I'm still struggling with the "decision" to have this surgery. I say "decision" because I really have little choice. If I want to have my knees replaced, I need to lose a lot of weight fast. I've been poring over the boards and alternate between excitement and despair. On the one hand, it would be so amazing to actually have some success at losing weight. On the other hand, I don't know if I've got what it takes to make the total committment required to really lose a lot of weight.

I read all the posts about how you are all eating nothing but Protein, and if you really want to lose (and I have a LOT to lose) you have to give up carbs. I know many people here have lost 100 pounds or more, often more than once. I have never been able to successfully lose a large amount of weight. I'm a total carb addict and don't have a lot of self control. Once I lost 75 pounds. It took me 2 years of healthy eating and exercising. I kept it off for several years, then had a health problem and slowly gained it back.

Given this track record of having no willpower, I keep trying unsuccessfully to envision myself just eating small amounts of protein all the time. And if I can do it with the sleeve, why can't I just get on a low-carb diet and do it on my own?? I know a lot of you don't restrict yourselves to just protein, but I know that I can consume a lot of empty calories one bite at a time, and this is what scares me.

I'm willing to try therapy, OA, or whatever it takes, but I keep wondering if I'm just the type of person who will not be successful with this. I wonder if the people who ARE successful are those who could always buckle down and be strict when they had to.

Please share your experiences if you were like me. I know it's going to take a huge committment, and I'm willing to try, but I just don't know if I'll be able to do it. Meanwhile, I'm eating every meal like it's my last meal, and that's got me totally depressed, too.

For me, the fact that the sleeve removed my physical hunger really helped me focus on making the "right" choices when it comes to food. I was a low carber during my losing stage, and I lost quickly, got to goal fast, and then struggled getting into maintenance because all of the "mind training" of eating only Protein based foods, and low carb had formed a new mentality with food. Even to this day, at almost 2 years out, I make the best decision 85-90% of the time. Do I eat crap food? YEP, but I also know my limits, and the self-awareness you are exhibiting, I believe, will serve you well through this journey if you choose to take on surgery.

It's not easy, but it's worth it. Recognizing, and accepting your food issues are half the battle, finding new coping mechanisms in my opinion is the next step. Then, having a solid support system, and medical support staff to help you through the struggles are other key elements to success.

I firmly believe you have to make a conscious effort every day post-op to be successful. No half-assing it, no "I don't give a damn days" because then you're filled with those evil little feelings of failure and doubt. Commit to yourself, and the lifestyle changes necessary. It can be done, I'm living proof of it. I am a carb lover, junk food lover, and to this very day, I still have a "fat girl's" appetite. I just make a better choice because I refuse to fail.

Lean on your support system, come here for support if you do not have local support. Find a good therapist, group that is familiar with bariatric patients and food demons.

Thank you, Tiffykins. I hope that I can bring that level of determination to it. I've started off determined many times before. I particularly appreciate that you think my self-awereness will help here. And I do agree that developing new coping mechanisms is the next step.

When I was discussing the issue of comfort food with my sister, she said that when I need comfort another comfort source will rise to the top.

I know that I just have to trust the process, but after so many years of trying and failing it's hard to imagine anything that actually relies on my input being successful.

Tiff gave you some great guidance.

For me, I did not give up carbs. I ate Protein first so there wasn't a lot of room for carbs. But, I at them. I tried ultra low carb, but t didn't seem to have an impact on the speed of my weight loss.

For some, they have to go low-carb, but I was lucky.

Best of luck to you. I was SURE I would be the one to fail on this surgery. I am happy to say that I was WRONG!