New Michigan Member

Hi Everyone,
I am new and just wanted to say hi.  A 36 year old mother of 4 sons, hoping and praying the WLS is the way to go to get my life back. 

I've been reading OH for about a week now...very addicting.  There are so many PROS and CONS.  WIth any surgery, I know there is a risk, all the advice is helpful, but honestly, some raises more questions. 

Is there anyone out there 8+ years that is doing well.  I know it is a life change and for the better, but being new and not knowing everything, all the complications worry me a bit. 

Am I better of not being able to move and be an active mother and devoted wife?  Do the risks out way or being able to enjoy my kids and live life the to fullest out way the risks?  A question that I can't stop thinking about. 

My fear is what happens 30 years from now? 

I have one chance here and I want to be the best wife and mother possible.  I can't at the weight I am now.  Nothing has worked....I wish I could see in the future and know that WLS is right for me.  I believe it is, but all these complications I read about scare me.  HMMMMM

O.K. I've rambles on enough.   Everyone is doing great!  keep you the great work!  Keep inspiring each other..and me.  Thank you~

Blessings,
Jennifer
Mt. Clemens, MI

Hi Jennifer! I'm actually pre-op so I can't help w/personal experience of long term pros or cons but I can tell you to please research all surgeries & choose the 1 that you feel the most comfortable with! Some surgeries do have more complications than others down the road. Research, research, research & ask LOTS of questions on all of the boards!! It's easy to get stuck on the negative or struggling posts if that's what you're looking for so make sure you're also reading the positive posts! You'll know the right one for you when you find it! Lisa

hi and welcome!  5 years ago I said to myself "there is no way I would ever do that".  3 years later I knew it was the only way for me.  I had tried (and failed) at every weight loss attempt I had made.  For me it was a matter of hitting rock bottom and knowing it was the only way to get myself out.  Everyone is different though...what brings us here...what leads us to this decision.  You are wise not to enter in lightly.  By no means is it the easy way out.

Hi, Jennifer.

Welcome to the board.  WLS is a big decision, not to be taken lightly, so it's good you are thinking about pros and cons. 

I don't know what the future holds, but I felt that at 35 (when I had my surgery) years old and 335 pounds....there probably wasn't going to be a "30 years down the road."  I felt my chances were better with the weight gone. 

Keep reading and doing your research!  You'll come to the right decision.  One that is BEST FOR YOU!   Tina

Tough decisions you have to make. There are long terms out here but they don't post or read much. They have moved on. I'm 4 years and I show up every onece in a while because I have other things now.
Practice being a bariatric. Try samples of stuf and learn to drink a lot of water.
Beware of false prophets.

kp

I'm not 8 years out, but 4.5.  I haven't regretted it one single bit.  It is a very personal choice that you shouldn't take lightly.  If you are willing to change your eating habits and do what the surgeons tell you, the weight will come off.  You will experience life like you never thought.  I had worries about my food choices changing so much that it would affect the rest of my life.  Early out, I thought I'd never be able to eat "normal" again.  While it a different type of "normal", I don't feel like it is an overwhelming type of lifestyle change.  However, that being said, I can't even begin to tell you all the changes that losing 260 lbs. has made in my life.  Sure, I can't have sugar based products for the rest of my life.  Being pre-op, that sounded like an impossibility.  Now that I'm 4.5 years out, I can tell you without reservation that it hasn't affected my life nearly as much as the mobility I have without the weight.  Would I do it again?  In a heartbeat!!!!!

Jon

I may get slack for saying this but there are moments that I believe everyone(whether they admit it or not) have thought "I wish I had never done this to myself". My husband who is 3 months out feels that way sometimes too. In the grand scheme of things though the surgery isn't something either of us regret. I think most of the regretful fealings happen in the beginning when you are so restricted in your food choices and you are adjusting to your new life. There is also another thing that people don't like to talk about and that is the emotional part. We are overweight to begin with because we abuse our drug of choice which is food. You will feel at some points like you are going through a bad break-up(which is kinda true) and you may feel like you won't ever get over it but you do. No matter how prepared you think you are for this it is impossible to understand until you are there. My husband watched me go through this occasionally and he thought he "got" it but then post-op he told me he really had no idea. Please don't think I am trying to scare you because I am not. You just said that you wanted know everything and I wish someone had told me these things so it wasn't such a shock when it was happening. I also want to add that I am almost 5 years out and I absolutely do not regret having WLS. It was so worth it.

Ok, I know right off the bat I'm going to get killed for posting this, but here goes anyway:

You will read over and over and over again on this board "if I didn't have the surgery, I would have died anyway".  That's kind of a misleading statement.  When you are morbidly obese and continue to support an unhealthy lifestyle, yes, you will eventually get very ill and possibly die from complications.  If you are morbidly obese and you change your actions, you will eventually lose weight.  It is physically impossible to not lose weight if your exercise and diet are in correct balance.  It may take years.  It may be pretty much a full time struggle, but your body will not remain overweight if you are getting the correct amounts and kinds of nourishment and exercise.  There are very few that would die in the years it would take to lose the weight on their own.  For me, it was very hard to lose weight.  If I had not had surgery, it would have taken me years of very strict food control and exercise.  I didn't think I was strong enough to do that on my own.  That's why I elected to have surgery.   I knew there was a risk going in, but I also knew that other things I was doing were putting my health at risk as well.

Any surgery has risk involved.  When someone needs a life-saving operation, like heart or brain surgery, we don't stop and say, "was it worth the risk?".  Of course it was....otherwise the patient would have died.  Chances are that not having WLS will not result in sudden death.  Most people have time to correct their health issues before obesity becomes fatal. 

I decided I was willing to risk complications so I could lose a significant amount of weight.  That risk paid off for me.  There have been people on this board that took the risk and the outcome was horrible-even fatal.  You have to decide in your mind if losing weight quickly is worth the risk of possible complications.  For me it was, and when you are comfortable with that decision, you will be ready for surgery.

Hi Jennifer,

It can all seem so overwhelming when you first start looking into your options!  My personal journey to the operating table took over 10 years, evaluating the available options every couple of years, current clinical research, following people I knew that had WLS, reviewing insurance & costs, and checking out surgeons.

Being just over 7 months post-op, 130# lighter, pain free, and enjoying life like I haven't been able to in years & years -- of course I have periods of regret -- for not doing this sooner!!  In reality though, I had WLS when I was completely at peace with the decision and the wait led me to the ideal procedure and surgeon for me.

My advice for you is to check out all of the different options, decide which procedure would best meet your long-term objectives and fits the lifestyle you want to have post-op, and THEN decide upon a surgeon.  I say this, because PCPs don't tend to know all the options out there, and surgeons only tend to provide you information on the procedures they offer (while often times downplaying the benefits of others -- or worse, making another procedure sound so much worse than the reality).

The two most common types of WLS, lap-band & RnY, were not options for me.  The two that are lesser known, VSG & BPD-DS, were the only options I would consider moving forward with personally, knowing what I know about myself.  Spend time on all of the forums, research each procedure, and ASK SPECIFIC QUESTIONS on those forums to get an idea of what post-op life of having that procedure would mean for you.  Also, spend some time on the Revisions forum -- find out why people are seeking to alter the WLS they had originally.  Take your time, this is not a race, it is a journey.  And, you will know when your journey has you at the point of knowing WLS (and which one) is right for you.

I don't spend much time on the Michigan forum, just pop in on occasion to see if anyone is having a gathering I want to attend!  Being post-op, I spend most of my time on the forum that provides me with invaluable insight into the procedure I had, and answering questions for those exploring the DS.  If there is anything I can help you with, just let me know!

I want to thank everyone for their support, advice and truth.  Each one of you helped me understand wait I want a little more. 

Today I took my four sons to Waterford Waterpark.  I've been there a few times before, they love it.  We went with a few other family members.  I have to admit.  It is VERY exhausting walking up three flights of stairs to ride down the 'family tube'.  I only did it once.  My sons wanted me to go again and between my back hurting and my weight.  It was hard.  I felt bad.  Then for some strange reason, I saw a person with my built, walking with a nice slim thing in a two piece.  Reality check!  I can't do this alone.  My degenerative disc disease and uncontrollable low thyroid, depression and lack of time and energy make it impossible.

Yes, I know WLS is not always the answer.  I was fortunate enough (before children) to drop 68 lbs.  I did this through eating right (little sugar, fat and carbs), walking 5 miles a day and a 4 day a week exercise program.  Back then I had the time.  It was only my husband and I.  Back then I was determined and had the will power and energy to do it.  It took me 8 months but I stuck to it.   I was faithful.  Having children and having to lay in bed for most of each pregnancy started my downfall to puting back on the weight. 

I've always struggled with being overweight.  As a child, as a teen and I was a size 16 when I got married.  But now, I do want my life back.  I do want to play with my kids and enjoy them.  I know it is time.  I can do this. 

I'm just torn right now between the Duodenal Swith and Gastric Bypass.  The doctor I am meeting with doesn't do the switch.  I'm just not that educated to know which one will work for me yet. 

Again,  Thank you all very much!  You all have helped out!  I'm glad I became a member! 

Blessings,
Jennifer