Another Newbie!!

Hello there....I have not gotten very far in this process but I am already a little freaked out. My consultation appt is next week but my pcp has already talked to me about the surgery. When he suggested it I cried for three days. After doing considerable research I am still not sure if I can do it. I am 43 yrs old, and 420 lbs. I am not usually a sap but is there anyone who started about this weight who has not had too many complications?

Sally, WELCOME girlfriend!!! dont feel too bad. i am 48 years old and weigh 327. i just found out my BMI is 60!!!!!!!!!!! I have been pursuing this surgery since January. I have all of my testing done and am just waiting on insurance approval. We all have days that we dont think we can do it (the WLS) but then we get on here and talk and kvetch to each other and someone always has an answer or just some plain old support. you wont find a nicer bunch of people than on this message board. Welcome again and take care!! willby

Hi Sally! This is an awesome place with lots of good people. I am 44 yo, 416 was my highest weight, and my BMI is 69! I (we) am right there with you. I have been working on getting WLS since January. Hopefully I won't have to wait too much longer. Welcome to the board! Huggs, Ruth

Thanks Ruth and Willby: I still am not sure what I am doing but it is nice to know there are so many people who have walked in my shoes. I will keep in touch.

hi sally: i'm so glad you've chosen to come to the board. quite probably, no one will try to talk you into this surgery. that's a decision you need to make for yourself. but i can share my info with you. i started out about two years ago by going to a preliminary meeting and deciding i could lose the weight all by myself. i did atkins for almost a year and lost 80 lbs. then, when i went off atkins i gained back the 80 pounds, plus. last september i went to a second preliminary meeting and decided to go ahead with the surgery. my weight was at 440, my blood pressure was high, i had developed sleep apnea, my knees, hips, back - all my joints were aching horribly, my thryoid was out of whack, i was having panic attacks and knew i was headed for death. when my family and i went to disney i ended up needing to use a wheelchair, my depression was at an all time high. life was not good. i jumped all the hoops and had surgery on february 8th of this year. since that time i've lost 120 lbs. i'm not on blood pressure medicine, i no longer need to use a cpap machine. i can walk through a grocery store unassisted. i fit into a bathtub. i no longer use a seat belt extender. most importantly, i have hope for my future. i guess i'm trying to say that i've had little or no complications, weighed more than what you're at, and am very, very glad i went through with it. if you want to, sally, email me. i know there are lots of things to be concerned about and i'm always around - to share my personal experiences. if you're interested. take care. hugs dorthe

Hi Sally, I weigh 411 pounds and I'm 40 years old. I have been attempting to obtain weight loss surgery(RNY) for 2 years. No one can make this decision for you. Find all the information available, look at all your options and take your time to make a decision. Like Dorthe, I have sleep apnea, joint pain, shortness of breath and extreme fatigue. I know that without this surgery, I will die at a yound age or end up in a nursing home, completely dependant on someone else for all my needs. I don't want to die and I don't want to be dependant. But my quality of life is non-existant. Know that you are not alone and there are those on this message board who know what you are going through. Sandra

Hello Sally! I hope that you do get a grip on the issues of your problem of weight even if you dont choose these surgeries or not. Just remember this.. Life is not life if you aren't living it.. Believe me I know. I feel so many years wasted with fat. It is a downfall that can take everything dear to you. Both my parents died from obesity and heart troubles . dad 42, mom 57. Fat is all Ive ever known. But I can tell ya one thing. When its right, you will know it. Nothing or noone can talk me out of it. Like I said earlier. Im tired of being tired... Just remember, EVERYONE gets emotional and scared from time to time. And yes, its overwelming to. I havent gotten to the other side yet either but sure am tapping my foot till I do. That is what we are here for. We are all in it together. Some people have complications and some dont. Some have alot of pain and some dont. But theres noone out there that wont be going through it with ya.. margaret..

Welcome Sally I am a year out of surgery, down 140lbs. I started at 407lbs and I am 49 years young. Please dont be freaked out. It is normal to be scared, but it is scary to be over 400lbs too. I swear to you, I have not had one complication. Not once have I thrown up, had any infections, I havent even had a cold since I had surgery. Every single thing I tried to eat as I was allowed to introduce solid food, I was able to tolerate. I did have a hernia pop out at 11 months, but I was doing some packing and moving of boxes. No pain with it, and I end up getting a free tummy tuck because of it, so it was a good thing! If you want to talk to me, Send me an email at [email protected] and I will send you my phone number. Im sure I can answer some of your questions. I do attend my support group meetings every other week, and I am faithful with my protien and vits. Good luck with your journey toward a healthier you. Hugs, Sue

Hi I just wanted to welcome you to the board and encourage you to continue to look into all of the possibilities for weight loss ( surgical and non****il you come to a decision as to what to do. We are all here for support no matter what. This is a very supportive group of people. Take care and good luck on your research. Anita

Hi Sally, Only you can decide for yourself if you are willing to commit to a lifestyle change. There's no harm in saying 'no' right now if you're not ready. The best thing about WLS is that it will be here for you when you are ready. As for me, I decided on WLS when I got sick and tired of being sick and tired. I am 37, 5'3" and weighed 428lbs in January of this year, my BMI, 76. I had sleep apnea, moderate hypertension, sciatic back pain, joint pain, my mobility was becoming compromised. I fought for 2 years to have the lap band placed. There were so many reasons why I chose the lap band. I weighed in at 408lbs (BMI 72) at surgery in February. Today, just about 7 months later, I am down almost 90lbs since surgery and almost 110lbs since January. I was back to work full-time in 6 days. I have had absolutely no complications, not even in the hospital (I thought my sleep apnea would be a problem with the anesthesia). I work out 4 times a week at Curves, I no long have hypertension and am off meds for it, any body pain I have now is usually a good tired feeling from a good workout. Losing weight with the lap band is supposed to be a slower process (one of the reasons I chose the lap band), but my surgeon thinks I'm doing fantastic (and so do I). I realize that it may take me 2 1/2 to 3 years to reach my goal, but I know that I can reach it because my band is always adjustable. Good luck and continue to ask questions and do your research. Mercy 428/408/321/180