Difficult Decision.....

I have to disagree with your friend. You need to be seeking out all the possible complications of each form of WLS, because they DO happen to a few people, and you need to be aware of what can happen. Some things you can avoid if you're knowledgeable enough, etc.

We sound more alike than  you know.....I'm petite, too, and 49.......I read it all, even the bad stuff, so I know what are the possibilities, and I can ask the surgeon about concerns.....I have an expanding folder and inside I have a manilla folder for the surgeon and another for the nutritionist and a notebook for all my questions, and suggestions I've heard about.......good luck to you....I'll send you a friend request so we can keep in touch.  --Sis

Weight loss surgery is just a tool to help you get to your goal weight.  It is really not a big dramatic life style change for most of us.  For me, I live the same life I did before surgery, with watching what I eat and exercising, but now it works for me.  The truth is that anyone who is obese could benefit from having weight loss surgery.  Dieting is only a short term solution and 96% of people gain back everything they lose with diets.

I struggled with the decision for ten years and regret that ten years.  I love living in a body that is at my ideal weight.  When I had surgery, the lapband was very popular and well advertised.  My surgeon shook his head and recommended the RNY.  He was giving up on lapbands, because of slow weight loss and complications. Now he has done a lot of VSG's and is considering giving them up because of all the GERD combined with the slow weight loss.

Look into DS or RNY.  Why get something that may make you sicker and not give as much weight loss?  I see if as making a journey on a bicycle or in a car.  I want the car to do most of the work for me.

My DH wasn't 100% on board with WLS, until we went to the session with the surgeon.....when he heard about the huge percentage of people *****gain, he started listening with an open mind.

Thank you for your reply............appreciate it! --Sis

 

I had VSG 3 weeks ago.  I worked and worked so hard to get through the approval process, that I didn't let my doubts take up unpaid rental space in my head.  The morning after I had surgery, I thought to myself, well, it's a done deal, guess it is too late for second thoughts, time to move forward.  And now that I'm starting to really feel the benefits of surgery, I am absolutely certain I made the right choice for me.  Do I think about the foods I can't have?  Sure.  But the thoughts are fleeting, and I don't obsess over it like I did on every diet I went on before WLS.  It is amazing how little food I need to eat, and how I don't feel hunger.  I don't know if what I have said is helpful or not, but it is the new reality for me.

Thank you Julie, it was helpful!    I'm working towards that goal, and in the meantime  learning as much as I can, the good, the bad, the ugly, and appreciate everyone's input!

Hi Sis - this is a very personal decision. I'll tell you kind of like my husband's orthopedic surgeon told him about back surgery, 'You will let me know when you're ready'. I'm not sure how old you are, but when I had VSG three years ago, I was just three months shy of seeing my 50th birthday. I had been on and off a diet for thirty years. I'd lost fifty pounds three different times and I'd lost anywhere from fifteen to thirty pounds more times than I can remember!! When I did decide to have surgery, I was struggling to maintain 228 pounds. Really not horrible, I'm a quarter inch shy of being 5'7", but I WAS overweight and unhappy with myself. I'll be honest with you, I had NO health issues, ZERO!! I call it preventive maintenance surgery but to be honest, it was mostly about vanity....what can I say, I'm a Texas girl, we are shallow when it comes to this stuff. I wanted to have fun shopping, I wanted to not feel like the 'biggest girl' in the room. I was self pay and it was absolutely worth every single cent. No regrets, I've loved this adventure from the time I woke up in recovery. I only wish VSG had been available for weight loss 25 years ago!!! The most exciting thing is when I all of a sudden had a collarbone!!! Thrilling, seriously!!!

I can only speak for me, but once I made the decision, I was committed 150%!!!! You'll know when you're ready.......all we can do is be your cheerleaders!!! Good luck!

I just read your message, and even though it's a few days ago, I am going to respond and hope you see it-It was 5:30 AM on June 5, 2005 and I was being prepped for surgery by having my IV inserted-The nurse was new and not good with a needle-It was hurting like crazy, and I remember thinking, "I don't have to do this-It's my choice-I can just walk out and keep on being a morbidly obese middle aged woman who hides from life in shame instead of actually living" -Just then, the IV went in-The new nurse and I both heaved sighs of relief and I decided to stop fretting and go ahead with the surgery-I was supposed to be the first patient, but was moved to 2nd for a reason I have since forgotten-As the hours crept by towards noon, I was getting hungry and thirsty, and again thought this might be a sign to change my mind and go home-At 11:30, I had actually thrown back the blanket to stand up when suddenly, the curtain was throw back-My surgeon's assistant, JoeBob (now isn't that comforting???) shook my hand and said, "Did you say your prayers this morning bcz I did", added something  to my IV which made me sink back into the pillow, and we were off-To be completely honest, the first week I would have seriously hurt someone for a cheeseburger-And I did have some serious complications-BUT, I would do it all again in a heartbeat-I feel so alive!!!

So, to answer your question, I think we all have second, third, even tenth thoughts-And I think we should-This is major surgery-It is not something to do without serious consideration-It is life-altering-It is also life-enhancing-Nobody can decide for you, but just know you are completely normal to have doubts

I hope this is helpful