each of you have experienced. How do I deal with this fear of regret? I can't seem to move past it. I hear what my facilitator says - she doesn't know anybody that has regretted it. She says she has many, many relatives and friends that have done this surgery and they all feel happy about their decision. But I'm also speaking to somebody who WORKS for the hospital and from my point of view, is trying to bring clients in for the money (cost is $13,600 just for me, no companion). A bit cost prohibitive for us, and I haven't mentioned a thing to my husband - he won't have a clue how I feel as he's never had a weight issue in his life - but he'll sure feel reluctant about the money spent! We all have our stories about our rock bottom. In fact, I have many rock bottom stories - each one, at the time, I'm thinking it's the worst thing that's happened to me. The most embarrassing, the most demeaning, the most sad I've felt. I don't see these rock bottom occurrences stopping because I'm not losing any weight. I've dieted my way all the way up to this weight (I'm guessing my weight is around 250 lbs.) and in the last few years I've given up on dieting. I'll just end up losing it once again and then gaining it all back +more, so why try? Why keep doing that? My biggest worries are: 1) Regret - what if I regret my decision? 2) Age - is 54 too old to do this? 3) Post-op diet - along with the pre-op 800 cal. a day diet (wow!), I'm worried about the weeks of liquid diet. I have to work, how will I do it if I'm starving? (my job can be intense and I have to be on the ball all the time). 4) I have chronic migraines and see a Neurologist. Will the weight loss alleviate/lessen migraines, or make them worse? 5) Will I ever actually enjoy food again? Or be able to? We have a favourite restaurant - would hate if I can never again enjoy that sort of outing 6) No caffeine, no alcohol! OMG - that's harsh! I love wine and would miss that. But think it's 6 months off of it? Caffeine. Due to migraines I'm not supposed to have it at all, but I now just have a tea in the morning so guess I could do that. I do love my tea and wine though :-) I so appreciate any comments, good or bad, that you can offer me. I do want to be truly happy in my own skin. I can't picture myself on the plane, in Mexico (never been there), and in the hospital going through with this. It just doesn't seem like a reality. And I really am fearful of the entire thing. My income is very important to my family and I still have a young child (almost 11) to care for. What if I don't recover? What if I can't work and cause my family to suffer due to me wanting to look good (okay, and hopefully ward off diabetes and other weight-related issues). Ugh… I'm a mess! LOL Tracy

Can anyone tell me how day of surgery goes at Kaiser? When is the final weigh in? Have any of you had your surgery canceled due to weight gain? I haven't gained weight but my body hates me and I'm stressing out about being one lbs heavier or something. Sent from my Z828 using the BariatricPal App

Sorry this is so long. :-( I'm just starting my journey but wanted to just get this out. My BMI was 40.3 at my initial consultation. I want this, but I'm stressing about the thought of my BMI dropping below 40 and being denied by my insurance. I have to have a 40 BMI, do 3 months weight management, a nutritionist visit, 2 year weight history and. Psychologist appointment for my insurance qualifications. So the earliest my case will be submitted to insurance is October. I have health issues but none that qualify according to their list of co-morbidities. One member of the staff at the surgeons office said don't gain anything or you may have an issue with your insurance. Another member of the staff said my insurance won't cancel for a little weight gain. So I'm stressing and have a few months to continue stressing! Anyone been through a similar situation. Sent from my XT1585 using the BariatricPal App

Hello everyone. I'm looking forward to hearing what you all have to say about sleeve surgery. From those that are considering it and those that have experienced it. I've spoken to a facilitator over the phone and email and hope to meet her mom who lives near me as she has had the surgery as well and is a facilitator too. She's also close in age to me (I'm 54) and I thought that meeting her face-to-face may help me make a decision. I'm in Canada and the hospital is in Mexico - it has a Canadian connection (I think owned by a Canadian woman) and meets very high standards. Although it's in Mexico I don't feel worried about the level of care, or the abilities of the doctors and staff. I've asked a lot of questions of the facilitator - to the point where I think I've asked more questions, or taken more of her time than she wishes to give. That did turn me off a little - it was only two phone calls and a couple of emails. I guess they have their limit as per how much they get paid? As the hospital is in Mexico I don't get to meet the surgeon to discuss things and that's a worry for me. I'm relying on facilitators with no medical background, just the fact they've been through it and have had some training. My biggest worry: REGRET. This is a permanent procedure. I read something where somebody commented - "why would anybody want to remove a perfectly healthy, functioning body part?!" I get this - it's what makes this whole thing a bit on the bizarre side to me. And what if I just cannot STAND the changes? What if I feel nothing but sorrow and regret and horror at what I've done to myself? There's no going back - this thought haunts me in the time that I've been considering this as an option to weight loss. I don't see myself as somebody that is super obsessed with food. Not once have I ever gotten up in the middle of the night to eat something - not one time. I don't overeat. I choose the wrong foods a lot of the time and I love chocolate. My servings at dinner are likely too big, but I've never just eaten non-stop. Don't eat a bag of Cookies, nothing like that. I noted that I was putting on weight at 9 years old. I distinctly remember the moment I was aware of this. I've battled weight gain for much of my life. The thinnest I've ever been was when I was eating around 1200 calories a day, and working out (literally!) 2-3 hours PER DAY. Yup. I was super fit and looked good. This of course, was before I had 3 children. I'm a Weight Watchers "joiner" as my friend and I refer to ourselves. Never a WW grad, always a joiner. I did Weight Loss Clinic in my early 20's and lost weight. Up and down, up and down. Always weighing more with each subsequent weight gain. I'm sure what I've said here is pretty close to what each of you have experienced. How do I deal with this fear of regret? I can't seem to move past it. I hear what my facilitator says - she doesn't know anybody that has regretted it. She says she has many, many relatives and friends that have done this surgery and they all feel happy about their decision. But I'm also speaking to somebody who WORKS for the hospital and from my point of view, is trying to bring clients in for the money (cost is $13,600 just for me, no companion). A bit cost prohibitive for us, and I haven't mentioned a thing to my husband - he won't have a clue how I feel as he's never had a weight issue in his life - but he'll sure feel reluctant about the money spent! We all have our stories about our rock bottom. In fact, I have many rock bottom stories - each one, at the time, I'm thinking it's the worst thing that's happened to me. The most embarrassing, the most demeaning, the most sad I've felt. I don't see these rock bottom occurrences stopping because I'm not losing any weight. I've dieted my way all the way up to this weight (I'm guessing my weight is around 250 lbs.) and in the last few years I've given up on dieting. I'll just end up losing it once again and then gaining it all back +more, so why try? Why keep doing that? My biggest worries are: 1) Regret - what if I regret my decision? 2) Age - is 54 too old to do this? 3) Post-op diet - along with the pre-op 800 cal. a day diet (wow!), I'm worried about the weeks of liquid diet. I have to work, how will I do it if I'm starving? (my job can be intense and I have to be on the ball all the time). 4) I have chronic migraines and see a Neurologist. Will the weight loss alleviate/lessen migraines, or make them worse? 5) Will I ever actually enjoy food again? Or be able to? We have a favourite restaurant - would hate if I can never again enjoy that sort of outing 6) No caffeine, no alcohol! OMG - that's harsh! I love wine and would miss that. But think it's 6 months off of it? Caffeine. Due to migraines I'm not supposed to have it at all, but I now just have a tea in the morning so guess I could do that. I do love my tea and wine though :-) I so appreciate any comments, good or bad, that you can offer me. I do want to be truly happy in my own skin. I can't picture myself on the plane, in Mexico (never been there), and in the hospital going through with this. It just doesn't seem like a reality. And I really am fearful of the entire thing. My income is very important to my family and I still have a young child (almost 11) to care for. What if I don't recover? What if I can't work and cause my family to suffer due to me wanting to look good (okay, and hopefully ward off diabetes and other weight-related issues). Ugh… I'm a mess! LOL Tracy