Hi, Boy am I glad to find this group. Please help me not to chicken out. Awaiting final approval from insurance company and nurse says I should be scheduled within a month. I have wanted this for years, have researched the procedure, and now the time is here. I am an RN and understand the risks and benefits but I am still nervous. Not of the surgery itself, but how it will change my life forever. I am 50 years old and in a very social oriented work field as a Director of Marketing. I am afraid I may become "no fun" after my surgery as I can't partake in the socializing aspect of my life, i.e. eating and drinking. I know I have to change my way of thinking but I love to cook, entertain and be entertained. Is it really that different? Will I still "have fun?" I know it sounds silly but socializing is a big part of who I am. Thanks for your understanding.

You're spinning around like a himalya right now, huh! I totally understand where you are coming from. I am also preop and I will get my date on the 11th. When I first decided that I was going to do this I started eating even more uncontrollably than usual. It was me coming to terms with my future and a little, or a lot, stress eating. That did stop and I have lost about 10-12 lbs now. First time I ever did that during or around the holidays!

I think anyone that is considering this surgery needs to carefully think of how this will change the way they live their day to day lives. I know that socializing will have to change for us. We will have to enjoy the people we are with and think of other places and ways to socialize. I also believe that some of the people in our lives may or may not be as easy to relate to as they were before surgery. If you always socialized over ribs and beer then something will have to change!

I would make a list of the pros and cons and see which one come out greater. I personally am now 356 lbs and I know I didn't get that way because I like to eat. My triggers (emotion, depression, celebration, sadness, habit..and the list goes on and on...) will be there after surgery and I will need to deal with them and yeah, I'm freaking scared about that too! This is the last stop. I cannot fail at this because there really isn't much left to try after having 80% of your stomach removed is there?

I think it is important to have support during this time. I would see a social worker if I were you. I see one and she is wonderful. If helps to talk about things with an impartial party. Maybe you can think of other ways to socialize and try them preop. Go walking, to the gym, to the show with healthy smuggled Snacks (cheaper too!lol), pick up a sport you like, ride horses, shop or take up extreme couponing, sky dive and skinny dip (okay now I'm just being ridiculous but you know what I mean!). Absolutely the life we once lived (or for us preops are living now) is going to drastically change. For me it is worth it to be here for my kids, get back on that horse and feel like I am handling my issues and growing personally instead of adding girth. But those are my reasons. What are yours?

Boy do I totally get you , I am also in the marketing field and being social there is going out for drinks or having a bite to eat. Also when meeting with clients it is allot of lunch dates. Well I am here to tell you things changed but I really am doing the same thing I did before just in a lot smaller quantity

It took a few months before I trusted my self to go out to have lunch/dinner with the gang from work but now its not an issue, usually someone will cut a 1/4 of thier burger for me or I order a cup of Soup or chili, most restaruants are so amazing when you ask for accommodations from them.

Now as far as the drinking part most places don't serve any SF items other than soda, so I try to bring a Crystal lite pack for my Water , I carry them in my purse at all times

I am 3.5 months out and at new years I had some orange juice and 1/2 shot of alcohol in it, other than that I haven't wanted to drink , which is kinda of strange but I think my attention has been on trying to not have sagging skin and working out to help that issue

Also I cooked for Christmas for my family (20 people) I had one bite of all the things I like and didn't feel deprived in any way . You can still socialize and have fun , just think instead of eating you can actually have a conversation with someone.... ha ha ha

You will do great !! actually this feels like how I always was , except no buffet lines. just remember that this is just a tool for us to help with our weight loss. When you start by asking questions you are already half way there....

stay positive and any questions ask someone we are all here to support each other and feeling scared is all part of the process !!!

Good luck to you

Hi' date=' Boy am I glad to find this group. Please help me not to chicken out. Awaiting final approval from insurance company and nurse says I should be scheduled within a month. I have wanted this for years, have researched the procedure, and now the time is here. I am an RN and understand the risks and benefits but I am still nervous. Not of the surgery itself, but how it will change my life forever. I am 50 years old and in a very social oriented work field as a Director of Marketing. I am afraid I may become "no fun" after my surgery as I can't partake in the socializing aspect of my life, i.e. eating and drinking. I know I have to change my way of thinking but I love to cook, entertain and be entertained. Is it really that different? Will I still "have fun?" I know it sounds silly but socializing is a big part of who I am. Thanks for your understanding.[/quote']

Omg I am in the same boat as u. The wait is killing me lol

Yep me too. I get my surgery date assigned on the 14th. I'm hoping to have surgery the last week of Feb. I'm totally consumed with this surgery and day dreaming about my new life. I know my friends and family are getting tired of hearing about it but I can't think of anything else.

I actually went to a Goodwill store here in Cape Coral FL today. Someone told me since the location is in a nice part of town they have a lot of designer clothes. Boy, she wasn't kidding. I bought 4 shirts size XL for less then $20 and they look brand new. I have never bought clothes at Goodwill before but since I plan on dropping lots of weight, what the heck. I was pleasantly surprised. Can't wait until I fit in them now. I hope I get a call tomorrow from my doctors office saying they got the auth number and we can schedule this surgery. I am so ready!!!

I actually went to a Goodwill store here in Cape Coral FL today. Someone told me since the location is in a nice part of town they have a lot of designer clothes. Boy' date=' she wasn't kidding. I bought 4 shirts size XL for less then 20 and they look brand new. I have never bought clothes at Goodwill before but since I plan on dropping lots of weight, what the heck. I was pleasantly surprised. Can't wait until I fit in them now. I hope I get a call tomorrow from my doctors office saying they got the auth number and we can schedule this surgery. I am so ready!!![/quote']

Love goodwill. It'snot just a budget thing...It's environmentally friendly. You can even find things with price tags still on them. Crazy!