I go in to the doc Monday to do preop and get my preop liquid diet food. Surgery is March 30th. I am scared, ashamed, excited and worried all at the same time. For 6 months I have known without doubt this is what I want and need. Now I am questioning myself for the first time. I am going to read through the board for support but this is the single most monumental change ever in my life and I have had some big changes in my life.

I get all your feelings but the ashamed part. While you have a few days, research the disease obesity. How can we be ashamed of having a disease? I certainly wasn't ashamed when I was diagnosed with cancer...

The shame is external, not internal. It's the way people make me feel about being fat. Even my family is shaming me for "not having the strength to do it on my own".

How awful. Family is supposed to support not tear down. Your family obviously lacks understanding for you but also for this disease. It's your choice whether Its worth educating them. But many people truly have no idea that obesity is an actual disease. Even people who have had WLS. And it is incredibly sad to feel ashamed or guilty for something that goes way beyond and is more complex than simple willpower.

Good for you. Jeez, its tough enough to be overweight and working on a change without having family be unsupportive. I congratulate you on taking the steps to get healthy in spite of them. Perhaps when they see its no picnic, and how great your health becomes after, they'll do a 180. In the meantime, get support here from informed, knowledgeable people who get it.

I was in a pre surgery class run by Kaiser and I surprised by the number of women that felt they had little or no support from their families. The reverse was true of the men. All of us had major health issues and had the full support of our families. While I have some pretty major health issues I sure do look forward to looking good again! BTW, I have excellent support from my wife and children. My daughter has even encouraged me to miss her college graduation if a surgery date comes up first.