Tammy310

Ahahahah, funny thing my mother is from Sicily and our world revolves around food too! ahahahaha... I found that hillarious when you said that. What's also funny is that everyone minus my grandmother is severly overweight and my mother is morbidly obese, yet they think they are all experts at health and nutrition. If weight watchers and jenny craig where so freak'n great we'd all be super models and not yo-yo dieters. Sometimes I think misery loves company. I knew going into this they wouldn't approve. But just like they didn't approve my college major (and I"m paying for my degrees) and didn't approve of me getting my PhD (they thought it was over kill and unnecessary, I should be husband shopping) I just decided to keep it on the hush hush.... AND I BET YOU MONEY that when I lose that first 50+ lbs they are going to tell me (and probably you) that your starving yourself, accuse us of being anorexic, and try to tell us we are too skinny. It's a lose/lose situation. Got to make your mind up and run with it... I've had enough practice with my family giving me crappy advice based on ridiculous old world values to help me prepare for my surgery. Just do YOU!

Yes. In fact I refused to tell my family I was having VSG. They are all experts of stupidity. Now I love my family, but as a single mother of a 4 year old I understand your situation. I'm a collegiate athlete and full time grad student, I'm in great athletic shape but my body packs on weight like no one's business. I've been big all my life, even when I was in the Army. I had a horrifically big appetite and nothing ever satisfied me. VSG is no quick fix. WHen I did have surgery I just told people it was for stomach ulcers and to get my pancreas fixed for making too much insulin- BOTH truths, I just didn't add in the WLS part. It's always easier to say than do. I'm 3 weeks post op and I'm telling you it's the best decision I've ever made. I'm pretty successful in life considering what all I've been throw, but I've always felt like a complete failure when it comes to my weight. And my family- if they are anything like yours uses negative reinforcement to try to motivate me- reminding me I don't need to eat out, or I shouldn't have a piece of birthday cake, etc. I assure you VSG is no quick fix. It takes months if not years to get off all the excess weight- and guess what? You will be able to eat anything you want, just in tiny portions, and you won't be hungry anymore. You, and you alone will be able to sleep easier at night knowing you love yourself and you're living life for your kids and you. I'm not self concious anymore, I still have a lot of weight to lose, but I'm not stressing like I once did. It's not the elephant in the room anymore. No more money wasted on weight watchers or diet pills or magical cures- those are quick fixes. No gym membership was going to keep me from my favorite fast food- but my VSG MAKES me an honest woman and I can't fool or cheat it. And now the weight is coming off, and I'm more worried about getting enough in! GOod luck. It's your life. Your happiness.
Do you think you deserve to be happy? Yes.

I've had pulmonary issues all my life and it seems that every time it was that TOM I got sick with whatever was going around. The one thing that helped me was that I start drinking AIRBORNE at about the second week in August (just once daily) and I continue until the pollen is done in May. I haven't been hospitalized in 5yrs because of this. I also get a flu shot each year and a pneumonia shot every 5. I'll pray extra for you. Feel better. and no worries about the whiney...we're all here to talk and listen.
~ Tammy

If it's any help, i've had several people with Fibro tell me that it gets better after weight loss. I can't wait to find out for myself. Please keep me updated. ~ and CONGRATS on the date! you sound super prepared.

Mine isn't until 8/31 but I just wanted to say hi and tell you I'm nervous too. I just keep telling myself the first month may be kinda sucky (learning to sip, the dreaded week 2 or 3 stall) but for the first time in years I will actually let people take pictures of me at the Christmas parties.
You are going to do great. Keep reaching out and researching and you will feel much better.
Amy

Just wanted to say...relax, relate, release...you can do this! Sending well wishes your way!
-Big Byrd

I was just sleeved on 8/2. What you are going through is completely normal! I made two lists for myself of things I hate about being fat and what I am looking forward to after surgery. The things ranged from petty to major. I hated being judged on my appearance. I hated freaking out if I would fit in a booth, etc. I could not wait to delve into my 'skinny' clothes I had been holding on to for years. Just keep reminding yourself of your long term goals and what led you to start pursuing this surgery in the first place.

I started this process quite a bit ago with the gym and the NUT etc. My doc suggested counseling due to high stress so I do that too. My NUT said to chew every bite 25times. I can tell you that once you chew something 25 times you'd be surprised at what you find you don't really like. Try that. I've noticed that on the days I count...I eat a LOT less. When I don't count I eat too fast and stuff my face. It took a while but I realized that it's a process. I just hope to change my worst habits before the surgery so I don't have to struggle so much after. Good luck to you! keep going and if you mess up just try again.

I won't give you a pep talk because we have all been thru this. So you know the end result will be worth it. So instead I am sending you a big ole HUG. Feel better soon.