Considering Gastric Sleeve

[Walter.Sobchak 978]

@@Walter.Sobchak I understand your concern about addiction transference. One whole meeting with the nutritionist was on this subject. I would've never considered myself a food addict, because I didn't eat myself into oblivion and I ate normal size meals. I learned however, that I definitely used food to cope with my life. What I ate, when I allowed myself to snack...

The food addiction dawned on me when I realized that it made me feel different. That eating literally comforted me.

I understand your concerns. It may not be easy, but if it's something that you want, work towards it. No fear.

I can relate, food is literally like a drug to me.

After a full work week, I want to reward myself with pizza and wings on a Friday night. Instead of getting drunk or high like I used to, now I want to EAT. I sometimes find myself fantasizing about what I am going to eat next. So, I am afraid I won't get approved for Gastric Sleeve.

[JoeVegas 59]

Walter. I was 55 last July 27th when I had GBP surgery. Before surgery, like you I was deathly afraid of the anesthesia and convinced I would not wake up. I also thought that at 469 pounds in May of last year - this probably wouldn't work for me. Because I wanted pizza and fries and junk food. Often ! And I was afraid, yes afraid of not being able to eat what I wanted.

Ask yourself this question - do you REALLY want your life to change ? Because that's all that will keep you alive. In another decade or so you will be pushing 500 lbs. like I was. With the same issues as you and practically confined to a chair. Thinking about leaving (not on a vacation) my wife and kids. A sober thought indeed.

Here's the good news. Like several suggested - I got some counseling. I trusted in the doctors that checked me from head to toe before the operation, and I decided once and for all - I want to live !!!

I'm closing in on being 6 months post-op and weighing in at 330 lbs. that's 139 lbs. in 8 months. I expect that by in another 2 months I will be in the 200's. It's been almost 30 years since I've been under 300 lbs. and Walter I feel amazing !!! I'm healthy and happy and only wish I had done this at YOUR age.

Learn all you can - and then I think you will see there is only one real decision to be made. Save your life !!!

Edited January 18, 2017 by JoeVegas

[Walter.Sobchak 978]

Walter. I was 55 last July 27th when I had GBP surgery. Before surgery, like you I was deathly afraid of the anesthesia and convinced I would not wake up. I also thought that at 469 pounds in May of last year - this probably wouldn't work for me. Because I wanted pizza and fries and junk food. Often ! And I was afraid, yes afraid of not being able to eat what I wanted.

Ask yourself this question - do you REALLY want your life to change ? Because that's all that will keep you alive. In another decade or so you will be pushing 500 lbs. like I was. With the same issues as you and practically confined to a chair. Thinking about leaving (not on a vacation) my wife and kids. A sober thought indeed.

Here's the good news. Like several suggested - I got some counseling. I trusted in the doctors that checked me from head to toe before the operation, and I decided once and for all - I want to live !!!

I'm closing in on being 6 months post-op and weighing in at 330 lbs. that's 139 lbs. in 8 months. I expect that by in another 2 months I will be in the 200's. It's been almost 30 years since I've been under 300 lbs. and Walter I feel amazing !!! I'm healthy and happy and only wish I had done this at YOUR age.

Learn all you can - and then I think you will see there is only one real decision to be made. Save your life !!!

Thank you my friend, I like what you had to say.

It sounds like you and I have lots in common.

My appt is scheduled for 1-24-17 and I am excited but I am scared too.

I do want to be thinner, my body can't handle this weight.

My knees hurt, my back hurts, my ankles hurt.

I am sick of feeling so crappy.

[JoeVegas 59]

Yes yes and yes. I know the feeling all too well.

I can't stress this enough - learn all you can ! I actually went to 2 different seminars and Trolled this and every other Bariatric web site and You Tube channel over the course of 6 months or so before I decided to go through with it.

I wish you the best. I reached out to several folks on here along the way so please feel free to message me if you have any questions.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

[MowryRocks 679]

@@Walter.Sobchak I understand your concern about addiction transference. One whole meeting with the nutritionist was on this subject. I would've never considered myself a food addict, because I didn't eat myself into oblivion and I ate normal size meals. I learned however, that I definitely used food to cope with my life. What I ate, when I allowed myself to snack...

The food addiction dawned on me when I realized that it made me feel different. That eating literally comforted me.

I understand your concerns. It may not be easy, but if it's something that you want, work towards it. No fear.

I can relate, food is literally like a drug to me.

After a full work week, I want to reward myself with pizza and wings on a Friday night. Instead of getting drunk or high like I used to, now I want to EAT. I sometimes find myself fantasizing about what I am going to eat next. So, I am afraid I won't get approved for Gastric Sleeve.

You have 6 months to get to the point that they will approve you. Utilize that time to change and there will be no turning back!

[Walter.Sobchak 978]

Yes yes and yes. I know the feeling all too well.

I can't stress this enough - learn all you can ! I actually went to 2 different seminars and Trolled this and every other Bariatric web site and You Tube channel over the course of 6 months or so before I decided to go through with it.

I wish you the best. I reached out to several folks on here along the way so please feel free to message me if you have any questions.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Awesome, thank you for the help.

[Walter.Sobchak 978]

@@Walter.Sobchak I understand your concern about addiction transference. One whole meeting with the nutritionist was on this subject. I would've never considered myself a food addict, because I didn't eat myself into oblivion and I ate normal size meals. I learned however, that I definitely used food to cope with my life. What I ate, when I allowed myself to snack...

The food addiction dawned on me when I realized that it made me feel different. That eating literally comforted me.

I understand your concerns. It may not be easy, but if it's something that you want, work towards it. No fear.

I can relate, food is literally like a drug to me.

After a full work week, I want to reward myself with pizza and wings on a Friday night. Instead of getting drunk or high like I used to, now I want to EAT. I sometimes find myself fantasizing about what I am going to eat next. So, I am afraid I won't get approved for Gastric Sleeve.

You have 6 months to get to the point that they will approve you. Utilize that time to change and there will be no turning back!

Thank you for the support.

I am looking forward to speaking with the surgeon and his team.

My wife has already met with them and said they are all great.

I am also looking forward to speaking with the psychiatrist about my addiction to food.

[clc9 644]

You mentioned AA working for you for your alcoholism. Have you considered OA for your food addiction? Since they are both based on the same 12 steps, it might be really helpful for you. I wish you and your wife the best of luck. Your kids need you.

Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

[Walter.Sobchak 978]

You mentioned AA working for you for your alcoholism. Have you considered OA for your food addiction? Since they are both based on the same 12 steps, it might be really helpful for you. I wish you and your wife the best of luck. Your kids need you.

Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Yes, I used to go to OA about 8 years ago.

I didn't lose any weight, but I did not gain while I was going.

I didn't get real active in it, I never had a sponsor in OA and never worked the steps in OA.

I have thought about trying to find an OA meeting near me.

I agree with you about my kids, they definitely need us around.

My son is almost 5 and my daughter is almost 3 and my wife wants a 3rd baby.

[clc9 644]

PS - Big Lebowski is one of my favorite movies!

[Walter.Sobchak 978]

PS - Big Lebowski is one of my favorite movies!

Lol, me too.

Such a great movie.

The dialog is awesome.

[ShelterDog64 2,364]

@@Walter.Sobchak Reading all these posts, I can see you've been through a lot in 38 years. On the surface, you'd probably think we have little in common...I'm a 52 year old woman, my kids are grown and I'm heading toward the retirement years. But we have one really big thing in common: we both have a life that's worth being around to live.

I was 262 on surgery day, and my health was complete crap. I had fibromyalgia, severe joint pain, constant foot pain, high blood pressure, pre-diabetes and I generally felt awful all of the time. I didn't want to go anywhere or do anything because walking hurt, moving hurt, I hated the way I looked and there were times when I thought nothing could ever help me.

Then I had an appointment to have an umbilical hernia evaluated for surgery and the triage nurse asked if I was there to start the bariatric pathway. I hated her then, for asking such a question...but it made me think and put me on the path to surgery. That question may have saved my life. (I took her a huge bunch of flowers when I went in for my 4 week post-op appt, we both cried)

My life was worth saving, and it's still worth living. My pain is gone, I'm happier and healthier, I look forward to each day in a way I'd completely forgotten. When I read what you've written about how you feel and your fears, my heart hurts for you. I hope you are able to do something to change the path you're on, health-wise. It doesn't matter if it's surgery, OA, whatever...just find something to help you. You ARE worth it. Every single one of us is.

[Walter.Sobchak 978]

@@Walter.Sobchak Reading all these posts, I can see you've been through a lot in 38 years. On the surface, you'd probably think we have little in common...I'm a 52 year old woman, my kids are grown and I'm heading toward the retirement years. But we have one really big thing in common: we both have a life that's worth being around to live.

I was 262 on surgery day, and my health was complete crap. I had fibromyalgia, severe joint pain, constant foot pain, high blood pressure, pre-diabetes and I generally felt awful all of the time. I didn't want to go anywhere or do anything because walking hurt, moving hurt, I hated the way I looked and there were times when I thought nothing could ever help me.

Then I had an appointment to have an umbilical hernia evaluated for surgery and the triage nurse asked if I was there to start the bariatric pathway. I hated her then, for asking such a question...but it made me think and put me on the path to surgery. That question may have saved my life. (I took her a huge bunch of flowers when I went in for my 4 week post-op appt, we both cried)

My life was worth saving, and it's still worth living. My pain is gone, I'm happier and healthier, I look forward to each day in a way I'd completely forgotten. When I read what you've written about how you feel and your fears, my heart hurts for you. I hope you are able to do something to change the path you're on, health-wise. It doesn't matter if it's surgery, OA, whatever...just find something to help you. You ARE worth it. Every single one of us is.

Thank you for your response.

I had a similar incident with my primary doctor.

He mentioned Gastric Sleeve to me back in early 2014.

I was pissed, I couldn't believe he thought I had reached that point.

When I saw him again in early 2015 he brought it up again and gave me the information for a seminar to attend but I never went.

Last time I saw him I told him how addicted I am to food and he said that maybe weight loss surgery would be right for me until I get my eating under control.

I will need to see him again here once I start the process of getting the surgery, so we will see what he says this time.

[Di_ 34]

@@biginjapan I watched the documentary you recommended and really enjoyed it I am nearly 4 months post op but always a good reminder to watch shows like this to stay on track. I watched some eps of Fat Doctors too and I cried so much when Daniel died we really are lucky to have the chance to start fresh I definitely won't take it for granted. Thanks so much for recommending these.

[Walter.Sobchak 978]

Can we have diet soda after the sleeve?

I am addicted to it.

I have been trying to quit it, but keep going back to it.

I have cut way back, but haven't cut it out completely.