My surgery is scheduled for June 20th. I am very excited. Whenever I get nervous, I think about what I will not miss about being obese, and what I look forward to in my post-op life. I thought I would start a topic to see what others say about this, and give me even more inspiration. So...whether you have had the surgery or are still waiting for it, what is your answer here? Here are some of mine:

• No longer having to pray I can fit in a chair in a restaurant, or that it will hold my weight.
• Feeling awkward when I have to squeeze around people or through tight spaces, like elevators or hallways or through crowded rooms of people.
• Praying the seatbelt will fit when flying, or trying to squeeze in a tiny seat. (I'll buy a First Class ticket just to have more room even though I can't always afford it).
• Sweating profusely every time I have to walk a few blocks, and being totally embarrassed. (This is particularly bad when walking to an off-site meeting at work, or walking to a happy hour or lunch and my skin is dripping and my hair a mess).
• My thighs rubbing together when I wear slacks and making a loud noise when I walk.
• My feet aching after walking or standing, and my ankles swelling and bruising, or my knees hurting.
• The judgments people sometimes make, or the judgments I make against myself.
• Spending tons of money on failed diets and other programs....
• Spending tons of money on big clothes for work hat look like what my grandmother used to wear in the 1970s rather than something hip, professional and cool.
• Turning down social invitations because of my weight and feeling like I have nothing to wear or dreading rejection or stares (even if it is only a fear and not reality).
• Taking two showers on hot days because sweating makes me smell.
• My kids worrying about me because I am too heavy.
• Me worrying about me because I am too heavy.

These are just a few; there are more. It's reality. And despite each one bearing some pain with it, it brought me to making new decisions for my health and wellbeing. So here's what I look forward to after WLS:

• Hope
• Having a new tool that gives me a new boundary, new taste buds, and less hunger
• Being in shape again, being able to exercise without my feet swelling, and feeling the rush that comes from your body being healthy and fit.
• Sweating happens only during a hard workout!
• Being able to keep up with my kids (and my grandkids when they come)
• Riding a bike again
• Not being short of breath
• Feeling comfortable again in social situations
• Being happy with my appearance
• Smaller clothes so I can wear clothes that reflect who I am as a woman, rather than just finding something that fits my body and looks totally NOT me.
• Showing my knees again (they haven't seen the sun in 20 years, LOL).
• Having confidence in my appearance again.
• Continuing in therapy so I have a new mind as well as a new body.
• New beginnings!

Can't wait to hear yours.

Yoooo hoooooo , Betty !!!!!! Guess what ? In a short time you're still going to be crying on the way to work because nothing fits, but its going to be because everythings TOO BIG ! Bags and bags of stuff went to Goodwill, now THAT was fun !!!

my goals before surgery was, get my diabetes under control, check. to not reach the 300 lb make,check. to play with energy with my granddaughter, check. she has been with me since the very beginning when I told her I was having surgery to help me get healthy. this past weekend she said good job grandma, you are getting skinny. and you like walking with me now. so check. I can fill out paperwork and cross my legs without sob. check. oh my I can go on and on.