Welcome and congratulations on choosing a healthy life and lifestyle! I found this group a couple of months before my surgery in 2010 and it has been a godsend. Good to have you!
And be sure to check out the What Newbies Need to Know post.

I thought that was a very helpful post, thank you.

You are welcome KellyKat. If you have any questions, just ask!

Welcome!! I'm so glad you found us!

Like Lcat, I found this group a couple months before my surgery (which was also in 2010). I can't imagine how different my journey would have been been without the support, advice, encouragement, and laughs from this wonderful group of people. Although the group is smaller than it used to be, and not as active - I'm betting it's still the best group around!! This past year, I wasn't here as much as I was in the past because I was finishing my dissertation, but I graduated in May and am excited to be back (and I'm thankful for Lcat and the other old-timers who continued to welcome newbies and cheer on people as they shrank)!

Personally, I believe having gastric bypass was the best decision I've ever made. I went from weighing over 300 lbs to 125 lbs - and was stable at that weight for 5 years. To be totally transparent, I stopped exercising during my doctorate and didn't cut back my fuel intake, so I graduated carrying around an extra 30 lbs. Although I'd prefer to have maintained at 125, I know the extra weight is temporary and I know what I need to do to get back to a the healthiest version of me. In June, I started back at my kickboxing gym and I'm back to "doin' the deal."

If you have questions, ask away!!

(Dr.) JJ ;)

Congratulations on both of your accomplishments and thanks for responding. I'm happy to be close to my surgery date (finally), but as the date approaches, I am feeling more stressed and more isolated from others, which is causing some depression. I'm trying to exercise more and throw myself into craft projects and playing with my pets, which helps some, but I just felt I needed to talk to some folks who have been in the same place I am. I don't really have a lot of questions, I just want to communicate with some people who have "been there, done that."
On the positive side, although this pre-surgery liquid diet really stinks, it was gratifying to get on the scale this morning and see that I am 7 lbs lower than I was on Tuesday, when I started it. :)

Again, thanks for responding!
Kelly

Whoo hoo on shedding 7 lbs! You're doing great!

I remember the stress I felt the last couple weeks. I spent hours and hours reading old posts here on DS and reading everything I could find online. There were a couple youtube videos that showed people shrinking after WLS and they gave me hope, but I was afraid to try to imagine what I would look like at a normal weight because I was afraid it wouldn't work for me. My focus was on being able to move through the world without pain.

I'm going to be honest with you, the first several months can be very isolating because food plays a central role in our social lives and you won't be eating what everyone else is eating. It will be an adjustment to focus on people rather than the food and it can make some people uncomfortable if you aren't eating. It took me awhile to find strategies that worked in those situations. I think my mindset really helped make that transition easier. I never felt sorry for myself because I couldn't eat the food and I actually still enjoy(ed) the way food smells so it didn't bother me to be around it. I thought/think of my GBS as giving me "secret powers over food." Food doesn't control me anymore. I've tasted almost everything and I can still enjoy remember the tastes (through smelling the food), without feeling compelled to eat it. How much real joy is there to chewing and swallowing as compared to being able to really live life instead of being trapped in a body that was more than twice as big as it was designed to be?

I can't wait to welcome you to the loser's bench!!

JJ

I am on day 2 post gastric bypass
And overall feel great.
I am home,taking liquid loratab for pain and it is doing the job
I have never had pain over a 6. Mostly gas
My dr recommended baby gass drops which helped and waking 30 per day
Off ALL diabetes and high blood pressure drugs already

Those are some inspirational thoughts, JJ. I have been watching the many vlogs on You Tube made by folks who have also had weight loss surgery. It is motivational to hear their progress, but, like you, I question whether it will be as effective for me. I have noticed that many of the vloggers are younger and I am 53, soooooo. I know I am ready to try my hardest and that is the vest that I can do.

Traveler - thanks for your response. Congratulations on getting through the process and feeling well. It is really awesome that you are already off your diabetes and blood pressure meds. Since we are close to the same age, I will be waiting to hear how well the process is working for you. Please keep me posted!

Kelly

KellyKat, i was 54 when I had my surgery 7 years ago in August. JJ mentioned mindset and never feeling sorry for herself. These are keys to success. How we think, will determine our success. What and how we think about ourselves and food can totally affect our outcome. I made up my mind pre op to give this everything I had. I knew I would have to learn to be responsible for my own thoughts and feelings around food and eating around others. This journey is ours alone. Alone! And in embracing our alone journey we can arise as al-one!

I am working diligently to think positive and stay off the "pity pot" as my brother calls it. Most days I do just fine, but some can be pretty challenging. However, I am just days away from surgery and I know that this will be a new beginning for me. It is also a lot easier to handle the pre-surgery liquid diet now that I am seeing significant progress almost every morning when I get on the scale! Thanks for the support. I will keep working on my attitude!
Kelly