favoredone

Unfortunately, most humans are too self-centered and self-absorbed to understand how what we say can impact others... Most never take the time to put themselves on the receiving end of what's coming out of their mouths... One remedy is to make sure everything we say is motivate out of true concern and care for the person... I'm sorry you had to hear that... Know that whatever will be, will be.. And one person's story or tragedy, doesn't have to be anyone else.

So, today has been very interesting, emotionally draining and just UGH!!!.. Thought I'd sit down, breath and write a little note to my sleeve... Care to share yours?? Dear Sleeve, It seems like so long ago that I first heard of you... Initially, I was quite taken aback by all of the hoops, loops and rings of fire I had to jump through to make you mine... Then I found this site.. And oh, the joy!! I've seen people loose tons (literally) of weight and go on to have beautiful babies, marriages, divorces and lives!! I mean, geez... our weight is not just heavy on our physical frames, but also on our mind, emotions, spirits and esteem.. You know I love myself and now you know I love myself enough to do what's necessary to live a full life, free of weight physically, emotionally and everywhere else. I look forward to the day when we are united forever... I relish the thought that you will help me reconcile the person I am inside, with the person who is outside being smothered by weight, regret and disappoint. I know you can't fix me overnight, heck, I realize you can't FIX me.... but you give me hope and opportunity to work hard and diligently to become the best me... I can appreciate that....Well, until be meet in 6 weeks... Waiting for the greater, Tina

Anxious about the unknown Will I still be me?? Let's do it ALREADY!!!! Thanks for responding guys!!

My list includes: Traveling abroad w/o fear of the itty bitty seats on international flights tryout for one of the "singing shows".. I've been afraid of actually trying out and making it..then having to relive the shows for the rest of my life attending my 20th year class reunion cruise weekend and not hide behind a cover up when I hit the pool buy a convertible sports car for the gorgeous summers in Chicago!!

Awesome post.. Very encouraging... It's amazing how loved ones can think their actions are showing concern, but in actuality they are showing selfishness and not supportive.. I'm so glad you are truly another success story.. Thanks for sharing!!!

Congrats!!!

Most definitely!!! I'm still a month or so out from surgery and I'm almost a nervous wreck!!!!

Awesome job!!!

LOL.. I would say that's a NSV!!!! Girl, i don't have a whole lot to start with, but I'll sacrifice this gut for it!... I've gone down a FEW cup sizes pre-op.. I'm VERY scared about that!!!

My highest weight was 381 I'm currently 365.... I wear 26/28/3X Tops and 28/30 pants...

Congrats!!! I pray you feel better and better eat day!!!

For me, the realization that my life is TOTALLY changing in 6 weeks kind of makes me a little loopy at times!! I started this process in June and then, it seemed that December was soooooo far away... I try not to think too much about it and to continue to make better decisions and acquire better habits.. I'm not mourning food, but my wardrobe!!! Most of clothes are getting too big right now!! And I dread having to replace everything... I have am emotional attachment to a lot of my things.. I remember when, where I bought 85% of my items and how I felt... LOL.. I know it sounds NUTS... but, I love my clothes!!

How is everything today??

I haven't told my mom yet... but I think one of my sister's did... I told her I may have to have surgery for a hernia (which I may)... and when I was home she asked if i was still having my surgery.. I told her that I think so and she wanted to know if I needed her to come from MS to Chicago to stay w/ me... LOL... I know she will be supportive, but I also know she will worry.. So, I will tell her everything once the surgery is over and I'm home recuperating for my 6 weeks!! I really excited to be away from work for over a month!!! The people I have shared this with have been very supportive and helpful... My one friend who started spazzing out was fine after I told her I didn't need her approval or permission!

Geewhy, you are doing an AWESOME job!! Congrats on your success!!!

Thanks for responding!!! Mine would be, Because I love me! Something just for me! New life, coming soon!!!

I would call back and start an appeal..In the mean time, I would speak w/ who ever supervises her... I believe it will work out!

in 3 to 5 words???

And I remember complaining in June about my ins requiring a 6-month supervised weight loss plan.. I have to honestly say that without these last few months of consults and dr visits, I would probably be nuts and still totally oblivious to several things. Basically, this is my manifesto of sorts.... I've learned not everyone who has been supportive in your addiction, delusion, destructive behavior (in my case overeating) will support any decision that will encroach on the benefits they are receiving I don't have to depend on another person's validation, support or acknowledgement of my decisions about my life, yes, nice to have, but It's MY LIFE and I want a better one!! This is my right and no one can stop, change or deny this (I can of course, but I won't!!) everything I thought about myself, my motives, passion and intentions have come into question, but the victory is this.... I still love myself for who I am and I love myself too much to stay the way I am physically I am a perfectionist is a way that can be detrimental to my success in life if I dwell on the past and what I can't control... I don't like making mistakes and I felt horrible that I know ALL about the human physiology, nutrition and exercise, thus, I have allowed myself to become morbidly obese... BUT... this same perfectionism will be my catalyst to making great strides with my tools, including the sleeve, an awesome therapist and my new mindset. I have nothing to be embarrassed about when it comes to asking for help with my weight problem.. Alcoholics and drug addicts are scorned or called lazy because they go to AA or NA or rehab. I refuse to be ridiculed into submitting to a life of obesity-related illnesses because some people have nothing better to do than to try and analyze why I'm STILL obese after all these years and what I should try... people are afraid of change... and so, perhaps I won't be the same "whatever you need, I got it, whatever I have that you need, it's yours" friend, daughter, sister, aunt, associate...Or maybe I will, just a lot smaller physically.... Perhaps having "LESS FAT" will allow me to see clearly what some of these people actually think of me and their true motives behind our relationships and associations.. My weight issues have fueled issues in every other aspect of my life.. food had become the only trustworthy friend and also my worst enemy... I could rely on my Snacks to be there, but they also stood as a reminder that I was not in control!! Finally, I've learned to release myself from all guilt, condemnation, anger, resentment and bitterness that I've been harboring against ME!! I no longer look in the mirror and shake my head in disappointment because I feel stuck and unable to get out of this rut... I am no longer fearful of trying again.. at anything!! Though, I've tried and not succeeded in successfully losing weight, that will not stop me from giving my ALL this time and every time... I will not be overcome by disappointment any longer.. I am strong, I am beautiful, I am COURAGEOUS enough to believe that my life will change for the better. I am not the same person I was in June or in October even. It has little to do with actual physical weight loss (I've lost less than 10 pounds).. it's more so that weight of the mental and emotional torment I've subjected myself too for years and years... These months, this board and many of my new friends have all worked together in what I would like to call Divine Orchestration to help me pen the new song of my life, one the represents each step, heart beat and all the love I have inside.... I will sing my new song, I will BE my new song!!!

Hey Guys!!! I can't believe this is actually going to happen next month!!!! OMG!!! I've been doing the 6 month med supervised weight loss requirement... In June this seemed so far off!!! Dec. 22 or 26 Dr. Gerald Cahill Midwestern Bariatric Institute Evergreen Park, IL 1 week Pre-op to start Dec 15 or 19

Congrats on your new nephew and you awesome weight loss!!!

Congrats!! You are doing an amazing job!!!

Congrats!!!! Awesome job!!!

You are so gorgeous!!! Amazing!!!!

Awesome!!! You are such an inspiration!!!