Congrats - that's such a great feeling!

After my weight loss from being sick last week I wasn't sure if I'd gain it back. I had a birthday feast this weekend - as in 5 ounces at different times :) Scallops, lobster tail, and mahi mahi. We do this weekend thing where DH has to cook for me all weekend - lunch, and dinner every day. And then SF angel food cake for dessert.

HW: 377

LW: 134

TW: 134

Goal: to maintain below 145

One of the things that VSG gave to me was the ability to dream the dreams I had never even thought to dream. (People ask me, "does the weight loss let you live your dreams?" And I'm like, "No, the weight loss let me dream the dreams I hadn't even dreamed I could dream!") And a big dream that I've had since VSG is to go back to college. I'm getting my AA in Exercise and Sport Science and then starting BSes in June in Gerontology/Aging Services and Health Management Services.

And the point is, yeah, I'm in Statistics right now ;)

Your fears totally resonate with me.

So pre-op the only people I told were the people who I felt shouldn't hear that I was having surgery if I died during surgery. I.e., I didn't think my parents should find out I was having surgery when they got the call to say, "your daughter died in surgery." :P Yes, I'm grim. So I told my parents, my partners, my 2-3 BFFs, and my brother. I also told my voice teacher and my massage therapist because my surgery was going to impact those services.

Post-op, I waited until I'd lost about 60 pounds to tell the rest of the world. I wanted to be sure it was going to work. I didn't want to deal with judgement pre-op. I didn't want to deal with listening to horror stories about "well I know a person who did that and they DIED." Etc. Seriously, did not need that crap. But when I was ready, about 4 months post-op, I posted my awesome amazing news to Facebook. And all of the people *****sponded were phenomenal. No haters, just love and support.

What if I go through all this and I still don't lose weight?

Well, this is possible. You can eat around any surgery. You could eat ice cream for every meal post-op and you wouldn't lose weight, you'd probably gain weight. Surgery definitely isn't a magic fix. However, if you stick to the plan AND if you work hard to fix your brain as well, you will lose weight and, even better, maintain your weight loss.

What if I find the desire to eat overwhelming and regain?

Well, this is also possible. But if that happens you'll talk to your therapist and your doctor or surgeon and figure out how to fix your brain and lose the weight again. The surgery operates on your stomach, but you've got to use that breathing space to operate on your brain. It IS possible. It'll just take a lot of hard work and dedication. Surgery is definitely NOT the easy way out, not if you want a longterm fix.

What if the procedure leaves me feeling worse than I feel now?

I guess that's a risk with any surgery? But, from what I've read, most of the time people feel better than they originally felt. So it never seemed likely to me that I'd be "lucky" enough to be an outlier. If you do feel worse, you'll talk to your doctor/surgeon/therapist and figure out what's going on and how to fix it.

What if I hate the new lifestyle?

That would suck also. But one of the things I've learned from the forums is that there is no "the new lifestyle." There are lots of different ways to lifestyle post-op. Some people come to love exercise (like me!), some people don't, some people eat lots of meat (like me!), some people are veg*n. But my "new lifestyle" is that of a happy and healthy human being and what's to hate about that?! It's awesome :)

I guess my point is that there are no givens in life. Everything is a risk. Surgery is a risk, continuing the way you are now is a risk - which risk do you choose?

I chose the risk of VSG. I DID, and still am, losing weight. I DID find the desire to eat overwhelming and gained from 180 to 190 after my dad died in April 2016. Then I got diagnosed with Binge Eating Disorder, medicated, and lost 30 pounds. I've never felt worse than I felt pre-op. I love my new lifestyle, and life, every single day and I've had to overcome crap in the last three years that I don't think I ever would have been able to survive if I hadn't given myself the gift of VSG. (And a great therapist.)

Oops... OH... this site, got it!!!

Thanks so much. Sorry to hear you're not feeling so well lately. Your weight loss is amazing. Congratulations! Yes, the "lifestyle" I mean is the food restrictions. Exercise I like.

But the struggle with food is real. I would rather do it at 165 lbs than 303!