So wanted to post this to get some feedback and also just a post of my A HA moment.

I have been going back and forth (which I do for any decision big or small - my issue). I worry about everything and I think one of my issues is that right now I am not doing all I can do but I have for the last 20 years "been there, done that" since I was 16.

I think one of my fears is missing food. I don't feel like a big over eater I just always have bad choices. I know what I should eat and have done it many many times. What seems so obvious yet hit me like a nail on the head was I have 2 options.

1 - keep eating as I am and feel sorry for myself

2 - change my lifestyle around eating. With or without surgery I have to do this for my health as well as my mental state (many of my issues are around the way I feel about myself), surgery seems like it will help me better than my past attempts.

I think in worrying about missing food I have to remember that even if I don't have the surgery I still have to have a major change in my lifestyle or I will continue to gain.

This is more of a message I needed to get off my chest. Today I took some of my first biggest steps. Class 1 of 3. Barium swallow test, EKG and chest xray. I am offically on my way!

Very good post! For those of us that "love" food we worry that we will be lost without it or that we are losing our best friend.

I'm so happy for you as the count down begins.

I feel the same way way you do!

I have been sleeved now for a year and a half. Missing food was one of my worries as well.

I don't know how best to explain it other than there are so many more important things in my life I focus on that I don't miss the food. Not like you would think. Maybe once in while when friends are at dinner and everyone is raving about the bread (i haven't had bread since before my surgery) but then i look back at how I felt 18 months ago and how I feel now. I don't miss the sweets, I don't miss the Pasta, I don't miss anything food related.

It has been worth it for me.

I also felt this way before surgery. I worried that the feeling of "missing out" would make me regret my decision. The only thing I regret is not having done this sooner. With every milestone I hit I feel better and better. I am so excited to see the weight coming off that it helps me to make those good decisions about what to eat.

Since I really never get hungry I don't regret the changes I have made. I don't crave those carbs and sweets since I have not had them in months now. When I think I wish I could have xyz, I just think "Do you really want to start those cravings up again?" and the answer is always NO! lol

Surgery doesn't mean you won't ever be able to have some things again, just not much of it. When I was at my highest weight my life revolved around food and now my head is so much clearer and I can do other things.

I am already healthier and happier and I am only halfway there! You can do this!! Good luck!!!!!

@@Leesa926 great work and realization. I am 5 months out and was also worried about missing food, and have a few times but overall I do not - and I do not miss the over 100lbs I have lost thus far, or the constantly thinking about food. I have taken the time to honor all food did for me (coping, celebrating, protecting etc) and am consciously changing the relationship after all these years - now I eat to live instead of living to eat. Best of luck to you, you are on the path!!

I was very concerned about missing food too. My family celebrates every event and visit with a big meal. I'm six months out and have days where I wish I could drink Water with my meal or have "one more taste". But that's what got me to 313 lbs.

I am happier with my body than I have been in a long time and I can do so much more physically with 105 lbs gone. I have much better habits and am hoping this time I will finally be able to keep the weight off.

I am 6 mos out and I have these feelings everyday. I still want to eat the Pasta and breads, and sweets, come on be honest, we all have these cravings.

I still do have a bites of these foods every once in a while, if you tell yourself you will not eat these foods, you are setting yourself up to fail again. Yes, some of us will be able not to touch these foods, but for a bigger part of us this is not reality, but we still have to make choices everyday. If we choose to eat a bite of bread, or not it is up to you. We are the ones in controll of what we eat and put into our mouths, but you also have to make the choice not to over eat it as well.

I am very proud of what I have done in these 6 month, and I hope whatever you choose to do that you make these choices for yourself and not on what others tell you is right for you, because none of us are experts. We are only here to support these choices.

I tell myself it's like a divorce....with kids. You still have to associate with it, just not be married to it.

I have not lost much weight at all. I had my band removed in December 2013 and sleeved March 2014 and only lost 34 pds and gained back 13 pds. Now I've learned I'm battling hypoglycemia. I worked out hard over the past few years watched my fat intake and now I'm told I'm not getting enough fat in and to stop working out. Been battling dehydration for over year. I get headaches and acid feeling from my stomach which triggers headaches. I really regret this surgery. All of them

@@Restoration15 thats terrible! Hope you are ok. Im worried about dehydration as well

Yes it's no joke! My eyes have even got baggy and I NEVER had bags under my eyes. It's so frustrating. All I can do is pray. I did my part now I have to trust God and find a different way with faith...Cause the Dr's seem to not care because I'm a fighter....I keep going and refuse to roll over and pass out...then that's when they only take ppl seriously it seems. I'm going to keep fighting I have no choice

i am worried about missing food but also i am worried about dying before i hit 30 so ill give up my favorite fast food if it means i get to live into my 60's