The Candidate

@@Roostertail2 you look incredible and so very very happy! Congratulations on your phenomenal success!

There is someone in my office who has lost a ton of weight. I mean like going from 400+ to 200 in a very short time frame. She looks amazing. She doesn't know it, but she was a great inspiration to me to seek out surgery. I am 99.9% positive that she had the surgery, as she was gone for about six weeks on leave, began walking shortly beforehand on her lunch hour, is drinking Protein shakes, and always has a Water bottle. I could be wrong of course, but that's my take. It's been about two years now and I have given her many compliments as she continued to lose. But I never once asked her if she had surgery or how she lost the weight. I figure if she wanted me to know she would have told me herself. And it is absolutely none of my business. I'm one of those who has chosen to keep my decision private, except for family and a few friends. I already know that if pressed, I will just say that I had many health issues that I was dealing with, and ultimately I had to make the decision with my doctor to change my life. All of which is true. I personally feel that the decision of whether or not to tell is as intensely personal, as is the choice of what procedure to have. One size does not fit all. When you feel pressured to reveal personal information about yourself, or your surgery, it often leads to regret, because once the info is out you can never get it back again. While I believe your Cousin Ettie had the best of intentions, this is your journey and yours alone. Stay within your own comfort zone and you will always do well, and in the end probably feel better about staying true to yourself.

Clothes shopping! I even have to stop myself now as a pre op from buying clothes in the size I hope to become. ☺️

So good to hear you've got an answer. Hope you feel better soon!

You look amazing, and so very happy! Congratulations!

It could be that that image of your husband emerging from surgery in pain was more a gut reaction of seeing someone you love hurting, and not being able to do anything about it. It's harder sometimes to be on the waiting room side, than to actually be going through it yourself. The patient will have pain medication waiting just a hair's breath away. So any pain will be controlled almost immediately, and as has already been said, everyone's experience is different. Yours could very well be much easier. Good luck and congratulations!

I'm not having my surgery until 07/29, but I wanted to reassure you that you are not alone. Life can be very trying and has a habit of throwing the most awful things at us at the most inopportune times. Don't beat yourself up for being human, for having emotions, for not always being as strong as you wish you could be. It happens to all of us. I hope your life situation has eased somewhat, or will soon. You can and will find your way back. The inner strength and fortitude that you initially tapped into just to make it through this difficult process is still there, waiting to guide you. I hope it doesn't sound like I'm just throwing platitudes at you, because I honestly do believe you can do it again. Take care please, and I'll be sending you good thoughts.

I can imagine your immense relief. You've worked so hard and focused all your energies on getting to this exact moment. I'm so happy for you and for the unlimited possibilities of the future you have ahead of you. Take a deep breath and you'll do fine! Wishing you a speedy recovery!

Congratulations! I'm so happy for you!

Louise I'm so sorry for the postponement. As soon as you said back pain on the side I knew where you were going. I've had kidney stones twice so I know you were probably in tremendous pain. I hope you're feeling more comfortable now. Hang in there. Your day will come around again, and it will have been worth the wait. Take care!

Everything you're going through is normal and expected. Concentrate on how much better you are going to feel in the long run. You will do great!

While I've also made a point of reading both positive and negative experiences, there was one recurring theme that was impossible to ignore, and pretty much cemented my decision to proceed. I don't have precise statistics but I'd bet that 99 percent, even those who had complications, regains, or revisions, have said that it was the best thing they'd ever done for themselves, and would do it again in a heartbeat. That's a strong positive that's pretty hard to ignore. I'll be having mine on 07/29 and I've no doubts or qualms about going through with it.

How wonderful for you! You must feel fantastic! Keep up the great work!

I'm still pre op but wanted to say congrats! Hope you feel better soon and get the answer to your issue.

Try your best, although I know it's easier said than done, to focus on the end game, and not the drudgery of getting there. Think about how good you're going to feel, how much less those aches and pains will hurt as the pounds begin to come off. As far as exercise, go at your own pace and comfort. Maybe you can only walk 10 minutes today, but next week it might be 15 minutes. Begin with zero impact like exercise bands, or just park your car a little further out whenever you run errands. You will get there, as far away and sometimes impossible as it might seem now. And your new life will make all of this struggle you're going through now all the more worthwhile! Good luck!

Thank you @@nervous nana, you're very kind. You will do great in September! Congrats! It's wonderful to witness so many of us be granted a second chance for happier, healthier lives.

It sounds like you've already got your head in place and that's normally half the battle, which is a good place to begin. I think you've made a very wise well thought out decision, and you're going to work that sleeve like it's going out of style! Good luck!

The transformation pics are the best part of being on this site. To see immediately what takes people months, sometimes years to accomplish is incredible. You look fantastic. Your hard work has definitely paid off!

Congrats you will do fantastic!

@@Imagine 1 Congrats on being newly post op! It must feel like a whole new world. I'm sure you're feeling a little lost but I hope the anticipation overrides any rough spots. You are going to do amazingly well! Get some rest and take extra care. Thank you so much for your well wishes. It means a lot! ????

Thank you @@Barbari!

My surgery is July 29th and I'm planning to take a full six weeks off. I want to use the time to heal, but also fully concentrate on adjusting to a whole new way of life.

Thank you! I almost can't believe it's finally happening!

I'm happy to know that everything went well for you. Congratulations!

Thanks for the update. It's always nice to hear how people are progressing. You've come so far and I've no doubt you will only experience many more successes in the future. Congratulations on your wonderful accomplishments!