I have went back and forth on having wls for years. I always came to the same conclusion. That it was an extreme measure that I was to young to utilize. I mean if I could do it without surgery then why not try. I also felt it was taking the easy way out. I am now 28 @ 350 pounds with diabetes, High blood pressure, and high cholesterol. I realized that if I don't make changes I am going to die. Maybe not soon but sooner than later. I have been through all of the pre op screenings and I will get my surgery date Thursday. I feel anxious, nervous, excited, defeated, hypocritical, sad, angry. It's exhausting. I feel good about my decision and I am not having cold feet or anything its just a real emotional journey for me. At any given moment I feel something different than the moment before. Did anyone else feel the same way? Is it just nerves?

I never really changed my mind per se, but it is definitely an emotional journey.. as someone who has been overweight their whole life it is very emotionally difficult to transition from eating everything practically to being so restricted.. i just had ds surgery 6 days ago and i am still experiencing head hunger..i know what i did is for the best and the eventual results hopefully will support that but the first several days are challenging.

Do you still feel that it's "the easy way out?" I had surgery on 2/6/14, and I have no regrets at all. I also know for sure that it is not the easy way out and the emotional ups and downs are very normal and to be expected. I'm glad that you feel good about your decision and I wish you only the best.

I don't still feel it's the easy way out. In fact I feel this is harder and carries way more risk than traditional diets. Maybe that's why it's so emotional for me. I have been working with a personal trainer for 2 years. I was very worried about what he would think of me. I finally told him this morning and that's a huge weight off my sholders. He is supportive in my decision, and not that I have to have his validation, but it most certainly helps. Even before I told him I was feeling better after a good night's rest. I think I just have to relax a bit and welcome the new and healthier me that's on her way

I think it's funny that so many of us view WLS as some sort of moral failure. Inefficient and old-fashioned doesn't mean that something is better. I mean, my grandmother washed clothes on a washboard heating well Water over a wood stove. It was hard work that took much of a day for much fewer clothes. I use a washing machine. Does that mean I'm taking "the easy way out?" --- or am I using the most efficient and intelligent way available to me now?

The old-fashioned way of losing weight is nearly possible for the great number of morbidly obese. That's why less than 5% of us manage to lose a significant amount of weight and keep it off after 2 years. WLS has an 85% success rate. How is choosing the most efficient and long-term solution to a medical problem something to feel badly about? Is taking insulin for diabetes, surgery to replace worn out knees, or chemo for cancer also taking the easy way out??

My advice to you is to stop viewing your WLS as a moral failure, easy way out or something to be ashamed of. Instead, you're being courageous in choosing the most efficient and intelligent option available to treat your medical condition that's available to you now.

Well said KWhite! Though I totally understand how dkell feels as I have been struggling with same issue. I am actually waiting on the surgeons office to call me TODAY with the surgery date! I am excited but also kinda scared. Not about the surgery itself - but about failing. I still struggle with the reason why I am fat now. I dont binge eat - I eat way less than my skinny friends..I have throid issues - but gained most of my weight after my hysterectomy when I was 32 (cancer). I look in the mirror and curse myself for allowing me to get to this point! I know this is the best solution for me - but I am surprised at all the emotions I have been going through! I feel like I am going to run off all my friends for talking about it too much - but I cant stop myself. I wish I had someone close by who was going through this that I could just walk to their house and talk for hours about it all! I am sure my friends wished the same..lol

I think it's funny that so many of us view WLS as some sort of moral failure. Inefficient and old-fashioned doesn't mean that something is better. I mean, my grandmother washed clothes on a washboard heating well Water over a wood stove. It was hard work that took much of a day for much fewer clothes. I use a washing machine. Does that mean I'm taking "the easy way out?" --- or am I using the most efficient and intelligent way available to me now?

The old-fashioned way of losing weight is nearly possible for the great number of morbidly obese. That's why less than 5% of us manage to lose a significant amount of weight and keep it off after 2 years. WLS has an 85% success rate. How is choosing the most efficient and long-term solution to a medical problem something to feel badly about? Is taking insulin for diabetes, surgery to replace worn out knees, or chemo for cancer also taking the easy way out??

My advice to you is to stop viewing your WLS as a moral failure, easy way out or something to be ashamed of. Instead, you're being courageous in choosing the most efficient and intelligent option available to treat your medical condition that's available to you now.

Fantastic way to put it! I have similar thoughts and I am not opposed to the "Easier" idea. Hell I can walk without a Cane but it's is a bunch easier, safer, and less likely to cause more damage if I use the cane. This surgery is an efficient medical response to a medical issue....not a moral one.

And dkell11... Congrats on your courage and I look forward to hearing about your success.