I'm booked... after a billion emails and questions to the office and to many people in this forum and another, I've booked my surgery date - June 22, 2010 - with Dr Armando Joya in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

I've read through all of Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies (great book, but very gastric bypass-centric point of view) and have been reading pretty much every post that i can get time to go through on here. I think I'm ready. nervous as heck, but ready. lol

I know this is the right decision for me, but it's so hard to be confident about it when not all of my family is supportive. I have one brother who is quite vocal about me making the wrong decision and nto really trying. I know he'll be there for me after it's over, but in the meantime, it leads to doubts... things like excess skin, weight gain after sleeving, and if I really have the fortitude to make this work. I assume nervousness and doubts are normal?

Hi Jennifer, (Cherry Kamikaze...Ha! I love it)

Read my posts called "Dr. Aceves Patients...HELP". I have the same doubts and nervousness and a very vocal family as well. I have a BMI of 50 and I'm going to Mexico next week! No family support. No one coming with me. I think if you have a good 100 lbs or more to lose, excess skin is inevitable whether you lose weight with surgery or own your own. It may not be pretty, but your insides will be healthier. Also, some insurance companies are now covering pannectomies where the remove the pannus, which is the lower saggy stomach area that hangs down like an apron. Check the statistics. Weight gain after a sleeve is much less likely than weight gain after a diet and exercise, which has like a 95% FAILURE rate.

My family also had me believing that I don't try hard enough. They said I just need to do "Mind over Matter" and try harder to diet and exercise. (And my mom is nodding her head in agreement meanwhile she is the DIABETIC buying BIG TEXAS CINNAMON BUNS in BULK at Sam's Club!!!!! and she has a CANDY DRAWER! HELLO!!!!)

I think, if you (like myself) have tried diets, exercising, time and time again, only to regain the weight...it's time for a more permanent solution. Obviously the diets aren't working.

I did one last serious attempt at it and I just couldn't make it work. I think I have the stomach the size of a 7 foot tall Olympian.

Have you tried at least 5 of the following: gym memberships, walking, work out dvd's, Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Dr. supervised diets, Phentermine, Alli, Slim Fast, Atkins, on and on? If you answer YES, then IMO, time for surgery.

I know that friends and family are well meaning in their objections but let's face it .. when push comes to shove this is a time when you have to be selfish and say, I have to do what I have to do for me.

Be sure to thank them for their concern but point out, this is a medical matter between you and your doctor. If you trust your doctor then that is all that counts.

Chin up and hang in there

John

Sometimes family members can be worried about the changes the WLS will bring. My husband has never been supportive of anything I've done and he's basically scared to death that I'll leave him if I'm successfull with the sleeve. I think you have to do this for yourself and trust your own opinion. It's hard and I've had my share of doubters, but my surgery is on the 26th May '10 and I can't wait. I'm not scared of the consequences of weight loss anymore, if my marriage falls apart, then that's what will happen, it's my turn now and nothing is going to stop me.

Good luck and I hope all goes well

Michelle x

Sometimes family members can be worried about the changes the WLS will bring. My husband has never been supportive of anything I've done and he's basically scared to death that I'll leave him if I'm successfull with the sleeve. I think you have to do this for yourself and trust your own opinion. It's hard and I've had my share of doubters, but my surgery is on the 26th May '10 and I can't wait. I'm not scared of the consequences of weight loss anymore, if my marriage falls apart, then that's what will happen, it's my turn now and nothing is going to stop me.

Good luck and I hope all goes well

Michelle x

It will be so great when your husband sees your transformation and that you will still love him when you are a dazzling beauty! It should be a real boost to his self esteem as well as your own. Best wishes for an uneventful surgery and recovery.

Sometimes family members can be worried about the changes the WLS will bring. My husband has never been supportive of anything I've done and he's basically scared to death that I'll leave him if I'm successfull with the sleeve. I think you have to do this for yourself and trust your own opinion. It's hard and I've had my share of doubters, but my surgery is on the 26th May '10 and I can't wait. I'm not scared of the consequences of weight loss anymore, if my marriage falls apart, then that's what will happen, it's my turn now and nothing is going to stop me.

Good luck and I hope all goes well

Michelle x

Wow... you are such a strong woman, Michelle! Good for you for knowing yourself and doing what you need for you. I'm sure that your husband is just nervous and will come around. :laugh0:

I know my family will all be there to support me afterwards ... sometimes with snide comments, but even that is just their lack of knowledge and understanding. At times, self doubt can get to you tho, eh?