JoeVegas

Thank you so much !!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thanks very much. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Ok folks - here comes more sleepless nights in my journey to the beach. Pending the Cardiology authorization, my Surgery date is Wednesday, July 27, 2016 Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Wow. I didn't expect so many responses on a holiday !!! Deep inside I think I hoped just one person might see it and comment something that might make me think I'm not totally crazy. I truly want to believe my "life will change". I'm going to work on accepting and looking forward to it happening. Thanks all, so much, for the encouraging words. I'll update this post when I get a surgery date. After all I won't be sleeping much ~~ Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

What better view could there be at a Jersey shore vacation rental right ? Now look closely, you will see the barricade. What ? You only see the dunes and some flimsy fences ? That's the obesity boundary. It keeps me here on the deck while the "normal" people are on the beach. Oh I know there are plenty of fatties down there (maybe not too many my size with a 63 BMI) but I'm somehow different than them. Something keeps me here. It probably wouldn't be worth it for me to go down anyway. It wouldn't be comfortable. Physically it would be agonizing to get there. Then I'd have to plop myself on a blanket because let's face it there aren't beach chairs for me. All the while I would have to pretend countless eyes were not fixed on me wondering why I was there. Ok I get it - overly dramatic I know. But the dunes are a metaphor to me. A hurdle I have to get over, since its been almost 25 years since I've enjoyed a day on the beach. This pre-op journey has stolen many hours of sleep from me. I fret over wether I'm making the right decision at 55 years old. I'm fearful I may not survive the surgery. I fantasize I'll be the first person the "method" doesn't work for. And I dread gaining back the weight if it does. Soon I'll have a surgery date. I bet I don't get any sleep then. I swear I try to focus on the positives. I tell myself this will be the last time I sit up here and watch as my family crosses the dunes and goes down "there". But my mind isn't letting me believe it just yet. It's as if I got myself to this point and my head is making me pay the price by allowing me to think I am stuck like this for whatever limited time I have left. I've had plenty of therapy so I realize my logical mind is disconnected from my emotional mind. I just hope they can get together in time for this surgery and before the 2017 beach season. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

With or without nicotine ? Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

David - I am again encouraged by your fantastic progress !!! Keep it up. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I agree- my favorite thread as well. Until I came across it I felt like (compared to) everyone else that had WLS was already skinny

That's so inspiring. You don't know how "possible" I think success might be for me (in spite of my doubts) when I read this kind of story. THANKS and CONGRATS

You aren't alone. At 55 yrs. old, over 450# I'm petrified.

I'm pre op and waiting for a call to set a date. Jumped through most of the hoops except cardio and 1 more NUT visit. I was 460# last week when I met with Surgeon for 2nd time. It all just feels like a dream or a movie script. I'm truly appreciative of your perspective. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Wow - fantastic work. I've been so crazy over this process and hearing and seeing your success is an inspiration. I'm having a tough time believing I could have such success. Is that strange ? Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Thanks. I'm starting to think I'm not as crazy as I thought. I've recently read your post about being "ill prepared" for surgery and wondered if you somehow had read my mind. I'm almost finished the "hoop jumping" and admit I'm struggling with the "I'm not worthy" feelings. That doesn't help in expecting good things for myself. These forums have really helped deal with these "crazy" feelings.

Wow David - so you lost over 200 lbs in just 9 months ? That's incredible - congratulations on your success and way to work hard !!!! Not sure if anyone can relate to this but I'm (pre-op) having a hard time mentally thinking I will experience these kinds of successes. I don't know how to explain it to my wife but it kind of seems like watching a movie, a story of something happening to other people. At 460 lbs, the thought of some day (relatively soon) being "out of" the 400's or even close to 300 just seems unreal !!! I'm sounding crazy huh ???

Good luck !!!!!!! Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Thanks for letting me know. I've been through everything else but I'm terrified of the Cardiac testing. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

What type of testing was done by your Cardiologist ? I'm newly committed to having WLS but can't imagine how I would ever be able to survive a Stress Test Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App