Supportive people in your life... let's hear about 'em...

 I am warning that this is a long post!

I know exactly where to start: My husband.  He is my partner in all ways, and I am lucky to have him.  I was big when I met him and only got bigger.  He made me feel loved, sexy and desired during all times.  He never harped on my weight, he did express concern when a doctor mentioned more and more problems were coming up.  He stayed strong through the weeks leading up to surgery – when I was freaking out.  When I was tired and miserable, he took care of me.  He drove me to and from school every day and at times stayed with me when I needed him to.  He has been my cheerleader throughout this entire process.  I honestly do not think I would have been half as successful at this surgery in this quick of a timeframe without him.  Oh, and he hasn’t killed me yet for all the shopping.  

 After this I would have to go with my family.  My mom had RNY 7 months before my sleeve, so it is nice having someone to talk to that “gets" it.  She was sad that she couldn’t fly here for my surgery – and almost tried to anyway.  But I convinced her that a) her pre-scheduled vacation was more important and b) I wanted her to save her money for my wedding.  She cheers me on and enjoys my success.  Next to her would be my kids.  They really didn’t complain when we cleared the house of chips and 90% of the carb stuff.  They like some of the new foods.  My son, the want to be chef, helps me come up with many of the recipes, suggesting ideas to tweak them for more flavor or protein.  My little girl (who is a tomboy) comes out of her normal role to help me shopping.  Those two were my driving force to have surgery – and their approval and encouragement make this journey worthwhile.

I would next go with my friends.  My best friend lives in Canada – and she has been behind me 110%!!  We do “virtual shopping" together.  I go shopping, take pics and send them to her and she gives me valuable fashion advice.  I lack fashion sense.  So if I am wearing a cute outfit, odds are that she helped me put it together from 2000+ miles away.  I love her to pieces and know that she is here for me all the time.  I also told the few friends that I have made here in California during law school.  They all were supportive of my decision – not one had a bad word or anything other than concern for my wellbeing.  I have been very fortunate to have made such great friends, and am thankful for them every day. 

 My new OH friends, particularly Jenn (Shagdoll) and Alison (acbrown).  Not only are they supportive here on the site, I find them both to be quite inspirational.  I can text them a million times a day about useless crap – and they listen and reply.  Some of the best stress relieving days I have had this year has been out with one or both of them.  Those two are beautiful people, inside and out, and I feel quite lucky to have made their acquaintance.  People from OH are wonderful!  This site has been supportive, but the best part of it has to be the real life friendships it has given me. 

I am one of the fortunate souls tho.  I have been lucky to be surrounded by some quite wonderful and supportive people.  I cherish each and every one of them.  

Oh wow, I'm not sure mine would have stayed with me for school or something, he'd likely have escaped and made sure I had his cell number handy! That's awesome. I remember the miserable (and the crying and regret too, mine was good about that for sure).

So awesome that your mom and you share experiences. My mother is very large and I wish sometimes she would do something similar, but I know not to push. We all have our own journies. Sigh.

Cool about the kids too! It's SO much easier when everyone in the house is on board.

I am so lucky that everyone in my life that knows about my surgery has been super supportive. One of my friends even made the hour and forty five minute drive to visit me in the hospital!

But I have to say that my biggest supporter is.... My boss. I was almost scared to tell her when I had decided on surgery- partially because I needed to ask for time off and partially because I work in HR and all I could think of was "now I'M going to be one of those large claims we're always complaining about on the insurance". Turns out my claim wasn't THAT large, and the boss has been my biggest cheerleader- constantly telling me how great I look and how proud she is of me.

Oh yeah... I can imagine being in HR puts a whole other spin on that. SO glad she was so nice about it and has been so great for you. Telling people you work with/for is really difficult and something I didn't do for six months (having said that, I own my own firm and it's virtual, so... LOL)

So happy you have a great support system too! So important!

 Okay so I am still preop but I wanted to chime in. My biggest supportive has been my husband. I had been thinking about it for such a long time but to hear him say "there is no shame in getting help" really made me start looking into it. I think he doesn't realize how much his life will change as well but I know he will be there for me in every step of the way. He was there for me as I cried everytime someone was not supportive. He is trying to keep me calm in regards to my freaking out about taking care of our daughter (18months). We are self pay and although we worry about the money, he says we can always save the money back up as long as you are healthy! His only stipulation is that he gets to pick out the size of my new boobs!

I think the rest of my family and friends are being supportive in a "okay we will be there for you kind of way" I think it will be easier on them once I am postop.

Having a supportive partner pre-op is SO instrumental. You guys are going to do great.

The money thing was hard too. I paid cash as well (well, we financed part of it) and I went through a lot of guilt about that but you know what? It was worth EVERY single penny.

Sigh, men and boobs. Yeah, mine can't wait for my boob job either (me either, my poor boobs have taken a beating - I most want a tummy tuck though. OMG)