Hello new (to me) board!

I just stumbled across this message board.  I've pretty much been lurking around the RNY surgical board.  But today I got a little....  antsy? 

I guess I got tired of only seeing people that had the surgery when they were under 250lbs.  Petty of me, I know...

But I feel there is a big (pardon the pun) difference between me at my heaviest 394lbs losing 80lbs and someone that only had 80lbs to lose.  Not that they aren't trying or it's any easier for them...  This isn't what I mean at ALL.  I just wanted to be around people that understood how much longer my journey is going to be.

That said.  I'm so glad I found you guys! 

Hi there. I'm preop, but started at 371 and am working my way to 334 (10% loss) so insurance will pay for surgery. 13 lbs to go! Paperwork and visits are all done.

You are doing GREAT. I remember 311. It was 5 yrs ago. I investigated having surgery then, but got scared by some stuff I heard in the support group. I decided I could do it on my own; BAD mistake.

I agree that it's hard to listen to folks who make a big deal about losing a relatively small amount of weight, but it's a big deal to them. Folks on this board can appreciate the little things in life like WALKING, sitting in a chair, buckling a seat belt. So I think we do need each other and I'm grateful this forum exists. I plan to hang out here a LONG time. My journey won't be over in a year. It's going to take some time. Might as well do it with people who have been there too.

Have a good week.

Howdy Peeps!

I don't belittle lightweights at all. They probably get more pressure from friends and family  to "do it the hard way." I would guess that a lot of them have comorbidities because you need them to get the surgery at lower BMIs.

It is nice to have our own space. Our journey is different that theirs. Not any more significant in the whole scheme of things, just different. I do think our surgeries might be more life changing -- we get excited about being able to use a seat belt without going through all sorts of gyrations to get into it.

But I do bet they have never had to deal with a car load of teenage boys mooing at them in the parking lot at the mall.


The whole lightweights vs morbid obesity thing was one of the things I couldn't really handle at Weigh****chers. I remember going to a meeting in Canyon Country (closer to Los Angeles). It wasn't my normal center. The leader made such a huge deal about the 140 pounds I'd lost by that time. (I think she gave me half a reel of the star stickers.)

But I looked around and there wasn't anyone near my size (260 at the time). I was in a room full of women who were losing 7 to 20 pounds to get into a bikini or look better for their class reunion (microweights).
 
It was nice that she wanted to celebrate my weight loss, but I had so much more to lose before I'd be "normal" and I'd already lost ten times the amount of weight that the person sitting next to me was trying to lose. It was depressing and contributed to my quitting WW a little later. (That and WW stopped handing out spiffy magnets at 100 pounds!)

Thank God for WLS, OH and the BMI > 50 Board!!

Welcome!!!

I've had problems at WW, too. Nothing against the other members or the leader...she's great....but I learned that the more weight I lost, the more hooplah they made over it, the more I congratulated myself with food and soon gained the 90lbs I had lost! So when I rejoined this time I asked the leader not to make a public big deal over my losses. So far she slips me the stars, the 16wk charm, etc with a pat on the arm. Her smile of approval means more to me than the public accolades.

My sentiments exactly!  It's so nice and helpful to come here and see comments from people with the same issues as me!  It is a longer journey, and this helps me be patient and focused!

Valerie.

I was just like you and found this forum just a couple of weeks ago. I ahve been a member for years and really only looked at the main board adn the RNY because that was what I wanted done. I missed out on so much good stuff and support on here I am sure. I really like the people on here and how they are so supportive of each other. I have npt see one harsh word or argueing on here yet.  I like the posts on here and like you say we can relate to each other.. hey dont just go by the weight thing though. I started at a lower weight than a lot of people on here but because of my height that made my BMI 63.3.. I have lost over 50 lbs now pre op and I am still over a BMI of 50. I am happy I can see my feet.. I ahve to lean foward still but at least I can see them ..lol.. and now they dont look like Fred Flintstone feet too much any more. I am on a very low salt diet and the swelling in my feet is gone. I have already dropped from an 8 1/2 shoe to a 6 or 6 1/2.  And today we had to eat dinner out and I fit in the booth at the restaurant.. YIPPEE>>  that felt so good. It made me not want to eat.. The more I loose the more I want to loose.  Well I am a newbie to this forum too but I still say welcome, I am glad you found this forum  too. It is a little slow but keep checking in here.. and I feel if support is needed you will find it here..

FLINTSTONE FEET! I can soooooo relate!

Isn't that the truth.. We all have had those swollen 9or just plain fat feet) ..  I was told that for so many years that I had such cute feet just like Fred Flintstone.. Nothing is cute about Fred Flintstone.  Not even his fat feet. And I for one am so glad to see them gone.. Bye Bye Freddie.

LOL Flintstone Feet... i still have them.. ive worn a size 10 since i was well 10.... but shoes are becomign to big so i might get to go down a size or 2 YAY!! and to top it off i have cankles (calf size ankles) as well... not to mention my feet look sorta deformed.. im missing a bone that holds ur foot straight.. i have to will it to make it stay straight.. that and im double jointed so sometimes my foot pops out of place... so yeh.. i have weird feet... lol  im happier then i have ever been tho... fubared feet and all 


ok im done being weird for today.... i love u guys... 

Hey you
I dont see the cankles.. Your ankles look great.. That is too bad that you have such problems with you feet. I am glad you can at least try to keep them straight. I had a friend that had a problem very simular and she had to have surgery and they were worse after wards.. Straight yes but very painful and she said that she had to go up in shoe size to keep it from hurting.. So if you can make them straight and wear normal shoes thats good. I sure think you legs are looking sexy.. lol.. well all of you is Peggy. You are such an inspiration. 133lbs that is such a great accomplishment. You havent posted the loss of inches lately, where do you stand on that,.

I for one was so very glad when you welcomed me to OH period. You are a fantastic person and have such a way with words. I need some positive messages to read when i get down so I have started collecting quotes. It is a great idea Peggy, thanks for telling about you collecting them , they make me feel so good. I was collecting poems but the quotes really make you think.

Newbies are so lucky to have you to greet them. Keep it up you really are inspiring.

hugs