njgal

I'm pre-op so couldn't really say but it looks like you should mourn all the extra money you'll be spending on shopping ))

As some of you may know I've shopped around before I decided to proceed with my current choice. I have been thinking lately though; first impression, staff, helpfulness, experience and statistics are of course a big part of how you choose who you choose but there's this unknown factor of how a surgery is actually physicaly performed, right? And I started thinking someone could be the nicest person but not be too great as a surgeon. What about scar tissue? What about long term effects of what gets done in there? Does anybody have similar thoughts? Or am I just overthinking this? Or maybe I just read too many horror stories...

Beautiful! I think it's an important part of looking to the future. One has to analyze the past and if need be mourn it to be be able to look ahead. Be proud!

I think I'll tell my older son... the more I read about how others are handling it the more it feels like just being open about it is best. Maybe ask him to keep it to himself because it's private and see where the chips fall. Mostly I don't want to give false hope to others struggling with this. Who knows, if others had been more open about this I may have happened upon it sooner myself.

My worry right now... I want to tell my 7 year old, I want him to see what a process this is for me but I'm not sure he'd keep it to himself so still weighing my options...

It's not a race... try out a day or two if you want but don't feel bad if you can't make it. There's always next year, remember. My mil felt ashamed and horrible for years because she couldn't fast for health reasons, I understand the social pressure is huge but health first you know!

Isn't there provision for those convalescing? Aren't you considered to be healing still?

https://wlsappeals.com/2094/walters_bariatric_surgery_blog/20-years-bariatric-surgery-patient/ I found this to be useful... maybe you will too?

Not sure if anybody still checks in here but really, what a rare treat to read the 10 year out perspective. So no regrets? I seem to be going through a "let me look at all the people who regret their decision" phase in an effort to cover all basis but I'm happy to report that I've not really found anything to report so far.

I'm currently going through a similar dilemma and I've decided to a)tell no one but my hubby about it beforehand and tell people about only if they get really inquisitive post-op. To each their own of course, but saying I am losing all that weight by exercise and diet alone doesn't seem fair to the millions of people who try again and again and again to lose this weight and fail. Maybe I'll inspire one other person to research this, who knows.

Ugh!!! This is so awesome, keep up the good work and damn, girl! Be self congratulating!!

I think it may have something to fo with stretching... the bubbles will do it, you know? I would check with my doctor though to be sure.

That's the key love! Hang in there

Thank you for your comment. I do hope that with a certain new found confidence post-surgery I will be able to initiate more.. and possibly have thicker skin as well. Right, I should put that on my "looking forward to" list.. to have thicker skin and not doubt myself as often!

I guess not

Well, it's a start alright... the finish has yet to come. But I'll document my sleeve story here in the hopes that it'll help others. Surgery to lose weight? Peh!! That's for weaklings... I would never mutilate my body.... why take the easy way out... in short, wls was a remote concept to me. Honestly, it just never was on my radar, that's all. But like many here I struggled.. and it was a constant battle in the back of my head. I've been everywhere on the spectrum from "a real woman has curves, damn it" to " this is a social construct; it's todays world that makes me feel bad about who I am... I mean look at norms from 50-60 years ago" to "I don't have to be thin/normal/etc, I have brains to prove myself... I will never be one to rely on how I look to get ahead".... you name it, I've probably been there. I'm going on 40... years of this... and dieting... and gaining... and dieting... and checking out the newest fad... and shopping based on what fits... not what I like.... years of focusing on the 'content' vs the 'packaging', coupled with a very low idea of self-worth rooted in childhood... well, for one reason or the other we all end up in the same spot. Last summer my family and I were at the beach; There I am, sitting at the beach and I just can't stop judging people. Nevermind the fact that I lost 20 pounds and gained 19,5 back... So technically I have still lost weight compared to same time last year; I am just sitting here, in the shade and I can't stop myself from passing judgment on everybody... Bad posture, wrong choice of bathing suit... Omg!! What was she thinking?!?!? I would kill to have the body of most of the women who unknowingly are subject to my internal rantings but there you have it. And then I caught myself... sort of saw myself from a different perspective. Is this really who I want to be? This constantly bitter, unhappy person who blames everyone and everything but neglects to take responsibility? And it was there the first seeds of change had been sewn. Althought wls was still a long ways off from being even an idea. I came to the US 20 years ago... It's not easy being the 'outsider', less so when you're a parent. At times it feels like everybody knows each other; even worse everybody likes each other... everybody but you. And this even though we all started being soccer moms and dads at the same time. Granted, sometimes you'll have your neighbors who know each other and naturally gravitate toward each other... or those parents whose kids are besties in school and who automatically click. Some days a parent will say hi... good morning... how're ya doing? And those days are good days because for the next 60 minutes of a game you re-live that moment when you were part of the in-crowd. On other days your good morning will be ignored.. sometimes on purpose. And those days you put on a brave face for your kids because no kid likes their parents to be the outsider. Some days it gets so bad, so lonely, that I feel like exploding... i feel like asking "guys... what is it? Is it because i'm fat? Wear glasses? Have an accent? All of the above? I see these posts for parents with tips on how to deal with socially awkward teenagers... or how to boost their kids' confidence and I gulp them up looking for a glimpse on what it could be I'm doing wrong. It is a sad state of affairs when you're diving into teen advise columns but you're almost 40. I have two amazing kids... and I know how easily effected kids are by how they view their parents. All parents are an embarassment to their kids in one way or another but what all of this led to, what I realized was that unless I accept myself, unless I am OK with myself and unless I respect and love myself I couldn't possibly expect others to show me the same. And this sense of personal responsibility was the second seed toward change. You see, as much as it seems from the above that I am doing this so that others will love me, I have come to realize that I am doing this for me... and only me. Then, in January my husband's friend comes to visit.. and I don't recognize him... seriously, different human being. I felt like on candid camera where they do a switcheroo, you know? And he tells me about how he got sleeved... and he is patient with me and talks to me, explains, shows, guides me and before I know it I know that this is what I want. I just do, it makes sense, it all clicks, falls into place... damn in, I want it and I want it now!!! I talk to 3 different surgeons even though I have to pay for consults... one can't even be bothered to look me in the eyes... he's Mr super busy and important... you know, like a factory assembly line, you're just a number, not a human being. The second is nice...patient, knowledgeable but his staff is not well organized. Then I went to see my friend's surgeon. Staff and surgeon... good call; I clicked and knew I had found my surgeon. Of course I did my research, I read reviews, reached out to people but first impressions are so important. My insurance requires 6 months of documented visits. I was ready to have the surgery; I was excited; I didn't want to wait.. I even considered doing this out of pocket but thankfully cooler heads prevailed. I still think 6 months is too long but I'm halfway there. I am hopeful to have a surgery date in september for my sleeve. I still do my homework, I day-dream and I make lists, I fantasize about shopping sprees (which will be fun now, not torture... right guys?) but I'm not in laland in terms of expectation. I think I have a pretty solid grasp on the difficulties ahead. I'm going to therapy to prepare mentally. I have an incredibly supportive husband who's been with me through thick (and will be with me through thin!!) And with your support I know I can do this. Updates will follow!

Cool beans! Thanks

Well, my pcp's first comment was "one of my patients died 5 days after having wls... try getting that out of your head! of course turns out that patient had a ton of other issues which should have prevented her from getting surgery in the first place but that only comes out after you prod and ask. figures... One sort of has to believe they'll be OK, right? i've found it very difficult finding testimonials of people who regret doing wls that aren't completely cuckoo... If you find any non-crazy reports of people could you share? most regret videos I watched are either too soon after surgery or the presentation style makes it somewhat difficult to take them serious but I have been looking. I especially am looking to hear from people 5-10 years out.

Hey.. birthday month buddies as well as sleeve buddies, I love it! How are you doing with mental preparation? I have been at it for 3 months (insurance requires 6 months) and I seem to go through immense excitement phases.. currently going through one again, reading everything I can get my hands on.. watching testimonials... listening to people to are happy with it as well as those that regret it... very excited all in all!

Good date 28th! Thursday... that'll give you a solid 4 days before you hit monday. (I'm not weird to know this, it's my birthday that week) I'm doing this as my gift to me.. turning 40 this year. Who's sleeving you?

Well... I feel like I belong to this post less and less now that you've asked. I saw three separate surgeons when I first decided to do this... one I liked but his staff were really not all that great and considering how much of my time I was going to spend with them I skipped... one neither surgeon not staff tickled my fancy... third surgeon I clicked with and his team is fantastic.... he just happened to be in Morristown, NJ. Sooo.... can I still play? [emoji12]

September, date tbd!

Hi... I work 8 hours a day in the city, does that count? Getting sleeved in September.

Thanks to everybody for sharing... I am grateful for the stories, shares and am very much looking forward to my own shares.

Love it!!