staceymeaux

My 19 year old son sent me this text this morning. Support is critical in this journey. Feeling blessed.

My 19 year old son sent me this text this morning. Support is critical in this journey. Feeling blessed.

My 19 year old son sent me this text this morning. Support is critical in this journey. Feeling blessed.

My 19 year old son sent me this text this morning. Support is critical in this journey. Feeling blessed.

My 19 year old son sent me this text this morning. Support is critical in this journey. Feeling blessed.

My 19 year old son sent me this text this morning. Support is critical in this journey. Feeling blessed.

My 19 year old son sent me this text this morning. Support is critical in this journey. Feeling blessed.

Thank you all for your encouraging words and great advice. This is truly helping me process all of what is happening.

Decide
I have struggled with so many things during my life mostly my weight and my finances, but those two things combined have led me to some pretty dumb decisions over the course of the past thirty years. I have managed to just be complacent in my misery and poor decision making which has kept the disease of depression in full gear.
I have had to do some soul searching over the past couple of weeks when I received the call that I may get to have WLS paid for by my insurance. I was literally in a lottery drawing for a year waiting to be called. My first thought was pure elation, like I had actually won the million dollar lottery. But quickly that elation changed to anxiety, fear, and depression as I began to learn more about the surgery and the process and talk to others about their experience. I had done enough research to know already that WLS was not a quick fix even though that is really what I wanted, a quick fix. But the more I learned the more I was awakened to all of the emotional baggage that I needed to let go of if the surgery would ever be a success. You see I do not eat because I am hungry, I eat because of everything else, boredom, loneliness, happiness, sadness, and every emotion in between. It was going to take hard work, just like any other diet or lifestyle change. It was only a tool, not a cure.
At my first appointment in this long process, I asked a lot of questions. Just hoping that someone would say this was going to be easy, but no one did. Everyone said how much work it would be, and how strict they are about the process and following the guidelines provided by the doctors, even prior to ever having the surgery. But my nurse named Gretta told me I needed to just DECIDE that I was going to do it. She talked to me about how she was finally able to quit smoking and it just came to her one day that she needed to just decide not to do it. She has not had a cigarette in nearly 3 years. So is it really that simple. Just decide. So it seems that everywhere I have turned this past week I keep hearing the word decide, from scripture, in my devotionals, from other people. It sounds simple, so that is what I am going to do. I am DECIDING today that I want to have WLS and I am DECIDING that I will follow the rules and I am DECIDING that I will lose weight, and I am DECIDING that I want to be able to do so much more with so much less of me (physically). So I say to you, if you want to overcome obesity and change your life, just DECIDE. Let’s do this together.
The bible says, “Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them so that everyone may see your progress.” 1 Timothy 4:15
It is possible to rise up, do battle with our issues, using the Lord’s strength in us, defeat them – spiritually, physically and mentally – to the glory of God. ----From Made to Crave Devotional.
Some Quotes:
“Whatever you decide to do, make sure it makes you happy.”
“Decide in your heart of hearts what really excites and challenges you and start moving your life in that direction.”
“Once you’ve made the decision to move on, don’t look back. You will never find your future in the rear view mirror.”
“I am NOT a product of my circumstances. I AM a product of my decisions.”
“You will know you made the right decision; you feel the stress leaving your body, your mind, your life.”
“Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.”

Decide
I have struggled with so many things during my life mostly my weight and my finances, but those two things combined have led me to some pretty dumb decisions over the course of the past thirty years. I have managed to just be complacent in my misery and poor decision making which has kept the disease of depression in full gear.
I have had to do some soul searching over the past couple of weeks when I received the call that I may get to have WLS paid for by my insurance. I was literally in a lottery drawing for a year waiting to be called. My first thought was pure elation, like I had actually won the million dollar lottery. But quickly that elation changed to anxiety, fear, and depression as I began to learn more about the surgery and the process and talk to others about their experience. I had done enough research to know already that WLS was not a quick fix even though that is really what I wanted, a quick fix. But the more I learned the more I was awakened to all of the emotional baggage that I needed to let go of if the surgery would ever be a success. You see I do not eat because I am hungry, I eat because of everything else, boredom, loneliness, happiness, sadness, and every emotion in between. It was going to take hard work, just like any other diet or lifestyle change. It was only a tool, not a cure.
At my first appointment in this long process, I asked a lot of questions. Just hoping that someone would say this was going to be easy, but no one did. Everyone said how much work it would be, and how strict they are about the process and following the guidelines provided by the doctors, even prior to ever having the surgery. But my nurse named Gretta told me I needed to just DECIDE that I was going to do it. She talked to me about how she was finally able to quit smoking and it just came to her one day that she needed to just decide not to do it. She has not had a cigarette in nearly 3 years. So is it really that simple. Just decide. So it seems that everywhere I have turned this past week I keep hearing the word decide, from scripture, in my devotionals, from other people. It sounds simple, so that is what I am going to do. I am DECIDING today that I want to have WLS and I am DECIDING that I will follow the rules and I am DECIDING that I will lose weight, and I am DECIDING that I want to be able to do so much more with so much less of me (physically). So I say to you, if you want to overcome obesity and change your life, just DECIDE. Let’s do this together.
The bible says, “Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them so that everyone may see your progress.” 1 Timothy 4:15
It is possible to rise up, do battle with our issues, using the Lord’s strength in us, defeat them – spiritually, physically and mentally – to the glory of God. ----From Made to Crave Devotional.
Some Quotes:
“Whatever you decide to do, make sure it makes you happy.”
“Decide in your heart of hearts what really excites and challenges you and start moving your life in that direction.”
“Once you’ve made the decision to move on, don’t look back. You will never find your future in the rear view mirror.”
“I am NOT a product of my circumstances. I AM a product of my decisions.”
“You will know you made the right decision; you feel the stress leaving your body, your mind, your life.”
“Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.”

Decide
I have struggled with so many things during my life mostly my weight and my finances, but those two things combined have led me to some pretty dumb decisions over the course of the past thirty years. I have managed to just be complacent in my misery and poor decision making which has kept the disease of depression in full gear.
I have had to do some soul searching over the past couple of weeks when I received the call that I may get to have WLS paid for by my insurance. I was literally in a lottery drawing for a year waiting to be called. My first thought was pure elation, like I had actually won the million dollar lottery. But quickly that elation changed to anxiety, fear, and depression as I began to learn more about the surgery and the process and talk to others about their experience. I had done enough research to know already that WLS was not a quick fix even though that is really what I wanted, a quick fix. But the more I learned the more I was awakened to all of the emotional baggage that I needed to let go of if the surgery would ever be a success. You see I do not eat because I am hungry, I eat because of everything else, boredom, loneliness, happiness, sadness, and every emotion in between. It was going to take hard work, just like any other diet or lifestyle change. It was only a tool, not a cure.
At my first appointment in this long process, I asked a lot of questions. Just hoping that someone would say this was going to be easy, but no one did. Everyone said how much work it would be, and how strict they are about the process and following the guidelines provided by the doctors, even prior to ever having the surgery. But my nurse named Gretta told me I needed to just DECIDE that I was going to do it. She talked to me about how she was finally able to quit smoking and it just came to her one day that she needed to just decide not to do it. She has not had a cigarette in nearly 3 years. So is it really that simple. Just decide. So it seems that everywhere I have turned this past week I keep hearing the word decide, from scripture, in my devotionals, from other people. It sounds simple, so that is what I am going to do. I am DECIDING today that I want to have WLS and I am DECIDING that I will follow the rules and I am DECIDING that I will lose weight, and I am DECIDING that I want to be able to do so much more with so much less of me (physically). So I say to you, if you want to overcome obesity and change your life, just DECIDE. Let’s do this together.
The bible says, “Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them so that everyone may see your progress.” 1 Timothy 4:15
It is possible to rise up, do battle with our issues, using the Lord’s strength in us, defeat them – spiritually, physically and mentally – to the glory of God. ----From Made to Crave Devotional.
Some Quotes:
“Whatever you decide to do, make sure it makes you happy.”
“Decide in your heart of hearts what really excites and challenges you and start moving your life in that direction.”
“Once you’ve made the decision to move on, don’t look back. You will never find your future in the rear view mirror.”
“I am NOT a product of my circumstances. I AM a product of my decisions.”
“You will know you made the right decision; you feel the stress leaving your body, your mind, your life.”
“Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.”

Decide
I have struggled with so many things during my life mostly my weight and my finances, but those two things combined have led me to some pretty dumb decisions over the course of the past thirty years. I have managed to just be complacent in my misery and poor decision making which has kept the disease of depression in full gear.
I have had to do some soul searching over the past couple of weeks when I received the call that I may get to have WLS paid for by my insurance. I was literally in a lottery drawing for a year waiting to be called. My first thought was pure elation, like I had actually won the million dollar lottery. But quickly that elation changed to anxiety, fear, and depression as I began to learn more about the surgery and the process and talk to others about their experience. I had done enough research to know already that WLS was not a quick fix even though that is really what I wanted, a quick fix. But the more I learned the more I was awakened to all of the emotional baggage that I needed to let go of if the surgery would ever be a success. You see I do not eat because I am hungry, I eat because of everything else, boredom, loneliness, happiness, sadness, and every emotion in between. It was going to take hard work, just like any other diet or lifestyle change. It was only a tool, not a cure.
At my first appointment in this long process, I asked a lot of questions. Just hoping that someone would say this was going to be easy, but no one did. Everyone said how much work it would be, and how strict they are about the process and following the guidelines provided by the doctors, even prior to ever having the surgery. But my nurse named Gretta told me I needed to just DECIDE that I was going to do it. She talked to me about how she was finally able to quit smoking and it just came to her one day that she needed to just decide not to do it. She has not had a cigarette in nearly 3 years. So is it really that simple. Just decide. So it seems that everywhere I have turned this past week I keep hearing the word decide, from scripture, in my devotionals, from other people. It sounds simple, so that is what I am going to do. I am DECIDING today that I want to have WLS and I am DECIDING that I will follow the rules and I am DECIDING that I will lose weight, and I am DECIDING that I want to be able to do so much more with so much less of me (physically). So I say to you, if you want to overcome obesity and change your life, just DECIDE. Let’s do this together.
The bible says, “Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them so that everyone may see your progress.” 1 Timothy 4:15
It is possible to rise up, do battle with our issues, using the Lord’s strength in us, defeat them – spiritually, physically and mentally – to the glory of God. ----From Made to Crave Devotional.
Some Quotes:
“Whatever you decide to do, make sure it makes you happy.”
“Decide in your heart of hearts what really excites and challenges you and start moving your life in that direction.”
“Once you’ve made the decision to move on, don’t look back. You will never find your future in the rear view mirror.”
“I am NOT a product of my circumstances. I AM a product of my decisions.”
“You will know you made the right decision; you feel the stress leaving your body, your mind, your life.”
“Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.”

Decide
I have struggled with so many things during my life mostly my weight and my finances, but those two things combined have led me to some pretty dumb decisions over the course of the past thirty years. I have managed to just be complacent in my misery and poor decision making which has kept the disease of depression in full gear.
I have had to do some soul searching over the past couple of weeks when I received the call that I may get to have WLS paid for by my insurance. I was literally in a lottery drawing for a year waiting to be called. My first thought was pure elation, like I had actually won the million dollar lottery. But quickly that elation changed to anxiety, fear, and depression as I began to learn more about the surgery and the process and talk to others about their experience. I had done enough research to know already that WLS was not a quick fix even though that is really what I wanted, a quick fix. But the more I learned the more I was awakened to all of the emotional baggage that I needed to let go of if the surgery would ever be a success. You see I do not eat because I am hungry, I eat because of everything else, boredom, loneliness, happiness, sadness, and every emotion in between. It was going to take hard work, just like any other diet or lifestyle change. It was only a tool, not a cure.
At my first appointment in this long process, I asked a lot of questions. Just hoping that someone would say this was going to be easy, but no one did. Everyone said how much work it would be, and how strict they are about the process and following the guidelines provided by the doctors, even prior to ever having the surgery. But my nurse named Gretta told me I needed to just DECIDE that I was going to do it. She talked to me about how she was finally able to quit smoking and it just came to her one day that she needed to just decide not to do it. She has not had a cigarette in nearly 3 years. So is it really that simple. Just decide. So it seems that everywhere I have turned this past week I keep hearing the word decide, from scripture, in my devotionals, from other people. It sounds simple, so that is what I am going to do. I am DECIDING today that I want to have WLS and I am DECIDING that I will follow the rules and I am DECIDING that I will lose weight, and I am DECIDING that I want to be able to do so much more with so much less of me (physically). So I say to you, if you want to overcome obesity and change your life, just DECIDE. Let’s do this together.
The bible says, “Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them so that everyone may see your progress.” 1 Timothy 4:15
It is possible to rise up, do battle with our issues, using the Lord’s strength in us, defeat them – spiritually, physically and mentally – to the glory of God. ----From Made to Crave Devotional.
Some Quotes:
“Whatever you decide to do, make sure it makes you happy.”
“Decide in your heart of hearts what really excites and challenges you and start moving your life in that direction.”
“Once you’ve made the decision to move on, don’t look back. You will never find your future in the rear view mirror.”
“I am NOT a product of my circumstances. I AM a product of my decisions.”
“You will know you made the right decision; you feel the stress leaving your body, your mind, your life.”
“Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.”

Decide
I have struggled with so many things during my life mostly my weight and my finances, but those two things combined have led me to some pretty dumb decisions over the course of the past thirty years. I have managed to just be complacent in my misery and poor decision making which has kept the disease of depression in full gear.
I have had to do some soul searching over the past couple of weeks when I received the call that I may get to have WLS paid for by my insurance. I was literally in a lottery drawing for a year waiting to be called. My first thought was pure elation, like I had actually won the million dollar lottery. But quickly that elation changed to anxiety, fear, and depression as I began to learn more about the surgery and the process and talk to others about their experience. I had done enough research to know already that WLS was not a quick fix even though that is really what I wanted, a quick fix. But the more I learned the more I was awakened to all of the emotional baggage that I needed to let go of if the surgery would ever be a success. You see I do not eat because I am hungry, I eat because of everything else, boredom, loneliness, happiness, sadness, and every emotion in between. It was going to take hard work, just like any other diet or lifestyle change. It was only a tool, not a cure.
At my first appointment in this long process, I asked a lot of questions. Just hoping that someone would say this was going to be easy, but no one did. Everyone said how much work it would be, and how strict they are about the process and following the guidelines provided by the doctors, even prior to ever having the surgery. But my nurse named Gretta told me I needed to just DECIDE that I was going to do it. She talked to me about how she was finally able to quit smoking and it just came to her one day that she needed to just decide not to do it. She has not had a cigarette in nearly 3 years. So is it really that simple. Just decide. So it seems that everywhere I have turned this past week I keep hearing the word decide, from scripture, in my devotionals, from other people. It sounds simple, so that is what I am going to do. I am DECIDING today that I want to have WLS and I am DECIDING that I will follow the rules and I am DECIDING that I will lose weight, and I am DECIDING that I want to be able to do so much more with so much less of me (physically). So I say to you, if you want to overcome obesity and change your life, just DECIDE. Let’s do this together.
The bible says, “Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them so that everyone may see your progress.” 1 Timothy 4:15
It is possible to rise up, do battle with our issues, using the Lord’s strength in us, defeat them – spiritually, physically and mentally – to the glory of God. ----From Made to Crave Devotional.
Some Quotes:
“Whatever you decide to do, make sure it makes you happy.”
“Decide in your heart of hearts what really excites and challenges you and start moving your life in that direction.”
“Once you’ve made the decision to move on, don’t look back. You will never find your future in the rear view mirror.”
“I am NOT a product of my circumstances. I AM a product of my decisions.”
“You will know you made the right decision; you feel the stress leaving your body, your mind, your life.”
“Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.”

@@staceymeaux don't listen to the band busters. There are plenty on the site that have been very successful with the band as many as there are that have not been successful with the sleeve or other surgery and vs versa.
No matter what surgery methodology they choose for you the key is to work it and work it out for your self. It is a tool, as with any good tool we can move mountains and build bridges and get us where we want to go if we just use it.
Good luck!!

I am in the Heads Up program as well. Finish health 1 shakes today and go for 2nd screening tomorrow. Stay in touch.

Tomorrow I begin my journey to hopefully get approved for WLS. I work for the state of Louisiana and the process for getting approved is a little complicated. They have created a "study" through Pennington Biomedical Research. You apply to the program and go through some basic screening up front which I did 1 year ago. Once you get through this screening you are put into a lottery drawing to move to the next stage of the study. I had my first visit last week where they did the next round of medical screening. I passed this round and now begin a 2 week liquid diet (they provide the shakes). I do this for 2 weeks and go back on January 31st and if all goes well then my case will be reviewed by the surgery review panel to determine if I am eligible for surgery. The other catch to this process is that you do not get to chose which surgery, because it is a study. It will be either the lap-band, sleeve, or bypass. If you get approved and do not like the surgery path that has been chosen you can always drop out. I am excited to see what happens next. I am nervous about starting the 2 week liquid diet, but I know it is good training for once I have the surgery. Any thoughts, words of wisdom and support are welcomed.

Tomorrow I begin my journey to hopefully get approved for WLS. I work for the state of Louisiana and the process for getting approved is a little complicated. They have created a "study" through Pennington Biomedical Research. You apply to the program and go through some basic screening up front which I did 1 year ago. Once you get through this screening you are put into a lottery drawing to move to the next stage of the study. I had my first visit last week where they did the next round of medical screening. I passed this round and now begin a 2 week liquid diet (they provide the shakes). I do this for 2 weeks and go back on January 31st and if all goes well then my case will be reviewed by the surgery review panel to determine if I am eligible for surgery. The other catch to this process is that you do not get to chose which surgery, because it is a study. It will be either the lap-band, sleeve, or bypass. If you get approved and do not like the surgery path that has been chosen you can always drop out. I am excited to see what happens next. I am nervous about starting the 2 week liquid diet, but I know it is good training for once I have the surgery. Any thoughts, words of wisdom and support are welcomed.

It works. I am a total sweets addict. chocolate, candy, ice-cream, cakes, Cookies, you name it! Totally addicted! And breads, do not even get me started! I had VSG Feb 4, 2015. Great surgery experience, zero issues afterward and, at 6 weeks out and 35 pounds lost, I have never puked! Winning! Here's the biggest surprise: I have NO APPETITE FOR SWEETS! Zero! My hubby is very fit, and he loves his Snacks. The house is always stocked with treats, and I haven't had a single one! Not one! I just don't even think about it. Even typing this, I have no urge. It's like a switch was flipped. I crave meat. eggs are my favorite treat, scrambled with low fat cheese. I can eat 1/2 of an egg at a sitting and it is like heaven! And I leave the table totally satisfied! I am actually having to track what I eat to make sure I am getting enough food in me. So, what I guess I am saying is this, IT WORKS. It has to. There is no room for junk food. There is no craving for junk food. Your body tells you what you need now. Add just a little activity and the pounds pour off! Do it. Do it for your future, fitter self. I promise, you will not regret it!

Yeah.... it works. Don't over-think this. It. Works.
Don't waste precious time and energy worrying - that's the one thing I wish I had done differently.
Look forward to all the exciting changes! Best thing I've ever done for me!

I look at the sleeve as training wheels to long term behavior modification. You get this long honeymoon period where your behavior HAS to change, due to physical changes. And during this time you have every reason in the world to learn and implement new behaviors. By the time the physical restrictions become less, your brain will have relearned good eating. I'm only about 18 months out and I still can't finish a full turkey burger patty without feeling "uncomfortable". But the miracle is that my brain knows to only put one turkey burger patty on my plate! No fries! No bun!
You can do this! Let the sleeve do it's job and you do your job. Rethink eating, rethink nutrition. And enjoy the new control you will gain!

I didnt read thru all the comments...I had same thoughts! I had been on every diet known possible. This is NOT the magic bullet! you STILL have to put in the WORK of making the RIGHT choices. everyone is differant as far as the feeling of hungry. I still had the "feeling of hungry"afterwards. I also deal with GERD before an after. I was sleeved 8 months ago. its also hard to distinguish between head hunger (cravings an impulses to eat) an REAL hunger. eat Protein first. I still make sure I eat protein first an my snack(s) are also protein. This is a wonderful tool. lifestyle change for life is essential to work. I had a weight problem since I was 18 then had 2 kids yoyo dieted married all together over 35 yrs Iv been through ALOT of situations an circumstances. I ate for every emotion there is. sugar addict. I had my doubts an I even said to myself "what the h*** am I doing to myself!" it was now or never. I was sick n tired of being trapped in my fat suit. I did it! My life has changed for the best I have a wonderful hubs (my 2nd marriage) an I have been given a second chance an I feel like my life at 51 is just the beginning! I am 8 months out it has been a roller coaster of emotions an what a journey! 0ver 100 pds down an its simply amazing!! best wishes! keep us posted IT WORKS!!

@@glitter eyes
This is such a great thread. I needed to hear this.
I am a recent lap-band to sleeve revision. 10 years with lap-band complications! I am terrified after the sleeve surgery is healed, it won't work because it doesn't hurt all the time like my lap band did. Doesn't help that I've been on a weight loss stall for a week.
Hearing about all of this long-term success, combined with focus and hard work AND the sleeve, I am feeling relieved. My eyes are set on the long-term goal----an active rest of my life time at a normal weight, with daily vigilance about what I eat and staying active. I can do it and it WILL WORK!!
Thank you!!

Wow! Thank you all so much for your great responses. I definitely get the picture that it is still very hard work. I am prepared for that. I love all of the suggestions and advice. I will definitely be using them. I plan to stay connected to bariatricpal through my journey. I can't wait for my appointment tomorrow.

I go for my first appointment Tuesday to learn more about WLS. I have struggled with my weight since I was very young and lost my first 100 pounds when I was 14. I have been up and down ever since. I am at my highest weight ever now. I am so scared that the surgery won't work and that I will wake up just as hungry as ever and nothing will change. Did anyone else have this fear? How have you managed it?