After reading many websites, I realized that I could use a little (or a lot) of support. This site is just what I need.

My surgery is scheduled for 9/13. I am on day 7 of a 14 day preop liquid diet. It is very difficult. I completely understand why the diet is needed but if I could stick to liquids only for 14 days, would I really need to have my body operated on? Why can't I use this same will power and lose the weight the traditional way?

I know why. I know myself. That might work for a few weeks but I would break. My binges are small ones either.

In the last year, I have regained about 60 lbs. that I had lost during dating a man that wanted 'perfection'. When things suddenly dissoved, I gave up. So here I am.

I come from a family of thin attractive people. I am the only large person.. Some support my decision, some don't. My brother and sister in law spent a few hours trying to talk me out of it this afternoon. I even started doubting myself.

Still, I know that I have to do this for myself.

On august 19th, I was 311. I started the liquids at 306.6. One week in, I am at 294.4.

If anyone has any advice, please don't hesitate to contact me.

~Kate

Kate, I know what you are going through! I have 3 sisters who are all small and pretty. Only one who was overweight. Not everyone understands the decision and I accepted it. When someone is negative I would explain the Surgery and why I want it...I also include all the things I have done to lose weight. After that, they are more understanding. if not, oh well. You are making this decision for you and you alone and you shOuld be proud. I didnt have to do the liquid diet preop but am in my first week of postop liquids. you will do great and know that not everyone will support you and that's okay. Wrap yourself in those you are supportive. Best of luck!

If you're anything like me......... I can seem to get wind in my sails and lose 20,30, 40, or even 50lbs (never made it to onderland) but I ALWAYS give up/get distracted/give in. And gain it all back. I needed this surgery. If I didn't need it I would have been thin since I went on my first diet when I was 7 years old. I'm almost 1 month out and know I made the right choice. I had several friends and family members try to talk me out of it but it didn't work. Unfortunately the statistics are that if an obese person loses weight through diet and exercise a crazy 95% of people will regain it within 3 years. That statistic was my deciding factor.

Kate,

I am right here with you. My surgery is 9/13 also and I'm getting a little nervous. I keep thinking, "What if I'm the one person that this doesn't work for?" I have to do the pre-op diet for one week. I just started this morning. I have never gone a whole week on a diet that I didn't cheat at least once (or 5x). I have been exercising, so I hope that helps with recovery.

I'll be your support, along with everyone on this site. Only my husband and one of my friends accept why I'm doing this, but they don't really understand. I need this tool. I know I can't do this on my own.

I'm so ready for a new life. The life that I had years ago, that I didn't appreciate of take care of. Once I have this tool, I'm never going back. I just had birthday, and I feel like I'm starting my life over again. It's been a long 6 months jumping through hoops to get this approved, but I'm ready.

Let do this thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'll check back on you tomorrow and see how you are doing. Keep up the great work, we are almost there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Next Tuesday will be here before we know it.

Melissa:

We have the same surgery date!

I'm scared too. Not of the pain but of the fact that I might not be successful. I will be so embarrassed and ashamed if, after all of these, I can't lose the weight.

I think you are right about the exercise. I have been watching YouTube videos of people that have had the surgery. Many successful ones said that they immediately started to walk after surgery. It helped with the gas from surgery. I'm trying to soak up any useful information that I can find.

I've tried and failed so many diets. I am amazed that I have been on a liquid diet for this many days. This just shows that we can do this. We've got this!!!

This is a new start for all of us. :-)

We need to keep in touch and compare our recovery. We can be Sleeve buddies.

Good luck to you Kate and Melissa. You will be successful. You just have to believe in yourselves like I believe in you. I lost 20 pounds on the pre-op diet and was sleeved on 8/31/11. Choosing to have surgery isn't giving up. You are just adding a tool to help you lose that weight. As far as people not understanding why you are choosing to have surgery - maybe if they'd walk in your shoes for a couple of days, they'd understand. You are doing this for you. Not for anyone else.

I had the same question, somewhere on this forum. All in all it is your decision. I can tell you that I initially I only told the people I knew would support me, and then I ended up telling the remaining of the family, before I said anything I said I need your support no matter what, if you can't support me I don't want to discuss it with you. Maybe selfish of me, but I fought with this decision for years, especially after losing a friend years ago to the bypass surgery. I am only now at 11 days and even though I am still in a funk at this stage, I believe this is the best thing I could have done. Live for you first.

Kate Marie, tomorrow is the big day. Can you believe it's here? I'm so excited and nervous, but I think my husband is more nervous. I'll be praying for you tomorrow. Make sure to post how your doing. Where is your surgery? I don't even know what part of the country you live. I'm in Cincinnati, Oh. Good luck tomorrow!!!

Kate Marie' date=' tomorrow is the big day. Can you believe it's here? I'm so excited and nervous, but I think my husband is more nervous. I'll be praying for you tomorrow. Make sure to post how your doing. Where is your surgery? I don't even know what part of the country you live. I'm in Cincinnati, Oh. Good luck tomorrow!!![/quote']

Hey! How are you progressing???