Am I in the right place? Need to talk to some WLS'ers before I make my final decision

Hi, NO you aren't a boob to worry about stuff. You need to dig deeper within yourself before you make this decision. Don't worry about excess skin now. If you don't want to have it removed there are new undergarments that make you look great and no bumps or wrinkles. I have been obese for 25 years and am now trying to get insurance approval for the gastric sleeve.The most important thing I think is to make myself healthier.I have waited so long and lost so many years now I am sorry (I'm 52) I am also tired of never finding nice clothes to fit or having a nice outfit for a party or wedding without using catalogs. I would love to go into a store and try on clothes that would fit. Thats one thing I am really looking forward to. The sleeve procedure is a safer alternative to RNY. Think about what you truly want and NEED, then you will beable to decide if you should have WLS. Its not for everyone but it can help improve your life and health. Please don't put to many demands on yourself about this decision. Got to seminars at hospitals and talk to patients and doctors. I hope you can come to a decision you are happy with . Its a long bumpy road but I hope it gets better soon for all of us. Merry Christmas
newfymomma 

Thank you !  I am looking into the sleeve part too...just wanting to know as much as I can before I make up my mind....I miss the smaller clothes too...or just not having to wear elastic on all my pants :) but Health-wise....The one thing my friend got rid of after her first 80, was the sleep apnea....and that is something I can't wait to end as well...and I know mine is totally related to my excess weight...and just being able to move without stiffness or pain etc. But I will figure it out....I was reading a book this afternoon about how you come to this decision about WLS.....and about feeling calm in your decision....well, thats the thing.... I feel calm one day or a few...then feel overwhelmed....but then again I have always had uneasiness with change....just moving from your comfort zone....but so many times, when I go through those changes...they really  aren't as bad as I thought they would be! And often...things are so much better. Merry Christmas to you too...and best of luck to getting your approval!

Welcome to the Maryland Board honey. You will find lots of answers to all your questions here. :o) ~Jilly~

Thanks!  I see you just had your RNY---how did everything go? I was on the phone over the weekend w/my best friend...she had hers exactly 4 months ago yesterday in NC and she is down 85 pounds already!  She is finally feeling and sounding better...she had some rough patches though...and a co-worker of mine just had RNY 4 weeks ago today...he is doing really really well...had zero problems.  Of course I would have to be the rebel...I am still undecided if I am going to do this...but IF I do...I am leaning toward DS.

Hope you're doing well!! Paula

First of all, Congratulations that your insurance will cover the DS!  For many people that is a huge barrier.  I live an hour away from Dr Schweitzer too, and i drove the hour to have him as my surgeon.  It's been worth it.  Some people have to fly to other states or countries to see him and get their DS, or to another surgeon of their choice.  You sound like you still have a lot to think through before being ready to decide.  My Dad used to say "**** or get of the pot" too, but seriously, it's not him who has to make a life changing decision.  You'll decide when you have had enough time and feel ready.  Your overall health is much more important than some loose skin, in my opinion.  I wish you the best as you make the decision that is right for you. I've told you, if you have any questions at all, feel free to ask away or PM me.

Jennifer, thanks....yes...I seem to have been bouncing back and forth...but as I have learned...I guess I am not that unusual....Something that came into my mind last week was ..had my best friend not gone through this process....and I watched her with each step (we were both doing Jenny Craig..she in NC me here in MD)I wonder...would I have really kept moving in that direction too? Ilearned alot through what she was dealing with too.... My PCP suggested it in 06 and it wasn't until a year later when my friend really began the process....I started really educating myself and thinking....Hmmmm maybe this is the answer for me as well......and no , Im not the type at all that only does something only if someone goes before me....I am usually the opposite, but maybe it all was meant to be.....but I am so very tired of this cocoon of fat I have around me...there is that healthy, happier person inside that is trying so hard to dig past all the crap to get out....she's come out only a couple of times inthe last 20 years...I kinda would like to coax her out to stay for a while you know?  I hope I can figure out what is the right road to get on to make that happen.

First of all, welcome to the Maryland group!  I have to agree with what Jen and the other lady has said, but on top of it I want to make sure you know that wls does not make the head/heart hunger go away.  We still have to battle that years after the surgery.  As for Dr. Schweitzer, he is a VERY wise choice.

All of the thoughts expressed thus far are right on. This is a very personal choice. You are right to ask a lot of questions and be certain of your commitment. No matter what method you choose, it is a tool and you have to work the tool.

For me, I am very happy that I made this decision. Yes, there are things I have to deal with, like the skin, etc. But if I compare my life now to my life then, now is ever so much better. In fact now I have my life back. I had become so limited by my weight. I had so many medical issues. I took a basketful of meds each day! I too had never had surgery before this and I was very scared about the idea of being under anesthesia. But once I started down the path, it was just putting one foot in front of the other. The closer I got, the more committed I became. I started laying the groundwork before surgery, which I had on November 8, 2007. Including the 50 lbs. I lost before surgery, I have lost a total of 228 lbs. I only take one med a day for something that is unrelated to my weight. I am active, oh so active. My life is full. I am having a blast! This past October I went on a vacation where I actually was kayaking!!! This was totally inconceivable for me in my old body.

This is a life long commitment. We still have the same brain we have always had. The same brain that gets tempted. I am one of those people who does not react to sugar very much. It is the size of my pouch that helps me. Do I fall off track? Yes, sometimes. The difference between then and now is that I don't give up. Even if I gain a couple of lbs. It is just that, a couple of lbs. I get right back on the program. I am learning how to be normal, how to give myself permission to have a treat now and then and still stay on the program, how to control and manage it all. For me, it has been key to stay connected to the process. I have been and will continue to go to support groups, connect with people on this board, and seek counseling when I feel I need one on one support.

Best wishes to you no matter what you decide is best for you!

Debbie

Yes..how crazy is that? I know who I want to be my surgeon....and that my insurance will cover it....now I just have to figure out what to do!!! Sometimes I feel like a little creature in a cage just peddling the wheel around and around lol....but I do realize about the head/heart hunger.........you have to work twice as hard to deal with food.....because you can't eat the amounts of food you used to eat......to numb all the emotional issues.....you really are forced to deal with what made you heavy in the first place......and I am more of an emotional eater than someone who just loves food.  I tend to not even taste most food after the first few bites....the rest is usually just purely eating out of whatever is stressing me for that day etc. or because its there..... So I do realize how much work is involved in changing the head as well as the heart....its a huge thing to take on....but its something I know needs to be done...with or without having surgery...for me, that is the hardest part!