Difficult Decision.....

I'm going through all the steps for the approval process for VSG.......but still finding I am not 100% committed to having the surgery..........assuming there's no problem with the approval process, I could potentially have the surgery in 2-3 months.........and I am still wanting to do this on my own......plus concerned about complications, having major surgery, not to mention drastically altering my body.

And the closer I come to finishing up the appointments/tests, the more nervous I become about having surgery. Have most people struggled like this or flip flopped a dozen times before coming to a decision?

Since beginning this process, I've been steadfast in exercising 5 days a week, upping the protein, reducing carbs,drinking water, and the scale hasn't budged.........rather than getting discouraged, I'm  more determined to lose this weight...........but it brings me back to why I'm here......if I'm unable to lose this on my own, VSG may still be the best/only option............

I'm making myself nuts............please tell me others struggled with this decision..........Many thanks!  And thank you all for sharing your successes, struggles, and NSV's along your journey.   I've learned so much from you all.  --Sis

Sis,

I struggled with this decision for a long, long time.  I started looking into WLS 4 years before I finally made up my mind.  First I was going to do it, then no, I would try again to lose the weight on my own, then back to considering surgery, then afraid of the possibility of complications, altering my body, and the whole different lifestyle.  Did I really, really want to give up the food for this surgery?  Yes, I flip flopped a gazillion times about the surgery.  Many people here on OH were very helpful and encouraging, sharing their experiences.

I finally had the surgery a little more than a month ago.  I'm not sorry, I find I don't really miss "the food" at all.  It's funny, all the cravings I used to have seem to have gone away, at least for now.  I've had no problems or complications. 

You will come to this decision in your own time.  Don't feel pressured to make a decision right this minute.  Consider your options carefully, and be sure to take into consideration co-morbidities like diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, and so on.  Also consider the consequences of continued obesity on your overall health and mobility.  Some people suggest making a chart of the pros and cons, that might help you.  Whatever you decide, be sure you have researched WLS thoroughly.  And don't be afraid to take a little more time to make sure you are completely comfortable with your decision.

Best of luck to you, be sure to let us know how you are doing.

Kathy

Ohhhhh, I hear ya LOUD AND CLEAR.  I just had my final surgeon visit today, submitting this week.  I am nervous, excited and nauseous all at the same time.  I think about it every day...should I do it, should I not do it.  I can lose it on my own, I'll try again....but you know what, I can't. I have tried every Monday of my adult life to "start a diet" I joined a gym in July and went 5-6 times per week for an hour and lost 3 pounds after one month.  I am one of those people who are always hungry. I think about how I physically feel at my current weight and think how worse I will feel when I inevitably gain more weight as I get older.

I know the first month is going to SUCK, I know it.  I have read every post on every message board and I am going to attend a support group next month.  I can only hope I have prepared myself mentally for what the first month will be like and continue to tell myself it will get better and when I see the number on the scale going down it will be keep me motivated.

Good luck to you....God Bless

You are not alone! Big hugs. Take a deep breath. Mske a list of pros and cons. Do it on your time and no one elses. I had thought about it 3 years prior but wasn't ready. I am now over 2 years post-op RNY and am very glad I made the decision. Sleep apnea no longer need a mask. Pre-diabetes gone. I was off my strong high blood pressure medicine two weeks post op. Back pain that was so severe they wanted me to have surgery, all but gone. I am struggling with some re-gain. But it is sooooo worth it! My emotions were all over the place. A lot of us struggled with same emotions as you, I know I did. Best advice I can tell ya is make a list and in order to succeed with surgery, you need to be 110% committed and in the right frame of mind that it is a LIFESTYLE change. Best of luck!

Hey girl, I changed my mind, oh about 500 times a day. Remember, staying obese is much more dangerous in the long run and it has been a year since I had the RNY and would do it over again a 1000 times.  Of course your nervous and all that you have posted is so normal!  I would be more worried if you weren't concerned.  Sure, many of us can lose weight but what always happens?  We gain it back plus more.  You have to be the one to make the final decision and I had never had surgery and they took my gallbladder out also and I was 59 last year!   About week before surgery I called my PCP I needed something to calm my butt down until the day of the surgery and thank goodness he prescribed me some meds to help me through it.

Remember, you have time to get all the info you can and get on here and ask all the questions you can.  Don't listen to horror stories or from people that had a friend of a friend that had surgery and blah, blah, blah and believe it will happen to everyone.  This is a life changing surgery and you know that and the rewards are wonderful if you follow the program.  Listen, I am the biggest weenie on the planet when it comes to certain things, but again I can only say positive things about the benefits to WLS.  Best wishes and keep us posted!  Jane

Thank you all so very much.......I've been thinking about WLS for 7 years, but trying to do it on my own.....very unsuccessfully........I'm fortunate I don't have comorbidities.....but with a BMI of 44, it's only a matter of time........Again, thank you, thank you thank you...........will work on that list!  --Sis

People who lose as much as 50 pounds through 'traditional' means have about 4% chance of keeping that off as long as five years. 9.5 years ago, I had the DS and lost 170 pounds---and it's still gone. (*grin*)

But you've GOT to be mentally ready, and you're not. And frankly, if you're steadfastly exercising 5 days a week and 'dieting' but still not losing weight, you really need to re-think the Sleeve. All the Sleeve does is make it easier to eat less, and sounds to me like you need the metabolic boost of rerouting the small intestine. You can learn more at http://www.dsfacts.com

Thank you for your candid response, it's something worth looking at a second time----I worry about the malabsorption.....my sister had an RNY a number of years ago, and has to get IV drips for her iron, so I'm a little concerned about the rerouting.    Congrats on your success and maintenance...........that is major!  --Sis

Yes, malabsorption is something you've GOT to stay on top of. Even with the Sleeve, you'll need to take vitamins and get regular bloodwork done. You simply won't be able to eat enough to get in all your need from food alone.

One thing I like about the DS over the RNY is the malabsorption. Both surgeries cause permanent malabsorption of certain vitamins and minerals, but the DS also causes permanent malabsorption of calories. For ME, it's easier to toss back some pills four times a day than it is to resist tasty food pretty much all the time. (*grin*)

You sound like me, I am 48, 4'11 and feel all my weight especially my knees. I have tried so many times to lose weight on my own for more years than I can count and have lost some just to gain it back. I know I need this surgery and trying to learn all I can. I will read the posts and read great things and feel really good about the surgery and then I read not so good things and then I'm confused once again. My friend say's don't read all the bad stuff, it doesn't mean it will happen to you. I hope to come to a decision soon !