Hello All! Newbie here :-)

I have been on here awhile now but just reading everyone's post and responses.  I love how supportive everyone is.  I have started the process for WLS.  It was a hard decision for me.  Something that I have contemplated for that last 2-3 years.  It is hard to believe that it has come to this point....  UGH!  So far I have went to the information meeting, met with a dietician, had my initial meeting at the surgeons office and took my MMPI.  Wow!  That was kind of a relief just to write all that.... Am I crazy or what?!  I haven't had any support from friends/family.  They all think it is a horrible decision and that I can just do it on my own.  I don't know if there is any amount of convincing that I can do to change their minds.  I know that they are worried for me but they don't realize that they are making it harder.  I am thinking they think that it is just a phase and it is going to pass like many of my diet attempts.   I don't think they will truly realize until I am calling them from the hospital.  Has anyone ever had this experience?  With no support what so ever?  It is so disheartening.   Thanks for listening....   Shelly

Welcome to the best board on OH !! Hope to see your face soon...  Linda

Shelly Welcome to the MN board. It's always nice if you've got support from family and friends to help you along your journey, but in the end honey it has to be for YOU that you do or do not do this surgery. I can tell you that you will find lots of love, support and the occasional kick in the booty here. Good luck to you on your journey. Lisa

Welcome to the boards. This is just a great place for support along your journey. Might I add I love your surgeon.  He was mine too.  I had some challenges in the beginning with getting the support from family and still to this day there are a few who think that this might have been the wrong decision. But, I have one over the important ones. But, you have to do what is right for you and not everyone else.  Wishing you the best on your journey. I suggest if you can to come to a coffee group. Those are always posted a few days before Saturday. This weekend there is one in Eagan. Would love to meet you sometime. 

I just wanted to say hi I don't post much and I am sorry that you don't have  the support that you are looking for from your family just know that you can always come here I am here for you  Nicki

I'm sorry you're feeling so unsupported - I can't relate to that first hand, but I do have a few thoughts to share.   First off, it's taken you this long to reach the point of starting to put your journey in motion.  OBVIOUSLY, you haven't made this decision lightly - do they realize that? You don't just ASK for WLS and get it - there is a whole medical team and insurance approval process you have to get through, and for good reason  They need to know that you really do NEED this life-saving surgery, that you are prepared for it, and committed to it!  If you get to the point where your doctors and insurace are behind you, who are the rest of those people to doubt your decison? To a certain extent, you need to stop trying to convince THEM.  YOU have come to the point where you believe this is YOUR CHANCE to lose your excess weight and get HEALTHY.  The opinions of others can not be more important than your own!  You're not doing this for them, you're doing it for YOU.  You need to be strong enough to tell them so.  And the further along you get, the more convinced you are in your heart that this was meant for you, you WILL find that strength!  You may NEVER convince them that this is the right thing to do.  But as long as YOU believe it, their opinion doesn't matter so much. I have a friend here on OH, who actually has gotten more grief AFTER surgery, for losing "too much" weight.  She has been told she looks sick or like a concentration camp victim!  She and her doctor know she still has a few pounds to lose, but the comments were really hurting her.  These so-called "friends" were really messing with her mind.  We finally convinced her to turn it back on them - tell them that their comments were nasty and hurtful and to stop.  She did that, and last time we talked, they had respected her wishes!  You may have to do something like that some day.  We'll be here to support you then, too.

Shelly, This is truely the best place for support. I hope all goes well, and you'll be on the WL track with the rest of us.

My family still does not know about the surgery, long story.......Only my hubby and children. Sorry to hear they are no support to you. Why do they think it's a horrible decision? Did they know someone who had it? It's actually easier for me with my family not knowing. I get the support I need from here and my hubby. If I would of told them, I don't think I'd be doing as well and I'd be stressed out by them. This is your decision. Don't let them discourage you on what ever you decide. It's all about being healthy & happy, right?  Good luck to you. You picked the right site for support. Kelly

Hey Hon!  Welcome to the boards!  Hope to see ya around more!  Sorry you don't have any family/friends to support you.  This is your decision and by being around here and attending coffee's you will find a "new family and friends" here that will support and cheer you on!  Hugs!

Thank you everybody!  I think every once and awhile I need some reassurance.  I know that I should not worry about what they think and concentrate on myself.  I am doing this for myself and my kids.  I want to be there to see them grow up.  That is the only thing that matters. 

Shelly, first of all welcome to the best support structure you will ever be a part of!!!  I know first hand about the lack of support from family.  You see all the way through out the process my wife and kidswere not supportive.  Not untill the day of surgery did the light bulb kick in and they realized how important this journey was for me.   To this day I really only get the support from my youngest son Sawyer.  He always gives me comments and want to take pictures of all my changes.  The truth is this need to be about UUU!!!  It sounds like you are well on your way.  Get to a Sat. Coffee we would all like to meet and welcome you in and give you the support you need to make this journey the most rewarding life changing experience yu will ever have. Troy