Is anyone in this group attending the ObesityHelp Conference in Anaheim on September 30 to October 1, 2016?

Hi Tamika.  I know its hard when the ones around you dont understand about wanting surgery.  I know how you feel.  My parents knew I had surgery and were there when I had it.  My dad showed a little more interest afterwards by asking me how much I had lost and what my doctors said but never said that I look good or was proud or anything.  Unfortunately, he passed away in April.  He saw me before he passed but couldn't talk so I don't know what he thought about my weight loss.  I know he always wanted me to lose so I have to assume that he is glad.  My mother just doesn't show interest at all.  She just found out how much I have lost last month.  She had never asked before and doesn't give compliments or anything unless there are other people around.  My greatest support has come from my friends, especially those in my support group.  Look around for a WLS support group at the hospitals in your area.  As well as reaching out on here.  Alot of my friends don't know that I have surgery..I chose not to tell a lot of people because I didn't want negative unsolicited advice in my head.  They see the weight loss and I tell them that I have changed my lifestyle - which I truly have.  Make better choices in what I eat, eat 5 small healthy meals a day and exercise.  

You can explain to your family - surgery is only a tool to lose the weight.  The real success is completely up to you because it is going to take a lot of hard work by you.  Especially with the amount you need or want to lose.  I know..I weighed 427 lbs when I started my journey.  Surgery gives you a "jump start" to lose the weight and helps you with the discipline by controlling how much food you can take in, they type of food you can take in and forcing you to make the necessary changes needed to lose the weight.

Don't get discouraged.  You've got alot of support on here too.

You are definitely not alone.  I was afraid only because I had never had any kind of surgery before (not even a c-section).  General anesthesia isn't bad.  The procedure is done with lasers so you aren't opened up (very few are open surgeries and you are completely out if you have to have it done)  Truthfully, your nonsurgical options are diets, diet programs and the such.  If your doctor is recommending surgery, then he must believe that it is your best option. Getting WLS is a very complicated process to get approval for and not easily done.  There are alot of requirements and hurdles to get through just to get approved for WLS.  Talk to your doctor or research the different procedures and figure out which will work for you.  My doctors tried for 3 years to get me to have surgery but I always refused.  When I finally decided that I needed the help, surgery was still their recommendation.  So I went online and read every article, watched every video and weighed my options before finally choosing the Sleeve.  WLS is just a tool, we still have to do alot of work and discipline.  I am 5'6" and started at 427 lbs.  Had the Sleeve on 4/2/15. I have lost 187 lbs so far through better food choices, exercise, water & vitamins.  Focus on the whole picture - being healthy and living a better, happier life;  not just a small part (that's over in a few hours)

Mz..Todd you look fabulous... Im glad to hear you are doing well and loving your decision. How much are you wanting to loose..are you at your goal??

Hello.  I am 16 months post-op.  I had the Sleeve on 4/2/15.  I know how you feel on the pre-op liquid diet.  I had to do it for 4 weeks before surgery.  Having the Sleeve was the BEST decision that I ever made!