Hi Everyone. I am new here.

[suzanne68 8]

Hi Everyone,

I just joined this site after finding it yesterday. After a recent 20lb weight loss and regain (for like the 100th time) I have decided to pursue sleeve surgery. About me: 50 years old. Current weight 270. 5'7. I have been hovering around 270 for about 5 years now after previously living in the 250 world for a few years. For about 10 years before that, I hovered around 230.

I am sick of the weight being in control of how I live, dress, socialize, travel, my career, etc. I want this lens removed from my vision of myself.....and want to deal with the challenges of life without also worrying about being fat, feeling sick, breathing heavy, struggling to keep pace, SWEATING, etc.

I live a pretty interesting life IN SPITE OF the weight. I have an amazing career and I travel across the globe for it....but I now feel uncomfortable in airplane seats - thank God I can still fasten the seatbelt without the extender, but it ISNT easy. I now know I cant put the tray table down and work on my laptop because I am just too close to it with all this weight.

I am an executive. I look at my peers and see all the pretty clothes and gorgeous shoes around the office. I try, but it never looks as good on me and forget wearing heels, they just hurt too much! I am pretty sure I am being judged at work for my appearance and missing some advancement opportunities because of my weight. Of course, nobody would ever SAY this....but I know it's true.

I love good food Not fast food, not chips, not fries, not burgers....not pizza. This body fat is curated from the best risotto, beautiful foie gras, velvety red wine, lobster thermidor.....you get it :-( .

But I have decided that my gourmand lifestyle in exchange for a smaller body is one I am willing to make. And I am sure I can also figure out how to eat well AND low fat/high protein/small portion and still enjoy life.

As my weight has climbed, I have avoided people and experiences. Just recently I was in the south of france on a little relaxing beach trip and a friend of mine texted me that she, too, was there with her husband. She was staying at the hotel next to me and wanted to get together for dinner...I was all for it...until she said "and we can take photos"...which meant she and her 110 lbs gorgeous self (she is a fashion consultant and VERY superficial - it's all about the "look" - a term she uses on everyone "I love your look" - clothes, hair, makeup) wanted to post photos on social media of me next to her.....nope. I told her I'd made other plans and never did see her. I think she's insulted...but I had to do it and one day I will explain to her, but not now.

Anyway, putting the psychological reasons aside, I feel crappy these days. I'm always hot. My body is always achy (legs ache every day), I have a chronic cough (it's bad - I am working at 50% lung capacity) for which I have seen one of the country's top pulmonary specialists - he says I am asthmatic and prescribed an inhaler. I now snore like a buzz saw - THAT's attractive, eh? My boyfriend likes to say I was building houses overnight - sometimes apartment buildings. I have already had a sleep study and was negative for apnea - doc just said "well, you're heavy!".

I am carrying the fat in my belly, chest and arms. I am pre-diabetic and brain fog like mad. NO way to live.

Being heavy AND being peri-menopausal are NOT a good combination. One has to go.

I have confirmed that my insurance generally covers the surgery and my personal approval is pending for the surgeon's submission.

I have done the intake interview and now have an upcoming meeting with the surgeon. I am hoping to have surgery in Early December/late November, as timing is important for me given that my travel schedule picks up in mid January.

I am reading your advice and your stories and appreciate every one. Focused on understanding what you are eating pre and post op and what I may need to buy. Figure this may be a good time to start a walking routine and hitting the weights a few days a week to build a little muscle in advance of the loss. Also plan to start taking Biotin for my hair.

Anyone have any other "now" advice?

I also entered my height and weight into a BMI/ideal weight tool and it said my ideal weight in 134 and I have 136 to lose. I thought that was cool to know - I am carrying around a full extra person. It's really time for her to go.

Thank you for reading and for sharing your stories with me.

Suzanne

[Jingle123423 165]

Great share. Like you I have avoided people and experiences because of how much weight I gained. I am looking forward to saying "yes" more.

[Frustr8 7,886]

And I will be having RNY surgery a week from Wednesday, on September 5th. And at 72, I put family, responsibilities in front of my own health and wishes. Yes I am healthy enough for surgery but if my recovery will be perfect, that I am not sure of. But it still beats existing as I have been. I am not frightened , rather fatalistic, it will be as it will be. The excitement is dissipating, I just want it over so I can move forward again. But I can smile for others, I have years of plastering on a sweet smile, no matter the pain and sorrow inside. I hate myself for it, maybe if I had rebeled sooner things could have be different. But why get hung up in the could of, would of, should of , of various things when it is of no benefit. So I move forward toward surgery as my life collapses around me, I am just tired of it all.

[Orchids&Dragons 9,046]

Hi Suzanne and welcome!

[J San 1,071]

Welcome to the forum.

[Chrisb428 626]

Welcome Suzanne!

[hope2 35]

Hi Suzanne, I'm 52 and was recently sleeved

Sent from my SM-N920V using BariatricPal mobile app

[madscientistmommy 124]

I am also an executive and I travel for my job too. I love to cook, go out and have parties. I loved to drink. I have given up drinking and haven’t missed it much at all. I have dropped 83 lbs of the 105 to goal weight in under 4 months. I don’t have sleep apnea. I had an extra 6 inches on the seat belt when I flew last time. I almost took a picture. I went from 255, size 22/3X to 172 size 14/16 L/XL. And I’m not at goal. I still cook-my 800 calories a day are tasty meals. And I had a dinner party too. I still like going to restaurants, I am just having more salads than I used too. Totally worth it. Also-I am pretty much carb-free. Haven’t missed that much either.

[madscientistmommy 124]

On 08/26/2018 at 19:10, Frustr8 said:

And I will be having RNY surgery a week from Wednesday, on September 5th. And at 72, I put family, responsibilities in front of my own health and wishes. Yes I am healthy enough for surgery but if my recovery will be perfect, that I am not sure of. But it still beats existing as I have been. I am not frightened , rather fatalistic, it will be as it will be. The excitement is dissipating, I just want it over so I can move forward again. But I can smile for others, I have years of plastering on a sweet smile, no matter the pain and sorrow inside. I hate myself for it, maybe if I had rebeled sooner things could have be different. But why get hung up in the could of, would of, should of , of various things when it is of no benefit. So I move forward toward surgery as my life collapses around me, I am just tired of it all.

Frust8- I’m so glad you have a date!!! Hooray!! Good luck to you!!!

[Ellens531 81]

Hi Everyone,
I just joined this site after finding it yesterday. After a recent 20lb weight loss and regain (for like the 100th time) I have decided to pursue sleeve surgery. About me: 50 years old. Current weight 270. 5'7. I have been hovering around 270 for about 5 years now after previously living in the 250 world for a few years. For about 10 years before that, I hovered around 230.
I am sick of the weight being in control of how I live, dress, socialize, travel, my career, etc. I want this lens removed from my vision of myself.....and want to deal with the challenges of life without also worrying about being fat, feeling sick, breathing heavy, struggling to keep pace, SWEATING, etc.
I live a pretty interesting life IN SPITE OF the weight. I have an amazing career and I travel across the globe for it....but I now feel uncomfortable in airplane seats - thank God I can still fasten the seatbelt without the extender, but it ISNT easy. I now know I cant put the tray table down and work on my laptop because I am just too close to it with all this weight.
I am an executive. I look at my peers and see all the pretty clothes and gorgeous shoes around the office. I try, but it never looks as good on me and forget wearing heels, they just hurt too much! I am pretty sure I am being judged at work for my appearance and missing some advancement opportunities because of my weight. Of course, nobody would ever SAY this....but I know it's true.
I love good food [emoji4] Not fast food, not chips, not fries, not burgers....not pizza. This body fat is curated from the best risotto, beautiful foie gras, velvety red wine, lobster thermidor.....you get it :-( .
But I have decided that my gourmand lifestyle in exchange for a smaller body is one I am willing to make. And I am sure I can also figure out how to eat well AND low fat/high protein/small portion and still enjoy life.
As my weight has climbed, I have avoided people and experiences. Just recently I was in the south of france on a little relaxing beach trip and a friend of mine texted me that she, too, was there with her husband. She was staying at the hotel next to me and wanted to get together for dinner...I was all for it...until she said "and we can take photos"...which meant she and her 110 lbs gorgeous self (she is a fashion consultant and VERY superficial - it's all about the "look" - a term she uses on everyone "I love your look" - clothes, hair, makeup) wanted to post photos on social media of me next to her.....nope. I told her I'd made other plans and never did see her. I think she's insulted...but I had to do it and one day I will explain to her, but not now.
Anyway, putting the psychological reasons aside, I feel crappy these days. I'm always hot. My body is always achy (legs ache every day), I have a chronic cough (it's bad - I am working at 50% lung capacity) for which I have seen one of the country's top pulmonary specialists - he says I am asthmatic and prescribed an inhaler. I now snore like a buzz saw - THAT's attractive, eh? My boyfriend likes to say I was building houses overnight - sometimes apartment buildings. I have already had a sleep study and was negative for apnea - doc just said "well, you're heavy!".
I am carrying the fat in my belly, chest and arms. I am pre-diabetic and brain fog like mad. NO way to live.
Being heavy AND being peri-menopausal are NOT a good combination. One has to go.
I have confirmed that my insurance generally covers the surgery and my personal approval is pending for the surgeon's submission.
I have done the intake interview and now have an upcoming meeting with the surgeon. I am hoping to have surgery in Early December/late November, as timing is important for me given that my travel schedule picks up in mid January.
I am reading your advice and your stories and appreciate every one. Focused on understanding what you are eating pre and post op and what I may need to buy. Figure this may be a good time to start a walking routine and hitting the weights a few days a week to build a little muscle in advance of the loss. Also plan to start taking Biotin for my hair.< br> Anyone have any other "now" advice?
I also entered my height and weight into a BMI/ideal weight tool and it said my ideal weight in 134 and I have 136 to lose. I thought that was cool to know - I am carrying around a full extra person. It's really time for her to go.
Thank you for reading and for sharing your stories with me.
Suzanne

A lot of your weight ranges are so close to mine. Your food choices are different . I myself am feeling the extra weight on my bones. I just recently stopped the gym because my knee was hurting so much I couldn't walk. Now trying to get back to it. I know I have missed opportunities at work also due to weight and sometime I didn't want to travel for the job because I am embarrassed in the seat. I'm looking at December for surgery. I have 3 more nutrition appts. I have a sleep consultation in a couple of weeks. I still need to get my gp to submit things. Wishing you much luck on your journey.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using BariatricPal mobile app

[Ellens531 81]

And I will be having RNY surgery a week from Wednesday, on September 5th. And at 72, I put family, responsibilities in front of my own health and wishes. Yes I am healthy enough for surgery but if my recovery will be perfect, that I am not sure of. But it still beats existing as I have been. I am not frightened , rather fatalistic, it will be as it will be. The excitement is dissipating, I just want it over so I can move forward again. But I can smile for others, I have years of plastering on a sweet smile, no matter the pain and sorrow inside. I hate myself for it, maybe if I had rebeled sooner things could have be different. But why get hung up in the could of, would of, should of , of various things when it is of no benefit. So I move forward toward surgery as my life collapses around me, I am just tired of it all.

I'm so excited for you to finally getting your surgery. Please please keep us updated on your progress

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using BariatricPal mobile app

[fluffy562 110]

kuddos to you for wanting to take the step. I too got to a point I said "enough"!! I can't do this anymore. I'm a social person who is around food and alcohol all the time. But as I became this person who just regretted the constant food pain from eating so much and drinking just to drink. I pulled the plug and without a word to my friends I did it. I didn't want anyone to influence me from not doing it. I'm tired of not being in any social media pictures, pictures at functions with my kids or husband. I just avoided the camera all together. I follow the latest styles and couldn't achieve any look being the weight I was.

I'm 4 day post op. only my family is aware of my surgery and I will find out who my true friends are in time. but right now, it's about me and getting a grasp of my life again. I know in my heart that when I achieve my goal weight and know my confidence is strong, I will make more friends. Already have, this forum is awesome!

[Screwballski 540]

My first piece of advice is to begin loving yourself right now, where you are, because it sounds like you’ve achieved A WHOLE LOT in spite of the limitations you’ve felt your weight putting on you.
Second only to that, embrace yet another challenge and get ready to knock it out of the park. I can only imagine you will be an extraordinary success at this, too.