I go for my first appointment Tuesday to learn more about WLS. I have struggled with my weight since I was very young and lost my first 100 pounds when I was 14. I have been up and down ever since. I am at my highest weight ever now. I am so scared that the surgery won't work and that I will wake up just as hungry as ever and nothing will change. Did anyone else have this fear? How have you managed it?

I worried it wouldn't work. But don't worry. It works. It'll work for you too.

It works but keep in mind that you have to work hard at it too. I KNOW there is no way I could have lost weight without WLS. But ongoing it is 40% WLS and 60% up to me to keep it working.

Changing habits of a lifetime is hard work and no surgery will do all the work for you, but WLS is a gift that helps to make success obtainable. I worried that I would not succeed, and still am terrified that I will backslide in the coming years, but I am grateful for my surgery, especially because I now get great lab reports and my BMI is in the healthy range for the first time in so many years, I can hardly remember.

You just have to remember that this is not a fix or and you still have to work it! You need to eat protein first and it's a good idea to weigh your food, even after you think you could stop! Good luck!

You won't believe this (I didn't) but right after WLS you won't miss those foods you are thinking about having with your daughter. Instead, you will be overjoyed to simply drink a glass of Water or eat a vegetable/fruit. My first divine food after surgery was steamed broccoli; it was nearly orgasmic! Honest

The surgery CAN work, if you are willing to work too. You will have to change so many aspects of your life. It is hard! It can be emotionally taxing. It is definitely physically taxing. But it CAN work.

Simple it "won't" work if you don't put in the work.

As everyone has said so well...you still have to do the work between your ears. The more lifestyle changes that you can make pre-op, the more habitual those changes are post-op.

If you go in thinking the sleeve is going to do all the work, then you need to research people who have failed post-op and why. Eating sensible meals and exercise will work. Sitting around eating Cookies and milkshakes will not. That was true before surgery and that's still true after surgery.

Best of luck on your journey!

If you do your part it has no choice but to work.

I think we all have that fear that it wont work and we will still be hungry because its so hard to imagine not being hungry and not wanting those foods we love.I had the same fears as you, I'm only 12 days post surgery I'm not hungry and what I find most interesting is that those foods I love just don't interest me. I was looking at easter eggs with someone and I suddenly realised I was not the slightest bit interested. It wasn't even that I wasn't hungry just didn't care about them and that is huge for me. As others have said this isn't an easy option and you still need to choose to eat the right things, but it helps to know that you are not alone with that fear - the surgery will make a difference

I know pre op I was very worried the surgery would not work for me. Eight weeks before surgery I cut my calories back to 1200 and cut out all sodas and refined sugars. Then I did two weeks of a liquid diet before surgery and through all of that I only lost four pounds. It made me wonder if I would lose after the surgery. Now eight months out I am down 115 pounds and only 10-14 pounds from my final goal weight. It does work.

However, a lot of us had to learn to overcome "head hunger", and learn what types of food our sleeve can tolerate. It was kind of like being a newborn and having to learn to eat. It does take hard work on your part, but the sleeve makes it so much easier. You will do fine, just stick to your eating plan and the weight will come off. It was the best decision I have ever made.

Adding to the chorus. WLS is a helpful tool. It does indeed work, however the long term effectiveness depends entirely on you. You'll have to change bad habits and attitudes about food and realize that you will have to work at it every day for the rest of your life. Be positive, and be committed too this and you can be a success!

Hi i was worried it wouldn't work for me.. I almost gave up.. I truely did.. A little angel gave me a second chance to live. Almost 5 years ago i chose lapband surgery.. Biggest mistake for me.. I had no life for 4 years .. Was too scared to dine out with friends and family as food would always get stuck and i was so worried that i wouldn't make it to the bathroom on time, so i opted to stop eating out.. I was mostly confined to my home and would only go into the office 3 days a week.. My quality of life was non existent.. Luckily for me.. Yes i say this again.. Luckily for me I gained all my weight back as I formed a pouch above my band and it therefore had to be removed.. The band failed!! It was only when my lapband was removed and i had vertical sleeve done that i realised i was given a second chance at life. I cant eat all foods.. I struggle with meat and most dairy products, BUT i can eat fish, eggs and most nuts and veggies though!! My eating habits now relate to what is widely known as Pescetarian. I can eat out with friends and family without disrupting the group by me having to run for the bathroom! Life is good.

I honestly wish you every success with your weight loss journey xox

Everyone has fears like this initially. The biggest thing is to remain positive and work through the lifestyle changes required to remain successful.

You have to work at it but your new tummy is a tool that will help you do it. Your tastes change so much that those food items that you cared about previously won't be what you care about in the future.

The saying is true, you crave what you eat most of. If you eat healthy Proteins, veggies and fruits that is what you will crave. This is all about a head game, and you can absolutely win the battle.

The battle is absolutely worth it! Good luck!

Healthy skeptism versus blind belief it is a miracle cure is a good thing. Others have said this already - it doesn't just "poof work like magic" it is a very powerful tool you can use to manage the disease of obesity but it takes your effort, perserverance and investment in yourself.

Most people experience (after first 2 months of healing and adjustment) "the weight comes off so easy - I can eat anything I want just small portions".... and then they cross into a realization... "darn, I guess I DO need to watch WHAT I eat, timing, frequency etc or I will regain"

I am 3 years and 3 months post op; maintaining for 2 years. My highest lifetime weight was somewhere in the mid 300s (330-350 range). My presleeve weight was 308. I wore 3X tops and at one point 32W slacks - I was a big lady. I spent most of my life overweight, morbidly obese, or super morbidly obese. This morning, I weighed 156 and I wear single digit clothing sizes.

I will never tell you it has been easy but, my life is SO GOOD without carrying around the weight of a full grown man - that was so exhausting mentally, physically, emotionally.