14 pounds!!!!yeah

hi everyone..... I am soooo proud of myself! I lost 14 pounds!!!! I have been drinking slimfast for a couple of weeks..... but I have cheated too.. Dr told me to drink 4 cans a day and I been drinking 2-3 and sneaking some food in but I been trying to make healthier choices about my food. It has been hard for me to only drink slimfast since there only options are sweet foods and drinks... I am not a big sweet eater. Me being able to lose 14 pounds has really given me a boost in thinkin that maybe if I try real hard I can lose this weight by myself. Maybe If I can just cut out some of my food then I can do it but I have ever been able to keep up with a diet Ill do good a couple of weeks and then just fall right back into my old eating ways. If I get the surgery then I know it wil work but then theres the risks of surgery. My date is the 23rd of may I NEED to decide what im gonna do.....any feedback will be greatly appreciated..... Oh yeah BTW i need an angel:))) anyone?????LOL

Carol- I think that it's great that you lost 14lbs! It's a tough decision to make about having surgery. I think you just really need to be honest with yourself and ask - Do I really think that I can commit to changing my eating habits without a "tool" in place? Have you been a yo-yo dieter? Have you really had enough with your weight and are ready to take a more drastic step that in the long run will benefit your health and well being? I know for myself, I need a "tool". I've had to many yo-yo experiences and am ready to be serious about my well being. I wish you the best with whatever route you take. Keep us posted on your decision Wendy

yeah I am a yo yo dieter I guess.... I do want a change I am just struggling with the risks part. I have gotten so much support on OH and I thank everyone for all that. It is nice to see so many people who go through what I do and know how it feels to be the fat girl...Also it is very encouraging to read the profiles and post and see all the people who come out just fine with the surgery.... I sooo wish that my insurance paid for the lap band but they dont. I have checked out my dr and the center and I have convienced myself that I will be fine....I WILL survive this for my children AND for myself so I can be here for them and be a better role model for them. I pray maybe I can help prevent some of the things I have gone throught with food issues from ever happening to them.... Well thanks I worked on the approval process for a year with me stalling and all :chair: so I think that this is the best decision for me. I just seems real now....

I am new to this Board and found it by accident last night and I'm glad I did. I will be having my surgery at ECU in Greenville by Doctor Pender I believe. My date is June 7th. Like you I am scared also. The thoughts of dieing and leaving my children and husband makes me feel selfish and scared, yet I know how missrable I can make them because I'm so big. I'm down to 264 and I carry it well. Alot of people seem to think you must be house size to have it done. Well I am unhealthy size as are my sister and my mom and while they all have diabetis, blood pressure, arthritus, and my mom with her heart conditions and so on I know if I don't what I have to look forward to . I lost over 20 pounds eating sensably since February and going to the gym at least 3 times a week, walking 2 miles on the tread mile, some pool laps and lifting weights. That was till the 24th of April. When I changed Branch locations at work and went out of town for a few days. I ate, walked some but since I have been back I have not walked nor followed my diet. And the old eating urges and habits are wanting to come back. Well I start the slim fast stuff on the 23rd. I just told my oldest sister tonight on the phone and the first thing she said was how dangerous this was. My mother and other sister don't know yet because my mom is a very unhappy negative person and when I told her I was thinking about it she went off. My sister who still lives with her is having radiation treatments for stage 4 unterin cancer. My mother does not handle things well unless it is her idea. Look I am 44 years old and I still worry about how she reacts. I really don't want to tell her till after the fact yet it wouldn't be fair if something where to happen. As a mom I can understand that. BUT she of all people should know what her weight has done to her. SO do we take a chance that this will be the thing that finally gives us a chance at a healthy life or do we go on yo-yoing the diet world weighting for the big one. Wondering that if I grow old and fatter how many aids will it take to clean me up. Who will push my wheelchair while I hold on to my oxegen tank. And how Hurt I will feel inside when we go to Disney this year with the band and I can't fit in the seats of some rides. I understand the worry. I am sure everyone here did. When they called me and told me they set a date and it was really happening I admit I got scared as hell and I thought I was going to have a panic attack. But I look at all the before and after pictures and I have hope. I have met a few that have had this and are succeeding.And I have met a girl that layed in a comma for weeks due to leakage poisining and the doctor heard her and ignored her complaints until that happened. Needless to say Morehead Hospital and that doctor can not do them here now. But ECU is one of the Best and this was one of the first to do this proceedure in the 70's. Thats why back than it was refered to it as the Greenville bypass. I know if something where to happen I'd be in the Best place with the Best Doctors the East Coast has to offer. Yes like you I am still very nervous and like others will probably cry when they wheel me in untill the drugs take effect. But I will and so will you wake up and a new beautiful life will emerge for us!!!!!!!!!!

Carol- We can do it! Just envision yourself at a healthy happy weight enjoying a day outside playing with your family! Wendy

I'm scheduled for my surgery June 5 and I have had several people ask me I'm "still going to do it." I've lost a little over 20 lbs., but I know my history and for me the surgery is still the best answer. Only you will know what is the best answer for you. If you aren't sure, maybe it would be a good idea to consider postponing your surgery. Have you considered talking with a counselor about how you are feeling? Maybe they can help you. All the best in your journey to a healthier you ... no matter how you get there.