The program I went through was a minimum of 6 months. I worked for the hospital system and it was automatically approved, but I still had to go through the 6 month process of seeing dietary, support groups, psych appointments before you could be approved to meet the surgeons. After I met the surgeons I was scheduled for surgery 5 weeks later. They would've done it sooner, but that was the soonest they could schedule an OR day.

Thank you. Yeah the moment I was cleared I was back in the gym. I've always enjoyed lifting weights though and was missing it with not being able to workout during recovery. A routine would be a big help and once you see and feel the results it will push you to keep going. Try to find something you enjoy to start with, that way you'll be more likely to stick with it.

Everyone is different, but I didn't have any issues after that I needed help with. I did have to watch how much I was lifting though. As some have stated above I did feel almost normal like 48 hours after surgery and had to be reminded that I just surgery to chill out and not over do it.

Glad you found something that worked for you. I would say with you doing it willing and not under orders that you had a different mindset going into it. I've tried a lot of things over the years and have lost almost a 100lbs by myself, but the last few years I've hit kind of a plateau. After thinking it over for years and doing my research, I feel like surgery may give me the tool I need to get where I want to be. I'm excited to put in the work and effort after. But, I do see that mindset myself in my in person support groups where people make comments and things during the discussion and you can tell they aren't motivated or taking this as seriously as needed. Fortunately for them our program does a good job of weeding out who's mentally and physically ready to make these lifestyle changes and who isn't. I know someone that I went to high school with had his done in a different state and definitely didn't have the type of program with benchmarks and support that I have and it shows.

I had to pay a program fee, but my insurance has covered everything else. This gives me access to the drs and support programs for life. I met with an exercise physiologist, but he told me I know what I'm doing when it comes to working out that he didn't really have any recommendations for me. I have to pay for my gym membership, but my insurance will reimburse me $100 for it. So I basically get 5 months free. I have multiple friends that are personal trainers or gym owners that will answer any questions I have. I also take exercise classes at my gym every so often to change things up.

I find a lot of times when people make that comment it's due to lack of knowledge. They see the surgery as a quick fix and don't see the work that has to go into it before or after. Like btm61 said this is a tool not a cure all. There's a lot of work and ha*****anges that have to be made afterwards. I haven't had the surgery yet, but in the near future and I'm looking forward to putting in the work afterwards and seeing the results. The people I know that have had the most success after have been the ones to follow their program with better eating habits and exercise. If you aren't fully ready to embrace this it isn't going to work.

What are your daughter's concerns? I had a friend that was worried about me under going the surgery and the risks of the complications. But, she was open and wanted to learn so she could support me on this journey. She's still worried something may happen, but it is major surgery there is always that chance. But, she is now fully supportive and will ask me questions and make sure I'm following the habits I'm supposed to be working on.

When I first started this process I was worried about others' opinions and what they were going to think, but like she said this my life, my health, my decision to embrace it and tell people if they can't be supportive to keep their opinion to themselves. Since we've had this talk I've become a lot more comfortable with my decision and telling people how it is.

You need to explain to her the risks of the surgery and the risks of not having the surgery. I don't want to assume, but like most of us I'm betting there's other underlying health issues than just the weight. You need to do what's best for YOUR health and she'll just need to come to terms with it.

Also, knowing what you ate during that day may help. I was to have:

3 protein shakes a day at least 20gm each.

At least 64 ounces of liquid (water, sf flavorings, broth, sf jello).

3 snacks (low fat/non fat yogurt, sf pudding, low fat cream soups w/skim milk)

Hey! Thanks for checking in! I haven't talked to my brother since that day. He lives and works out of state so we only talk every few weeks as it is. At the moment I haven't told anyone else or talked to anyone that I know or don't think would be supportive. I have enough on my plate right now working for a hospital pharmacy with everything that's going on, I don't need added stress or negativity. I have my psych eval part of my program tomorrow morning and if all goes well hopefully conferring with the surgeons soon. I had surgery class last week, so things are moving along, but everything has put a hold on things. I'm told it's looking like maybe August for surgery. The hospital system I work at and will be getting the surgery at has now postponed all elective surgeries until at least June 1st. So, just playing the waiting game at the moment. Thanks again for checking in!

Fourkeys, thanks for your input everything you've stated completely makes sense. That could be where my dr was coming from when making that statement. I have tried numerous diets and lifestyle changes. I've always been active and enjoy going to the gym. I was able to lose over 70lbs on my own. In high school I was over 400lbs and was able to get myself down to the low 300's. Over the last 2 years I've slowly put on weight and got back up to the mid 300's even with watching what I'm eating and exercising. It kind of threw my for a loop on the motivation stand point and after years of being told to try by other drs with no real reason other than well you'll lose weight. I was sent to this dr for my high bp and he we had a discussion about the surgery and different things and he kind of took the time to explain things more and I decided I needed to get serious about doing this.

I've hit my weight loss target and they told me from now til surgery as long as I at least maintain they'll be happy if I lose more that'll be great. I've gotten the green light from everyone except behavioral health I haven't had an appointment with them yet. It's scheduled for next week pending they don't cancel with everything going on. Nutrition and the Dr told me they don't see me having an issue getting a greenlight from them. I have surgery class scheduled as well, so hopefully that proceeds as scheduled.

I've used pictures as motivation previously to this and that did help to keep me motivated I plan to do that again. I do have a few close people that support and I tried to branch out to other friends and family to let them know about my decision, but as you said coming from the misinformed background and thinking they know what's best, haven't received the best support. For now I plan to keep it to my inner circle and continue on with my journey.

Thank you for you insight!

Out of curiosity was she your wife when you had it done? Just don't know how you'd pull it off without her knowing you've had surgery. Any of my other siblings, I would've told where to go. Being states a way and with having opposite schedules, I haven't had the chance to really talk to him and explain my why. I honestly think in this situation he thought he was being helpful.

Thanks for the advice. I normally don't have an issue with letting people know how it is. I think it was this conversation and the stress of work the last week, that I'm kind of off mentally and let it get to me.

It's been a really rough week on top of this situation, I work for a hospital pharmacy and work is just ridiculous right now. Super stressed and trying not to let it derail me and fall back into old habits I would normally do in this situation. That's the thing I've literally ran the gambit on all those things you've listed and have been super frustrated in not seeing results the last few years. But, as the dr explained it's more of a metabolic/hormone inbalance in my gut and everything at this point and he did point out that I am over 30 now. Thank you! Yeah I just need to stick to those people who I know will support and lift me up.