Where are you on your journey?

Hi Ginger, I've been posting a lot lately about my upcoming surgery, but I'll tell you again I'm on the practice diet that the Wish Center requires, and I'm having surgery on July 17th if all goes well. On July 3rd I start the liquid diet. I weighed 434 at my last doctor visit, I'm unable to weigh at home. I have a lot of mobility issues but I'm able to work out pretty well at Curves. I have lower back problems so it is hard for me to walk very far. I work at home as an artist and my life keeps getting more and more closed off. About 18 months ago, My Dr said she thinks I need to have WLS, but she wanted me to have lap band. It's an exclusion on my husbands insurance, so no chance there. My youngest daughter (24) has been wanting me to have WLS for several years since her friends mother had it, but I was so scared. And honestly, I had a hard time imagining eating like you have to after WLS. I decided to try again to diet, so joined Jenny Craig again and VERY SLOWLY was able to lose 23 lbs. It took 8 months. I felt so discouraged because I lost so slowly. It's such a trap to be so fat, you know you need to lose and exercise, but it's so hard and 20 minutes of relaxing my vigilence would result in no weight loss for that week. Over the next 8 months, I went off Jenny Craig and gained the 23 lbs back. 2 months ago I went for my regular physical and I was up 10 more lbs, to my highest weight. So incredibly depressing.... My doctor says even though I am realtively healthy for my weight, my future is very bleak. I have watched 4 family members die of congestive heart failure. It is a terrible way to die. I have finally reached the point where I am more afraid of my health future than I am of having surgery. My husband is willing to take the money out of his 401K to save my future. I love him so much for doing it. I've decided to have lap RNY, as I think I have the best chance of success and having a healthy future. I might never be really thin, but I know I can move more and exercise and be healthier if I can lose a lot of it. I'm sure I will be a slow loser, but I will deal with it, and I actually look forward to not being a slave to food and my belly. Thanks to everyone here who has been so helpful in making my decision. Julie in WA

Hi Julie, That pre-op diet thing is so hard to do. I know you are afraid that this wls will be just like all the other expensive diets that you have tried and failed. If you approach it the right way, it won't be. I too have done the diet route, hundreds of dollars gone down the toliet..loose then regain..loose and then regain some more. The thought of laying down on a surgery table to have your stomach"stapled" totally freaked me out too. Even up to the day I laid down on the proverbial table..thoughts went through my mind...maybe I can do this thing another way..maybe I just should had exercised more and ate less. That is what all the weight loss experts tell us to do right?? My problem is that I was ALWAYS hungry....nothing could fill me up...but I was a closet eater..I had my stashes till my kids found out RNY was the best bet for me. I do get hungry, but not like I did before..infact, sometimes I have to be reminded to eat. Sometimes eating turns into a chore..instead of what to live for. My problem is getting the exercise in. I tried a practice diet. I even tried eating with a baby spoon very slowly..it just didn't work for me till after the surgery. Congradulations on your surgery date. I am so excited for you! Keep pluggin along and postin along..we are right there with ya! HugsGinger

HI everyone I had my surgery december 15, 2005 which means i am almost 6 months post-op. I have lost 124 pounds so far. I started at 399 lbs and when I saw the scale say 275, I almost cried. I am having a little trouble seeing my "new" self. Many times I still think of myself as that 399 lb woman before I had surgery. This has been such a positive thing for me so far. I am able to wear smaller clothes and when I see something I just bought get baggy, I have to smile. I could say so much, but guess I will say that my profile says more than anything else how things have progressed for me. I wish everyone the best no matter where they may be at this point and time. You are all great. Take care Erin

Hi Erin, Weigh to go! I'm sending tons of skinny wishes to you. May you see the YOU that others see now. HugsGinger

I am also a lurker. I read the posts everyday, but am never really sure what to say. I just had my consultation on Wednesday and am getting ready to start my 6-month supervised diet. I'm terrified of having surgery, especially since I have a 1 year old daughter, but I'm fairly healthy and want to do this before I have other potential problems. I truly thank you all for being so honest and willing to share your experiences. I've been heavy all my life and I don't really know what else to do. My husband and best friend are the only ones *****ally support this, my family just thinks I'm weak and that it's a bad decision, so it's really nice to know that I'm not the only one who has had this reaction. I'm just so scared. I'm afraid of the actual surgery and the possible complications. I'm scared I'm going to die and leave my wonderful husband and daughter without a wife and mother, but I also know that continuing on at my current weight isn't very promising either. I'm afraid I'm going to have an identity crisis from the weight loss and will just end up feeling lost. I guess everyone has the same worries going in to surgery. How did you all manage to convince yourself that you could do this? I think it's the right thing for me, but I'm afraid the fear will hold me back...

I've been a lurker for quite some time on this board too. I truly enjoy reading everyone's thoughts and words of encouragement. I mainly post on the January '06 board, but will probably post over here too, if you'll have me I had my surgery January 6th and my five month surgiverary is coming up soon, I'm so excited! I want to have 150 pounds down, and only have five to go! I hope I can do it! I started at 393 and am now 248... Size 30/32 now an 18/20 in tops and 20/22 in bottoms depending on the cut. I used to wear 12W shoes and now I'm a plain 11. All these clothing, shoe and neck/wrist/ankle size changes are making my credit cards cry lol! But I love it, and wouldn't trade this wonderful surgery for anything. It has totally given me my life back. (sorry for the weird pic, lol.... I was playing with the camera and my avatar and forgot to change it back to the original before I left for work- so enjoy my "glamour" shot lol!!!!) *~*Jaci*~* 393/248/175

HI there cutie pie! Good to see you over here! Karyn

Hi girlie I am post op 5 months down 123 lbs and gosh how my life has changed it is amazing I miss u all terribly and want to know how everyone is doing love candy

Candy, How are you? I have missed your pretty smiling face on this board. 123 lbs in 5 months in nothing to sneeze at!!!! Have you been out and about and are sooo busy that you only have a chance to poke your head in once in awhile???...I'm jealous!!! Yes, life has a way of getting complicated, especially after such a huge weight loss. You must be doing something right cause you are losing it..and I am only one month ahead of you Keep it up girlie girl...you rock! Hugs,Ginger

Hey Ginger, As you can see, Im a day late and a dollar short . I m just peeking in and thought I would say hi. I am almost 22 months out and I am down about 180lbs. I havent lost in months, but its ok. I am very happy where I am. This board sure means a lot to me and it helped me stay focused for so long. It is nice seeing the progress that everyone has made since I joined this board last year. It is truly amazing, and the support is just overwhelming. I remember when you were in the hospital and we were all here worried about you. Im so glad you are doing so wonderful. I guess I need to come out and play a little more often. Hugs, Soos