losingsoon

You guys are so inspiring. I'm almost through all my tests. Did the stress test today. Just have the psych eval left. I waiver back and forth if this is the right thing to do. I really appreciate your posts because it helps me through my doubts. I am 65 and only 4' 10" so the weight I'm carrying and have carried a very long time is crushing my future. I know that, but the fear keeps creeping in. Thanks for all your positive comments.

Sleeversue - thanks for the insights. It's really helpful to hear from others in this age group. It seems as though most of the sleevers are young. I think the over 60's crowd have different needs and experiences, to some extent.
Keep up the good work. It sounds like you are really doing well!
LivingFree! Wow! Your post was really helpful. Not only are you close to my statistics, but your weight came on about the same time as mine. It is really, really helpful to hear that you are maintaining after 3 years. One of my big fears is that I will go through this and then gain the weight back. I have now gotten myself off sugar but the exercise component is very difficult for me. I have never been a physical person. Ugh! I also have a difficult time drinking a lot of Water. The Water is easier for me, though, than the exercise.
The other fear is complications. Of course I have read the Complications thread and those things put the fear in me.
I'm not trying to make excuses, I'm just trying to make sure I can be successful. I just don't want ANOTHER failure. I want to do this right. What have you done to maintain for 3 years? That is wonderful!

I'm not sure if this is the best place to post this question, but here it is.
I have suffered from depression all my life. I'm sure that has contributed greatly to my weight gain over time. Although I have my depression under control a good share of the time, I still suffer from depressive bouts that immobilize me. I am entering this WLS process without any support, although I am married. My husband is pretty much oblivious of me and my needs. He lives in his own world. I have a difficult time making friends so I don't have a support system there. So, I'm on my own. I am worried that I will fail because of my depression. I have been on several medications over time and have not had any success with them.
My questions, how many of you suffer from depression and how do you or will you plan to handle it and succeed with WLS?

Thank you everyone for your comments and support. I have been to many therapists over the years and been on various antidepressants. I have not found a combination that works long term. I keep working on it and, as I stated in my initial post, I can manage most of the time. Depression runs in my family and it is a life long battle. I will be looking, again, for a therapist. I want to find someone who specializes in weight loss. I'm going to ask the psychologist on Friday when I have my psych eval if he knows of anyone in the area. I'm hoping that will be a good direction to go.

I'm not sure if this is the best place to post this question, but here it is.
I have suffered from depression all my life. I'm sure that has contributed greatly to my weight gain over time. Although I have my depression under control a good share of the time, I still suffer from depressive bouts that immobilize me. I am entering this WLS process without any support, although I am married. My husband is pretty much oblivious of me and my needs. He lives in his own world. I have a difficult time making friends so I don't have a support system there. So, I'm on my own. I am worried that I will fail because of my depression. I have been on several medications over time and have not had any success with them.
My questions, how many of you suffer from depression and how do you or will you plan to handle it and succeed with WLS?

This thread is so inspiring! I waiver back and forth about the sleeve. I have serious doubts about being successful because I tend to sabotage myself. I am 4' 10" and weigh 267. The lowest I have weighed in my adult life is 142. I can't even remember weighing less than 100 lbs --- ever! I have yoyo'd with every diet known to man (or woman for that matter). I have little or no support from family.
Ugh! That said, I read the postings and get so excited about the possibility of losing this enormous weight. It's hard for me to believe (and I fool myself all the time) that I weigh more than some football players! Little me!
So, I need to bookmark this post and read it over and over again. I find it so inspiring and hopeful. Thank you all for your stories and successes. I am just beginning this journey and it means so much to me to see all of your successes. I only hope mine can compare.

It's both great and terrible to read these reasons. Great because I know I am not alone, and terrible because we are all, or have been, suffering in some way. The reasons we decided on this surgery tells the story.
I am sick and tired of:
being afraid of and ashamed of meeting new people -- I have always felt that my size defines me loving to travel but not being able to walk and enjoy the places I have had the good fortune to visit fear of being touched not being able to take a bath -- can't get out of the bathtub not being able to ride my bike -- fear of falling making excuses and/or pretending things don't matter living with shame! It's time to restart my life. I'm working through the steps of this journey. I'm looking forward to a new beginning!

It's both great and terrible to read these reasons. Great because I know I am not alone, and terrible because we are all, or have been, suffering in some way. The reasons we decided on this surgery tells the story.
I am sick and tired of:
being afraid of and ashamed of meeting new people -- I have always felt that my size defines me loving to travel but not being able to walk and enjoy the places I have had the good fortune to visit fear of being touched not being able to take a bath -- can't get out of the bathtub not being able to ride my bike -- fear of falling making excuses and/or pretending things don't matter living with shame! It's time to restart my life. I'm working through the steps of this journey. I'm looking forward to a new beginning!

My name is Mardi. I am 65 years old, two daughters, 5 grandchildren. I have been married 34 years but it is not a particularly happy marriage. My husband is quite distant. I have a bachelors degree in business management and professional communications and a masters degree in educational technology. I recently retired from my last position and I have not decided what I will do with my life from now on. I love genealogy and plan to take courses and possibly learn enough to become a board certified professional genealogist. I have done workshops and seminars on various topics and would love to create some seminars on genealogy.
I have been overweight, obese, and morbidly obese all of my life. At one point I was down to 142 but two years later I was back in the 200's. I have had both of my knees replaced and am in the early stages of diabetes. I also have sleep apnea. I really want to restart my life and, for the first time in my life, be thin! I don't even know what that means -- really. My support system consists of a good friend that is most encouraging and would do anything I need. My husband is supportive to a point but the first thing he did when he heard I was thinking about the surgery was find a book that someone wrote showing that they were totally against the surgery. Real supportive, huh? I have not told my daughters or anyone else. I don't want to fall on my face AGAIN. Not that I am going to fail, but I don't want to jinx myself. I am in the middle of the preliminary tests, etc. I do not have a date or anything at this point. I am excited, scared, overwhelmed at times, and at the same time looking at this as a huge opportunity. I have tremendous respect and admiration for everyone on this board who have succeeded in this journey. I only hope I can be one of them some day soon.

It's both great and terrible to read these reasons. Great because I know I am not alone, and terrible because we are all, or have been, suffering in some way. The reasons we decided on this surgery tells the story.
I am sick and tired of:
being afraid of and ashamed of meeting new people -- I have always felt that my size defines me loving to travel but not being able to walk and enjoy the places I have had the good fortune to visit fear of being touched not being able to take a bath -- can't get out of the bathtub not being able to ride my bike -- fear of falling making excuses and/or pretending things don't matter living with shame! It's time to restart my life. I'm working through the steps of this journey. I'm looking forward to a new beginning!

It's both great and terrible to read these reasons. Great because I know I am not alone, and terrible because we are all, or have been, suffering in some way. The reasons we decided on this surgery tells the story.
I am sick and tired of:
being afraid of and ashamed of meeting new people -- I have always felt that my size defines me loving to travel but not being able to walk and enjoy the places I have had the good fortune to visit fear of being touched not being able to take a bath -- can't get out of the bathtub not being able to ride my bike -- fear of falling making excuses and/or pretending things don't matter living with shame! It's time to restart my life. I'm working through the steps of this journey. I'm looking forward to a new beginning!

A lot of little straws for me:
Knocking things over more because I don't realize I'm that big
As a teacher, not being able to fit into the desks at school
Never letting anyone take your picture
When your boyfriend wants to do it with the lights out
Not fitting in the rides at Knott's berry Farm
Having to push the table over to fit in a booth
Having trouble shaving my bikini area because my belly is in the way
Back/hip/knee pain and stiffness
Wearing a bra with tripple Ds on it
Going on dates, and having them offer to train me and help clean up my diet = humiliation
Not being able to eat with a tray in my lap because my belly is too big
Having to wear a CPAP (which equalls never staying the night at a boyfriends house because that would be embarrassing)
Taking cholesterol meds
Taking beta blockers
Having trouble tying my shoes, doing ankle buckles etc...I basically live in flip flops and crocs now
My calves cramp up when I try to walk for fitness
I have back fat, belly fat, extra chin, knee fat, thigh fat, arm fat, fat fingers...I think my feet are even fat.
Having to buy bigger underwear...again
How light my body feels when I hold up all of that belly fat and pretend it isn't there.
Biggest straw: Looking myself in the mirror every day and feeling shame and sadness.

That's a twofer! Two for the price of one! How cool is that.
Congratulations to you and hubby!!!

That's a twofer! Two for the price of one! How cool is that.
Congratulations to you and hubby!!!

That is amazing. I'm just starting this journey. Hope I can have similar success.
Congratulations.

I have seen a lot of people get frustrated here saying everyone is different and there is too much advice and opinions on Bariatric Pal. I think it really must be overwhelming to some people. The same goes with the surgeons and the NUTS, conflicting advice about food, calories and Protein. I wanted to give a gentle reminder especially to newbies that when you post a topic you will get lots of opinions, and thank goodness for the help! You read, absorb, and plan your life based on what you think will work best for you. There are some great educated recommendations here, and then, like me, personal advice on how we have muddled through. Without this forum who would we ask? I would be sooooooooo lost, even 7 months post op! Good luck and happy summer everyone!

losingsoon, Fear is sooo normal. You wouldn't be normal if you weren't feeling the fear! And that self-doubt is seeded in the many years we "tried and failed" at diet after diet, meanwhile losing more and more of our self-confidence/self-esteem/self-worth. At the same time, going into it with a positive attitude is really important too. The sleeve is a wonderful tool, but it is just that--a tool. It doesn't work on its own just because we had the operation. The tool's owner is the one who determines how well it works. And, each of us has the great power to make it work. I was exactly where you are right now. There's nothing different or special about me.
Please feel free to send me a private message and I'll be glad to help answer and/or help you work through any questions/doubts you may have. or we can use email (I'll give you my address).

I recommend two books that have helped me separate eating from emotions:
1) Emotional First + Aid: A Practical Guide to Life After Bariatric Surgery by Cynthia Alexander
2) From the First Bite (and other books) by Kay Sheppard

I can't comment on the outcome because I am also in the beginning stages of this journey. I am constantly second guessing myself wondering if I can mentally do this. Physically, I definitely need to do it but, mentally I'm so afraid I will fail. LivingFree!, I really appreciate your candor and information, especially since my story is close to yours. I have tried to meet with others in my area but no luck. I really need to sit down and have a conversation with someone. The board is VERY helpful but, nothing takes the place of a face to face meeting. I'm hoping I will be able to make that happen soon.
LFK797, good luck with your journey. Keep posting here. I have found a great deal of support and information here.

Hi Livvsmum. I just read your entire blog. It is so inspiring. It was really great to see the good times and the bad times and how you got through them all. Thanks for the "real" experiences you shared. I am just starting this journey and have put it off for so many years. I'll revisit your blog again as I progress, for inspiration.

Amazing! You look fantastic! I'm sure you feel as great as you look. Glad to hear you are dealing with the emotional issues. I am so afraid of that. I don't even know where to start.
Congratulations!!!!

Hello, I just turned 65 and just starting this journey. I have lots of appointments scheduled for the next two weeks. I'm in my second month of a three month supervised diet. I haven't done well on the diet, though. I am still wavering on the surgery, but I don't know why. Just scared, I guess. I have been obese and morbidly obese all my life. I am really tired of not being able to do things. I hope your journey goes well and you are able to meet your goal, whatever that is.
Mardi

I just wanted to thank all of you for your amazing support. I am just starting this journey, but have been thinking about it for a very long time. Just too chicken to go ahead with it until now.
I have been on a lot of boards over the years and the general consensus on boards is that the people who have been on them for a while, the "senior" members, tend to be very intolerant of questions asked by new members. I have often got "it's already been asked, just search for ***** and you will find your answer. Or, here is a link to your answer. Or, did you read the FAQ? Of course they usually don't add "dummy" to their response, but you can usually feel that word when you read their response to you.
I'm so thrilled with this board because I no matter what someone asks, or how often the question has been asked, members respond as though it is the first time they heard that question. How unique and supportive. It makes me WANT to come back again and again because I know I won't feel stupid or chastised for asking a question. I also won't have to spend countless hours researching and searching for answers to my questions because seasoned members won't make me feel stupid!
Thank you all for your amazing support and caring. I will continue to read and, hopefully contribute my experiences to this board as I continue this journey to my new self. YOU are all AMAZING!!!

I just wanted to thank all of you for your amazing support. I am just starting this journey, but have been thinking about it for a very long time. Just too chicken to go ahead with it until now.
I have been on a lot of boards over the years and the general consensus on boards is that the people who have been on them for a while, the "senior" members, tend to be very intolerant of questions asked by new members. I have often got "it's already been asked, just search for ***** and you will find your answer. Or, here is a link to your answer. Or, did you read the FAQ? Of course they usually don't add "dummy" to their response, but you can usually feel that word when you read their response to you.
I'm so thrilled with this board because I no matter what someone asks, or how often the question has been asked, members respond as though it is the first time they heard that question. How unique and supportive. It makes me WANT to come back again and again because I know I won't feel stupid or chastised for asking a question. I also won't have to spend countless hours researching and searching for answers to my questions because seasoned members won't make me feel stupid!
Thank you all for your amazing support and caring. I will continue to read and, hopefully contribute my experiences to this board as I continue this journey to my new self. YOU are all AMAZING!!!

I am turning 65 next month and am seriously considering VSG. I am 4'10" and weigh 267 lbs. I have had both knees replaced. I take cholesterol medication and am prediabetic. That said, I believe VSG would be extremely helpful for me. I just have to convince myself that I am capable of going through with it and able to do what is necessary to be successful.
Since I am struggling with this decision, I can only imagine it would be a difficult decision for your parents. They have to be the ones to make this decision. It certainly would be good for you to approach them with your concerns and demonstrate to them, as I assume you have done, that it is a healthier way to go. I can see you love them very much and want to help and support them in staying as healthy as they can be. I'm sure your weight loss and subsequent improvement in health is a great inspiration to them. Ultimately, though, they have to want it.