I look at all the inspiring stories and wonder if I can do what the others have accomplished. Reading all of the stories is amazing but I seriously can't even believe that it's something I can accomplish. Anyone else who's preop feel this way?

I have to say I'm like you. I think it's cool' date=' awesome, and even inspiring, but am not sure I'll be one of those. I also worry about being the woman that is skinny only from the waist up, or something crazy like that. But for right now I simply try to focus on relaxing, following my new routine, trying to keep lined up on the center stripe on my best days and keeping it between the ditches on my worst. Hope to talk to you again in a year and laugh about how worried we were so long ago! [/quote']

Bea, that's a date!!!

I do feel that way. All the time.

I have no kids but I suspect its how waiting for the baby feels. Like hurry up & wait.

I'm not even excited' date=' I am feeling meh about getting approved & getting a date because I know that the rug could be pulled out from under my feet at any moment.

allons-y[/quote']

Oh that's sad but totally understandable. I don't feel like the rug could be pulled out under me because I know I HAVE to be approved and I HAVE to do this for not only myself but my husband and children. I need to live with them not watch them live.

I have been at goal for months and still forget sometimes that I am not fat anymore.

I watched a Lipozene commercial and thought about getting some and then had to remind myself that I didn't need it.

I am trying to think of myself as having returned to the skinny kid I was in my teens before food caught up with me.

That's a great mistake to make! How far are you out? I wonder how long it will be before you don't feel fat anymore.

That's a great mistake to make! How far are you out? I wonder how long it will be before you don't feel fat anymore.

I am out nearly a year and 8 months.

My fat ghost is fading. He doesn't haunt me much and when he does he is easily dismissed.

Casper be gone!!!

I am out nearly a year and 8 months.

My fat ghost is fading. He doesn't haunt me much and when he does he is easily dismissed.

Casper be gone!!!

That's good to hear!

I doubt myself all the time. I'm 3 months out, and I still hesitate to buy smaller sizes, because what if I don't lose anymore? I think it's fairly normal, and I'm working on it. It is definitely a process! But when I start with negative thoughts, it always helps to bring out my fat jeans and try them on. Then I realize how far I've come, and that I! CAN! DO! THIS!

I look at all the inspiring stories and wonder if I can do what the others have accomplished. Reading all of the stories is amazing but I seriously can't even believe that it's something I can accomplish. Anyone else who's preop feel this way?

I feel exactly the same way. I'm pretty confident that I'll lose a significant amount during the first year, but worry that when the restriction subsides I'll plump up again.

I remember the first couple of times I cleaned out my closet. I took the big clothes out that didn't fit anymore, but I couldn't throw them away for months! I felt like "what if I need them again if I gain weight".

I feel like something will happen to prevent the surgery. Even though I'm already approved. Murphy's Law is something that always seems to happen to me.

What type of therapy do you do and how often?

I am doing EMDR with some traditional talk/cognitive therapy. I am being treated for PTSD (depression and anxiety because of the PTSD). I don't take any meds; personal choice. I manage my issues with behavior modification. I started going once a week and had a few emergencies that I had to come in twice a week. I go once a month right now, but will readdress after surgery.

To understand why this works for me it helps to understand why I chose this route. I was sexually assaulted 15 years ago and didn't tell anyone. My way to making sure it didn't happen again was gaining weight, which I consistently did. Prior to being assaulted I rode horses professionally and was in great physical shape. I have tried to loose weight but would self sabitoage. Last year I reached this point that my weight was causing real physical restrictions. After loosing 30 pounds a male Soldier I work with made a comment of "noticed you are dropping weight and just wanted to let you know that I am really happy for you." I thanked him and went directly to the soda machine and drank a soda and mentally give up on my diet. I found my therapist a week later. My purpose was as to stop myself from self sabitoging. Through the process I discovered that I wanted to WLS.

The fact I did the hard work in therapy gives me the confidence to know I will be successful, but self aware enough to know that success will come with struggle. However, I have the tools in place to help me. I have a great therapist, a few close friends that understand what I am doing, and good behavior modifications to help.

I am doing EMDR with some traditional talk/cognitive therapy. I am being treated for PTSD (depression and anxiety because of the PTSD). I don't take any meds; personal choice. I manage my issues with behavior modification. I started going once a week and had a few emergencies that I had to come in twice a week. I go once a month right now' date=' but will readdress after surgery.

To understand why this works for me it helps to understand why I chose this route. I was sexually assaulted 15 years ago and didn't tell anyone. My way to making sure it didn't happen again was gaining weight, which I consistently did. Prior to being assaulted I rode horses professionally and was in great physical shape. I have tried to loose weight but would self sabitoage. Last year I reached this point that my weight was causing real physical restrictions. After loosing 30 pounds a male Soldier I work with made a comment of "noticed you are dropping weight and just wanted to let you know that I am really happy for you." I thanked him and went directly to the soda machine and drank a soda and mentally give up on my diet. I found my therapist a week later. My purpose was as to stop myself from self sabitoging. Through the process I discovered that I wanted to WLS.

The fact I did the hard work in therapy gives me the confidence to know I will be successful, but self aware enough to know that success will come with struggle. However, I have the tools in place to help me. I have a great therapist, a few close friends that understand what I am doing, and good behavior modifications to help.[/quote']

Wow thanks for sharing your story, that's brave of you. I wonder if I should go in and see mine just to figure out if it would be beneficial. We all have issues, and I bet there are some I don't even realize that are sabotaging me as well.

Wow thanks for sharing your story' date=' that's brave of you. I wonder if I should go in and see mine just to figure out if it would be beneficial. We all have issues, and I bet there are some I don't even realize that are sabotaging me as well.[/quote']

EMDR is amazing for PTSD/anxiety related issues. I would suggest seeing a therapist if only to ensure you have thought through the process and to help deal with the changes that occur after surgery. Best of luck to you!

I do feel that way. All the time.

I have no kids but I suspect its how waiting for the baby feels. Like hurry up & wait.

I'm not even excited, I am feeling meh about getting approved & getting a date because I know that the rug could be pulled out from under my feet at any moment.

allons-y

Aww, a fellow Whovian <3

YES! I was just about to start a new discussion when I saw your post. I look at all of the timelines for others who have lost a lot of weight and can't help thinking, "Wow, can that actually happen for me?" One of my biggest fears is that I will go through all of this, permanently alter my anatomy & lifestyle and still not lose enough weight for it to have been worth it. I mean seriously. I can lose/gain 10-15 pounds in a week just by a change in my monthly cycle! I have over 200 pounds to lose, so the idea of being 100 pounds lighter in a year seems like fantasy sometimes. Some days it's like my surgery date can't come fast enough (Oct.23) and other days I feel like I want to delay it indefinitely. I don't mean to sound negative or uncommitted, but I actually have a hard time believing significant weight loss is possible for me since I have been so heavy for so long.

I think it is very important to have goals in mind. Some NSV's, some scale/BMI. You need to have big overall goals, But you also need to have some that are very realistic and attainable.

It really helps if you take a big weight loss or BMI number and break it into quarters or eighths or tenths. That way, if you have trouble along the way, you have smaller victories to motivate you.