Shannalee

I was like you excited one minute thinking of all the things I could do or buy after. If I was honest the worst bit was the two week Liver Shrinkage Diet. Don't cheat you have come this far and it is vital you do as you are asked. It helps them when they operate.
I had my done on Feb 6th and strangely enough when I went in I became strangely calm and just wanted it to be over. Everything went well and I now post op. I can say it wasn't that painful after....of course they gave me pain medication and I was out i three days.
Eating is a trial as you have to do it in stages. I think I'm trying to run before I can walk. But I will get there I can already do lots of things I couldn't before and it is only three weeks. I have lost two stone already. Good luck.....it is exciting. Regards

@bekki03---just visited Vermont this summer. Beautiful state!
I would like to go on rides with my daughter when she is old enough. I would like to no longer fear booths! I want to be able to go kayaking this coming summer. I tried when we were on vacation last summer, and I am pretty sure it will be easier when I am lighter and smaller. My surgery is in February, and I have reservations to go to Montana this summer and I am hoping it will be more comfortable this year to travel.

I am from Vermont...it is so beautiful there for winter activities. Flipping cold...but beautiful. I have 2 on my goal list. 100 lbs down...going horseback riding. That one is accomplished!! 200 lbs down I want to go to Universal and ride all the rides I couldn't with being over 400 lbs.

I'm a counselor. I just did a group on holiday blues with the patients. We have such high expectations with the holidays, and that includes food, and more food. I'm a little down this year too. I think it is the combination of hating where I work, battling colds and other illnesses, Christmas foods, and fear (of the surgery, recent events.) We put a lot of pressure on ourselves to make this season perfect.
This year, my house is mess, I'm bummed. I'm run down and tired. I didn't send Christmas cards, I'm stressed out. It's a lot of things. But I got together the important stuff. I'll be with family, and I think my little girl will enjoy the day. It's not going to be a knock-your-socks-off kind of Christmas, but it's ok.
My surgery is scheduled for February 7th. While I wish it was earlier, I'm kind of glad my first challenge will NOT be Christmas, right out of the gate. Valentine's Day seems less of a threat!
Enjoy what you can, and at least try to have a peaceful day on December 25th.

Thanks I am trying to focus more on the positive side of things rather than the negative. I gave too much energy to it last week. The one good thing about this Christmas is that my mom is in the same process as me so I think my family will behave during this time. I am also starting to think that I picked a good time. I start my 3 month supervised diet early next month and surgery's not until May....I will have plenty of time to get used to my new eating before next Thanksgiving and Christmas. I just need to stay positive and I know I'll get through it. Thanks again Molly

Don't beat your self up for talking to your friends about your troubles. That's what friends are for, right? The holidays are sooooo hard. I'm going to try and have a step by step plan for the 24th and 25th. I'm frustrated to about this time of year. I feel like I'm gonna gain it all back! Just keep focusing on surgery. It's the best thing that has ever happened to me.

Congratulations! It's an exciting feeling to know that you are doing something good for yourself. I'm at the same phase that you are in right now. I'm having to follow a 6 month diet plan (per insurance) before I can get the surgery. I'm about 2 months into my diet right now. It's nice to be able to talk to other people who know exactly how you feel and are going through the same trials. Best of luck to you!

I wish for you a speedy resolution and a rapid approval. I know it's hard for you now...I was there...but you'll get there. What a strange thing that your mom is getting it done too! Maybe it will be good for you both to have some support. My mother has always been a skinny minny and that was really hard for me to take...she wasn't supportive until I actually had the surgery...I think it was fear actually. It was hard to have a whole family w/o weight issues. But...I'm nearly 4 months out and very very happy. I can't wait for you to feel the happiness too!
Good luck!

Oh sweet girl....there really is nothing to be afraid of. Surgery doesn't change who YOU are inside. You will still be the awesome person you are now, you just won't have the health issues, the feelings of disappointment and all the things you want to have surgery to get away from. Think of how cool it will be to (here were a few of mine): cross your legs, buy something in the Junior or Misses department, walk 3 miles without an aching back, never hear the doctor say you'll need insulin soon, throw out your blood pressure meds, feel good about yourself, etc. Get the picture. You need to do this for you and no one else. You are worth being healthy and happy. You matter so it matters! Hang in there and come on back when you need a pick me up.

One of my favorite sayings is "I never said it would be easy, I only said it would be worth it." I understand your fears and they are good to have now because if they are were you know them then they will always stay fears and never realty.
I look forward to reading your blog and going through this with you.