Anyone start the process and NOT have the surgery?

I was also in denial for two and a half years. I worked out hard, ate a very strict diet and managed to lose 52 lbs on my own. Fact of the matter was I always gain it back. I tried so hard to keep the regimen, and wound up losing my wonderful weight-loss groove due to tearing ligaments in my ankle. Every year I pick up the drive to lose weight and something always gets in the way and I wind up gaining it all back and sometimes more.

After realizing I've been fighting this losing battle for over 12 years I finally put a stake in the ground and said I'm doing this surgery for my health. Over the past two years I started to show signs of diabetes, high blood pressure and was diagnosed with sleep apnea and high cholesterol. I was headed down a slippery slope. I am getting sleeved next Thursday on the 12th, and am so glad I finally got over my fears and came to the realization I need extra help to win this battle.

Its not that you can do it -- most of us here are capable of losing weight, but a lot of us have decided to get surgery because we need a little extra help. You still need to have dedication, drive and guts to continue with the post-surgery weight loss plan. I used to envision myself fight a great battle against my weight -- swinging my sword and pulling out some crazy karate moves, only to be outnumbered and beat down. I see my upcoming sleeve as like my bazooka. I'm coming back to this battle with my karate moves and sword-slinging, but now I got this massive weapon to ensure that I win this battle once and for all.

I hope you are able to make the right decision for you. It seems like the consensus on this forum is that most people only regret not doing the surgery sooner just as much as I wish I would have done it 2 and a half years ago when I first considered it.

Yeah, my dh...started in 2007 and thankfully quit. Yes, he got bigger but had he gone thru it back then, he would have had the RNY and not the DS. So waiting was the best thing HE did.

Liz

Started but couldn't get insurance coverage that included surgery. Decided to do my best with the tips I've culled on
this site; lost 65# and have been holding onto the loss, but it's not easy. The key for me is the mantra about "No White Foods" and exercise.

Lots of really inspirational folks on this site.