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Thanks for the comments, stories and words of encouragement. As far as age goes, I'm only sorry I didn't do it much sooner (younger), but better late than never. I think for myself, there has always been this "fear" or mindset that surgery is/was the last option and if I had done it 10 years earlier and things didn't go well, I'd have to live the rest of my life dealing with the regret, frustration and failure. After the fact, I feel I have total control and have learned the life skills required to maintain this "new me" until I don't exist anymore. And as far as people-pleasing, I still aim to please, but I'm starting with myself!😜

I always said...... "the surgery is the EASY part" ..... it's what comes after is the real test .

You make some really good points about needing to be a little selfish. I think of all the people in my life who need things a certain way, and how I go out of my way to accommodate. Oh, you go to bed really early, or you must eat dinner at 3pm, or you only like Italian food, or can't meet up at that time because you need to workout? Okay, I can be flexible! I'm turning 50 this coming year and it's only in the past few years I feel like I've started to learn to advocate for my own needs. And it's definitely a learning curve. It's so hard to remember that just because you could be flexible doesn't mean you always have to be. As for relatives and food, my strongest childhood memory is probably my very obese grandma, who seemingly passed down 100% of her genes to me (thanks, Grandma!), saying within the span of two breaths: "You know, you're going to be overweight like me and you have to be so careful with what you eat...want more Polish sausage?" I mean, bless her heart, she lived to 92 and was sharp and reasonably active until the last year or two, so if she passed that gene along to me, I'll take it. But you can't tell a person one minute that they have to eat healthy and the next minute present them with an entire family-size Tupperware filled with grapes as a snack because "grapes are healthy." Which I would eat all of even if I didn't want them so as not to hurt her feelings. Meanwhile, my mom was rail thin and always going on some sort of "eat grapefruit for a week and melt the fat off" women's magazine fad diet my whole childhood. Yikes. Family can do a number on you. And you're right, all that stuff will still be there to deal with emotionally even after the surgery...

My surgery was May 1. I'm down 88 lbs and I feel great! 14 more to go until I hit my goal.

same happened to me. i had to buy my supply of protein shakes from my surgeon's office. i was green and eager and didn't even question it. but yeah, looking back i realize they probably (at best) just wanted everyone doing the same thing, and (at worst) just wanted my money. i didnt end up buying more after surgery (because thier shakes were just too sweet for me post op) and also i smartened up a bit and read the label. i bought my own preferred brand after surgery (Isopure) and turned out just fine.

My hunger is back (started around week 8), not as bad as it was before...but so has the head hunger. If I crave certain things I know it is head hunger so I ignore it. Glad you got it done!!

I had surgery on Monday October 2nd. I can't tell you how free I felt. I just felt satisfied and no need to eat. It was such a relief. Not thinking of what I could eat. I know what my selections are so I feel content. I had wonderful care in the hospital. I'm so glad I found this forum. I battle alone throughout my pre-op journey. So thank you everyone.

@Libra3636 Thanks for joining. My surgery is not until the 27th,but I know you are not alone there is a ton of info on this site, including rants and raves page. I hope you get to feeling better tomorrow.

Studies show that the likelihood of losing this much and maintaining without surgery is basically 0%. So, the real choice was staying where you were (and likely gaining more) or WLS. I'm sorry that you're struggling. Your outcome seems to be quite extreme, both physically and emotionally. Are you working with your WLS team to address? Engaged in therapy? This constellation of challenges seems to be beyond what you can address without help from medical professionals.

If you're done having children, ask for an endometrial ablation. I had absolutely horrible periods (way before WLS), and after my procedure, I haven't had one since. Even after the WLS and the estrogen surge. If you're not done having kids, seek a second opinion from a GYN.