choosehope

I wish I could give each of you a hug! Thanks for the encouragement! I guess a lifetime of being ashamed/afraid of the scales is hard to get over. But I do choose hope and am not Penny! ???? This truly a cunning and baffling disease which messes with my head and makes me think my worthiness is based on the scale. Thanks for the reminders to hold my head high and keep walking boldly and confidently in the direction I've set. It took me decades to decide to even consider WLS, I guess I shouldn't be surprised if sometimes it is two steps forward and one step back. I got a grin as you reminded me not to be surprised by the behavior that got me here in the first place. Would appreciate prayers and good thoughts for tomorrow. Choosing hope!!

Tomorrow is my final appointment with my internist for my three month medically supervised weight loss program prior to being approved for surgery. (I have medicare.) for the last several months, I have done well with watching my food intake, but this past week, I fell off the wagon and fell hard. I have consumed mass quantities of food. pizza, sweets, Pasta, crackers, diet coke (which I had been off of for several months.). I know my weight tomorrow is going to show a gain - potentially a big one. I'm so frustrated with myself! So many worries running through my mind. Am I going to have to start the three months all over again? Do I have the discipline needed to eat like I will need to post WLS (planning on bypass)? And I ate it all while watching My 600 lb Life and Fat Doctor! For pete's sake, why am I so self destructive? I have to have this surgery. I want a healthy, active life. I don't want to be a crippled, sick old lady (in my 50's). I have gone long periods of time and lost over a hundred pounds, so why couldn't I do it for just three months when the stakes are so high?! I'm so afraid they are going to tell me that I have to start all over again. I don't know if I can do that! Argh!!!

Glad to meet you Joancann!! Wow! You are just a month out!! Congrats!!!

@"CowgirlJane" I'm so glad that the letter was so helpful for you. Is it something generic enough that you'd be willing to share it with us!

I'm probably in August. Any room in the FB group for someone from another month?

Anyone know of a family and friend letter that has been developed? I'm thinking along the lines of "if you are reading this, it is because Someone you love has had or is thinking about having weight loss surgery. Here are some general things to know about WLS: Here are some things you can do to support this person: Here are some things to avoid doing or saying:". I have a similar letter about a chronic illness I have and it has been very helpful. I thought about writing one but if there is already a good one that someone here knows about I'd love to see it!! Choose Hope!

My understanding is that it runs through the digestive tract and empties too quickly to get any benefit from the extended release properties. Haven't had surgery yet, but saw that in something I read. Makes sense.

That's awesome FoodFighter!!! Hope it stays like that and I have a similar effect!

@"foodfighter78" I was excited to see you say you've had no migraines. How long have you had migraines? Were they episodic or chronic? So happy for you!

HappyChica- hope this great improves your IIH. I have intractable migraines and clusters and doc thinks I may have IIH even though lp was normal. I'm going back and forth between bypass and sleeve - my surgeon recommends bypass. Seen some nice stats for WLS and migraines and IIH. Good luck!!

Thanks. It's just because I find so many on YouTube that I ask. Would really like to narrow in on ones folks think are good. I've spent hours watching videos - some good... Some really bad.

I would love to find a blog or vlog on the first couple of years with gastric bypass. Being in my 50's, I'd love to find one by another "more mature" ???? patient. Any recommendations?

Lynneanne, I'm so sorry you have been in so much additional pain. Have to admit that scares me as I'm not sure I can endure much more chronic pain. I have intractable (24/7) migraines, cluster headaches, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia and a number of cervical spine issues. For the most part, I can manage all of these except the migraines and clusters. I currently take about 3 cc's a day of Nubain (6 injections). I am not addicted to the medicine but it would be impossible for me not to be physically dependent. I know getting off will be difficult but wish I had never started it as I know it has screwed up my nervous system and my pain receptors. The question for me is when is the best time given WLS.

I am currently taking daily pain medications for a chronic pain condition. While I've been taking it for five years, I've decided that it's time to stop. I know it will be a difficult process. My issue is - Do I stop taking it now and go thru any withdrawal before WLS ( bypass) or do I keep on the Meds so I don't have to worry about withdrawals and rebound/increased pain and wait and do it say four months post surgery? My concern is whether withdrawal and increased pain will make me want to eat everything in site. Talked to two of my docs who have two different opinions. What do yall think?

Good luck!!

So glad it worked out!

Way to go on the diet sodas! I did that and know how tough it is!!

@shrinkingpeach. Just wondering what Bariatric surgeon groups you are taking about - doctor forums?

This has been an awesome thread to read. You May people have really inspired me and given me some good ideas. Don't know when I'll have mine - hoping for early September. I was reading about everyone's pain and some of the things you've had to put up with and was wondering if I could go thru it. Then realized that the very reason I'm laying here at 1 in the morning massaging my legs and reading is because my legs, knees, hips and ankles hurt too much to sleep. Made a quick video to remind myself how much physical pain is involved in carrying around all this extra weight. This is pain with no reward; hassles and pain post surgery will have great long term rewards, I hope. You all keep up the good work and the hope!

Good luck Stacy! Hope all goes well!

@helendavies Glad to have someone to walk the journey with! Was getting too in my head about no one responding ( that old "fat" person hyper sensitivity!). Hope your meeting with surgeon goes well! I didn't sleep the night before mine. Looks like I have a lot of sleepless nights ahead of me! What procedure are you thinking about? I'm leaning toward bypass after being convinced that sleeve was the only was to go. Love that you list being an aunt! No kids of my own but my niece and nephew are my life, along with my step niece and nephew always thought I'd have a huge family but my struggle with weight kept that from happening! Praise God for kids that I love like my own! I'd love to here how your appointment goes!

I've just begun the official part of this process. Attended seminar, met with surgeon, met with internist, nutrition class and upper gi this week. Sure would like to find a couple of folks to walk through this with and mutually encourage one another , as well as someone who has "been there; done that" and is willing to mentor me through the process. A little about me: I'm 56 (have no clue how that happened so quickly), live in TN, educator/therapist, love dogs, children, & laughing. Nothing more important to me than faith, family, friends, & finally getting my food addiction under control. But to walk this together, we don't have to have any of those in common!! ????

My first appointment with the surgeon is 9:15 tomorrow morning. Here I am wide awake at 3:00 am. Excited, apprehensive; can't stop reading posts here; can't stop thinking!

Wow!!! Amazing transformation!