i was meant to have my surgery on 1/3/2012. However, due to an ins glitch, it was pushed to the middle to the end of Jan. No big deal. I am on my own pre-op diet for now and will follow my surgeons diet two weeks before the surgery. In the past two weeks, I have been hovering between 950-1250 cal a day and have gone from 219 to 211 since Dec 8, 2011. I am happy with my progress thus far. If I can come down another 5 lbs before surgery, I think that's perfect. It's funny, I have been getting mixed reviews from people regarding the surgery. I work in a medical school and I am surrounded by physicians all day long. Some of them think i am too thin and others who really know me, think it's a great idea. I have been struggling with my weight since I was 9 years old. I have gained and lost 35+ pounds more times than I can count. This time around I lost 35 lbs and gained 70lbs putting me at 219lbs. I now have hypertension, pre-diabetic, hyperlipidemia and moderate sleep apnea. I am active. I am a yoga teacher (not teaching currently, because who wants a fat yoga teacher?lol). I bike and walk as well. It's my eating that needs to be nipped in the bud. My doc thinks that I am an excellent candidate because he doesn't have to get me off the couch to exercise and my weight loss goals are far from hefty. I don't eat bad foods, it's the volume that I have to control. Anyone else like me?

Liz

Thats me exactly! My BMI is 34.9, with co-morbidity issues (sleep apnea, high cholesterol, fatty liver).

I know how to eat right and I don't mind exercising, its just that if I don't STARVE myself, I can't lose weight. I had my consult yesterday and my surgery is scheduled for 12/31 and I'm excited. This is just a tool, like eating right and exercising, to help me reach and maintain my goal without doing it over and over (which is the definition of insanity, you know: doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result!) I just want to feel NORMAL, not like I'm continually on a diet

I've got your back, chica!

My surgery is scheduled for jan 20 2012. I have struggled with my weight for the last 7-8 years. My teenage years and into my twenties I was 130 lbs. it wasn't until mid twenties ( I'm am 31) when I started packing it on. I have tried everything to lose the weight and I did lose some I have never got down to goal. But always gained it back plus more. I weight 197 lbs and a BMI of 32 and my goal is 140lbs. The people that I have told have said "just exercise more" or "your not even that big". And it really makes me mad because I have been exercising. And I explain to those people (and I only told my husband and both sisters) I can't live my life trying to lose the weight and just gain it back every single time. I'm not living my life for them I'm living it for me. And my weight affects every part of my life... I'm tired of being depressed and stressed out because of the weight. I don't like to have company because I feel I'm being judged, I hate going out in public because I'm always worrying if the outfit I'm wearing makes me look worse then I already feel. And so much more...I have been reading this site for a few months and it gives me hope. Whenever I feel crappy I always get on here and read peoples success stories and I love it! One day my success story will be posted! If any of us lose just one pound that's a success to me! GREAT JOB EVERYONE and thank you!

Amanda

Thank you, thank you, thank you Amanda! When I told my best friend yesterday, she said "but you aren't that heavy". When you're 5'1" and weigh 175, you're too heavy! Thank you for expressing it perfectly - that's exactly how I feel. My goal is to lose 45 lbs - I know that doesn't sound like much to a lot of people, but I've been gaining and losing the same 35 lbs for 20 yrs.

So glad I found this forum and everyone on it! WE CAN DO THIS!

I feel the same way Amanda. My life revolves around my fat ass! I just want to go into a store and know that size 8 will always fit!

I refuse to be on my death bed thinking "man I wish I was skinny"

I agree 100%!!!! I was thin for about 5 minutes in 2006. I was 148! and I was still considered on the heavier side.

I had my surgery on Dec 6th and i'm down 14lbs, best thing i've ever done!!

Good for you Jen! Its so encouraging for all of us who are still waiting on our surgery to hear that!