New to this forum

Jan 5th 2009
Well, I was supposed to go see Dr. Walton on Jan 13th but decided to call and see if he had any cancellations. Well he did. I go tomorrow and meet him and discuss what all I need to do to prepare for surgery. I am so glad to get started and not wait for another week. My mom is nervous about wls. It is hard to talk to other people about it due to the negative idea's but if they had to live my life for a week, they would understand. I have told very few people, like only 5 family/friends. I have not told my little girls who are 8 and 9 years old. I don't know what to say to them about it and don't want to scare them. Any idea's welcomed. I am hoping that this website can be a support for me going it alone. My husband is of the mindset that I can lose the weight it if I just try. That is easy coming from a 130 pound soaking wet person with no overweight issues in his entire family. You know how it feels to be the "fat person" and how you feel like your dinner plate is being watched with disgust. I am really tired of that. Or when I go with my husband and he won't hold my hand and walks kinda in front of me as if he is embarrassed to be seen with me. I do have a lot of self esteem issues due to my poor spousal support but I finally realized that I want to live. Not for him but for me, my kids and the dreams that I have only dreamed. I cannot change him but I can take control of ME!! I guess that is why I want to get started. I finally have a goal that doesn't focus on what others want but what I want. I am a nurse and I am always taking care of other people. Taking care of myself.....what a concept.
I could ramble on and if anyone would like to add me as a friend I'd love that. I am going to have the gastric sleeve. TTYL

Hi, there.
It's so nice to have you join us. As you can see from my profile, I had the Sleeve on Nov. 17th, and Dr. Walton was/is my doctor. He's so wonderful. You're going to be so pleased. Have you been to an informational seminar at Wt. Wise yet? If so, did your husband go along with you? I would encourage you to ask him to go to your appointments with you, if at all possible, for it will help him to understand why you need and want this surgery.
Often, men feel a sense of insecurity, when it comes to their spouse having weight-loss surgery, even if they don't realize it. It comes out, eventually. There's a fear that you will change or that you'll be disatisfied with him and leave him. It's something to listen and watch out for.
As far as telling your children about your surgery, you really have to decide whether or not you should. Many children get afraid at the mention of surgery or hospital. You'll be away from home 2 days, probably, so perhaps it can merely be a short trip away. That's all they'd need to know. Whatever you decide to do, it will be the right thing.
If you have any questions, feel free to PM me. I look forward to getting to know you better, and maybe we can meet at Edmond sometime. That would be nice.
Blessings,
Mary

Welcome! Hopefully we can provide some support for you. It's very empowering to take charge of your life, this will be a wonderful and sometimes scary journey, but worth every bit of it! Feel free to post often and ask any questions you might have.

Hi!  I am a newbie here too.  Everyone makes you feel so welcome.  Its nice to find such a great place to settle down in.  :)

I know this is hard to do, but you need to focus on two things in this journey.  You need to focus on God's will and YOU.  I prayed and sought God's will in my journey and knew that this was what I was supposed to do. I am so glad I did too, because I have my life back.  I can now serve and function as a "normal" person with no feelings of shortcomings because of my size.  

I will say a prayer for you.  I have two girls too (3 and 8) and I felt that on some level they might have not understood what I was doing, but I was doing it for them too.  My dad died at 50 and never saw his grandchildren.  I fully intend to see mine!! 

Again .. welcome.  You will be in my thoughts and prayers.