Glad to hear you have a clear goal to look forward to for the next conference. Please don't judge yourself for making poor choices for one day of your conference. Keep focusing on your healthy choices and you will naturally begin to make more healthy choices. I would highly recommend counseling to help you prepare for surgery. It sure helped me. Keep coming here and focus on positive outcomes!

24 days.. Wow. I don't know what you do before surgery, but two weeks before surgery, I could only drink protein drinks and water. It was preparing my liver for the surgery. I lost weight then all ready for the knife. The first couple of days were rough, then you get in the swing and it was pretty easy. That carrot was dangling out there that this was prep for surgery, I we can do anything for that end result. Please don't beat yourself up, we all have little slips and what is done is done. Just crawl back on the wagon and have a near perfect day today. Good luck, keep coming we all understand.

I've been working with the same counselor for 12 years. We are working on mentally preparing for the surgery and for the emotional challenges that will accompany not using food to fix feelings. Over the years she's helped me realize that I can keep healthy boundaries without using size to keep people away.

I am so grateful for all of your knowledge and experience. I ordered some of the books I've seen recommended here. Thanks again.

22 days and counting

I am very interested in reading all of these posts. I have not yet scheduled a surgery but I am very much wanting to go with the gastric bypass. My neice had it done and she looks wonderful. I am 56 years old and have been overweight most of my teenage life and beyond. I am so sick of diet pills, weight loss programs and all the other hype that goes with it. Any words of encouragement. My husband is not so happy about me wanting to do this as he says he loves me no matter what and is afraid of me going into surgery..but I hate the way I look and think i would feel so much better about myself if i went thru with this. Thank goodness I have no medical issues, no diabetes or hp or anything like that, just want to get the weight off. Any opinions?

Cindi, I had RNY at 54 with no complications and it was one of the best decisions of my life. It takes a LOT of work a big commitment to changing your lifestyle. Have you checked with your insurance yet? With no medical issues they may not cover it. Be sure to check what the requirements are and keep asking questions. The more educated you are about this the better it will go. And educate your hubby along the way so he understands everything

Thank you for your response. I know my hubby would support me no matter what. I was reading the requirements as well, and one of the items were BMI more then 35 or 40, and mine presently is at 44. I am reading as much as possible before i make my decision.

Cindy,

I started going to a support group at a nearby hospital to see what kind of results and/or complications people were having. It answered many of my questions and gave me an opportunity to hear from people that are pre-surgery (like me), recent surgery, and various amounts of time post surgery. Most hospitals are fine with visitors dropping in to their support groups and I've found everyone there very nice.

Robyn

Thank you. So, you have scheduled your surgery and only 24 days away. Do you have alot of health related issues to your weight problem?

I read your comment about , "not feeling like a stuffed sausage". I had my surgery, gastric sleeve, done 5 months ago. I went to a conference with my hubby over the weekend, ate too much, definitely felt like a stuffed sausage. ... And ate too much yesterday (again, not as much as I used to eat, but I definitely have the compulsions)... One day at a time for this gal. Didn't eat like before surgery, but I still have my stinken' thinkin' surrounding food. I'm not hungry but have the "head hunger" addiction. The surgery has been the best thing I could have done for myself but will always need to use all of my tools to keep me on track. I'm down 62 lbs since surgery and a total of 86 lbs down since prep before surgery. Good luck with your upcoming surgery.

Cindy,

I have diabetes, high cholesterol, asthma. I wish I hadn't waited this long. Although the first time I looked into it was several years ago and every bit of the process has gotten much better since then. Especially the education and support for us, as well as the experience of the surgeons. May surgery date is May 17th. I'm very excited and a little bit nervous. The support group online (this one) and in person have helped to give me realistic expectations. What ever you decide for yourself is what is right for today.

Robyn

Cindy.. This is the best place to gather information and have questioned answered. I had my surgery done because of my diabetes, I couldn't control it. I am 5 months post-op and my insulin has gone from 75 units a nite to 25. I was put back on metformin because my kidney functions have improved. I have lost 57 pounds and feel great. It is the best decision I have ever made. If you follow all the rules the doctors give you, you have no trouble. Come join our happy party and journey with us. We are all there for you.

Thank you for the response Robyn. I have an appointment with my nurse practitioner set up for Thursday, will discuss with her as well. Hope the wait time isn't to long or I will consider going private, but it is a little costly

Thank you for your insight akgirl. I am so glad to hear how well this surgery has also worked for you. My neice had it done a year and a half agao, and she also says its the best thing that she ever did.



Is anyone willing to share with me their approximate weight pre op?

It's wonderful to see you girls preparing for surgery or the decision to have surgery. It requires lots of head work. Going into this prepared is your best chance of long term success.
Keep working on you issues with a counselor or support groups. You will do great!

Thank you Joanna, I am still very nervous, but I know I am doing the right thing, will see my practitioner Thursday to get the ball rolling