New and Scared

[Light&Fluffy 8]

I am so scared. I have been overweight/obese my whole life. I HAVE NEVER BEEN THIN! food has been everything to me since I am an emotional eater. I am afraid that I will be a "bobble head", I will lose my long hair, I will have a body of skin that can be used as a blanket, that I will not be able to socialize for dates, dinners or holidays. I keep saying "oh I can just eat healthier and I won't need the surgery", but I also know that I have type 2 diabetes, PCOS, fatty liver, and DVT/pulmonary embolism (recovered) and I haven't done anything seriously to help get rid of these ailments. I want to be healthy, but I am so very scared of the "what ifs". If you respond, please be kind

[iymercado 38]

I would say think of it like this. You have procrastinated for so long. And through out that time procrastinating time, you couldve alrradu had sirgery, recovered, lost the weight, tightened skined by going to the gym AND probably splurged yourself to a Tummy Tuck if it really bothers. But the best thing of all..you would've been not carrying all of the diabetes and Pecos and other issues and concerns you may have regarding your health. I personally delayed my sleeve 2 years just because i wanted to prove my self that i could do it with out surgery. Guess what? 2 years passed and i gained more than what i lost. I called it a day and schedule my visit with bariatric provider. Now 6 days after surgery, here i am, I've already lost 15lbs. I honestly think you CAN do it. Just put you mind and soul into it. Good luck!!

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[iymercado 38]

Apologies in the spelling. Was typing really fast

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[Dorothyolivera 9]

I am a 66-year-old female. Like you I have been having my whole life. I had my surgery 3 1/2 months ago, and I’ve lost 47 pounds. Not a great weight loss but great for me. You have to change voices in your head. Every morning look in the mirror and say one positive thing about yourself. This is something I have to do to. Try to be as positive during the day as you can. Small steps. You can do this for yourself. If family is not there to support you I am.Be strong be brave be hopeful. Don’t let anything or anyone come between you and your goal. You will find away. Love and support to you!

[iymercado 38]

I am a 66-year-old female. Like you I have been having my whole life. I had my surgery 3 1/2 months ago, and I’ve lost 47 pounds. Not a great weight loss but great for me. You have to change voices in your head. Every morning look in the mirror and say one positive thing about yourself. This is something I have to do to. Try to be as positive during the day as you can. Small steps. You can do this for yourself. If family is not there to support you I am.Be strong be brave be hopeful. Don’t let anything or anyone come between you and your goal. You will find away. Love and support to you!

Nice words of encouragement.

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[sillykitty 10,787]

27 minutes ago, Light&Fluffy said:

I am so scared. I have been overweight/obese my whole life. I HAVE NEVER BEEN THIN! food has been everything to me since I am an emotional eater. I am afraid that I will be a "bobble head", I will lose my long hair, I will have a body of skin that can be used as a blanket, that I will not be able to socialize for dates, dinners or holidays. I keep saying "oh I can just eat healthier and I won't need the surgery", but I also know that I have type 2 diabetes, PCOS, fatty liver, and DVT/pulmonary embolism (recovered) and I haven't done anything seriously to help get rid of these ailments. I want to be healthy, but I am so very scared of the "what ifs". If you respond, please be kind

You're throwing up road blocks for yourself.

Are any of the potential negative consequences of weight loss (extra skin etc.) worse than the known consequences of being obese?

I get it, we are all afraid of change, of the unknown. But are you happy as you are? Isn't it worth the risk to be happier and healthier?

[suzysunshine123 11]

I can relate to the life long struggle. I am 38. Just sleeved 1/23/18. Highest weight 322 Surgery weight 290 Current weight 253 Goal weight 150. I have tried so many diets before and been up and down in weight with nothing that really worked for long or with much weight loss in the last 20 years and been so discouraged and just about given up. I have PCOS, thyroid, been on meds that cause weight gain and was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes last year and decided to take the plunge. So glad I made the decision! Before the surgery with the support from the clinic, and making small changes preparing for the surgery I was able to lose 40 lbs. I actually chickened out cancelled my surgery holidays hit and gained 10 lbs back and then rescheduled with more confidence and was ready to do it in January. Within a month I lost another 30 lbs right away! It’s an entire lifestyle change now and I’m never looking back. I physically cannot! My stomach won’t allow it! I look forward to my new life each and every day! No longer show diabetic in my lab work and off four of my meds. Life is good! So worth it! What do you have to lose?

[Dragon64 142]

One of the driving factors for me, is having a heart doctor tell me that i do not have type 2 diabetes now, but i will soon enough. I have seen what diabetes does to a person, and I want no part of it... I would rather every hair on my body fall out, then to let diabetes destroy me, one organ at a time. If you can remember to take your meds and monitor your diet to keep your diabetes manged, then you can have the surgery and maintain a healthier life too! Surg on my friend, and get healhty!

[SleevieInNewJersey 53]

I feel you on the fear. I was there not too long ago. I have been making excuses to my primary care doctor for the last 5 years. Then the blood pressure meds got prescribed, the thyroid meds got prescribed and the glucose started to creep up. I went from saying "what if" something went wrong during the surgery to "what if" I don't address my obesity.

In my case and in what appears to be your case as well... the what ifs for surgery greatly out weigh the what ifs against surgery.

Most surgeons have monthly if not weekly informational seminars. That did it for me. He presented the success % numbers with vs without WLS.. also met people who have gone through the surgery. Maybe check out a seminar or a local support group to calm your fears.

We are all here for you!

Cheers,
Rob