Reason to Believe

I echo so much of what you all say. I am leaving for a business trip on Monday and am driving with a colleague for 9.5 hours because I am to heavy to be comfortable on a plane. I also will be the only one at this meeting who can not fit into the tshirt everyone wears for the group picture.
I want to walk up the three flights of stairs to my apartment without feeling like I am going to keel over. I want to be able to stop avoiding cameras and mirrors. My parents don't have a picture of me to include with my siblings and their children's pictures because I have avoided the camera for 20 years.
I have worked hard on my depression and to get binge eating under control over the last two years and I am working on loving myself for who I am on the inside. I just also want to feel comfortable in my skin even if I end up having extra of it.

I echo so much of what you all say. I am leaving for a business trip on Monday and am driving with a colleague for 9.5 hours because I am to heavy to be comfortable on a plane. I also will be the only one at this meeting who can not fit into the tshirt everyone wears for the group picture.
I want to walk up the three flights of stairs to my apartment without feeling like I am going to keel over. I want to be able to stop avoiding cameras and mirrors. My parents don't have a picture of me to include with my siblings and their children's pictures because I have avoided the camera for 20 years.
I have worked hard on my depression and to get binge eating under control over the last two years and I am working on loving myself for who I am on the inside. I just also want to feel comfortable in my skin even if I end up having extra of it.

I echo so much of what you all say. I am leaving for a business trip on Monday and am driving with a colleague for 9.5 hours because I am to heavy to be comfortable on a plane. I also will be the only one at this meeting who can not fit into the tshirt everyone wears for the group picture.
I want to walk up the three flights of stairs to my apartment without feeling like I am going to keel over. I want to be able to stop avoiding cameras and mirrors. My parents don't have a picture of me to include with my siblings and their children's pictures because I have avoided the camera for 20 years.
I have worked hard on my depression and to get binge eating under control over the last two years and I am working on loving myself for who I am on the inside. I just also want to feel comfortable in my skin even if I end up having extra of it.

I echo so much of what you all say. I am leaving for a business trip on Monday and am driving with a colleague for 9.5 hours because I am to heavy to be comfortable on a plane. I also will be the only one at this meeting who can not fit into the tshirt everyone wears for the group picture.
I want to walk up the three flights of stairs to my apartment without feeling like I am going to keel over. I want to be able to stop avoiding cameras and mirrors. My parents don't have a picture of me to include with my siblings and their children's pictures because I have avoided the camera for 20 years.
I have worked hard on my depression and to get binge eating under control over the last two years and I am working on loving myself for who I am on the inside. I just also want to feel comfortable in my skin even if I end up having extra of it.

MzAlice, I am not close yet to having surgery but I think it must be very normal to be nervous. I have had surgery twice in my life for other issues. First one I did not have a lot of time to be nervous but the second one I knew a month a head and i was a wreck. Take the medicine. Ask family and friends for extra hugs. Do what every helps you relax. I am sending you all good thoughts!

MzAlice, I am not close yet to having surgery but I think it must be very normal to be nervous. I have had surgery twice in my life for other issues. First one I did not have a lot of time to be nervous but the second one I knew a month a head and i was a wreck. Take the medicine. Ask family and friends for extra hugs. Do what every helps you relax. I am sending you all good thoughts!

I echo so much of what you all say. I am leaving for a business trip on Monday and am driving with a colleague for 9.5 hours because I am to heavy to be comfortable on a plane. I also will be the only one at this meeting who can not fit into the tshirt everyone wears for the group picture.
I want to walk up the three flights of stairs to my apartment without feeling like I am going to keel over. I want to be able to stop avoiding cameras and mirrors. My parents don't have a picture of me to include with my siblings and their children's pictures because I have avoided the camera for 20 years.
I have worked hard on my depression and to get binge eating under control over the last two years and I am working on loving myself for who I am on the inside. I just also want to feel comfortable in my skin even if I end up having extra of it.

MzAlice, I am not close yet to having surgery but I think it must be very normal to be nervous. I have had surgery twice in my life for other issues. First one I did not have a lot of time to be nervous but the second one I knew a month a head and i was a wreck. Take the medicine. Ask family and friends for extra hugs. Do what every helps you relax. I am sending you all good thoughts!

I echo so much of what you all say. I am leaving for a business trip on Monday and am driving with a colleague for 9.5 hours because I am to heavy to be comfortable on a plane. I also will be the only one at this meeting who can not fit into the tshirt everyone wears for the group picture.
I want to walk up the three flights of stairs to my apartment without feeling like I am going to keel over. I want to be able to stop avoiding cameras and mirrors. My parents don't have a picture of me to include with my siblings and their children's pictures because I have avoided the camera for 20 years.
I have worked hard on my depression and to get binge eating under control over the last two years and I am working on loving myself for who I am on the inside. I just also want to feel comfortable in my skin even if I end up having extra of it.

I echo so much of what you all say. I am leaving for a business trip on Monday and am driving with a colleague for 9.5 hours because I am to heavy to be comfortable on a plane. I also will be the only one at this meeting who can not fit into the tshirt everyone wears for the group picture.
I want to walk up the three flights of stairs to my apartment without feeling like I am going to keel over. I want to be able to stop avoiding cameras and mirrors. My parents don't have a picture of me to include with my siblings and their children's pictures because I have avoided the camera for 20 years.
I have worked hard on my depression and to get binge eating under control over the last two years and I am working on loving myself for who I am on the inside. I just also want to feel comfortable in my skin even if I end up having extra of it.

I echo so much of what you all say. I am leaving for a business trip on Monday and am driving with a colleague for 9.5 hours because I am to heavy to be comfortable on a plane. I also will be the only one at this meeting who can not fit into the tshirt everyone wears for the group picture.
I want to walk up the three flights of stairs to my apartment without feeling like I am going to keel over. I want to be able to stop avoiding cameras and mirrors. My parents don't have a picture of me to include with my siblings and their children's pictures because I have avoided the camera for 20 years.
I have worked hard on my depression and to get binge eating under control over the last two years and I am working on loving myself for who I am on the inside. I just also want to feel comfortable in my skin even if I end up having extra of it.

Not hating what I see in the mirror.

I want.to be able to take pictures full body and not be ashamed!!

Shopping in regular stores is certainly at the top of the list. I also really don't like looking at my face anymore because all I see is "fat face". Waaaaay too many chins. I am a nurse and I feel like coworkers, doctors and patients are judging me all of the time. We all deal with our demons in different ways. I just want to feel better. Inside and out.

Not being restricted to shopping at plus size stores. And, not feeling like exercise is a battle against my body. It's a tie...

Oh, and not needing to ask for a seat belt extender on the airplane!!

Congrats on kicking the diet pop habit. I am close to a week with no diet coke. Still having some headaches but I am confident I will never go back. I'm not a huge fan of flavored bottled Water so I am still looking for water add ins. Do you have any you recommend that would also be good post op?

I am thinking about aiming for sleeve surgery next summer. It is very scary to me because I am worried about the major changes to what I eat and not being able get past head hunger. So one thing I am challenging myself to do is make changes now. I am in my 8th week without diet soda. I had a major addiction to diet coke/diet pepsi/diet dr pepper. I drank it from morning to night. I don't drink coffee. I have replaced the soda with iced Water and the occasional flavored water. Never thought I could do it. But I am doing it and I am, dare I say it, proud of myself.
Having said that follow your Dr and Nut.

I am thinking about aiming for sleeve surgery next summer. It is very scary to me because I am worried about the major changes to what I eat and not being able get past head hunger. So one thing I am challenging myself to do is make changes now. I am in my 8th week without diet soda. I had a major addiction to diet coke/diet pepsi/diet dr pepper. I drank it from morning to night. I don't drink coffee. I have replaced the soda with iced Water and the occasional flavored water. Never thought I could do it. But I am doing it and I am, dare I say it, proud of myself.
Having said that follow your Dr and Nut.

I am thinking about aiming for sleeve surgery next summer. It is very scary to me because I am worried about the major changes to what I eat and not being able get past head hunger. So one thing I am challenging myself to do is make changes now. I am in my 8th week without diet soda. I had a major addiction to diet coke/diet pepsi/diet dr pepper. I drank it from morning to night. I don't drink coffee. I have replaced the soda with iced Water and the occasional flavored water. Never thought I could do it. But I am doing it and I am, dare I say it, proud of myself.
Having said that follow your Dr and Nut.

I reached my goal today!!! 8 months, 17 days and 110 pounds lighter. I feel like a million dollars and the NSV's have been better than the weight loss! Everyone on here has helped more than you can imagine. Thanks to you all for your opinions, information, and support!!

Congrats for taking actions.
This burden can't be removed without considerable sustained effort. You've demonstrated that with the steps you are already taken.
You are so wise to do so right now in your life.
Let me tell you a true story of two people:
Person one: Successfully kept weight under control due to constant participation in athletics during high school. Went to college and gained the freshman 15lbs.....and then a bit every year since over the next 20+ years. Has lost tons of weight with various diets.....and regained them. Spent tons of money on clothes just to accommodate bigger/smaller/bigger again sizes. Dealing now with weight related health issues, severe arthritis in knees and back, pain and fear from doing a lot of physical activities. Is now finally going to use the tool of WLS to help get the weight off.
Person two: Kept weight under control during early high school years due to parental nagging and participation in athletics. Went through college and gained a large amount of weight. Binged and struggled. Graduated and began working. First year on the job had WLS. Became someone who actually met their height-weight numbers on the charts and has lived slim-trim and fit the next 15 years. Over that time has employed small course corrections that would keep weight within a 5 pound range without some huge struggle or "new diet". Does NOT have weight related pains and is very active and has been since the WLS (bypass) some 15 years ago.
These two people share the same parents and genetics.
They are my younger sister and I. I am finally.....at 46 years old.....going to follow her lead and have the surgery in the next 5-6 months. My only regret is waiting so dang long to do so !!!!!!!!!!!
Study up.....make the sensible changes all along.....plan well and take action. Spend the effort and profit from your hard work.

Hello,



My name is Reason to Believe and I am currently in the fact finding stage of weight loss surgery. I am aiming at having surgery next summer when I can take some time off work. I just attended a bariatric surgery seminar last week.



I have been overweight most of my life. I lost weight going into college and then started gaining back and more. I am considered super morbidly obese and that scares me. I also have a lot of joint pain, sleep apnea, recently diagnosed diabetes and depression. All of which are good reasons to do have surgery.



I am a recovering binge eater and have recently given up diet soda. (six weeks ago!). I am working on small changes to prove to myself that I can make big lifestyle changes because my biggest fear is that I will have surgery and still fail.



I love reading and music. I am an obsessed Bruce Springsteen fan and I look forward to the day that I can like no one is watching at a Bruce concert.



I have started reading all your stories and am so grateful to you for sharing them.

Hello,



My name is Reason to Believe and I am currently in the fact finding stage of weight loss surgery. I am aiming at having surgery next summer when I can take some time off work. I just attended a bariatric surgery seminar last week.



I have been overweight most of my life. I lost weight going into college and then started gaining back and more. I am considered super morbidly obese and that scares me. I also have a lot of joint pain, sleep apnea, recently diagnosed diabetes and depression. All of which are good reasons to do have surgery.



I am a recovering binge eater and have recently given up diet soda. (six weeks ago!). I am working on small changes to prove to myself that I can make big lifestyle changes because my biggest fear is that I will have surgery and still fail.



I love reading and music. I am an obsessed Bruce Springsteen fan and I look forward to the day that I can like no one is watching at a Bruce concert.



I have started reading all your stories and am so grateful to you for sharing them.

@@Reason to Believe
Welcome to the boards! Congratulations for taking the first steps toward a healthier you! ALL changes are big ones & I'm proud of you for the "No diet soda" step- that was a rough one for me too! You'll find all kinds of help and advice from the fellow posters here to encourage and support you. Please don't hesitate to share your thoughts and fears with us- we're here to help