Hi guys! My name is Daniel and I've struggled for years with my weight and also my addiction to fast food. I'm 5'6 and at my heaviest 290 but go down to 275 at times. Seems that's my limit these days. I'm nervous about the whole process and the surgery itself. It doesn't help when I tell people close to me that I'm going to get the surgery (going with the sleeve) and they always say..."well can't you just eat better and exercise more?" And of course the horror stories about how they know someone who knew someone that died from gastric surgery. I know in my heart that I want this because I'm tired of being the guy who can't do this or that because my back hurts after walking for a while or just wanting to lay on the couch and watch tv instead of going out with friends. I'm done with it. I'm just nervous I'll fail and not be able to keep to the new way of life. Im looking for new friends going through similar issues and who will support me in my journey. I'm excited to be a new me!!!

Hello Daniel welcome to the forums it's a very supportive place here and lots info too the ppl are great I'm pre op still working on getting testing done been considering this for years finally decided to do it try not to let ppl discourage you from your decision as long as u feel comfortable that u have researched the procedure and u understand what u have to do to help it work for u and u feel comfortable with the surgeon u choose put others opinions out of your mind there is of course always a risk with surgery even minor ones however our odds of having long term life threatening illness due to excessive weight are better than good not to mention all the things we miss out on or can't participate in because of it the thing is it's so very limiting living that way I do think that ppl who don't have issues with food can't understand why we can't just not eat as much if it was that simple no one would be overweight I think it's the same as any other addiction like drugs or alcohol it alters your brain to some degree I believe like being drawn to drugs or alcohol your brain says yes even when u know u shouldn't my thought is keep moving forward one say at a time until u get where u are healthy happy and can enjoy life the way u want to good luck to u!

Welcome to the forum. You will find many people here who absolutley rock. For the most part responses are supportive. Opinions and tact vary, but you can glean what is helpful and disregard the rest. No need to take anything personally. When you ask questions, you definitely will hear from all of our different upbringings and life experiences. That is what makes Bariatricpal.com such a gift.

It seems like most of us have had someone who asks us why we don't just eat less and exercise more because they know someone who knows someone who had horrible complications with bariatric surgery.

The don't have much of a response when we ask back if they know anyone who knows anyone who had a successful weight loss and improved quality of life because of bariatric surgery. Those who have always been thin really do not have a clue about how hard we struggle.

I wish you the best outcome for your surgey. You have come to the right place for support.

Thank you Shelly and missmac. I'm nervous but so excited. I attended the seminar last week and have made my first appointment. It's a month away but I can't wait. Lol I hope it all goes smoothly and quickly. I've found this forum to be very helpful. It's nice to have people like me who share my struggle with food.

Welcome, i am also just starting 1st dr appt tues

Move forward without looking back. Never mind what others may think. This about you and your opportunity to change your health for better times. Try not to get discouraged. It took many of us months to work through the medical and insurance obstacles.

Well I had a little set back last week with the financing part of it but that's all been worked out and now I can move forward with no more obstacles. I'm very excited. Still have a few weeks yet before my 1st appointment and have no idea how long after that I'll have the surgery but I hope it's quick! thanks all for the words of encouragement!!!

@@nymetzfan11 hey congrats that's great news another step on the path

Remember it's not the easy way out, we are all in similar situations, some people support others judge. Glad you made the choice and good luck. It is a long road of tests and appointments but the end goal is worth it. Keep in touch along your journey

I'm a single mother of one little boy. He's eight. I need to get control of my health for myself and my son. I feel trapped in this body. I'm not as confident as I used to be, I'm super self conscious. I know that most of it is mental, but I know that with me doing something like this for my health and taking care of me that I will have a major boost in confidence and how I see the world. So with that being said, I'm also getting started! I'm so excited! I have my first appointment on Wednesday, Oct. 29th. I've battled with my weight and emotional over eating, stress eating, celebrational eating, you name it! I'm hopeful that God will help me to make some major changes through the use of the nutritionist, doctors, surgery and this forum. My lowest weight of all time was 177 and that was over a decade ago. I'm hopeful. I haven't told my parents yet, but plan to once I have full approval and the exact surgery date, which will probably be some time in early February 2015. I hope to learn a lot from everyone here and to one day be an inspiration to others.

I have not yet had my surgery either. I am scheduled for December 9, 2014. I've had similar reactions as I'm sure we all have. We each have our own personal journey and each of us knows what we've gone through. I say hold your head up high, take what helps and leave the rest. We can do this!!!

Alfie

Edited October 27, 201411 yr by Alfie

I'm not worried about the naysayers and the judging. They can say what they want. This is MY choice and mine alone. I'm ready and willing and am moving forward with or without them. I'm just glad all of you are here to support me and I am here to support you as well.