To All May Pre-Ops!!

I wish you luck, health, joy and excitement for the path you're all about to take. May 7th will mark 14 months for me and it has been the most exciting time of my life! I know you're all feeling a bit jittery right about now. It's completely normal. I suggest two things: First, go to the "before and after" pics section and look at them and think "this will be me, soon!" Do not, Do NOT, DO NOT read profiles right now! Occasionally, you will hit a land mine (a profile of a procedure that didn't go well) that'll scare the holy poo out of you. JUST LOOK AT THE PICS. Second, time to do some visualization: Close your eyes, a couple times a day, and picture yourself, 12 months from now: How you feel, how you look, the fun of buying clothes OFF THE NORMAL RACK, how other people are complimenting you, the shock of recognition by people you haven't seen in awhile. Feel the feelings, smell the smells, all of it. Take your time. Bask in it. Enjoy it. Then, just for a minute, visualize yourself, one year from now, if you DON'T have the surgery done. If you're like me, you'll almost SKIP into the OR!!! Finally, look and see if there is a local support group in your area. If there is, and you haven't joined already, do so (my hospital in Philadelphia has an excellent one.) If there ISN'T one, start one. Nothing, no family or friends, can match the feeling of interacting with others who either have gone or are about to go through this experience. It makes a huge difference in your success. Peace; God Bless! And Good Luck!! Greg Sands (342/190/185)

Greg your post made me laugh and say out loud... "HOW TRUE" May 24 isn't that far away but I can't wait to crossover to the losing side! Thanks for your kind words and encouragment! Tina

Thank you so much for your post Greg! I've lost 40 lbs on my own since January and this last week I've been slipping back into some bad habits. I think I've gotten so close now, that I'm letting my guard down because I've met all my pre-op goals. Your visualization technique is just what I need right now! Thank you!