How did you guys conquer your fears and just do the GB?

No, I had no complications.  The only things that was a small bother was the drain that they put in for the first few days after surgery.  I could not get comfortable when I wanted to lie down.  Other than thet, I had no problems, or complicaitons.

Smiles:)

Tricia

Hey Tricia,

What kind of drains did they put in?? I'm searching for info from those who have had surgery as well as Michelle is.

Any input will help!!

I didn't have any drains.  I had tape over my 5 small incisions.  I was walking 2 hours after surgery.  Ask your doctor beforehand whether he does drains or pumps.  I did and was happy with the answers.  I chose the doctor I did because I liked what others had to say about him and their recoveries AND he's one of the top 5 in the country.  I'm lucky to live 2.5 hours away but many come across country to have Dr. Jossart do their surgery.

Good luck in your decision.
---jan---

Hi Jan, wow I will ask the question too, this is the first time I hear about drains after surgery.  Where is Dr. Jossart at?  I hope that whenever I get the surgery I get as lucky as you were.  I am taking the classes and yes they do share lots of info but they never said anything about drains.  Will ask my doctor when I see her.

Thank you for sharing your experience.

Maria

Hi Michelle!  I fought myself for about 10 yrs in doing this surgery.  I tried Weigh****chers, FenPhen, everything.  I had a few things happen and one thing stacked up on top of another, I couldn't walk around my work place to do my job w/o my lower back killing me and being out of breath.  I saw people around me at work have the surgery and be happier and healthier for it.  I saw my world closing in on me, I didn't go to plays anymore as my butt didn't fit in the seat, I came home once with huge bruises on my thighs from squeezing in to the seat.  Ugh.  I didn't fly anywhere as I was afraid I wouldn't fit in the seat and be charged for 2 seats or see the look on someones face, "Oh crap, she's not going to sit next to me is she??"  lol  I didn't go to amusement parks as once I had tried to get on a rollercoaster and the seat thingy wouldn't go down and I had to do the walk of humiliation in front of everyone.  Anyhow, I was one of the lucky ones, I had no co-morbidities, my bp was fine, my blood sugar was fine, cholesterol was fine, but I thought, for how long?  Also, my Mom was in a care facility and my brother had already had to break the news to her once that her eldest son had died, I didn't want him to have to tell her that I had died.  So, I went with the best surgeon (IMHO) I had access to thru my insurance and left the rest to God.  I wasn't nervous, I wasn't scared, in fact I was shocked that I was approved.  I thought I hadn't fullfilled all the requirements, but I was approved.  Do your research and if you can choose your surgical group, investigate them, talk to other people who have used them, ask questions on here, you won't find a nicer bunch of people who want to help you succeed at this!  I wish you good luck in your search and will keep you in prayer for peace about this...Kim

A couple factors:

1) I came to a realization that there would be NO WAY for me to lose all the weight I needed to lose on my own. There was no longer a light at the end of the tunnel. It was just a black cave.

2) I would have died anyway within 5-10 years without a drastic change in my health and weight. To die "under the knife" or from surgical complications came to be simply a side effect, rather than a "con" to surgery.

3) Most of all, I was no longer nervous about it...I was READY for it.

What "bad situations"? Are there really "so many" of them?

For me....................
I was scared for sure..............scared that at 33 years old that everyday would be the day that my 340lb body finally gave up.  That it would be the day my heart stopped.  The day that I had a stroke from high blood pressure.  The day that my asthma finally got the best of me.  The day my sleep apnea prevented me from waking up.  The day that the diabetes that runs in my family became a harsh reality for me. The day I broke a hip.  The day...............


So scared...........everyday............
I started to research RNY and it was so clear to me this was the choice for me.  It saved me.  The fears I had everyday about my body giving up on me were worse than any fear I could have about a surgery that could help me fix it.  I did it over two years ago.  I lost nearly 200 lbs.  I am maintaining my weight steadily.  I am as healthy as a horse.  As a matter of fact, I am about to complete National Certifcation to become a personal trainer.  It is your choice, for you to make for your own reasons.  I just thought I would give you my story.

For me, it was easy.  My aunt died from complications to diabetes.   It was an uncomfortable existence.  I didn't want to walk in her shoes. 

As soon as I found out RNY cures diabetes, I researched it thoroughly and made an appointment.  I'm happy with my decision.  No more diabetes and I'm far healthier now then I was before in every way.

---jan---