Hi all,

So, I am somewhat new here. I haven't made any posts or anything, but I've had my profile since 2015. I've been 3 times to the Dr about getting the sleeve and I have backed out each time.

I recently went on the 19th to see about getting the sleeve, again. Dr wants me to lose 25 pounds or more if I can. I go back Match 23rd. So, I'm hoping I will have lost it all or at least half by that time.

I just figure if I am gonna get it, I might as well just go through with it now and quit chickening out. I feel I need the extra help the sleeve will give me to be successful with losing the weight and keeping it off. I'm just worried that I'll back out again. I'm scared of having surgery. The thought of me not waking up horrifies me. And then, thinking that I'll fail scares me pretty badly too. But I know I need this. No more backing out. Sometime this year, I will have my sleeve. ?

Good luck on your surgery. Here are 3 bits of advise.

1. Take a good before photograph of yourself, so that you have something to compare to after surgery. Many times we are blind to our obesity. We do not see ourselves. Therefore when the weight begins to drop off rather dramatically, we question if this is really happening. Photographs are a good visualization of our success. Many people carry a before and after photo with them, just to remind themselves of their success.

2. Walk 30 minutes each day, every day until surgery (or equivalent exercise). Walking helps the recovery process go smoothly and minimized the pain levels from surgery.

3. Wean yourself from caffeine and carbonated beverages now. After I gave up my 6 diet coke a day habit, I suffered from a week of severe withdrawal syndrome consisting of severe headaches and body aches. I was miserable. You don't want to combine the effects of caffeine withdrawal with the effects of surgery. In my case this change alone resulted in a 20 pound weight drop in the pre op stage.

Rather than focusing on the very low risk of surgery complications.....focus on the very REAL risk of obesity related cancers, heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and reduced mobility.

If you frame it in your mind as something you must do to prevent harm coming to you....instead of something that could cause harm, you might be less afraid.

The odds are in your favor of the surgery doing much more good than harm.

PS...the first time I went in for a consult for weight loss surgery was almost 20 years ago:) Got it done in December and wish i'd done it years ago:)

Edited January 28, 20188 yr by Creekimp13

.Fatty2fitty pleases join me on the weight loss journey. How old are you now? I m asking because chances are I'm much older than you. I am 72 years 1,month old and I bet you can't beat that! I have drug this fat tired body around , I have had arthritis since 25, had 2 knee replacements after they went bone to bone after all the wear and tear. Like you I resisted WLS, figured things would keeping breaking down, wearing,out until I died. Then I somehow realized I don't want to die quite yet, did research and checked myself out with my PCP who admitted except for the long standing arthritis I am in good shape, low cholestrol, blood pressure,heart and although I'm asthmatic,lungs are pretty good. He has been one of my biggest cheerleaders on the surgery. Recommended the program I'm going with, wrote me a recommendation letter etc. I have all my prerequirements done and waiting for a callback for a surgery date. It probably will be early-mid March.I'm widowed 5 1/2 years but do have a great son who is very supportive to help me. So come along and be my surgery friend, goog health and a longer life awaits us.

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@James Marusek thank you for the advice. Only thing I need to work on is the walking more. I already have tons of pictures of me now and I haven't had a soda in almost a year, so I'm good there.

@Creekimp13 thank you for that. I can't help not being scared, but I'm not gonna let it stop me this time. I know I need this to help me.

And wow, 20 years ago is a long time. But better late than never, right? ?

@kakatlady612 I am 24. I have type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, polycystic ovarian syndrome and I get chronic yeast infections. I'm down to 310 from 362, but have been yoyo'ing back and forth from 330 to 310. It's like I can't lose more than that and I can't gain more than that. It's frustrating. I'm tired of being unhealthy.

So yes, let's do this together ? we got this. No more putting it off. This is our year to be healthy and happy!!!

Fatty2fitty, I was taken off my blood pressure meds in the hospital (I was on a diuretic type med, so they were worried about dehydration) and my BP improved so quickly I never had to restart it. It’s crazy how quickly you will start to see your health improve!

@kitty1392 wow, that's great! I'm hoping I will have similar results and get off my meds.

welcome!!!

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