Hello,

My name is Reason to Believe and I am currently in the fact finding stage of weight loss surgery. I am aiming at having surgery next summer when I can take some time off work. I just attended a bariatric surgery seminar last week.

I have been overweight most of my life. I lost weight going into college and then started gaining back and more. I am considered super morbidly obese and that scares me. I also have a lot of joint pain, sleep apnea, recently diagnosed diabetes and depression. All of which are good reasons to do have surgery.

I am a recovering binge eater and have recently given up diet soda. (six weeks ago!). I am working on small changes to prove to myself that I can make big lifestyle changes because my biggest fear is that I will have surgery and still fail.

I love reading and music. I am an obsessed Bruce Springsteen fan and I look forward to the day that I can like no one is watching at a Bruce concert.

I have started reading all your stories and am so grateful to you for sharing them.

@@Reason to Believe

Welcome to the boards! Congratulations for taking the first steps toward a healthier you! ALL changes are big ones & I'm proud of you for the "No diet soda" step- that was a rough one for me too! You'll find all kinds of help and advice from the fellow posters here to encourage and support you. Please don't hesitate to share your thoughts and fears with us- we're here to help

Welcome! Congrats on taking the first steps towards bariatric surgery. You've made some real progress already in giving up soda. That was a tough one for me. Good luck and best wishes!

Welcome!! you'll find a lot of helpful

People here with lots of great advice!

Welcome

Welcome ")

Welcome! You're in the right place.

Welcome and nice to meet you Reason to Believe.

You have found great place to learn, make friends and contribute.

I wish you the very best on your wonderful journey to a healthier life!!

Hugs

Kate

Welcome and congratulations on taking the first step! This is a great place to be. Look forward to following your journey

Thanks everyone! I am just reading and reading and taking it all in.

Hello,

My name is Reason to Believe and I am currently in the fact finding stage of weight loss surgery. I am aiming at having surgery next summer when I can take some time off work. I just attended a bariatric surgery seminar last week.

I have been overweight most of my life. I lost weight going into college and then started gaining back and more. I am considered super morbidly obese and that scares me. I also have a lot of joint pain, sleep apnea, recently diagnosed diabetes and depression. All of which are good reasons to do have surgery.

I am a recovering binge eater and have recently given up diet soda. (six weeks ago!). I am working on small changes to prove to myself that I can make big lifestyle changes because my biggest fear is that I will have surgery and still fail.

I love reading and music. I am an obsessed Bruce Springsteen fan and I look forward to the day that I can like no one is watching at a Bruce concert.

I have started reading all your stories and am so grateful to you for sharing them.

Congrats for taking actions.

This burden can't be removed without considerable sustained effort. You've demonstrated that with the steps you are already taken.

You are so wise to do so right now in your life.

Let me tell you a true story of two people:

Person one: Successfully kept weight under control due to constant participation in athletics during high school. Went to college and gained the freshman 15lbs.....and then a bit every year since over the next 20+ years. Has lost tons of weight with various diets.....and regained them. Spent tons of money on clothes just to accommodate bigger/smaller/bigger again sizes. Dealing now with weight related health issues, severe arthritis in knees and back, pain and fear from doing a lot of physical activities. Is now finally going to use the tool of WLS to help get the weight off.

Person two: Kept weight under control during early high school years due to parental nagging and participation in athletics. Went through college and gained a large amount of weight. Binged and struggled. Graduated and began working. First year on the job had WLS. Became someone who actually met their height-weight numbers on the charts and has lived slim-trim and fit the next 15 years. Over that time has employed small course corrections that would keep weight within a 5 pound range without some huge struggle or "new diet". Does NOT have weight related pains and is very active and has been since the WLS (bypass) some 15 years ago.

These two people share the same parents and genetics.

They are my younger sister and I. I am finally.....at 46 years old.....going to follow her lead and have the surgery in the next 5-6 months. My only regret is waiting so dang long to do so !!!!!!!!!!!

Study up.....make the sensible changes all along.....plan well and take action. Spend the effort and profit from your hard work.

Edited July 31, 201511 yr by Dub

Today I reached 100lbs lost from my highest weight! I lost a two month old horse. I still have a ways to go but I am off all meds, no longer diabetic, no longer depressed. I no longer hurt and I can play with my niece and nephew.

I thank God everyday for Dr. Sadek and his team.

HW 336

SW on 7/7/16

Gallbladder surgery 8/20/16

CW 236

GW ideally 136

Height 5'2