I am waiting for surgery date. Reading some recent posts from other sleevers has me totally psyched out. I need encouragement...PLEASE

Quite honestly, this question comes up all the time and in the end it is always the same answer.

It's up to you.

If you make the change for the rest of your life to eat clean, get out and move and become active, and take full advantage of this tool; then you will not gain your weight back.

If you want it to be a magic trick or miracle pill that makes you skinny and you can eat junk like we do now (or used to) and make no change to your life... then yes, you will gain the weight back.

Now if you fall into the latter category, I don't think you will get much sympathy from anyone. Here or in real life. If you fall into the first category, you will gain self respect and confidence and that will carry over to all aspects of you life. Professional relationships and personal will only be able to improve. The people who are toxic in your life will show their colors quickly, but you will be able to finally brush them off and focus on the ones who are there for your benefit.

This surgery is a life changing event that can have incredible results. If you are brave enough to commit to it that is.

What @@BigViffer said. Spot on.

The surgery does alot of the "work" for you the first 6-18 months, for most people. After that, it's much more those behavior changes.

I am 4 years post op and maintaining 150# loss. I cannot eat the volume that I once could, and I don't try!!!, but I could very easily regain.

Like most HWP/fit women I have to watch what I eat and drink to maintain.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using BariatricPal

Thank y'all so much for the encouragement. I will continue to use BariatricPal. I love this app and I love the positive input

I understand completely how you are feeling and that was such a huge concern of mine before I had my surgery in November. What I can tell you about my experience is the sleeve was a great tool for me. I was off my insulin and diabetes meds 4 weeks after surgery. I dropped about 15lbs without thinking about it. But the thing is, that is all it is, a tool. It is not a miracle worker. You have to be willing to change your habits, including body and mind. I have since started with a great program, became a Health Coach and when I went to my surgeon for a follow up, he asked me to come into his office and talk to him and his colleagues about the program. I would love to talk to you more about it if your are interested.

This surgery is LIFE CHANGING! Before surgery I never thought I would see "one" derland again. It just hasn't been possible in the past 15 years or so. I kept telling myself, "if you get below 225 you will feel so much better". My doctor said, You will be between 135 and 145. I did NOT believe him. Nine months later, here I am at 136 wearing a size 6! However, surgery is only a tool. It is up to you. I take my health very seriously now. People ask me how I can stay dedicated...well, every morning I look at 4 small scars. Those are my reminder. That's what I did to save my LIFE!!! I also keep a "fat" picture on my fridge. It's to remind me of what can happen if I start to be nonchalant about my eating and exercising. I also look into the beautiful eyes of my baby and remember that I will be her role model.

Weight loss patients tend to keep their weight off better than those that have lost with just diet and exercise. It is all up to you. You have to remember why you did this. You have to stay motivated. Some days, it is hard. I bought a t shirt that says, "excuses don't burn calories". It is a motivator for me.

Good luck in your journey!