wendyt

How tall are you gals? You have similar start weights as me, and my goal is going to be 135-140; I was just wondering if that is really even feasible, without looking too gaunt. I'm 5'6".

The only one that knows that I am 3 of 6 months into this process, and will probably have the surgery in May, is my husband and a friend from church. Right from the beginning I knew I wanted to keep this to myself because of all the opinionated people in my life, and when I told that close friend from church about it, I could see right away that it was a mistake. I saw her judgement in her eyes. So I will tell no one else until I am home recovering. I think even my husband disapproves, thinking that I should just be able to lose the weight on my own. Well, he's only 5'6" and weighs about 140.... so he's always been a smaller man and has never had weight issues. And we've only been married for almost 3 years, so he has no idea how this weight has been like a roller-coaster for me all my life, even though I've done my best to explain. So yeah, for now it's my "dirty little secret" ...but I'm really looking forward to telling everyone afterwards and seeing/hearing their reactions!! Did YOU keep it secret? What were some of the replies and reactions when you finally told your friends/family?

Congratulations!

Penny's story was disgusting!!! I wonder how she'd do if her husband took their child and just left? I don't feel sorry for her at all.

I told my 31 year old son yesterday.... and he is being supportive! He said" As long as it makes you happy, mom." He knows how I've been struggling; his wife is also overweight and has tried numerous diets.

That is wonderful! Willpower had a bit to do with it too, I bet!

Oh, what a great discussion this has turned out to be! I love all the replies! I think that once I get an actual surgery date, THEN I'll be more willing to tell people. Right now, even though I've checked to make sure my insurance covers it, and have gone to 3 official weigh-ins, I just feel like I'll be "jinxing" myself if I say too much to too many people. But once I get the date, I'll tell my boss, and possible 2 or 3 others that are close to me. Other than that, people can just watch me shrink and wonder how I did it

You have good reason to be very happy

You look great! Keep up the good work!

Stigma!!!! THAT'S the word I wanted in my original post! Yes, it's a shame that there's such a stigma attached to weight loss surgery, yet not for fad diets, like "cabbage Soup only" or "grapefruit", etc. It's not shameful or wrong to want to be healthier at a lower weight, no matter which path you choose to get there.

Welcome! I'm new here, too! There's an app for this?!?!

So Sorry you are going through this. My thoughts and prayers are with you!!!

I'm not embarrassed or ashamed; I just know that people around me already think negative of people who had to "resort" to surgery from past conversations, and at this point I'd just rather not hear their negativity. Many years ago I followed a strict Atkins diet....my gosh, my stepmother was just aghast at the food I was eating, she was adamant that the only healthy way to eat is Low Fat, which I was quick to tell her was a way of eating I would NEVER do! LOL. Yes, most people don't bother to gather knowledge about things themselves, and rely on third or 4th party "knowledge" which is usually skewed. Beleive me, I took my time and researched all of this before proceding, and I know it will be one of the best decisions of my life!

Sounds like you are doing very well! Keep up the good work!

Thanks for the update and for sharing your pictures. You look great!

Best of luck to you! Looking forward to seeing updates.

Hi. I started looking into WLS last summer, doing lots of research, and finally decided on the sleeve. My first "weigh-in" with my PCP was in November, and monthly since then, so, according to my Michigan insurance, I'll have my 6 months of weigh-ins and physician documentation by April. I see the bariatrician on Feb 10 (I was supposed to see her on Monday, but the weather prevented me from traveling the 50 miles to her office). And during the next 3 months, I'll have my psych eval and whatever else is necessary. I talked to the nurse last week, and she's thinking I'll probably have the surgery in April or early May. I'm getting excited! I'll be 50 in a couple of months, and I've tried so hard for the past 2 years to lose weight to no avail. Most of my family, past and present, has had weight issues. I'm hoping I can be an inspiration to some, especially to my older brother, who is 52 and probably weighs around 350. I'm really looking forward to a new me! Looking forward to being able to walk and exercise with little to no back or foot pain, also! I've only had time to read a few threads in the forum, but I hope to become a regular here.

That would be awesome! As it is right now, the only one who knows I'm going to have this done is my husband. I don't want to tell ANYONE else until after the surgery is over, because I just don't want to deal with any arguments or negativity about it, so any kind of online help/advise/support etc is greatly appreciated!! From EVERYONE.