First off, I have to say thank you. I am a newbie and trying to digest as much information as I can right now. That's means the NSV, good, bad, and ugly.

As I have sat here over the past couple of hours searching for answers to my various questions and fears, No longer do I feel like I am walking into this decision half blind. I find myself much more at ease with my decision to have GBS. I have answers, maybe not the all the ones I wanted, but certainly knowledge that I didn't have before. More importantly, insight that has sparked conversations with my husband about the process, his thoughts, hopes and fears as well, and more questions for my doctor that I had not Even thought about.

Again, thank you for sharing your experiences with everyone on this journey. :-) Now I truly know I am okay and ON my way!

I'm a newbie and will say I seek and appreciate all the help I've received here. So don't give up on us yet.

I am a newbie and I just sent in my application to get started. I personally don't want the information that I get to be "sugar coated" . Good or bad I want to know the truth. Once the surgery is done there is no turning back, so I want to be well informed about this surgery ahead of time. That is why I am here to learn the "truth" about it.

What an interesting discussion! The word that comes to mind for me is FILTER. Personally, I don't think it's the responsibility of the person giving advice, sharing experiences or whatever to filter what they have to share. The giver has FIRST AMENDMENT rights and thou shalt not lie!
It's up to the reader to filter that information. If some people are offended or unable to filter what they read perhaps just moving on to the next thread would work. One can also skip the surgery advice and even the surgery. You can lose 20% of your body weight by burying your head in the sand.
JAA

I agree, if you want it sugar coated go to a candy store! No enabling ; )

Telling the bare honest truth is not being harsh. It is conveying the information requested.
This can be and is a fun and exciting journey. It is also no picnic. There's a lot of work involved and it is not the easy way out.

I would much rather get an answer in plan straight for than to beat around the bush for fear of offending me.

Love this site! Think the world of everyone. Believe me, Nothing you can say will upset me.

As a 'Newbie' in the lineup awaiting my own surgery I can concur. This non sugar coated, tough love sort of exposition of Bariatric Surgery needs to be told. As Doctors and medical staff get more and more bombarded to perform these operations they seemingly become way more routine, when they are anything but that! Doctors don't have the individual time to sit you down, psycho analyze you to the T that this operation is 100 percent right for you. Nobody can determine that but yourself.

Being honest, caring, and tactful in replying to newbies that this is not a surgery where you only need worry about a grocery list after its completed. You won't be able to steal bites of your spouses tortiere or deserts, no frothy starbucks mocha latte chilled coffees anymore, theres something called dumping. You may have a 20 percent chance of re-entering the surgery room due to complications down the road. And by lord you'd best be understanding your hang ups with foods now because it will only get harder after.

I talk like I know it, I don't. I just am soooo jealous to get my weight loss journey started. This site allows me to prepare, and re-prepare yet again.

The truth is that it is very easy to get back into hold habits. I had gbp in sept of 2012. Started at 380 lbs and now I'm at 230 lbs. Size 28 and now an 18/20. Overall i am please with the weight loss and weight drop, however I do stil have some issues. Certain things that I eat too much of, I throw up. Certain foods I cannot eat period. I get sick. I still have flab. My lack of exercise is definitely showing. My plan now is to get my gym membership started and start working out and toning. I am very displeased with my arms. Some times life just gets so busy it is hard to find the time to exercise. I have to make myself want it and make it a priority. Not easy but very hard. I will make it. This is my goal!

I like what one of you said because it is the truth ........once you do this there is NO turning back so ask for everything because some will not give the details on complications................I do here most often but I still hold back some and to certain people . there is a stigma to complications but they are here and they are real and not everyone is going to feel like oh I would do this again in a heartbeat but we also may not tell you that.

remember people every ones experience is different because humans are different............the "truth" you get is really personal so accept it with the kindness it is given. take what you can use and store the rest for if someone else needs you to tell it to them. Don't let it scare you from your path you do the research yourself that's important. again like what was said above remember be sure be prepared