Best wishes on your weight loss efforts!! I had gastric bypass surgery 4 years ago and it was the best gift I ever gave myself. I was 35 and couldn't walk the length of the mall without needed to take breaks, was a size 28 and pushing the seams, had severe sleep apnea & GERD, high BP, on 8 medications and a multitude of other things that made life miserable. I decided one day enough was enough and haven't looked back (well look back a little ;) to remind myself never to go back.) The initial rapid weight loss resolved all of my health issues and allowed my inner skinny girl to come out fighting.

*It's not a solution for everyone* but it was the right one for me. It was the HEAD START I needed to change my life and I want to stress it goes hand in hand with HEALTHY EATING, DAILY EXERCISE and MOST IMPORTANTLY (and the hardest part IMHO) working on the head stuff... the why's of why I got fat. This is a lifelong war versus obesity and the surgery was just one battle... everyday I wake up and fight. My best wishes to you in whatever way you chose to fight this war with surgical assistance or without.

~Michelle "Shelly"
My weight loss journey: www.theworldaccordingtoeggface.com

Bless your heart. I weigh 290 right now, and the excess weight is KILLING my poor knees.

You will have to decide the right course of action for you, but, if you don't have any serious health issues that your weight is making worse, I would seriously consider losing weight yourself if you feel you're in a good emotional place to take it on. I say that, because a good percentage of morbidly obese people are emotional eaters...myself being one of them. Once I can tackle the emotional reasons behind my overeating, the weight almost melts off.

I think it's really important that people address the reasons behind their overeating, regardless of whether they go the gastric route or not. Gastric surgery only takes care of the physical part of overeating. You still have to deal with the mental part, which gastric doesn't and can't really address.

I applaud your motivation and enthusiasm! Don't view the amount of weight you have to lose as one big number. Chop it up into small, more manageable goals, say 25 lbs at a time.

Wishing you the best!
Janice : )

GOOD LUCK!
you can do it!

Janice, have you been reading my autobiography?;) The emotional issues are what really are the killers. Eating less is not that hard, but if you emotionally need to "feed" yourself all the time, there's the rub!

Thank you for the kind words..I am on day 2 of my plan. I realize this is not a diet, but a lifestyle change. I know I will count calories for life as well exercise.

Liliann

I too am trying to lose weight . Started walking today. Read my first journal entry . Hope you are sucessful . We can get there togetherl.

you can do it believe in yourself I went from 347 to 282 in 5 months. I know still big but making little changes help. I had no choice I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in may. it taught me something though cut out the soda unless it is diet or one of the zero calorie soda's watching your carbs helps a lot and portion control also water can and is your best friend for appetite control. You can do this !!!!

You can do this. I know you can. I am so proud of you for taking the steps you need to get healthy.

I am here if you ever need to talk or vent

HUGS

You are a strong person I commend your efforts! I agree that most of us are emotional eaters who are overweight and gastric bypass doesn't addresss that part. I am currently in therapy and that helps but I feel like if i get the weight off and can not change my mental state I will be back to being overweight again. We need to look outside the box and try to find out and decipher our feelings because I think our feelings lead to our actions. We eat because we want to feel better I have been there so many times before. I am here for you! You can and will do this and have so much support here:) Many hugs~Chrissy

Thank you all for the kind words. I am doing good so far and can't wait till next week when I see my medical doctor to weigh in.

I overeat when being bored, am home daily of helping my mom and sisters.Was successful in the past,so this time I can do it!!

Liliann

accept my heartiest best wishes,
i am also an emotional eater , binge eater and worst some times i try to correct it by purging and thrwoing up, and i know that these r traits of Bullemia Nervosa,
but i hvae decided that i m going to change my life style now, slowly and steadily...........

I have been told that weight loss surgery is my only option too. and am 5ft tall and 300 pounds and my back has been a mess for so long. I wish you all the luck in the world...if you would like to have a weight loss buddy I am available. It's pretty nice to have someone to be accountable with on the journal and the exercise.
Let me know if you are interested!
Hugssss
Jill