Hi, I've been reading these posts for many months. I finally joined and thought I would put my two cents in.

A year and a half ago I was asked by my Dr. if I had ever considered weight loss surgery. At the time my immediate answer was "no way". But he planted the seed and I've been researching ever since. I've had my initial blood work and have my first appointment with a nurse and mental health professional later this week. I am then scheduled to go to classes for 8 weeks and may possibly have the surgery in June or July. (a long wait).

One day I'm sure this is the way to go. I have several comorbidities(?? I'm a terrible speller), insulin dependant diabetes, severe sleep apnea, high blood pressure, etc.

The next day, I come up with all sorts of new reasoning. If I could eat that way with the surgery, why couldn't I eat that way without having the surgery and avoid all the compications. I've been reading forums all morning, about 4 hours, and got into some of the problems of having the surgery. Kidney problems, teeth problems, medication problems.

Help! I'm very confused. I've had dr appts 3 times before for WLS but every time I have chickened out and cancelled. I really want to go all the way this time (hopefully for the surgery), but my mind keeps going back and forth - is this really for the best?

I'm 48 years old & feeling about 70. 5'6" and 310 lbs.

Any information would be appreciated. In the mean time I will keep reading.

Patty

Read as much as you can in our library...and go through the old posts that the "newbies" wrote. You can sort of follow the timeline of their journeys. Sandi is a member here that has an incredible blog...start to finish. Find one of her posts and you'll get the link to her blog.

My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner.

Best to you,

Hi and welcome,
I just found this site today. As far as "chickening out" I did that many times before I actually went through with the surgery. I am so glad I did! I went from 308 to 145.
You mention if you could do it with surgery why not on your own...let me tell you , the surgery is an amazing tool, I know for myself, I didn't feel like eating after surgery, you don't desire food like you do without the surgery. You also don't have that "full" feeling like you get with surgery. Heck..I hardly EVER felt full before. Food wasn't remotely interesting to me after surgery. I was satisfied with a small amount and didn't miss it at all!
I recommend surgery to anyone who is sturggling with morbid obesity...I know it is scary, but we are all here to encourage and support.

Hi Patty!
I was 48 when I had it done 3 years ago.
I was 314 and a size 24.
Today I am a size 14 almost a 12, I am healthy
and am heading toward my goal of a normal BMI - 150 lbs

It's hard to comprehend, but it has truly changed my life in so many ways.

One of my many joys is being the same size consistently for two years!
I shop in the normal size area. I wake up and slide on a pair of jeans and
they always fit! YAY
I can fit on a ride at an amusement park
I fit on a plane - without an extension
I fit in a chair with arms
I don't sweat after a walk.
I took a risk and fell in love - we were married last August.

Did I mention I am healthy?
I am looking forward to being a vibrant healthy Senior Citizen with my tiny red convertible sports car
and cute hat and shades and zoom off to my tennis match! LOL - A girl can dream

Dreams do come true!
PM me if you'd like to chat - I love new friends.

Big hugs,
Nancy

OH! P.S. Going to the Dr. appt. is not a commitment - it's YOU interviewing THEM - you have the power.
Or let them talk away...
Just go a see - no harm done... could change your life for the better!

Hi Patti and welcome to the neighborhood! The best decision you can make for yourself is an INFORMED decision. Read everything you can here, especially in the library. Then, read anything you can find about the surgery and do your homework. You will set your own mind at ease when you make your final decision. For me, it was the best decision I have ever made for me. But, it is a personal decision and one only you can make. Ask all the questions you like, there are many people here who will be glad to answer.

Very personal decision you must make - but in my opinion, you should at least hear the docs out. This has been such a life altering experience for me - I don't regret my decision for a moment. But it is a big decision - one that requires you to be as informed as you can be.

Go to the appointment - listen carefully. It took close to a year for me to finally have the surgery - and I don't regret that either. I went through all the nutrition & excersie classes, the psychiatric evaluations, etc...they are all part of the journey. These just made me more confident when the surgery date actually arrived.

Good luck - post often - whatever you decide, we are here pulling for you.

Hi Patty,
I'm in the pre op arena as well.
If you haven't already, you might want to check out WLS for Dummies and also a book by Susan Maria Leach called Before and After. They're both available on Amazon.com.
The more I've read, the more I am certain this is the right choice. I've also become more and more aware of how WLS is a tool. The choice and determination to use the tool as it's best intended is on "me".
As Celedon said, the best decision is an informed one.
Glad you're here!

Patty,

Welcome to the neighborhood! I'm glad you found us. And I'm glad you finally came out of hiding. LOL

Are there possible problems after the surgery...sure. That's why follow-up is so important. If you find a problem early it is manageable.

If you could follow the plan & lose the weight without the surgery would you be where you are today...nope! So, what is the worst that can happen if you don't go talk to the doc? You waste a little time and probably a co-pay.

Like the others said, please do the research. Only you can make your decision.

Would I, personally, do it again? In a heartbeat! I feel alive again. No more sitting on the couch while my family is out having fun. No more being miserable because I can't even stand up for 15 minutes. No more feeling disgusted with myself because I couldn't control my weight. I'm no longer afraid I'll be dead in 5-10 years. And I'm still in the losing phase.

I wish you the best as you try to sort this all out.

Hi Patty and WELCOME!!

Well, your in the right place and when and if you feel it is right for you then you WILL DO IT!

Most of us have been at that same point. I had several friends that did it and tried to encourage me...I kept saying NOPE!! I can do this on my own. 2 years later...I had the surgery. It was the BEST decision I've EVERY MADE!!

My ONLY regret? I didnt do IT SOONER AS WELL!!

Again, Welcome!!! We are GLAD YOUR HERE!!

Julie
4 years post op TODAY!! This year I will be 50 and FABULOUS!!!

Hi Patty L,

Did you really read this for months without posting? Wow, that's impressive. I can't go without making some wise guy comment!

Well, Kim told you to read my blog, only, I deleted it! Sorry I did sometimes, but you know, you already know what you need to know. You are going to do this, and it's going to work out for you. If you've been reading here, you know already that you're going to go through with it. And I'm here to tell you, you'll be glad you did.

don't be afraid. You're dying by inches. The comorbs you've laid out spell doom. If you could have done it with just pushing away from the table do you think you'd be sitting there with the problems you describe? Heck no! You would have stopped the insanity a long time ago. The problem is that you've gone too far down the m.o. slip and slide. You need a hand up to get off the slippery slope to death.

Since you've been reading here, you know from us that this is no easy way out. But I hope you also see that most of us are much, much better off now. And I can tell you sincerely, that even if I develop new problems and those problems debilitate me completely, I wouldn't trade this time of health and well being that I've enjoyed. It's all been worth it. I wouldn't go back even if I added years to my life doing it. The way I was living before was not a life. It was a slow ugly death.

Let your fears go. I know it's hard. But how do you want to go out eventually? Watch, "What's eating Gilbert Grape?" one more time.

Don't let your fears kill you.

fingers crossed, and no matter what, realize that there is no judgment here, only hopes and hugs...

Thanks for all the great advice.

Sandi - you are so right when you say this is not living (not the way I am now). I have often felt like I am eating myself to death. A slow painful suicide.

I will go to my appointment on Thursday and learn as much as I can. I will be back on after my appointment.

Thanks again for all the advice.

Patty

I just saw that I botched this up. It should say, "So, what is the worst that can happen if you talk to the doc?" The words "don't go" do not belong in there. Sorry!

Hi and welcome. Glad to have you here. You have come to the right place!

welcome.......................hugs