EileenFrances

What fascinating stories! Thank you for sharing them.

Hi. I think the reasons for having this surgery done change by age. When I was in my teens and 20s, I wished I were thin so I could wear pretty clothes. Now, in my 50s, I'm less concerned about my outward appearance and I'm more concerned about what's going on INSIDE.
First, I want to reduce my risk of cancer! I've had two scary biopsies already which, thank God, were negative. And I want to eliminate a whole bunch of aches and pains - knees, hips, back.
Although what I'm about to say has nothing to do with weightloss, it does pertain to the "inside" as opposed to the "outside." I find that in my 50s, I'm more concerned, too, with the inner dimension of "personhood" and fulfilling my spiritual potential, both in faith and, also, in doing meaningful work that is helpful to others.
What do the rest of you think makes us a unique group? What does the sleeve mean to you in your 50s that is different from people in 30s, 40s, 60s, or other?

Hi. I think the reasons for having this surgery done change by age. When I was in my teens and 20s, I wished I were thin so I could wear pretty clothes. Now, in my 50s, I'm less concerned about my outward appearance and I'm more concerned about what's going on INSIDE.
First, I want to reduce my risk of cancer! I've had two scary biopsies already which, thank God, were negative. And I want to eliminate a whole bunch of aches and pains - knees, hips, back.
Although what I'm about to say has nothing to do with weightloss, it does pertain to the "inside" as opposed to the "outside." I find that in my 50s, I'm more concerned, too, with the inner dimension of "personhood" and fulfilling my spiritual potential, both in faith and, also, in doing meaningful work that is helpful to others.
What do the rest of you think makes us a unique group? What does the sleeve mean to you in your 50s that is different from people in 30s, 40s, 60s, or other?

Hi. I think the reasons for having this surgery done change by age. When I was in my teens and 20s, I wished I were thin so I could wear pretty clothes. Now, in my 50s, I'm less concerned about my outward appearance and I'm more concerned about what's going on INSIDE.
First, I want to reduce my risk of cancer! I've had two scary biopsies already which, thank God, were negative. And I want to eliminate a whole bunch of aches and pains - knees, hips, back.
Although what I'm about to say has nothing to do with weightloss, it does pertain to the "inside" as opposed to the "outside." I find that in my 50s, I'm more concerned, too, with the inner dimension of "personhood" and fulfilling my spiritual potential, both in faith and, also, in doing meaningful work that is helpful to others.
What do the rest of you think makes us a unique group? What does the sleeve mean to you in your 50s that is different from people in 30s, 40s, 60s, or other?

I love PB2 in my Protein Shakes, both vanilla shakes and chocolate shakes.

Hi. I think the reasons for having this surgery done change by age. When I was in my teens and 20s, I wished I were thin so I could wear pretty clothes. Now, in my 50s, I'm less concerned about my outward appearance and I'm more concerned about what's going on INSIDE.
First, I want to reduce my risk of cancer! I've had two scary biopsies already which, thank God, were negative. And I want to eliminate a whole bunch of aches and pains - knees, hips, back.
Although what I'm about to say has nothing to do with weightloss, it does pertain to the "inside" as opposed to the "outside." I find that in my 50s, I'm more concerned, too, with the inner dimension of "personhood" and fulfilling my spiritual potential, both in faith and, also, in doing meaningful work that is helpful to others.
What do the rest of you think makes us a unique group? What does the sleeve mean to you in your 50s that is different from people in 30s, 40s, 60s, or other?

Yes, HI! My surgery is on 6/29. I'm fom Northeast Queens, not far from the Nassau border.
There's a Queens and Long Island group under groups. We should try to support each other!

Not silly at all. I'm scared too. Not of the surgery per Se. But of the unknown after time. What will my stomach be able to handle?
I have such a healthy digestive system, I should be grateful. Instead, I'm going to take a perfectly healthy, functioning organ, and cut it apart. What will I have then? Sure I'm scared!
If I wasn't morbidly obese, I would never do this! But I know my future without it: crippling joint pain in my back and legs, heart disease, possibly cancer.
So I'm gritting my teeth through the fear and doing it anyway.
Actually, the way I'm handling it is just to think of today and what I need to do now. By taking each day as it comes and not thinking ahead, that's how I'm coping with it.

Many of us, I for one, have lost the same 50 pounds over and over. I wonder how much I've lost all totalled! But I can't keep it off. Same with many others here. This forum is wonderful because we all have similar experiences and can understand and support each other.
Out there - some people will be supportive, others won't be. I know everyone has a different opinion on this, but I feel - don't tell someone unless you have reason to believe that they will be supportive. Just don't tell people who are inclined to be negative. Yes, as others have said, you don't have to listen to negativity. But why deal with it at all? Negative people don't have to know your business. That's what I think and that's how I handling it in my own life.

I am in Nassau county too. Was sleeved on may 14th. There is a group called long island post ops that meets 1x/mo. I havent been yet, but want to go. The website is www.liponation.com

My two cents worth is to share this only if you want to and only with those who are going to be supportive.
Those who've said they received nothing but support are lucky indeed. That is not always the case.
A couple of years ago, I tried the Slim Fast Diet. My best friend's response was, "You're on another one of your crazy diets again!". I was very hurt by the condescension and lack of support.
This surgery is too big an undertaking to get more of that.
So you have to evaluate for yourself who to tell and when. There's nothing wrong with the decision to keep it to yourself.
However, you can't just be missing from your grandchild's birth without explanation. You can say you'll be in the hospital for some other reason that sounds acceptable and not so worrisome, like a gallbladder. You can decide in the future if you then want to share your true journey.
Ultimately, the journey is yours and it's up to you when and if to reveal it.

Any one in June from the ny area? I am on LI...

Not silly at all. I'm scared too. Not of the surgery per Se. But of the unknown after time. What will my stomach be able to handle?
I have such a healthy digestive system, I should be grateful. Instead, I'm going to take a perfectly healthy, functioning organ, and cut it apart. What will I have then? Sure I'm scared!
If I wasn't morbidly obese, I would never do this! But I know my future without it: crippling joint pain in my back and legs, heart disease, possibly cancer.
So I'm gritting my teeth through the fear and doing it anyway.
Actually, the way I'm handling it is just to think of today and what I need to do now. By taking each day as it comes and not thinking ahead, that's how I'm coping with it.

Robin, I'm going to skip Facebook. This is the only forum I'm talking about my surgery in. I am not telling people in my life about it.
A couple of years ago, I tried the Slim Fast Diet. My best friend's response was, "You're on another one of your crazy diets again!". I was very hurt by the condescension and lack of support. This surgery is too big an undertaking to get more of that.
So, no friends. No Facebook. I'll find my support here among those who are doing it and understand.

I am scheduled for June 29 in Costa Rica! I cannot wait. I leave on June 27 and surgery on the 29th. I arrive back in the states on July 7!

I'm playing the waiting game too. The hospital has submitted my paperwork to the ins co for approval. Now, just waiting. My surgery has been scheduled for June 29th, but that could change based on what the ins co does. Although, the doctor's office told me that I am so overweight that they most likely will approve it. Finally an upside to being "so overweight."

June 29th - two days after the end of the school year. Count up another teacher!
My insurance hasn't approved it yet, so the date could possibly change. The doctor's office said not to worry about the ins because my BMI is so high, they're not likely to refuse. Isn't that great?
I am very grateful for this forum because I really am glad to be able to go through this with others and not be all alone in this process. I am finding it a bit scary. I'm nervous about the changes I'll face in my ability to do something that is otherwise so normal - eat. I also really hope that it works. I don't need to be skinny. To lose 50% of my excess weight would make me exceedingly happy.
So, if all of us teachers get to have the surgery at the end of June, we will have two full months to recover before going back. That is a real blessing!

June 29th - two days after the end of the school year. Count up another teacher!
My insurance hasn't approved it yet, so the date could possibly change. The doctor's office said not to worry about the ins because my BMI is so high, they're not likely to refuse. Isn't that great?
I am very grateful for this forum because I really am glad to be able to go through this with others and not be all alone in this process. I am finding it a bit scary. I'm nervous about the changes I'll face in my ability to do something that is otherwise so normal - eat. I also really hope that it works. I don't need to be skinny. To lose 50% of my excess weight would make me exceedingly happy.
So, if all of us teachers get to have the surgery at the end of June, we will have two full months to recover before going back. That is a real blessing!

I told everybody (with the exception of one of my bosses...long story), including my students, as I had the surgery mid semester. Everybody was incredibly supportive and my students really showed some serious concern for me when I had problems.
I think it's up to the individual person. Some people might feel uncomfortable in telling the world that they had WLS. In that case, just say that you've changed your eating habits. It's not a lie and usually people will leave you alone after that.

I haven't. I know two people personally who have had this done (one 6 months ago; the other almost 2 years ago). They both LOVE it! I'm doing it because I see how happy they are.

I am on my liquid diet now. This time next week I will be packing my hospital bag....that's if I don't go off the deep end and go homicidal maniac because I miss chewing! I know it will all be worth it, but man, this I one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life!!!!!!