It goes by in the blink of an eye! You will be surprised how your desire to succeed makes things happen - best wishes! Rob to your point - I think of the beginning of my journey as a point in time 5 years ago when I woke up at 387 and said "no more" - I am going to beat this weight! Surgery was just a step in the journey, one of many I have taken to claim my life and health back - it wasn't the actual "cutting day", isn't it funny how we don't all give ourselves credit for the "other"stuff we do - I am big believer in capturing your successes, all of them

Just like all the things in my life that I have to "fit in", I find I just have to prioritize and make things happen. I tell myself that if it is important to me, I will make it work. Thankfully I have an understanding boss who allowed me some extra time here and there when I needed a day time appointment.

I have 180 lbs to lose and my doctor just broached the subject of WLS at my first apt with him. I go back later this month and we will discuss it more if I decide to pursue that route. My aunt went this way 10+ years ago and has been able to maintain post RNY, not without a lot of hard work. I have thought about it for years, wished for it even and now that it's an actual possibility I find myself agonizing over the choice. I had started MFP over a month before my apt and since the apt and researching the different WLS's I have started cleaning up my diet more, higher protein, trying to cut carbs, really watching the calories, and also eating slower, drinking more and substituting a protein shake when possible for a meal vs overstuffing myself when I know there won't be time to eat later. Basically trying to get rid of the bad habits now, regardless of whether I choose surgery. I feel better already, though I have not gotten on the scale again yet. Also sneaking exercise in there and making a concentrated exercise to do SOMETHING each day, in addition to my steps at work. I haven't told any of my family, only my husband of course and he is supportive. The rest would not be. I've told a few people at work and have gotten mainly support, and from the rest just general concerns about possible complications (one of the joys of being a nurse and working with a bunch of nurses ).

It's harder than people realize, the changes involved, let alone the choice to proceed. I just keep telling myself, each day is new, if it turns out to be a bad one, there is always tomorrow to start over and do better. I don't want to be stuck, to keep being limited by my size.

Welcome to the group! Regardless of your decision, I hope you are able to get to a place that makes you happiest.

Welcome and to echo everyone else, it goes so fast! I live 2 hours away from where I chose to do my surgery, so I made it a 2 day whirlwind to get all of my appts in. Day 1 I drove up, met with the psychologist and did labwork, met and old friend for dinner, and did a WLS support group meeting. Day 2 I met with the surgeon and then nutritionist and was home by late afternoon. I'd had a sleep study in the last year, so they accepted those results instead of having me repeat it. I was also a self pay, so didn't have insurance hoops to jump through; just my surgeon's requirements.

I agree that you need to start making the changes now, and the more you start transitioning to the post WLS way of life before surgery, the easier life will be. Start moving and making good food choices. Start logging your food here, and making sure you're getting your vitamins, protein, and good rest. This is a fantastic tool, but it takes work, dedication, and persistence to have the best results.

I echo everyone's sentiments to get started early. My doctor also stresses the importance of changing eating habits and to add exercise before surgery. I had to jump through the same hoops you are going through. I have met all my requirements now and just lack two more dietician visits and weight ins. One of those is next week, then my last will be mid-September. It has went by really quick! I have 200 lbs. to lose, so it is also beneficial for me to lose weight prior to surgery. I'm down 19 lbs and proud of everyone of them. Best of luck on your journey!!

I second what everyone else has said! My program required me to wait 6 months before they even started the testing, etc., so when they started all of that for me, it was madness! It seemed like every week for a while there was SOMETHING! It can seem a bit overwhelming, but really, it all goes by so fast and before you know it you will have your surgery.

My surgery date is the 31st:-) start pre op diet on the 24th!!! So nervous!!

One week post-op (sleeve). I had a 3 month process, but I found it incredibly productive. It allowed me to work on mental preparedness, clarifying habits, building trust in the process, and understanding the work of it. It also clarified that the surgery is a tool, not a magic bullet. I'm lucky that my clinic is an hour away. The drive time was a great time to process, plan, goal set.

I also am selective about who I've told. Some friends know. Others were told I had hernia surgery. I've told no one in my family. The only local family is my husband's brother and his wife, both of whom are grossly obese. I've chosen not to tell them because of how judged they may feel. (I hope they ask when I've lost the weight, so I can share, but they must broach it. )

Trust the process. Use it as a positive transition time.

I met my bariatric surgeon in mid July and just this month had my psych eval, sleep study and first diet/nutrition consult. I have 5 more months to go before I can get approved for surgery. I have been trying to adapt new behaviors in prep for the surgery and I have gone down a little though that isn't the goal for me at this point. I'm just trying to focus on changing some of the behaviors. I have to say though the five months seems so far away. Trying to focus on one day at a time. I find that journaling helps a lot. Just doing stream of consciousness writing for three pages helps clear my mind of a lot of clutter anxiety.