Questions for fellow peers :)

Are you pre-op or post-op? What goals did (do) you have when you began this journey toward WLS? Have you achieved any of those goals? How was your choice precieved by your family and loved ones? How did (do) you see yourself going into this surgery? How do you feel about yourself now? Have you gotten a lot of negative responses from people who have heard of your getting/wanting this surgery? [Will you be/Are you/Did you] keep a journel and / or take photo's of your progress? Post-ops: Did you have any complications?

Are you pre-op or post-op? I am post-op (11/28/05) What goals did (do) you have when you began this journey toward WLS? To feel better. I was having sugar issues and I had PCOS. tried to get pg with second child for years with no luck. Have you achieved any of those goals? I no longer have sugar issues and I no longer have symptoms of PCOS. How was your choice precieved by your family and loved ones? At first they were all against it. Now that they see how well I am doing they are all for it. How did (do) you see yourself going into this surgery? Tired, and sick all the time. Frumpy How do you feel about yourself now? I feel great. my clothes are a lot smaller. and even though everyone says that I am "skinny" or that I am a diffrent me I don't see it. I know that my clothes are looser and that I have a ton more energy, just physically... i don't see it. Have you gotten a lot of negative responses from people who have heard of your getting/wanting this surgery? No only a couple. But I just feel sorry for them because they are uneducated when it comes to this surgery. [Will you be/Are you/Did you] keep a journel and / or take photo's of your progress? I have taken photos... i have yet to post them. I also did keep some what of a journal that i try to update. Post-ops: Did you have any complications? Nothing yet ( knock on wood.)

Are you pre-op or post-op? Post-op... surgery 8/8/05 What goals did (do) you have when you began this journey toward WLS? I wanted to be healthier, be down to 140-150, compete in a race Have you achieved any of those goals? Yes... I ran an 8K last weekend and have another race comming up on the 15... I am in great shape... and I am about 25 pounds from goal! How was your choice precieved by your family and loved ones? My family was very supportive... they just wanted to make sure that this was the best choice for me... How did (do) you see yourself going into this surgery? I was nervous, but I knew that I would/will succeed and this was the best option for me How do you feel about yourself now? Awesome! I am doing great! Down 108 pounds in less than 8 months! Have you gotten a lot of negative responses from people who have heard of your getting/wanting this surgery? My best friend was worried... i don't tell a lot of people about the surgery but those who I have told are really supportive [Will you be/Are you/Did you] keep a journel and / or take photo's of your progress? I have photos documenting... and I am not big on a journal, though, I do track what I eat durring the day Post-ops: Did you have any complications? Nope.... doing great! Bridget 280/172/140-150

[Are you pre-op or post-op?] I am pre-op. [What goals did (do) you have when you began this journey toward WLS?] *Fit into old clothes. *Reach pre-highschool waist size. *Actually weighable on a "regular" scale. *No longer need to shop at a Big & Tall for clothing." [Have you achieved any of those goals?] Not yet. [How was your choice precieved by your family and loved ones?] Some are fearful and others supportive. [How did (do) you see yourself going into this surgery?] I see myself coming out okay. I put myself into God's hands. I will do everything I can to make the surgery successful and leave the rest up to Him. [How do you feel about yourself now?] I feel sucky. I don't really care for nor do I think I'm deserving of a relationship at the moment. [Have you gotten a lot of negative responses from people who have heard of your getting/wanting this surgery?] All of them have been positive thus far. [Will you be/Are you/Did you] keep a journal and / or take photo's of your progress?] I'm somewhat keeping a blog. I'm trying not to post something everyday so it's not boring and repetitive. When things get really moving I'll be taking photos and such.

Are you pre-op or post-op? post-op baby! What goals did (do) you have when you began this journey toward WLS? for me it's all about the health. regular periods, lower blood pressure, not being diabetic, achieving a more normal weight and healthier lifestyle. fun goals include fitting into high school clothes, painting my toenails while breathing, increased flexibility, higher self esteme. Have you achieved any of those goals? i've hit every single goal already and i'm only 6 months out from surgery! i'm about 30 lbs. from where the doc. thought i'd end up but i'm happy with my current body. How was your choice precieved by your family and loved ones? my dad had the surgery 10 months before i did so he was really encouraging. he actually hoped i'd get it so he was glad. my mom was less enthusiastic at first i think because she hoped i'd try to diet it off with her. but she's supportive and so has everyone else i've told. How did (do) you see yourself going into this surgery? frustrated and hopeless about the amount of health issues i was facing. overwhelmed with the task of loosing 100 lbs. when no diet had ever worked before. motivated to finally do something about it when i learned about the surgical options. encouraged when i heard success stories from my support group and online. How do you feel about yourself now? much happier, more satisfied with myself. seriously, if i didn't loose any more weight, i'd still be thrilled. i can move with ease, exercise and physical exertion isn't such a chore, i am celebrating my body and better health daily! Have you gotten a lot of negative responses from people who have heard of your getting/wanting this surgery? no but plenty of cautionary worry. but these are people who love me and i treated any hesitancy as an expression of their concern for my well-being and a demonstration of caring. i respected and appreciated it even if i disagreed. [Will you be/Are you/Did you] keep a journel and / or take photo's of your progress? i did and am - check my profile! i'm also keeping track of my body's measurements because even if the scale doesn't move, i'm still loosing inches! Post-ops: Did you have any complications? none!

Are you pre-op or post-op? ***Post-Op January 6, 2006 What goals did (do) you have when you began this journey toward WLS? *** To be healthy Have you achieved any of those goals? *** Sorta lol How was your choice precieved by your family and loved ones? *** They weren't too supportive, but are not. How did (do) you see yourself going into this surgery? *** I saw myself going into a black hole.... How do you feel about yourself now? *** I'm begining to like me! Have you gotten a lot of negative responses from people who have heard of your getting/wanting this surgery? *** Not to my face [Will you be/Are you/Did you] keep a journel and / or take photo's of your progress? *** Yes, my profile is filled with photos! I'm a camera hog lol Post-ops: Did you have any complications? *** Thankfully, I haven't had any complications! *~*Jaci*~*

Are you pre-op or post-op? Pre-Op Surgery date of July 17th, 2006 What goals did (do) you have when you began this journey toward WLS? To be healthy again, to be active and feel better about myself. Have you achieved any of those goals? I haven't had my surgery yet but I would say I am moving in the right direction, Ive started to work out before surgery now and it is making me feel a little better. I also attend two support groups that make me feel like I am definetly making the right decision for myself How was your choice precieved by your family and loved ones? My mom and step dad are supportive. I havent told my dad yet or any other family members. At this point I dont want to handle the stress of them not understanding my decision for surgery... I might change my mind at a later date. How did (do) you see yourself going into this surgery? Big, unhealthy How do you feel about yourself now? Have you gotten a lot of negative responses from people who have heard of your getting/wanting this surgery? No because Ive only told a handful of people that I know would be supportive of me. [Will you be/Are you/Did you] keep a journel and / or take photo's of your progress? Yes I am, I journal a little on my page on here but not daily. Post-ops: Did you have any complications?

I am post op 13 months I wanted to be able to be healthy, I wanted to be able to live to see 30, to ba able to walk a mile without panting, to be able to run if I needed. To not feel like the biggest person in a room. I wanted to be able to wear a "normal" size. I am a much healthier person all in all. I can walk many miles. I don't feel huge but I still feel big. I suppose I'm a normal size now. My friends and family were all super supportive of me. I didn't like how unhealthy I was but I never saw myself as big as I see myself now. I'm much happier with myself. I'm pretty secure in my choice. Nope, I've not had a single person tell me that they thought it was a bad idea. And if they had I wouldn't have cared. I've got a ton of photos in my profile. Yes, I've had to have my gall bladder taken out and now I'm dealing with a very painful hernia. Faith 350/197@goal