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And this is why I'm only telling a few people...



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Due to the timing of my surgery (day before T-giving), DH and I decided to tell his mom. I didn't want to, but we really need her help with the kids. And since we won't really be doing anything for T-giving, it was going to be obvious.

He told her - I don't want to talk to her about it. She was actually pretty supportive...but also said she hoped I already had an appointment with a counselor so I could "understand how being thin was going to feel". I was already planning to see someone, but who is she to say I will *need* a counselor to understand how it feels to be thin? :drool:

Then a friend from out-of-town was supposed to be visiting the weekend before. I'll be on my pre-op liquid diet, so I told her. We are very close - I was just in her wedding - and we've done WW together many times. I need to lose in the neighborhood of 200 lbs, she needs to lose 30. She was shocked - "Wow, I'm surprised" was actually her response. Then she went on to tell me that she knows how I feel, because she stopped working out and gained 5 lbs in 2 months. And that she's never full. And blah blah blah...Never once did she say anything even close to "I'm happy for you"

or "I support you". It stung.

This is why I am not telling anyone else. My parents, DH, my MIL, and two friends now know. I don't expect people to jump up and down for me, but a "I support you and your decision to take control" would be nice.

Amy

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You need to remember that you are doing this for you and don't need anybody to reinforce your decision to get healthy.

Don't have any expectations of anybody and you wont be disappointed. You already have your husbands support, why would you need support from anybody else?

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Exactly. I don't *need* anyone else's support, but it would be nice to have the support of my good friends and family. But I obviously can't expect it.

Amy

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In my tactless way this is what I am trying to tell you.

If you have expectations of people, they will let you down all the time.

You are doing the right thing and depending on your level of commitment you will see fantastic results.

If you need support, send me a message and I will be all over it!

Donna

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I really believe that suppot is VERY important. My dr. had me sign a paper stating whether I did or didn't have adequate family support. I also decided to get professional one on one help for awhile to help the rough times. I also plan to attend the support group meetings that they have monthly. It is REALLY nice to get family and freinds to be there BUT when not PLEASE look elsewhere. I pray the best for you in your journey.

Sherry

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Thanks, Donna!

It wasn't tactless. You are right. And that's what I was saying without saying. I had debated how many people to tell, and based on the reactions I got, it helped me to realize that my expectations and reality were going to differ and I don't need to be disappointed over that when I have a very supportive husband, a wonderfully supportive best friend (who's also stick-thin), and the best parents in the world who are paying for my surgery without any expectations, only hope for me. I don't NEED anyone else.

Congrats on your loss! I am always inspired when I come here and see such fantastic results.

Amy

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Thanks for the post. I am not going to tell anyone else! I totally agree with you....and we have the same band date. The day before Thanksgiving is my date too! No turkey and stuffing for me this year!

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Thanks, Donna!

It wasn't tactless. You are right. And that's what I was saying without saying. I had debated how many people to tell, and based on the reactions I got, it helped me to realize that my expectations and reality were going to differ and I don't need to be disappointed over that when I have a very supportive husband, a wonderfully supportive best friend (who's also stick-thin), and the best parents in the world who are paying for my surgery without any expectations, only hope for me. I don't NEED anyone else.

Congrats on your loss! I am always inspired when I come here and see such fantastic results.

Amy

You are very welcome!

The band works great when used properly. The more you exercise the quicker you will lose in my experience.

Work hard and you will see the rewards,

Donna

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I also really limited who I told about the surgery. Support is not created equal, and not everyone knows how to be supportive. I need people that know, to be my cheerleaders, not making boneheaded comments.

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Don't take it personally. I consider this people, "normal" when it comes to weight issues and food. They really have no idea what we have gone through in our lives because of food and being overweight.

I try to look at it like I would have no idea what it's like to be addicted gambling! I gamble sometimes, but when I lose more than $50, I'm done! I don't keep on gambling. When they have 2 Cookies, they are "done". When I have 2 cookies, I'm just getting started. The old me anyway! I am just trying to say that they have no clue what we are going through. I had to literally ask my friends and family to be supportive of my decision no matter what they personally think. And so, so good. Good luck & blessings,

Michelle

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
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