AutumnAlways

HotMessPrincess, I LOVE the idea of writing yourself a letter! I don't have a date yet either, but I will be borrowing your idea when the time comes.

1. So I like what I see when I look in the mirror 2. So I can stop feeling like the "fat American" when I travel to other countries 3. So I can go with my daughter to concerts and ball games and fit through the turnstile 4. So I can shop for clothes wherever I want to 5. So I'll live a long and happy life

Good luck, Vixey! I hope you get your December date!

I have a "friend" who is the same way. I am only in the beginning stages of this process, and she is still trying to sabotage my efforts at health and happiness. She will eat loudly while we are on the phone, saying things like, "Ooooh, this ice cream is delicious!" and slurp and make noise. And when I begin my two week pre-op diet (hopefully soon), she has informed me that she will continue to ask me to go out to eat and will continue to go out for pizza and junk because she is "not the one giving up" her life. I told her that for one thing, food is not my life. And secondly, I have plenty of other friends and family members who support me, so I don't need her crap. As a side note, she is 5'0" and weighs about 300 pounds. Her doctors have been trying to get her to have the surgery but to no avail - she wants no part of it. She is way too addicted to food. As for your situation, you don't need this toxic "friend" in your life. I agree with Sassy Pants - recognize it, make peace with it and continue your awesome journey. :-) Best of luck to you!

This has been one of my favorite threads ever! Things I won't miss about being fat are: The "pretty face" comments Needing a seatbelt extender to fly (getting one was so embarrassing that I just snuck the one they gave me off the plane and kept it to use on the DL) Always having to pay for a Business or First Class ticket because there is no way my fat ass is fitting in a coach seat Being the fattest one in my whole family, and thereby the funniest one Having my heart rate double when I climb the stairs in my house Being limited to shopping in the plus size or men's sections (I'm 5'10" with long arms so I actually do better at Casual Male sometimes than at Lane Bryant) Not fitting in a chair that has arms (this actually happened at a restaurant when we were on vacation in Mexico and I was so mortified and traumatized I just wanted to order room service for the rest of the trip) There are so, so many more but I think I'll stop at lucky number seven. Have a great day, everybody!

Congratulations on your first meeting! Mine is on Monday and I can't wait! I loved your post and wish you the best of luck in this journey. Autumn

Hi Tiffany, I am in the same boat as you - going through the pre-op stuff and hoping against hope that this works! I have been to other boards and have seen some absolutely amazing before and after photos. I would say that whether or not it works for you depends on how well you stick to your program. I've seen that some people have had slow weight loss or have gained weight back by drinking their calories (shakes, ice cream, alcohol...that sort of thing) or making poor food choices. I can't imagine you won't lose weight with the sleeve. I fantasize about shopping at Target for "regular" clothes and not needing a seatbelt extender when we go on vacation next summer. That helps to keep some of the negative thoughts away. Good luck with your process! Autumn

Hi Tiki, I have only told a very, very small handful of people in my life: my husband, daughter, brother, and two best friends. When I discussed even *possibly* having the surgery with others, I was inundated with horror stories about stomach problems and loose skin! After that I decided that post-surgery I won't lie to people, but I won't go out of my way to share, either. Hope this helps. Best of luck with your surgery!