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Looks vs. Health...looks 1 health 0



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7 years ago.. when I graduated from college.. i thought.. i'd be lucky to live to be 40.. I was a 22 year old with these sad thoughts!! now.. 5 months after the sleeve.. all i can think about is living to see 2084AD.. my 100th birthday!!!

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I had to write a paragraph to my surgeon explaining my reasoning for surgery, my paragraph was a full page letter. I did this surgery because I want to live to see my great grandchildren, I want to set a better example for my teenage son and in turn that will set a better example for those grand kids and great grand kids to come.... a long long long time from now. I also did this surgery so I can ride roller coasters with my son, so I can sit an airplane seat without being embarrassed or having to ask for a seat belt extender, so I can run a mile (because even as a kid I never have) so I can play roller derby again, so I can volunteer for the search and rescue, so I can be an inspiration to someone else, so that I can save someones life as a nurse. I also did it so I can feel beautiful, so I can improve my self esteem, wear smaller jeans, wear a bathing suit without being embarrassed. I would be lying if I don't look at clothes in my dream sizes, or that I don't dream of the day that I can buy in the regular sizes.

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I'm 23 and have no health problems. I'm doing this to look good now and to stay healthy in the future.

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I did it for both health and looks. My fat disgusted me. It was also beginning to impact on my very positive self esteem, which is a crucial factor in mental health, as I became increasingly disappointed in what I had allowed to happen to myself. I had no health issues from my obesity, but they were looming on the horizon if I didn't make a change.

When you see the same people who claim they did it for their health talking about saving for plastics, you know there is some 'doin it for looks' in there too ;-)

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You're 60?!? YOU LOOK AMAZING!

I was going to say the same thing!

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Your definitely not alone. I started this journey fire the looks & then found out how bad my health was getting. By the time I had surgery it was for looks & health, but mainly looks. Thisdivawantsherbodyback

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I definitely have health as my primary motivator. I'm a type 2 diabetic and have high cholesterol. I'd be lying if I didn't admit that the side benefit of looking better didn't play into this, though, and there is nothing wrong with that.

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Looks, I really want to look better! :D

Granted being able to get off a ton of meds IS a bonus.

Edited by Cheer Mama

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I did the surgery for health.... I'm going getting a full body lift and perky new boobies for looks.

Hear! Hear! (or is it Here! Here!? Good think I wasn't an English major...)

Anyway... What she said!

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i think it is probably a combo for most people. i have high bp and have been on meds but i can usually get off of them with minor weight loss that i am able to do by myself. i dont have other weight related issues but feel that i would get them with time and that i am more tired and pained than i should be at 32. a very large motivator for me is wanting to like how my body looks for the first time in my life. that is a huge reason for me to get the surgery, that is why i dont have it scheduled yet and already am spending time on looking into my next surgery(s) and where this mommy makeover will occur. i am honestly much more excited about the idea of liking what i see when i look in the mirror than getting off of blood pressure meds.

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I would say my #1 reason for doing it was my mental health (didn't want to feel depressed anymore), #2 was look, and #3 is health. Not gonna lie!

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I would say my #1 reason for doing it was my mental health (didn't want to feel depressed anymore)' date=' #2 was look, and #3 is health. Not gonna lie![/quote']

Yep

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I did it so I could look as good as I feel!

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Well since I was the OP in the thread she is talking about we all know I did this for my health. I believe everyone is beautiful regardless of what size they are so for me the looks thing doesnt make any sense but if it helps you feel that you look better that's great! I was told by the person who did my psych eval that she doesnt pass people who do this merely for looks. This was after my eval. I know I will look different but I will never say better.

Edit: and the only reason that I repeated it over and over since you mention that is because people ask why did I get this surgery... and I repeat to be healthy. Its like a crime on this forum if your big to love your body and the way you look.

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After reading pages and pages on a previous topic about "regretting this whole thing' date='" the OP repeated over and over about doing this for her health....not looks.

Am I the only person who did this to look good? Yes, the health benefits are WONDERFUL...no arguments there. But I went into this because I wanted to look better..which in turn makes me feel better...physically and mentally.. Maybe it's my age...60...but the closer I get to the end of my life...the more I wanted to end things looking the best I can. My biggest fear is that people would file by my casket saying..."she never did lose that weight.". Lol![/quote']

Yea looking better naked was a huge motivation ;) mission accomplished lol jk

post-59432-13813666993617_thumb.jpg

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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