Coping with Losing

I cant really add to what anyone else said as they have covered it pretty much. I have gone through the whole range of emotions myself, especially beating myself up for getting to where I am in the first place. One day I sat in solitude and contemplated my options. I was in relatively good health. Not a smoker or a drinker, no high BP, elevated cholesterol, but my arthritis made my life a living hell. My wife should also be nominated for sainthood after putting up with me (9/30) for 29 years...a large portion of our marriage was devoted to my pigging out. I made my family's life hell because I couldnt do anything. Yet they stood by me thru thick and, er, thin...lol. So, I made the final decision to get the surgery based on this one thing. Here goes: Since I am now 52 years old and just about 2/3rd's of my life is over, I really want to make the remainder of my time on earth as comfortable as possible for myself and my family. Nothing fancy..just someone who is completly sick of the way he lived his life to this point. I want to wear regular clothes again, be able to go on a ride at an amusement park again, go out to eat at a restaurant and not have people stare like does he really need that food? Most of all, I really just want to be able to ride my bike in comfort again. That is one pleasure that my wife and myself both enjoy immensly. Just to get back to basic living.  Anyone in their right mind would/should be apprehensive prior to surgery. But just think of the outcome and realize that any weight loss surgery is nothing more than a tool. Use it the wrong way and it just wont work properly. I mean, you wouldnt buy a 150.00 torque wrench and use it as a hammer would ya??? Whatever you decide, I wish you well on your surgery and for a speedy recovery. And a Loser you shall be.........       

As the days and hours progress my emotions change which I guess is normal.  Maybe I am just a little pissed at myself for gettting myself here.  I know mortality rates are lower each year and my surgical team is board certified in everything under the sun so I should just drink my protein shake and shut up.  My doc did mention dropping any additional weight before surgery would be helpful but he said regardless things will go well.  I have HB, doc says I am diabetic but my blood sugars range around 100 so he wants to do nothing, sleep apnea, and the usual pains from carrying 140 pounds of lard around.  I walk fine just get sore, I hunt so long hikes into the woods really get painfull the next day.   My doc says I am too healthy to be this unhealthy so here I am.  Even when I could run 6-8 miles I was still over 200 but I am 371 now.  I would like to lose 145 pounds that seems inconceivable.    I have not bought off the rack unless it has 3X or better in over 10 years what a change that will be.  My surgeon suggested no special diet or prep except the night before.   Again I appreciate all the input thanks.

Though I used to share your view, I can tell you that 145 pounds is hardly inconceivable.  I was 375 in February and am down 133 already. With roughly the same starting weight as you, I'll hit your inconceivable mark in another 3-4 weeks, less than 7 months after surgery (including 20-25 lost pre-surgery).  Admittedly, I'm working pretty hard, but this surgery is a major assist to my will-power.  My charts are projecting that I'll end up at about 185.  I confess, since I've never been below 220 (at least not since I was in junior high school) that still seems inconceivable to me. Prepare for success and you'll get it.

You must feel like a completely different person at this point.  My hats off to you.

Davo, Man I understand where you are right now. I am going through a lot of the same emotions. I am mad/dissapointed at myself for getting to this point. I have also thought about writing some letters to my family members, just in case I am one of the "few". I honestly dont think I will be, but I would like my children, who will probably not even remember me should something go terribly wroing, to know that their daddy loved them more than anything in the world. I want them to have something they can hold in their hands to remind them of that if life ever has them down. I am doing this as much for my children and my wife as for myself and the thought that something may go wrong, even if it is a very remote chance, must be considered.  I agree comepletely with hope for the best plan for the worst. I have a tentative date of October 29th, pending approval from the insurance company. I am sure my emotions are just going to keep hammering me until then. Best of luck to you friend, Troy

Best of luck Troy,

I'm just sitting here grooving on the coolness of this surgery. I'm sure you'll be able to do the same soon!

Dave