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with a BMI of 38.5 with co-morbidities, you are big enough. Plus, I have been talking to pre-op groups every month for the last three or so years. I would guess most of the people (or women, anyway) in those classes are in the 200-250 lb range. Out of a group of 25 or so, there are usually around four or five whom I'd guess to be in the 300s. Everyone else appears smaller. I think most people's perceptions of weight loss surgery patients come from "My 600 lb Life". I've worked with a lot of pre-op groups, and I've never personally seen a WLS patient anywhere near that large.
as for complications, they aren't all that common and most are minor. I had two strictures within the first three months post-op. Strictures happen to about 5% of RNY patients, according to the PA at my surgeon's office. As such, they're one of the most common complications. I would hardly call something that happens to 5% of people "common", but that should give you an idea. I think most people who haven't done any research on this are working with very dated information. WLS was very risky back in the 60s and 70s, but it's just not anymore. It's a routine surgery that carries about the same risk as having your gall bladder out. It's much safer than other common surgeries, such as hip replacement.
if you have GERD, you should be considering RNY (bypass). RNY often improves or even cures it. VSG can make it worse (although not always. I had GERD before surgery. I knew there was a decent change it would NOT make it worse, but I didn't want to take that risk because it DOES make it worse for a significant minority).
One important thing to realise is that you've done the research, and they haven't. Probably when you first started looking into the surgery, you were a bit skeptical. Maybe you'd heard a few horror stories on the news. Your relatives and friends are still at that point.
Then you kept reading about the surgery, and looking for more sources, both for and against. Eventually you learned that it's a safe surgery, as long as the surgeon is experienced in this type of surgery. Any decision you make at this point is based on more knowledge than your relatives and friends have.
Once your family sees you make it through the surgery and begin to lose weight and get healthier, their views will change.
First time I considered the RNY I opted out. "I wasn't big or sick enough". And since eventually I got there....I didn't benefit as much from my WLS as I could if I had it 7-8 years earlier.
I lost 110 lbs, and maintained most of the loss for 11 years. Right now I am down to my lowest weight. But - some damage done to my body I could have avoid, can't be repaired. (Joints damage). So now I still have some joints pain, and some other issues that I think I would be in much better situation health wise.
But - having WLS and not doing the work, specially long term, not being dedicated to the process and proper eating for the rest of your life - could cause worse condition that just remaining obese.
Long term - like past year 3 and on...that's when the real hard work begins.if you are not ready for that, don't do it
Hala. RNY 5/14/2008; Happy At Goal =HAG
"I can eat or do anything I want to - as long as I am willing to deal with the consequences"
"Failure is not falling down, It is not getting up once you fell... So pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again...."
How much calcium and magnesium you get daily? Im not sure if you supplement. Often the high BP may be helped by making sure we get enough my minerals.
Hala. RNY 5/14/2008; Happy At Goal =HAG
"I can eat or do anything I want to - as long as I am willing to deal with the consequences"
"Failure is not falling down, It is not getting up once you fell... So pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again...."
Thank you for your support. Did you have the bypass? Any complications?
no, I had the sleeve and several years later I converted to the duodenal switch, which can be a second step to the sleeve.
Carry on, sweetie. Day by day....
goal!!! August 20, 2013 age: 59 High weight: 345 (June, 2011) Consult weight: 293 (June, 2012) Pre-Op: 253 (Nov., 2012) Surgery weight: 235 (Dec. 12, 2012) Current weight: 145
TOTAL POUNDS LOST- 200 (110 pounds lost before surgery, 90 pounds lost Post Op.diabetes in remission-blood pressure normal-cholesterol and triglyceride levels normal! BMI from 55.6 supermorbidly obese to 23.6 normal!!!!
I have a very similar story except that I wanted to have the RNY but due to scar tissue from prior abdominal surgeries my surgeon decided the Sleeve was best for me. Initially I was disappointed but then I realized "Dr. Knows best" and I'm now very happy to have had my Sleeve.
Yes there will be unsolicited advice from everyone including some of the clinicians at my pre-op appointments. On two occasions I had to defend myself that yes I am big enough and have enough health issues to warrant bariatric surgery. As for friends and family, I knew they would be judgemental so I only told a close few.
My health has improved dramatically (diabetes in remission, no more high blood pressure and on lowest dose for high cholesterol). So I traded 3 diabetic meds and 1 HBP med for a load of vitamins. 
I couldn't be happier.
Good luck to you and before you know it you'll be on the losers bench!
