OK, so I'm going through the testing and approval process right now and don't have a surgery date yet but it should be in December. But as I'm going through all of this I am slightly starting to freak out. I mean, I have tried nearly every diet, pill, RX, exercise, etc. all without success. Now I would have some short term progress and be able to maintain for a while but I have been at the same weight now for about 6 years, excluding my two pregnancies, and this weight hasn't gone anywhere - up or down. So basically.... what if this doesn't work for me? Is there any way that I can know that it WILL work for me? Anyone else have this fear going into it? I know that it is a life change and that the way I eat and blah blah everything else will change. But I NEED to know that I will lose weight and be healthier. Does this ramble make any sense?

Hi Tiffany, I am in the same boat as you - going through the pre-op stuff and hoping against hope that this works! I have been to other boards and have seen some absolutely amazing before and after photos. I would say that whether or not it works for you depends on how well you stick to your program. I've seen that some people have had slow weight loss or have gained weight back by drinking their calories (shakes, ice cream, alcohol...that sort of thing) or making poor food choices. I can't imagine you won't lose weight with the sleeve.

I fantasize about shopping at Target for "regular" clothes and not needing a seatbelt extender when we go on vacation next summer. That helps to keep some of the negative thoughts away. Good luck with your process!

Autumn

Well, you will have a tiny stomach post sleeve surgery, so that WILL help. But (and there is always a but) you will need to get your head in the game to have long term success. If not, you could regain the weight, and we sure don't want that!

So if you follow your program and agree to create a new relationship with food (for the rest of your life) you'll be a winner!

I have/had the same fears. Let me say this. If it doesn't work to help you lose weight, every doctor in the world will want to study you because you will be a medical marvel. I figured in that case at least I'd be rich and famous even if I was still fat.

If you follow the plan, you WILL lose the weight.

Keeping it off seems to be the bigger challenge because you have to keep following the plan until you die and that's not easy.

Every single one of us has failed before. Surgery isn't ever the first option. So you're in good company there.

Edited October 28, 201312 yr by gamergirl

Like other's said, you can only eat so much, you will lose weight and the bigger concern (for me) is long term maintenance.

From a slow loser's standpoint, I want to add that post op everyone loses weight at a different weight (so don't compare your success to others).

Welcome to the board Tiffany, and good luck in your journey!

My guess is that pretty much everyone has the fear it will not work for them. I believe that to be normal, as you weigh the pros and cons. However, I believe it does work for everyone, provided you follow the plan laid out by your medical team.

I would be more concerned about whether you can live with being a slow loser. That is something that cannot be predicted. I have come to terms with the idea that as long as the scale moves in a downward trend, I am going to be okay with that. I think. I hope.

I know believing that you will fail is the easier outcome to believe, because that is what has happened in the past, but that is what it is the past. For me I'm taking my fears of failure and my fear of success and leaving them where they belong, in the past. I am 39, for my entire adulthood I have been obese. I am currently 521 pounds , I'm having surgery in December, but in 5 month and 4 days I will turn 40, my goal is to be down to at least 450. I know that 71 pounds is a lot in that timeframe, and if I am not there by then, but gave it my all then I have succeeded.

So that's my 2 cents for whatever it's worth. Now who do I pay for my therapy session. lol