Chickening out

I feel as If I may chicken out. I'm afaird of failing and not being to stick with the diet plan. I am also scared of excess skin, may be better off staying fat.. But I want to do this and I need to do this.. So mixed.

This is something you have to decide for yourself.  I can only tell you my reasoning.

I was determined that this was it--if I removed 85% of my stomach forever, I WAS getting to goal and I WAS going to maintain.  Failure was (and is) not an option.  With that determination came a very clear sense of reality.  This surgery is not magic.  It helps.  It helps A LOT.  But it is hard work, and you have to be realistic about sticking to a food plan and incorporating more movement into your life.  I will say that in many ways VSG hit a "reset" button and allowed me to "relearn" how to eat.  If you focus on staying on-plan for the first year, I think you'll find you can do it.

As for excess skin--I have plenty, and I hate it (in fact, I'm having plastics to remove it), but I can tell you with 100% certainty that even if plastics were never a possibility, I would much rather have excess skin and weigh 130 than have no excess skin and weigh 265.  However, if your main reason for having surgery is appearance, then it may not be the solution you're seeking. 

I'm also pretty sure that everyone who has done this shares those fears.  If you really want to improve your health and change your life, you CAN.  People on OH will help you, and I hope that your dr. has a support system in place to help you as well.  But, obviously, ultimately it is up to you.

Your feelings are pretty normal.  Fat skin is not better looking than sagging skin or vice-versa.  Health is key.  You can do this...in the beginning you'll do it because you don't have a lot of choice and later you'll have developed the habits that you need to keep going.  Don't give up...so many "chicken out" and than regret they waited 5...10...15 years before doing it.  I'm one of them. ;)

I understand your feelings.  For me, I was afraid that after surgery I would still want to eat 3,000 calories a day and want more.  I must have asked 10 people and specialists "will I really not be hungry eating so little in a day" -- they all said yes.  So, I went ahead and did it -- and wow, am I glad I did!  I am not thinking about food all the time, in fact, I have to remind myself to eat now.  I do enjoy food -- especially knowing it is going to help me get healthy but don't crave the bad stuff.  I am satisfied with the meals I eat -- small as they seem to non-wls patients. 

My surgery was 3/24 and since then I am down 29 pounds. I feel 100% better already!  One thing I didn't expect was that my mood would be so much better after surgery.  It's like my body knows it's on the right track and my head is rejoicing. 

You have to make your own decisions but sometimes you have to take a leap of faith.  Good luck to you, whatever you decide.

Thanks for these responses and for asking the questions. This week has been a week of doubts for me to the point of delaying getting appointments for getting clearances. It hasn't been helped by family members expressing their doubts.

It has been helpful to read the collective wisdom of the members here. It does come down to faith, courage, and determination. Hey, this is a major thing with no guaranteed results (like life) and if you are going to do it, do it with your eyes open. You can't do this one half way.

Hi- I don't know how old you are, but I am 61 and had the surgery 4 months ago, and my back pain is gone, my knee pain is gone.  If you are older, do it to have a healthy old age.  If you are young the surgery will give you a life of a healthy person rather than the excuses and staying in the shadows of a fat person.

But you have to want it enough to say goodbye to some of your favorite foods.  You have to decide that health and vigor are more important than chocolate or pizza.

I wish I could have done this when I was 40, but I am thrilled that I did it at 61 because I see the years ahead as active, attractive, healthy ones. Good luck with your decisions.  If the time is not right now, keep an open mind for the future.