DizzyLib

I have two... "Life Change" and I don't ever want to go back!

I agree that this is a personal decision - no one here has the same people in their lives that they have to deal with. My husband knows of course and he supports my decision 100% because he knows how unhappy I am. Alot of people in my life would think or tell me I'm taking the easy way out. Well I'd like to tell them in advance that this is FAR from being the easy way...easy? I'd like to give them ALL a dose of what I've gone through each day all these years!! As I've got older, I definately do not care as much about what other people think and I tell them so, where before I would have kept my mouth shut - you know you got to be "nice" ugh!!!!! not anymore. I wasn't sure about telling my grown up children but I've recently decided I will. I've kept alot of information from their lives over the years, so they really do not know me well at all (but I've prevented this by doing this) so I am going to take the risk to share - they deserve to know about my experience of life. If they can't support me then that it how it will be, but I think they will, and especially once I share who I truly am and what this surgery means. Otherwise anyone else, when they ask about my weightloss, will just get a "I'm eating less and exercising more as I've just not been active enough" and guess what? it's true! My Bariatric Counsellor told me "You need to have a action plan about how you will handle the questions because they WILL come."

Another Step Closer!... I had my visit with the Bariatric Counsellor today and it went very well. I gleaned alot of information about what kind of emotional and physical things I will have to deal with post surgery, some of which will be challenging and some I look forward to very much. 21 January cannot come quickly enough. The week after next I have my Dietician Visit and then my pre-op visit with my Surgeon early December. Christmas won't be far behind. Again I can't tell you how much hope I now have in my heart for a brighter future, now that I have made my decision and it becomes more real each day. I've waited long enough for my new quality of life to begin and this operation is my "launching pad". Lizzie Pre Op VSG 121.5 kg (267.86lbs) BMI 41.1

I have just seen my surgeon and he has agreed that I am a great candidate for a Sleeve...I am SO very HAPPY!!!!! As I now need to have a pre-op Gastroscopy, a visit to a Dietician and a Psychologist, he will see me again in December with a Surgery booked in for January 2015. Yes, it's a while away, but between all the pre-op visits to do, him going away on holiday and my family with a Fiji Holiday Booked over Xmas, January is going to be a good place to start for me as I know the first few weeks will no doubt be a little rough! Here's to a New Year & a New Me!!! First Step...Gastoscopy to book...hope it goes well! Lizzie

Not sure but one question...is your mother a big lady? If so, I think her motivation comes from a deepseated fear of being left behind - the only way she can feel comfortable and "superior" is for you also to be overweight and your son too. I think talking to your Counsellor is the best start. It is going to take alot of courage to change as you continue to lose the weight and you need the support. People are scared stiff you are not going to be "that person" anymore, that's why they continue to sabotage your life.

Congrats!!! This is a huge decision and yes (I wish too) that all our loved ones could be as supportive and as excited as we wish they could be for us. It's very disappointing and we must take a moment to acknowledge this ( BUT please remember firstly YOU are doing this for YOU...no one else can live IN you nor know your distress at being overweight. No one can know what it's taken for you to reach this point in your life and make this decision. Sure it may be difficult for your fiance...he may be grappling about how to handle this or the future. BUT it will be a test for you both and a time for him to "Step Up". You may have to ask this of him. I hope you also have one or two other people who can be that support for you also. Hang in there...all these changes are scary, but you have a new life to look forward too!!!

Wow what a fantastic resul! you are a new me!

Hi limbo! I remember being told when I attended Weightwatchers and many other books/articles that if you eat too little your body goes into starvation mode - it will hang onto your weight because it thinks there's a famine - we are primitive beings! I would eat all my suggested calories and see what happens next week! All the best - I can't wait until I have lost 22lbs - that's absolutely fantastic!!!! there's going to be much more! keep positive!

I had my Gastroscopy yesterday! It confirmed a small Hiatal Hernia, so that will be repaired when I have my Sleeve done. Thank goodness as it is really acting up lately! My surgeon is away on holidays from next week for several weeks so I will visit the Dietician and Psychologist during that time and I will see him again 15 December with Operation confirmed for 21 January 2015. Another Step Closer!!! Lizzie

Weigh in once a week as weighing daily is crazy. Your weight can fluctuate each day based on foods eaten or exercise taken or even that time of the month!

Wow it was great reading your experience and you look fantastic just the way you are, congratulations!!!

My experience is that when you stop giving energy into trying to change or fix others and give that to yourself for your own battles, there will finally be change. Make some simple rules about the smoking, especially around the kids. "Let go" of his problem and look to yourself. Once he sees the changes you are making and the results you are getting (after surgery) it will make him eventually more aware of his own health and what he needs to change. Lead by example. It's always more about what you DO than what you SAY. All the best for your new future!

WOW that is an amazing result! Congratulations you are gorgeous!!

I would think your body is in shock to some extent, because of the low calorie intake, so its normal reaction would be to go into "starvation mode" and conserve energy. You need to eat all of your calories and especially once you are exercising. The weight will drop again. Have faith!

Wow that is amazing difference in a year you look so good!!!

Thanks for that Beni. Yes, I know what you mean. I wish you all the best...hey we deserve good things! Hang in there, Lizzie

Hi, I am Lizzie and I'm 56 years old. At present, I am waiting...waiting...waiting for my Surgeon's appointment on 2 October to discuss Gastric Sleeve Surgery. I am hoping that he will see and understand my frustration and hopelessness over my long term battle with my still increasing weight. It has really started to affect me much more physically now and in many other ways too private for discussion here at present. I was not overweight as a child, my weight was gained after each of my three pregnancies; followed by emotional & stress eating; many episodes of depression and medication and lack of exercise. I can't list how many "diets" I've been on over those 34 years, there is not enough room here. I have been successful a few times in this period in reducing my weight, but after time it was always regained and then some. A turning point came in my life back in 2003, after I had a "lightbulb moment" after watching Dr Phil McGraw on an Oprah show episode. I don't know how it happened to this day, but on that day something switched in my brain and I just knew what I had to do. It was something special and it's never happened to me again, so who knows, maybe it was divine. I rejoined Weightwatchers yet again, (my height being 172cm (5'8") weighing in at 112.8kg (249lbs) and reaching my goal weight of 73kg (160lbs) in 11 months. I lost another 5kg slowly after that, maintaining at around 149lbs. It was the most successful I've ever been at anything. I stationary-cycled twice a day for only 10 mins at the start because I couldn't walk because of foot & heel pain, then a few months later, a very much lighter me took up walking every day for 30-45mins. My bubble burst in 2007 when I was diagnosed with early breast cancer. After two surgeries and 6 weeks of radiotherapy, the stress changed me and again I suffered Depression. Medication, lethergy and overeating contributed to my slow weight gain over the next few years and while I improved for a while and took up walking again, I could not get rid of the weight. A couple of years ago I weighed 106kg (234lbs) and now I weigh 121kg (267lbs). I can't walk far because of foot & heel pain and a sore back. I've had enough! ENOUGH! I've tried and tried and TRIED!!! I consider myself a smart person. I've been to dieticians, psychologists, a psychotherapist, joined gyms, read books, tried medications, healthy eating, shakes and all the rest!! This weight is killing me emotionally and I need a way out before it does kill me in every sense. My growing bitterness, hopelessness and isolation is affecting my relationships. I have two young granddaughters who I cannot play with properly. I can hardly put my socks on or get up off the floor. I'm 56 not 86!!! My self-esteem is at an all time low at present. I feel so "less than" - no positive thinking can fix me now. I am desperate...desperate enough to now finally consider gastric surgery...some of my friends and family would just scoff if they knew, but they CANNOT know how much pain I am in, so I've realised (once again) in my life - the only person that can rescue me...is me!...and I'm going to DO it!!! I am just so tired of running, tired of pretending, tired of putting up with it and tired of ignoring my needs. I know this surgery is only a "tool" but a powerful one and I need to get back Power and take Control of my life. I want to feel good about myself and to just feel "normal". I want to be healthy. I want to walk again and get fit again. I want better relationships with the people in my life and I want to travel - be able to walk & climb & explore. I want to "participate" in life and not just stand on the sidelines and I want to play with my grandchildren and see them grow up. Is this too much???????????? I hope my experience helps someone here because reading about other's success after surgery, is giving me my hope back. Thank you! Lizzie