Just beginning

[WillInAtlanta 24]

So, I've done all of the pre approval requirements and just waiting to hear from insurance. I'd been on a high since this time I actually fulfilled the requirements...previously I started twice but didn't go far into the process. Anyways, I have finally been able to start imagining life different until one thing happened. Someone asked me how much weight did I hope to lose (someone that I'd never shared my true weight with before)...I thought for a second and said 200. Afterwards I really did the math in my head. Currently weighing about 540, I should've said 340...340...that's 2 adult sized people!

So I'm trying to get myself to snap out of it and know that by using surgery, being aware of my triggers, and a lifestyle change that losing the 340 is doable.

The other side of me feels like despite only being 27...almost 28 and having been overweight since 7 that I've lived like this for so long and I neeeeeeeeeeeeed to shed the pounds ASAP. Mentally it feels like I've wasted so much time being overweight AND there isn't much time left to enjoy things like I want to. Has/does anyone else feel that way?

[mokee 588]

I am 66, I really feel like this. I wish I had done WLS 30 years ago. But you are. Still so young. Life expectancy is 80 or maybe more by the time you get there. You have so many years that will be healthy. Enjoy the experience and don't worry about what you tell other people. They won't remember anyway. Best of luck.

[JenHill 3]

I definitely feel like you do! So know that you are not alone in your feelings!! I have been overweight my entire life, I remember in middle school having to buy clothes out of the maternity section at stores and the strange looks cashiers would give me and my mom. I cried trying on wedding dresses because the only ones I could find in my size were hideous. It's been a life long struggle and I guess I was just never in the right place, mentally, to do anything about it. But I think I reached a turning point and I'm ready to make this change! I just turned 30 and it really hit me, like you said, that I've wasted so much time being overweight and life is short anyways, I want to be able to enjoy the time I have left.

I think it's great that you realize this surgery is a tool, and that with hard work you can lose the 340 pounds you want! Hopefully you'll hear from your insurance soon and they can get you scheduled. Unfortunately I don't have insurance, so I have had to finance my whole procedure, but the up side of that, is that I got pushed through a lot faster. I'm 4 days away from surgery!

[MrsG 329]

So' date=' I've done all of the pre approval requirements and just waiting to hear from insurance. I'd been on a high since this time I actually fulfilled the requirements...previously I started twice but didn't go far into the process. Anyways, I have finally been able to start imagining life different until one thing happened. Someone asked me how much weight did I hope to lose (someone that I'd never shared my true weight with before)...I thought for a second and said 200. Afterwards I really did the math in my head. Currently weighing about 540, I should've said 340...340...that's 2 adult sized people!

So I'm trying to get myself to snap out of it and know that by using surgery, being aware of my triggers, and a lifestyle change that losing the 340 is doable.

The other side of me feels like despite only being 27...almost 28 and having been overweight since 7 that I've lived like this for so long and I neeeeeeeeeeeeed to shed the pounds ASAP. Mentally it feels like I've wasted so much time being overweight AND there isn't much time left to enjoy things like I want to. Has/does anyone else feel that way?[/quote']

Awwww! Sweetie you are still so young! You have a lifetime ahead of you still! I know how you feel tho. Ill be 40 in August, been overweight my whole life and last year decided enough is enough! I'm sick of sleep apnea and bp meds! I was sleeved January 15 and I've lost 53lbs since surgery and 67lbs since the beginning of the year. I had let myself get to 427lbs. I never told anyone my weight. I was so ashamed. When the anesthesiologist came in to see me right before surgery he asked my height and weight and my husband was there with me. I was mortified for him to hear how overweight I was. But he is my greatest support! Make sure you have someone who will support you after. That will make all the difference! I couldn't have gotten this far without him. I had well over 200 to lose. Now I'm thinking another 180 and I will be at my personal goal. You can do this! It is entirely doable if you set your mind to it and believe me, your mind will fight you all the way on this. You just have to change it and not give in! I'm happy for you and proud of you for making the decision to do something and change your life for the better! Good for you!

[Ms.AntiBand 2,984]

I wish I could have done this 25 years ago. Good for you Will.. Don't waste another minute. Of course, it's not always going to be easy, but I believe it's a lot easier than living unhappy and unhealthy like we were before surgery (and possiby not living much longer)

Congrats.. To the new soon to be healthy you!

[WillInAtlanta 24]

Thanks so much! It's odd how we always feel like no one knows, but there are tons of people that are in the same shoes/feel the same way.

I know this weight didn't build up overnight, so it's foolish to think it'd go away overnight.

[SerendipityHappens 1,594]

Yup, It's doable and you have your youth on your side! I had that same OSM when I realized exactly how much weight I had to lose.... I realized my goal weight was 210 less than my highest weight.. I somehow had some illusion that I had to lose "around a hundred pounds"... I've since made peace with reality and am taking it one pound at a time! Best wishes on your journey!

[makemyownluck 785]

It's daunting when you have so much to lose. I feel like any weight loss would be a success, but maybe I'm expecting too much because I have a LOT to lose.

I'm 32, I try to remind myself that I AM still young... I just don't feel that way because I've been heavy for so long. But that will change. I think once I start to feel the difference, it will be easier to think positively. From my high weight, I had 289 lbs to lose. I'm having surgery in 11 days, and I've already lost 54lbs just by cleaning up my diet and exercising some. I don't work out nearly as much as I should. If I had been, my loss could have been a lot more by now.

I originally set my goal so that I would be in the "normal" BMI range. But I don't know that I can get there without some plastic surgery, so I might actually be content just to get down to 200-215 or so. I'm 5'11, so that would put me in "overweight", but I think I'd be happy with that.

Be glad you're doing it now. I wish I'd done it sooner!