Apple203

You'll be on the other side before you know it -- happy thoughts :-)

I hate you all, jk, of course. I wish I could join you...

No. Just no.OMG its too imporant imo. Get the ring, wear it carefully, resize.

@elforman My "blackout" surgery period is for the one week my son's college graduation, fwiw

Super thrilled for you, but its so far away!!!! (thinking of myself, of course)

Jess, this is a great visual -- thanks for sharing, and by the grace of God, there go I :-) Except for the marathons, because I cant walk cause of my feet. Maybe swim a marathon?? I do have a backyard pool... ps, I just showed my husband your journey and he's thinking you are hawt, LOL

You say after-the-fact, and as I predict my husband will find. But the OP's GF? She doesn't know whats coming and she is happy with their life now. How to reassure her?

aw, but really? We can want what we want and commit to change our lives, but the people with us are effected. I always made great dinners and now you have to make your own dinners -- big game changer, imo. Not enough to dissuade me from surgery, but enough to know to SO's life is going to change and maybe for the worse, at least for 6-12 months.

Also, I dont think she wants you to fail, probably she is afraid of how your surgery will change her life (said someone who doesn't know you or her). Her fear may be completely rationale, IMO. I don't get the "you are going to leave me" aspect, but then, I am old. :-) Hopefully others will weigh in.

@BarbieVSG14 I agree with everything in your post!! BUT, the reality is that bariatric surgery is correlated with divorce, and, sadly, it may be worse for people who are not married. I'm 27 years married, and am blessed with a guy who loves my "diets" because he always loses weight. And he's ready to stop drinking alcohol, so that helps, too. I can only assume its awful for couples when they arent in the same place mentally. It would be like be married to someone who voted for Trump! <<haha

Rayelen, I'd take it a step further and say I think everyone should be in therapy -- so worthwhile.

@apu My husband is 6'1", 185 pounds, 34 inch waist (interestingly). Its actually a good weight for him, tho he was 10 pounds lighter in his thirties and forties (53 now), My 6'1" 22 YO son is 200 pounds, 33 inch waist and muscular -- great shape, visible abs. Just two more data points for you.

I have to add, I never even considered this aspect of weight loss. Would hate to lose a ring (bummer, Sylvia).

When I feel like I'm approaching a panic attack, I count backwards by increasing #s -- 100 (-1) 99 (-2) 97 (-3), et cetera -- works for me.

@Lauren_jos19 You should consider asking your surgeon or PCP for a small prescription of an anti-anxiety med like Ativan or Xanax -- the night before big procedures is the worst for people with anxiety issues (I know firsthand!), and this is usually OK'd by surgeon.

I thought I was the only one who has trouble actually losing weight (much less keeping it off). It seems like everyone else can lose 80+ pounds but gain it back. I've never gotten beyond 25-30 lbs. Are we destined to be the "slow losers"? For the record, I'm happy to be a slow loser, so long as I lose and keep it off!!!

So, what health issues are you facing? For "just" weight loss, it is a humongous commitment, I realize that "just" is pretty judgemental -- I totally get that. I am your weight at 53, and that weight has earned me many comordities: high BP and cholesterol, sleep apnea, GERD, terrible cardiac conditioning. Excess weight is a huge bane.

((hugs))

Live in a humid climate -- stay away from Pheonix, Vegas, etc. Seriously!! :-)

You are practically me, but 20 years younger. My experience is that things don't get better as you get older -- at all. Odds are, your co-morbidities will grow to include BP and high CHL With extra weight, add cancers related to estrogen. Etcetera. I would do the surgery, but I am not you -- the decision is intensely personal. I wish you all the best.

Hang in there -- I am watching your posts to see how it goes!!

I cant address the size issues, but I can tell you that my very attractive, naturally thin (size 2? 4?) SIL has similarly bad experiences on dating websites. WP had some articles recently about the online dating scene and ages -- men apparently are looking for women far younger than themselves.

Bummer -- but you are taking serious actions now to rectify the situation. So now your mission is to build stamina for the next test. I passed mine today and the cardiologist peered at me over her glasses and said "you are fit for surgery, but you are far from fit" -- or words to that effect. Yikes. I felt properly scolded.

Great read -- I think the post above about prep may be a factor for y'all. Or just damn good luck :-)

oh, my apologies...