SweetPeas

Nobody would dream of telling someone who got a haircut how much better their hair looks now- so good I almost didn't recognize you! This would be the epitome of rude. Weight seems to be a domain where it is socially acceptable to comment and give one's unsolicited opinion. I don't mind someone looking to be more healthy asking an honest question about what is working for me. Every other day comments on my weight, what I'm eating, saying I've lost too much or might blow away/etc. is unwelcome and intrusive.

I had heard so many horror stories of PCPs being negative about WLS or not wanting to write a referral to start the process. I worried my doctor would be negative and delayed asking for several months. She ended up being wonderful- totally supportive and acknowledged that it would be a great thing for my health.

I had my surgery at Mayo Clinic. They weren't overbearing about it but open and honest (and had a consistent message from provider to provider, regardless of the specialty) and put forth a lot of their first hand observations from their own practice. It's their job to give me the best possible recommendation to increase my changes of being successful with WLS and healthy. I appreciated the information, and like I said I wasn't drinking enough for giving it up to be a big deal. For me, a close personal relationship with pizza is the real struggle.

The endocrinologist, psychologist, nutritionist, and surgeon all told me not to drink alcohol. They said that this would be a "forever" lifestyle change (and their program requires you not drink during the pre op phase or they won't approve you for surgery). They very explicit that "moderation" isn't an option and noted that there is evidence that WLS patients have higher rates of alcoholism post op. They all had a lot of research and statistics and related the issues with vitamin absorption, dumping, weight regain, and told me about a couple of patients that had not heeded the warning and spiraled out of control with alcohol (DUIs, losing their jobs, etc.). I would consider myself to have been a social drinker- a glass of wine at dinner maybe twice a month but after what the WLS team told me I wouldn't even consider touching it now.

We moved about a year ago-husband and I both went through our closets asking similar questions. We tried on almost every item and decided if it was a keeper or something for the donation pile. We got rid of about 75% of our clothes. Note- I'm pre surgery so this wasn't due to weight loss but rather an effort for us to stop holding on to all of the "things" that clutter up the house/life. It was part of our effort to live more simply. My surgery is two weeks away, so I have almost no cushion of smaller clothes to wear. I'm so excited (and nervous) about what's coming and determined that even if I only have a few items to wear at a time, they will be things that fit and make me feel good.