Hi. I'm new here. I've recently been exploring the option of getting sleeved. I am 5'7.5" I weigh about 195lbs. At my largest I was 250lbs. I lost 80lbs on my own about 4 years ago. I stayed at 170lbs until I quit smoking last October. I have discussed getting sleeved with friends and everyone seems so negative about it.

So to my point. When I was 170lbs I had loose skin in my stomach and had discussed getting a corrective surgery for it with my SO. In the beginning of next year we will have enough for me to get it done. He said to go for it since he knows it affect my confidence. Well I've been looking into getting sleeved instead (it's still surgery right?) But because of the reactions of my friends (all of whom have never had to battle weight like I have) I'm tentative to bring it up.... did you experience this? How did you broach the subject?

For once in my life I want to be the pretty skinny(ish) woman.... we're going on vacation with our kids in august of next year and I'd like to be comfortable in a swimsuit. Anyway I'm rambling..... any insight would be much appreciated.

Only you and your surgeon can decide if surgery is the right solution for you right now. Keep researching and talk with your doctors until you are comfortable with your decision. Your friends don't need to have a say.

In the meantime, one thing that concerned me was when you talked about restricting calories to under 800 per day and exercising 4-5 times per week. An important thing I learned through this process is how badly served I had been by traditional diets and dieting advice throughout my life. It turns out that most, if not all of that was a big cause of my yo-yo dieting and wrecked metabolism.

Whether or not you decide to have the surgery, I recommend you find a good bariatric nutritionist who can help you design a healthy eating plan. One that takes into account your activity level and lifestyle.

It also wouldn't hurt to talk with a counselor or therapist, and attend support group meetings.

Best of luck with your decision.

My sister and I did this together. One of the things we've learned is that we learn something new everyday! This journey is exciting, gratifying, and eye opening to say the least. It has highs, lows,and everything between the two! We both agree it is a physical, spiritual, and mental journey as well! In short, weight loss is but one aspect of the surgery! You will most certainly deal with each of these aspects on your journey! My advice, ask yourself why you're choosing this approach. Also ask yourself if once you are the pretty, skinny one, will that satisfy you? Are you choosing this route to prove your friends you can be the pretty skinny one, or for your health and wellness? How will you feel if your friends give you the cold shoulder once you achieve this goal due to WLS (something that is quite likely given their reaction at the mere mention of WLS)? Will that affect you profoundly, or will you be able to shrug it off? Are you seeking their approval simply because they've always been the skinny ones, and not you? Make sure you're doing this for you, and not just to prove a point! WLS is a big lifestyle adjustment, so make sure it's something you really want for you, and not to prove you can be skinny to others! As others have mentioned, your lifestyle will be changed forever! Whatever you decide, you will have to live with the decision; not your friends! Being the pretty skinny one will be a biproduct of WLS; just make sure it is not your driver!

Good luck with whatever you decide!