cmunne

Many folks employ the pre-adolescent level tactic of elevating themselves by lowering everyone else. Many people see the stupidity of this illusion and by age 13 cease to employ it. Others refine it to an art and end up in politics.

The often quoted phrase points out a human foible: judging the validity of arguments by the audacity of those who speak them. Degree of craziness is a ridiculous measure of truth but it sways ignorant people who judge not by content but by emotion and "instinct".
But then there are the multitudes who lash out at anything that disturbs their sleep. Thinking brings change, change requires energy and can bring pain or pleasure. Most are not willing to risk the effort.

It seems like this procedure (or any WLS, really) is the great litmus test for relationships. All kinds of relationships--family, friends, significant others, spouses, co-workers.
I look at it this way; if my connection to that person--or group of people--is so shaky that being sleeved will destroy it, am I really any worse off? Better to clear the negativity, and ditch the haters! I'll be thankful if my sleeve and the success it brings also helps me shake off anyone who isn't really who they claim to be in my life! Sometimes you gotta lift the rock to see the creepy crawlies underneath for what they really are. Rock that sleeve and let them choke on their jealousy.

You've learned many things. Those lessons will not leave you with the fat. They are stored in your mind and heart. The real you is not the fat. Fat is excess storage. It contains no personality.
You may have relied on your big size to give you space in social circumstances. I used mine to intimidate at times. You will have to find your power in the force of your personality. Your empathy remains, your compassion as well. The fat did not give it to you. Your heart did. Now you will have a greater capacity to express your love with your new vibrancy. You can do more for more people because you are free from the drag down that fat was, you are stronger.
Your self image will change but your identity will remain the same. You will adjust to the sleek version.

My surgery is this Monday, and I have been feeling a little anxious and scared about it. After reading ur post, tho, I am inspired to keep on going! If I can do even part of what you have done I will be thrilled! I am starting at 440#, and it is overwhelming, but you are a great example of what determination can do! Thanks for the post!
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Thanks & good luck cmunne! June 10th will be here before you blink. It's hard to think I'm a week and a half post op...but you can only take it one day at a time.
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I know just how you feel. I, like you, am active and work 7 days a week. I am starting this journey at 448 pounds. I don't think anyone really realizes what I weigh either, and I don't know that I will ever tell anyone exactly where I started! I am having my surgery in one week (June 10), and I can only take it one day at a time! Good luck to you on your journey. This forum has really helped me, and I hope it can help you too.
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Your story is so inspirational!! I am having my surgery in one week, and tho I am a little anxious, I am more afraid of NOT doing it and being able to live my life the way I want to! Thanks for sharing your wonderful story.... I am stating out at the same weight as you were before surgery. It's good to know that it CAN be done!!
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I know just how you feel. I, like you, am active and work 7 days a week. I am starting this journey at 448 pounds. I don't think anyone really realizes what I weigh either, and I don't know that I will ever tell anyone exactly where I started! I am having my surgery in one week (June 10), and I can only take it one day at a time! Good luck to you on your journey. This forum has really helped me, and I hope it can help you too.
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Your story is so inspirational!! I am having my surgery in one week, and tho I am a little anxious, I am more afraid of NOT doing it and being able to live my life the way I want to! Thanks for sharing your wonderful story.... I am stating out at the same weight as you were before surgery. It's good to know that it CAN be done!!
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I am being sleeved on June 10th also! I am excited and slightly nervous about this huge life change, but I cant wait. Sometimes I just wish I could speed up time so it would get here already!

I got my official surgery date today, and I have to say I am excited and ready to get the show on the road!
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I'm with OTR on this. Syntrax's nectar and Unjury seemed to be the best for me. Closely following this is Jay Robb, which is made from egg white Protein.< /p>

I'm on day 7 of my 2 week liquid diet. What an emotional rollercoaster. I haven't cheated - well, on my 2nd day I did have 1 extra Protein Shake, but I don't really think you can call that cheating! It's crazy. I made my 20 month old a grilled ham & cheese sandwhich and while I was cutting it up for her, I started BAWLING. I've never wanted to shove something in my mouth so badly. It didn't help that the rest of my family was chowing down on pizza that night either. Last night they made steak & potatoes. I took a bath and read my Bible upstairs during that time!!! I totally get how people end up cheating. I've found myself standing in the kitchen countless times and then I think "WHAT am I doing in here!?!" Habit I guess!
I had a friend tell me that this preop diet is almost like a smoker trying to quit. We are so used do eating and chewing that it's addicting! So even though our bodies are pretty much getting whatever they need to survive, the head hunger (and a bit of a growling tummy) make us panic and think we are starving to death - so then we eat! I mean, most of us have been following this pattern of eating for what, at LEAST 30 years, so really, what do we expect! lol - my first instinct when I'm hungry and it's meal time isn't "let me nuke some chicken broth and have a Protein shake" yum yum.
I'm proud of everybody doing this diet, including myself. It's probably the roughest thing I've ever done. I think the thing that keeps me from cheating is that I've lost 12.2 lbs as of this morning, so from last Tuesday to today. So I'm pretty happy about that. Does anybody else's Dr let them drink the low-calorie G2 Gatorade? Mine has it on the approved list of liquids and man, it helps me make it through the day!

I like the Lean shakes from GNC. They don't taste so Protein shakey....

Thanks to everyone for you replies! I think journaling is a great idea.... And reminding myself that I do not want to be this weight anymore! Little things like using a seat belt without an extender, going to Disney world and actually getting on a ride with my son, sitting in a booth at a restaurant, so many things that I hate that I can't do. I am really looking forward to the non- food life changes that will happen. The new "normal" is worth fighting for.
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Thanks a lot, MrsG!! Congrats on your weight loss and thanks for the kind words of encouragement! I agree with you that staying positive will help. I am working on that now, starting the positive self talk. I am very lucky that I have a wonderful and supportive husband and family, as well as friends. I think the biggest regret I would have at this point is if I DIDN'T have the surgery! And you are right, reading and posting on this site will only be beneficial.
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Hi everyone..... I am new to posting on this site, and I am hoping for some encouragement! I am hopefully being sleeved in June (we are shooting for the 10th) and I am both excited and scared to death! I didn't think I could have both emotions at once! Lol
I just feel like losing so much weight (200+ pounds) is so daunting, and I hope I am making the right decision. Has anyone else felt this way?
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Thanks a lot, MrsG!! Congrats on your weight loss and thanks for the kind words of encouragement! I agree with you that staying positive will help. I am working on that now, starting the positive self talk. I am very lucky that I have a wonderful and supportive husband and family, as well as friends. I think the biggest regret I would have at this point is if I DIDN'T have the surgery! And you are right, reading and posting on this site will only be beneficial.
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I was sleeved 2/25 & I'm down 36 lbs. April has been a very slow month. I added in exercise April 5th and have only lost 6 lbs since then. I'm trying to increase my calories but its do dang hard. BUT I'm looking HOTT. And I have a friend that gave me 9 garbage bags full of clothes do I'm enjoying playing dress up. Oh I forgot to mention I had lost 40 lbs pre-op so I'm down 76 lbs all together.