Question:
How did you know that you where making the right choice?
I was just wondering if anyone has had the same thoughts as me. I know that this surgery sound right to me, but is it right? Is it okay to have surgery so that you can finally loose the weight. This is a big step for me no matter how many times I go over it in my head I know it is right but it does not feel right? If this makes any sense to any of you please feel free to answer my question. — Erma D. (posted on February 1, 2003)
February 1, 2003
I was scared, embarassed, and didn't know if I was doing the right thing.
But, the more I thought about it, the more I realized this was the ONLY way
I was going to lose the weight and hopefully keep it off. If diet and
exercise would have worked, I NEVER would have weighed 242lbs. This is a
huge life changing and BODY changing experience. It's normal to be scared,
but if you still aren't sure, then wait awhile. Don't rush into it. I'm SO
glad I did it though, even if I was scared. It's already worth it.
— Diana L.
February 1, 2003
I remember being wheeled into the OR shaking from head to toe thinking
"I have got to be out of my mind to be doing this". I came sooo
close to jumping off that bed and bolting out of there. Which would have
been quite a site in that open backed hospital gown. Now, I am 100%
positive it was the best decision I have ever made. I am 8 months post op
down 120 pounds. I have gone from a size 24 to a 4. I hit goal in less
than 6 months. But more importantly I feel like a kid again. I never
realized how unhealthy I really was. I knew I was overweight, but I had
forgotten how great healthy and thin felt. Read my profile I kept a pretty
good month to month diary.
— Linda A.
February 1, 2003
I felt it was either surgery, or a heart attack. At least I was able to
pick the date and time for the surgery... Zero regrets !!!!!!!!!!
— paulsgirl
February 1, 2003
My pcp said he didnt think I would be around in a year if I didn't have the
surgery. So that made my mind up for me. I still questioned in my head
untill I was out in the o.r. if I was doing the right thing, but in my
heart I knew I was.
— Angie L.
February 1, 2003
unless your doctor says you need the wls right away, it would be very very
wrong for you to do it. you must be 100% sure..not 70%. if you don't have
to rush your decision wait,study and talk with as many people as you can
about wls....then make an confident choice either way.
— k K.
February 2, 2003
Weight loss was definately a bonus for me to have this surgey, but the
other added health benefits were what motivated me to have the surgery. I
was sinking to an all time low. I was taking medicines for high blood
pressure, hypothyroidism, chronic fatigue, chronic myofacial pain,
fibromyalgia, sleeping pills, pain pills, muscle relaxants, pain relievers,
anti-depressants, etc... At one time I was taking 13 pills a day. All these
pills made me tired, cranky, and irritalbe-- and gain weight. I was sinking
further and further into this black hole. My kids were growing up, and I
was sleeping through it. If I wasn't sleeping, I was mad that I had to be
up. I had to climb the stairs one foot at a time. I was in constant pain,
and the weight wasn't helping. I was once a sporty person, and here I was
fat and miserable. I stayed home while my husband took the kids biking,
swimming, to baseball, softball, scouts etc. I was missing everything. I
had just dropped my kids off at school one day, and was trying to climb the
stairs to go back to bed, when I couldn't make it. I just sat there and
cried. That's when I actually began to think about having surgery to get
the weight off my muscles and bones. I called my doctor and said that
although I didn't want to die, I no longer wanted to live like this. She
recommended me for the surgery. I put up such a fight, for years, I
wouldn't even think of altering my body just to lose weight. Now I wish I
did it 5 years ago. I am off all meds, infact, I just came from a 25 minute
walk. I go to Curves for women, and life is good. I had surgery in New
Haven, CT on September 13th,2002 and have lost 72 pounds. I am half way
there, but I'm back in life and loving it!!!!
— wiggie34
February 2, 2003
First of all, take pride in the fact that you are researching not only the
surgery itself, but searching your head and your heart too. That being
said, here's my two cents.
Medically: A person that is 100+lbs overweight has a 2% chance of loosing
that weight and keeping it off with out surgery.(Source: Bariatric Surgeons
Association web site)
Personally: When I had received the call from the Dr.'s office w/ a surgery
date I basically said, "Okay, here we go. God, if this is meant to be,
give me a sign!" That day as I was in Walmart w/ my two small children
a young girl (4 or 5) was standing behind myself and my kids and told her
mother, "That little boy has a big mommy." I smiled, looked up
and said thanks.
Best of luck to you in your journey, whatever your decision may be.
— SGAMEL51772
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