I don't know if I have just let all the negative comments get to me or if I really think that I am destined to weigh over 400 pounds for the rest of my life...but today I have been thinking...what if I spend all this money and it still doesn't work....what do I do then? I can't return it and get my money back. Is there any chance that this won't work? I mean I know that I have to follow the diet and I am good with that...heck I have started the preop already and I am not supposed to for another week...I am dedicated and really want this to work...but am I setting myself up for failure? Is it going to work for me? I really just want to cry because there are so many things going on in my head that are scaring me know...I have no idea why this suddenly just started, maybe it is the fact that I see the pyschiatrist tomorrow and I think he is going to tell me I am too crazy to do this...heck I don't know! HELP!

Its a tool - if you work it, it'll work for you. If it doesn't, then maybe you have another underlying medical condition. If that's the case, then you get that problem fixed and then the sleeve will work. I'm telling you now that even *I* have an underlying medical condition and this has even helped that. I'm so excited that I'm seeing progress and I still have another surgery I have to have.

This can and will work for 99% of people that work it.

You're not crazy - crazy people don't think they're crazy

_{it works, it really does. it restricts you and it's a tool to build a brand new life for your self.}

Hey, tell that voice in your head to be quiet and go away. Those are old beliefs that you had and this surgery will help you loose weight. You will learn new habits to continue on. You will be so happy with the results that you will maintain the weight loss. You will be fine, everyone has these fears. The psychiatrist appointment tomorrow will be just fine. Can't wait till you join us on the BIG LOSER'S BENCH!

I am trying to tell it to shut up....I have been trying to focus on all the positives that WILL happen WHEN I lose the weight...maybe this is my version of head hunger...lol....my brain doesn't want me to lose the weight...so it is trying to pysch me out now...

It's completely naturally to be nervous and to think of the "what ifs". You wouldn't be normal if you didn't think about these things. I waited so long to have my sleeve and knew for a fact that it is what i wanted, i researched and read about it for yrs. But when I knew I was finally going to get do it, I had a little freak out too. You aren't alone.

At 62 years old, I had given up on ever losing any weight. I believed I was destined to be tired and terribly uncomfortable for the rest of my life. Then the sleeve came along (too long a story for now). Before and even shortly after my surgery, I wondered if I would be the only one on the earth that would not lose weight with the sleeve...just my luck, right? But I went right ahead because I saw what it had done for my daughter. And SHAZAMMMM!!!!. I haven't reached my goal weight yet, and I may never get completely there, but right now I could live the rest of my life just like I am. I can buy clothes off the normal rack. My feet and legs don't ache as much. My diabetes and hypertension are under control.

Granted, the sleeve cannot fix everything, but it sure has made a difference in my life. If you go into this expecting to be a supermodel, you will be disappointed. If you go in expecting to be a healthier human being, then the sleeve will be your greatest tool. You could probably sabotage the sleeve if you really tried, but I doubt seriously that you would do that.

Move forward and come to the forum when you want and need encouragement. Don't focus on the "what ifs" and don't dwell on the negatives you may encounter. It is your life, your decision. Best wishes and God speed in your decision to make a positive change for yourself. You CAN do this!!!!

Kathe

I completely understand what you are going thru. I felt the same way. For me, after soooo many disappointments, diet failures, massive weight gains (over and over again), the humiliation, physical pain, heqlth problems and limitations, and so on, we are scared to believe in anything. I questioned "could this be true? Get surgery and then lose the weight and associated health complications and embarrassment? And keep it off? It CAN'T possibly be for real! Maybe I'm letting myself in for more heartbreak by chasing this rainbow!" And then, scared half out of my wits, I went ahead with the surgery. I followed every rule to the t both pre- and post-op. And to be honest, unlike what some other sleevers report, this has not been an easy fix. But it IS a Godsend. This surgery has helped me tremendously, but at the end of the day, just like so many say, this is a tool, not a magic mystical pill. To me, it is VERY important for us to address our fears head-on. You are not crazy. You are facing your fear. Stare it down and never give up on yourself. This tool will work for you if you are willing to put in your share of the work. I wish I were one of those people who never got hungry and have to remind themselves to eat. I do get hungry, but not nearly like it was pre-op. My restriction is not as much as some others have but it IS there, and it is very helpful. I am 3.5 months out (surgery 10.17.11) and have lost 64.4 pounds. I can now pretty easily consume about 4 oz of protein plus a few bites of veggies per meal. I am still fighting head hunger and trying to resist nighttime snacking. And I am trying to exercise (walking for now since my hips, ankles and feet are pretty much shot from intense pounding whilst obese) 4 to 5 days a week. So yes, there is effort on my part. But I am so glad I had the surgery. I am attending monthly support group mtgs and read helpful and motivating posted on this forum. I hope this reads as it is intended: as a helpful and compleltley no BS account of my WLS experience. No pretend sunshine; no dramatic negativity. You are worth this. You can meet success. I believe in both of us!

I have only had my old lapband recently removed. I have a three months program now till I get sleeved. I am such a doubter - I always think - I can never be slimmer - my mother always told me, "Glenda, you will always be a fat girl but we will love you anyhow". Mum is now 85 - I guess she thought that was a way of showing love - but it is imprinted in my head. Our head really messes with us - all of us - otherwise we wouldn't be here on this site!

Reading the hundreds of success stories and even those that have struggled - and the inspirations like Kathe (I am nearly 51 myself) - and KellyL who is always a brillant support on this site - WE CAN DO IT! We have to replace the negative - I saw a therapist on TV a few weeks ago saying to have a little notepad and a pencil and when you wakeup in the morning write down three good things that you are going to achieve that day. Maybe those of us with head messing issues should give this a go!

Good luck

Glenda

I can totally relate... and some level i didn't totally believe either ... especially after my 10 year failed lapband saga... i did the surgery anyway and have been very pleased!

It is funny that I should read your post right now because i had just been thinking to myself "You know, I think i am believing this is going to work! I have lost 48 pounds so far - nearly 1/3 of the way to my personal goal and while it hasn't been 100 percent easy, it really is going great and i love life wihtout constant hunger. I think it took that realization to make me really start to believe that this really works!