Hi!

I'm a newbie in the very beginning stages of my journey. I've been through the information session and have my first consultation appointment on October 6th. As I'm mentally preparing for the possibility of WLS, I'm freaking myself out...what if this DOESN'T WORK? I've been well over 200 pounds at 5'3 for my entire adult life (I'm 39). What if I have a relationship with food that can't be fixed? I've been in counseling for eating and self-esteem issues since June, so I know I'll have mental work to do to be successful. Has anyone else felt this way and been successful with weight loss after surgery?

Thanks in advance for the advice! I've been reading posts for months and have learned a lot already!

I think we've all thought that in the beginning. I'm one week post op and I definately had those thoughts, especially when the date got closer and closer. But if you stick to the programs it will work. It's all about your mind set.

YOU CAN DO IT!!

"It" doesn't make anything work. YOU make it work. And if you want it to work, it will work.

Reading stuff like this gives me the feeling someone took an excerpt from my journal and posted it...

Seriously though, you're not alone. Most people feel this way before and even after surgery. It does eventually get easier. You do have a say in the outcome, your choices are going to determine your success.

HUGS

I think most of us have this worry but as you learn more you gain strength.

If you believe you can do it and are willing to change I promise it will happen for you.

Already you recognize the need for counseling and are taking those steps. Now it is time to take control of you.

Once you decide you can do something there will be NO stopping you!

If it's any consolation, my level of failure pre WLS was more exetreme and yet I have somehow made it work.

I will be honest, there are some people who aren't as successful as they hoped for. There is probably a lot that goes into that equation, but all we can do is make our best effort to make it a success - right?

I think you have to ask yourself "what will I consider success, and what will I consider failure?" When you come up with the answers to both, you can proceed, because you will have a goal.

Sure, I'm not as slim as I'd LIKE to be, but I am CONTENT with where I am at. What will you be CONTENT with? That is what I consider success. And really study what that word means. It does NOT mean that you are SETTLING for it, but HAPPY and SATISFIED with where you are at.

Good luck to you!

Instead of thinking why wont it work, how about why it will work ? You re choosing a Dr. who has experience in this , and a procedure that has had great success, and alot of people who went from unhealthy and over weight to healthy and normal weight. So why wont you be successful too ? I can't speak for others, but the band worked for me because I put the effort in. Every single day. Follow the rules ( not hard to do !) and you'll be successful too !! Good luck !!!

I didn't think anything could possibly give the results that I have, but it did...and it surpassed my expectations....

I am 63 years old, and I'm now the same healthy - fit weight I was 45 years ago in High School.

You didn't say what surgery you are considering......I had lap band surgery and can only give experiences from that.

I tried everything to loose weight, failed time after time.....Weight loss surgery did it....so what if it was the easy way out (for me)...it worked and that is all that matters.

Before surgery it is hopeless failure that is mostly permanent for most of us but with this tool you can fail with the hope that you can pick yourself backup and do better the next day.