New and SO HAPPY to find you!!

I'm SO GLAD to find this!! People keep telling me- "You don't need surgery- you only have a little to lose!" and people at my clinic looking at me sideways. Okay, so maybe that's just me being paranoid.

I'm 5'5". My highest weight was around 270, but I never weighed myself around then, so who knows. The highest number I ever saw on a scale was 265. I've been on dozens of diets- I actually lost almost 75 lbs on LA Weight Loss, but got pregnant and gained around 100+ of it back. In order to be approved for surgery I went on a Dr. supervised wt loss for 6 months, started walking, and lost 30 lbs. Now i have 2 wks of 1200 cal, then 2 wks of optifast before my 11/7 surgery date. I am currently at 225. The thing is: If I don't have the surgery I KNOW I will revert back to my old ways.

I've told VERY few people about my surgery. My Mom knows (and isn't happy about it), but I haven't told my MIL (who's the size of a string bean). I don't think she'd be against it, I'm just emberassed to have to admit that I need THIS knd of intervention to stop eating.

At any rate, I'm so GLAD to find this site to be so specific and can't wait to lurk and read all of your bio's. No, I'm not a stalker, but I AM addicted to before/after photos.

Let's GO TEAM LOSERS!!!

Welcome!  I've only been here a short while.  But your story sounds like I could have written it.  You're in the right spot.  You'll love this group.  And I think it's perfectly okay to keep your surgery private.  If and when you're ready to tell others it's your business.  Congratulations on your upcoming surgery.
Elizabeth

Welcome aboard!

I didn't tell many folks either and have never told the folks at work. Just my DH, sons, DIL and my parents. They questioned a little but knew me well enough not to try to tell me what to do or not to do.

--gina

I'm right there with you, in the weight category! I'm 5'5 and my highest weight was 270!  I've lingered around 220-235 for several years tho and about 7 or 8 years ago I got up to 242 and decided to do this surgery.  I had to go thru the 6 months of weight loss and they put me on phentermine where I got done to 215 and they informed me my BMI was now too low to do the surgery (insurance game, I swear!) so I tried to continue with the drugs and here's what happens when u take anything to boost your metabolism: it works for awhile, then u get used to it and you can only up the dosage so much and it eventually stops working so you stop taking it....then ur metabolism won't work on its own and you gain ALL THE WEIGHT BACK AND THEN SOME...my life story! So 1 year ago I decided, again,to do this surgery(especially since its done laproscopically) and my Dr told me I needed to gain about 10 lbs to have a BMI of 40(I weighed about 230).  I thought, fine, no problem since I ate REALLY good,exercised and did everything that SHOULD cause weight loss and instead just helped me not gain.  So I ate out for lunch everyday...burgers, fries, tacos, etc....and gained....and didn't check my weight....and changed DRs since mine had no clue how this process worked...and ate...and gained without knowing ....and 3 months later gained not only 10lbs, but gained 20! I was pissed!!  So I started eating "better" but still not good...and gained ANOTHER FREAKING 20 LBS!! It was prob a bit of a God send tho cuz when I went to the surgeon I was at my highest,EVER....and I had to lose.  I lost about 20, which is good.

As far as your support group in family and friends:you need to find one!! I have such a WONDERFULLY HUGE support group at home and at work.  Pretty much EVERYONE knows at work and is excited for me and my mom is and always has been a HUGE supporter!  But I don't really want to tell my future in-laws, either! lol...altho they'd prob support me, I just don't want my fiance's family to know!  I'd rather just show up during the holidays and be skinnier everytime! lol.  But about you...please find a local support group, as well as this website!  This website is awesome,but surround yourself with people who will be supportive and CONGRATULATE u when u hit your milestones!! We will be here for you,always, too tho!  xoxo

Welcome!!! This is the perfect forum for you!

I was 230 my highest, and am now 123 and couldn't be more pleased. I had a few comorbidities which are now gone. I am in maintenance now and have to work hard at it day by day, and I am so grateful the surgery made it easy to get the weight off in the first place. I was scared before surgery and had some regrets right after, but now I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Keep us posted on your progress!

I'm new here as well and had a similar situation. One of the most important things I learned was to not listen to others. They aren't in your shoes, they cannot relate most importantly, you don't need their approval . You've tried over and over without long term success and you are finally taking the courageous step to help save your life. Yay you!!

I didn't tell many folks either. If anyone asks how I lost so much weight, I just say, "I did what I had to." If they push further, I reply, "Everything, and them some." Most people just want to know the secret because they want to lose weight as well.

My mother was on board, but of course, worried. She knew how important it was to my health so she was there to supporrt me every step of the way. 

It's a completely personal choice, a brave one, and as you will see, the best thing most of us ever did for ourselves!

Welcome aboard and congrats on having your surgery date.

With the whole nation being bombarded by sweets, processed foods, junk foods, and stress... obesity is no longer just a condition, it is a disease.  A disease that responds quite well to surgical intervention.  So, no reason for embarassment... there's no way for most people to get the weight off on their own.  You are smart for choosing the correct solution for YOU.

I tell people one of three things, depending on several factors...  a.) They are curious and they are happy for me.  b.) They appear to be obese and are possibly looking for a way to help themselves. and c.) They are just being nosy busybodies and have no ranking on my scale of "friends".

#1  I changed my eating and exercise habits, and boy do I feel better!

#2  I had to have surgical intervention in order to change my eating and exercise habits, and boy do I feel better!!

#3  Why do you ask?  (and if they are brave enough to come up with an honest reply, I refer back to #1)

Another 12 pounds, when I hit goal, I'm buying the t-shirt "Surgically Modified Freak" and will wear it with pride!  ROFL

Ruthie, you are hilarious! I too have verbally referred to myself as a freak, and admit to everyone that I only call myself that with LOVE.
I totally get all you posters on this one. I wanted to sneak off and tell virtually no one, especially my in laws. I did tell my direct family (a.k.a. my husband/kids as well as my mom and sibs) because there was no doubt in my mind they have unconditional love for me.
Not sure why so many of us are embarrassed to have WLS, but that was me too. Thank God I came full circle. It feels good to just be myself these days. "Skinny" and oh so HAPPY!

So glad you are being yourself these days.  We don't tolerate imposters.  LOL

:-))

Welcome to the LW Board.

Congratulations on getting your date for your surgery.  Sounds like you are ready!!

I told everyone about my surgery and I still do.  I'm just an open book.  I loved before and after pictures also.  They are so inspiring and I loved seeing how people really changed.

Good luck and be sure to keep us updated.

Linda