Greetings

Just changed my date from Sept 15 to Oct 20 so I could attend an important function. Not so I could eat....lol....but to be well/strong enough to attend the function which was just six days after my September surgery date. Soooooo I accepted my Surgeons very next available which is October 20.

I've been living the pre-op lifestyle for approx 10wks and have already lost 30+ lbs....."healthily" if that's a word. Of course - it's no doubt easier (for whatever reason) for men to lose weight, but, I have really embraced the lifestyle (meal plans, exercise, attending support groups, mindfulness, etc). I suppose it helps that I'm (now) single with no children/family to deal with as I begin this journey. Yep, was married with children for 30yrs, and, while I lost the weight, often, sooner - rather than later - I gained it back +. It was just too difficult to be focused and/or considerate of the family while I attempted to get healthy......again! To this end - I applaud all who are beginning this journey in the midst of 'family life'. Best wishes to you.

Soooo 51, single, retired, new home/lifestyle/attitude. The time is right for me, and I'm SUPER excited.

My main topic(s) within my new circles and with my medical team are - now that I'm no longer 100lbs over weight, a) will I no longer qualify for the surgery, and, since - with or without the surgery - success/long-term maintenance depends 100% on compliance with the lifestyle - what is the real benefit of going ahead with the surgery? Thankfully, my medical team assured me I would never be disqualified from the program because I lost too much "pre-op" weight.....YaY! My support circles helped me to understand - if I didn't have any objections or medical concerns - the procedure would just be another 'tool' in my tool belt to maintain life-long success. Truth be told - I really don't have any objections to having less space to pack away food.

Spent the weekend with a friend, who did it on her own and isn't a fan of the surgery. She shares that with her method, she's a) successful (has lost and maintains the weight loss), and can still PIG OUT whenever she wants without getting sick, and because she still has her entire stomach. I had to think about that and ask myself - "do I still want to PIG OUT?" Or do I really want to remove those types of behaviors from my life completely? I've resolved that I want to remove them completely. I want to learn to be happy/satisfied/healthy without the need/desire to PIG OUT! After all - why do we pig out? I can't really answer that logically.

Blah, blah....so, here I am - reading/enjoying your posts, studying up, asking questions, etc. And, uh, that is all.

Wishing all GREAT success!

One thing else you will find is that you may have to ditch the negative Nancy"s for a while so that you can keep focused on following through with your surgery. This is about YOU, not them.

@LAG50. loved the post. Congrats on your journey. Blessings.