Coming out of the shadows..........very very nervously!!

Hello V.  Nice to meet you.  Welcome to Off .  We hear you!!

Little, Big
Short or Tall
OFF is here
To Help Us All.

I am 5ft. 7 in. tall and weighed in at 270 my pre-op visit and am down to 262 and have two more weeks to go on my low cal. high protein diet before surgery on Nov. 19th.  I am going the Lap RNY route but whatever type you choose you are making the right decision by finding us here on OFF.  We are here to help you along the way.  I am so glad I found these wonderful people.

Hugs & Squeezes,

Sandy

Hi V,
Welcome and I commend you for your courage to join us on this wonderful journey.  I can attest from personal experience that it is a bit overwhelming, but so worth it!
Good luck to you!
Hugs, Lora

Aloha V and welcome to the OFF family!

You have taken a major step in the right direction of getting your life back! I hear you about admitting how much you weigh. For many of us, we didn't go anywhere near a scale for years, and when we finally had to...it was shocking to say the least. My 319 lbs. just a little over two years ago about knocked my socks off! How did I ever get to be so big???

Well, my dear, that is history, and HALF OF THAT WEIGHT IS GONE!! My life is completely different today....no more worrying about mirrors, or airplane seats, or tables in restaurants, etc.

We have a lot of new people in the OFF and I have trouble keeping up, but I do try to come and welcome newcomers, because I was welcomed with open arms years ago, and this little family got me through so many hurdles (still does!). Come and share and play with us often. You will never find a more loving, compassionate, helpful, fun group of sisters/brothers!! Welcome and

Aloha nui loa,

Maui Karen

Hi V,

Probably most of us can identify with being a food addict and it's wonderful that you see yourself as needing assistance and here there is lots of friendly supportive people, who know exactly how you are feeling.  I'm sure if you read the profiles of most of the folks on this board alone, you would feel totally sure that you're in the right place.  It doesn't matter where your starting point is, it's where you want to go and we will share what our own personal experiences have been with you gladly.

Learn to love yourself, because what you are doing is an act of love, realizing you can go on the way you are now or do something to change it.  I tried every other means before this and like someone else said, my only regret is not having done this before I did, but hey, it's given me a way to live and enjoy life that I used to sit and dream about, so it was the right time for me, as it will be the right time for you!

Wishing you the best on this journey towards better living, Laureen

Hello V and WELCOME to OFF!!

Everything you are feeling is perfectly normal. You have made the necessary steps in the right direction. You will not be sorry!!

We are so happy that you decided to join our little family. This is the best of the best boards on OH!! We are friendly, caring ,and always willing to listen and share our thoughts, give support and prayers where needed.

This surgery is the best thing I have ever done for myself. I am somuch healthier and happy. My life is so much better in so many ways!!

There are lots of hoops to go through with getting the approval for this surgery. Hang in there and don't get discouraged. The wait is so worth it!!  Keep your eye on the prize!!

Hope to get to know you better!!

Hugs, connei d

I would like to thank everyone for the warm welcome.  Things are not going well for me at work right now and that has me questioning nearly everything in my life right now.  Hopefully it will be rectified soon.

Here is a little about me:  Live in northern Iowa, am 53, work full time for City government, married for 31 years.  Steve and I have three children and three grandchildren........two of our children are teachers and live within an hour of us.  Our other son is in the US Navy, deployed at this point for the next six months.  Each of our children has a child, Dominyk is 6, Adalee is 3 and Sydney is 6 months old.  Those kids and grandkids are the love of my life!  I would do anything for them.

I have worked at the same job for over 20 years and starting to wonder if it is time for a change.  My insurance is wonderful so I would hate to change, but I am not sure the ongoing stress is worth it......but I do want the surgery, so I am leaving it is God's hands and trusting HIM.  My Dr says that I am a good candidate for either lap band or RNY (did I get the initials correct?)  I am looking at the RNY because I do not want to bother with fills, etc.  I am having a real hard time feeling I deserve this surgery........if I would just have more will power I would lose weight.......if I would just take control, I would be thinner........very very difficult!  I have yet to tell anyone about this including my husband, the only ones who know are those in the medical offices.  So coming out to all of you was kind of difficult.  Thank you again for the wonderful welcome and warm greetings........Hugs.......V

Hi, V!

I am also 5' 2".  There's alot of us shorties of here!  I always said I wasn't fat just too short! But of course it wasn't true.

I had lap band Sept. 29 and am down 20 pounds.  I was 242 to begin with and and am 222 now.

I wasn't encouraged to do the anything other than lap band.  It is slower loosing, but is not so physically overwhelming. And has a quicker recovery time.  I am hoping for a fill on Monday.

Keep in touch!

jeane

V,

Welcome to OFF!  This board is one of OH's best-kept secrets.  Totally supportive, no matter what WLS (or other weight loss method) you have.

WLS is a big deal - big changes involved - so it's natural to feel nervous.  All I can say is, I have never regretted my WLS for a minute.  All my co-morbidities cured, energy level improved 1000%, totally worth every risk.

Good luck!
Jean