Questioning everything (pre-op)

I'm am going to assume that everyone's story here is similar to mine.

I have struggled with my weight since adolescence and now find myself at 31 years old with nothing but the same body image issues I had back then. I have had my share of health issues which I have been told are all related to my weight (sometimes I think it's just a cop out for the doctors to blame it on weight) they are not major issues just the standard, issues with fertility (I have a 12 year old daughter), menstrual cycle issues, swelling of legs and feet etc. I have contemplated bypass surgery for a number of years but was not really proactive in moving forward.

I went though a separation in 2010 and not only did I rid myself of a 180 lbs spouse but in about 8 months lost almost 70lbs with little to no effort. Other then I was single after a 10 year relationship and was out having fun! (starting weight 310 lbs down to 240 lbs (not ideal but I felt great)). I've since started a new relationship and over the past 2 years I have managed to slowly put back on almost 40lbs (they say comfort or happy weight), but I'm not happy! Not happy with myself... not happy with what I've let happen again. so I decided (or thought I decided) to be proactive with the bypass.

My other motivating factor is/was that my younger sister had the bypass surgery just shy of 2 years ago now and has had great success but a few complications and side effects. But all of her issues are because of her own doing (hair thinning because she was not taking her vitamins and an ulcer which she had emergency surgery for (doctors said it was because she continued to smoke post - op). But she looks fantastic ( to skinny sometimes I think. She went from 280lbs down to 130lbs).....

I just had my info session on Monday and although I knew about the post -op meal plans and some of the basic risks and side effects and what my sis went through it really was an eye opener. I was told that they try and scare u but I really thought it was in sight full . Your forced to really ask urself a lot of questions about commitment, life long commitments. But truth is I'm scared! I have always been scared! That's what's kept me from being proactive about the surgery in the past. I want to know if this "journey" is right for me......

I know no one can answer that for me, that's for me to decide. But I need to know long term that if u stick to the plan as it is laid out and really commit to change. Does it work? Can u commit long term? Will I live till I'm 80 (lmao)? And will I still be thin and healthy? Or will I be fat again? (I warned u I had body issues) but don't we all? Health plays a big roll most of the time but I'm lucky in comparison. But I truly don't want to be fat again and uncomfortable living in my own body....ever again! Is this surgery life changing and worth all the risks?

Are the results worth the risks?

Input please???

Crystal
(scared)

For me: worth everything!!!

Hi,

 

i  just had the surgery on Monday. Have lost some weight on optifast but no real results to tell you about. but to me, the minimal risk outweighed staying the same.

Crystal I too went home from Orientation and questioned everything! For me my answer was what are the risks if I don't do the surgery?
My risks far outweigh the risks of surgery, but my BMI is currently 53 and I have several comorbidities.

I also am a Mom and I am missing out on LIVING, my children are still young and I want to be here a long time to see them grow.

Take it one day at a time and make the decision that is right for you.

As the bariatric program in Ontario (assume that's where you are) delves into the surgery pretty well and the side effects are easily found via the net, no one should enter the OR without a pretty complete understanding of the risk reward ratios.  If any of us felt the risks out weighed (pardon the pun) the rewards we should have hauled our butt to the closest buffet and chowed down!  

For me WLS has opened a much better, more fulfilled life to me.  I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Your post, asking us for answers reminds me of my Mom's favourite response when we asked her for answers that she knew we must answer for ourselves... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZbKHDPPrrc

At the start of day six since surgery I can tell you for me, even when I was having a poor-me fest on OptiFast, questioning everything in my life, or was frustrated about being uncomfortable and incapacitated a few days after surgery, I have never once second guessed my decision. It's definitely normal to do so, as everyone will tell you, but I had finally accepted earlier this year when I turned 30 and hit a seriously scary weight that either I do the surgery, and maybe I fail but probably I stick to the explicitly explained plan laid out for me all along the way and have amazing success, or I could not do surgery and be guaranteed to be overweight and miserably standing on the sidelines for the rest of my life. I lost 17 lbs on Opti and have dropped 7 lbs since my surgery last Friday. So, I'd say it's already been worth it
As you said, only you can make the decision. Some people accept the desision and never look back, and some people have one foot on both sides of the fence right up until they hop on the operating table. Neither way is right or wrong, it's just the journey we each need to take. You'll figure it out

LOL thank  you Ian I now have that song rolling around in my head and am sure I will be spouting it off randomly all day :)

I met the surgeon two days ago and I didn't really have the holy crap moment until then. I have discussed it with two of the few people I've told and they both said the same thing....you've decided you want this it's normal to second guess but you know you want to be healthy, look and feel better.

Too bad you have such a role model for the surgery, Perhaps you should visit the local support group and meet folks that have utilized the tool to it's fullest.

Good Luck!

Jo

Thanks guys for the imput! I'm a bit of an over thinker lol. I just have that fear that I will be that 1 person who dies post-op. Extreme i know but this really is a big decision. I am going to continue to go through the the steps and stages. And surgery day will be the ultimate D-day (so to speak). I have read a couple other forums on here and see that there are more than a few honor stories and failed attempts. Those are what keep me questioning the risk. I don't want to do this all for nothing. I know we all feel the same way.

Just remember, for all the horror stories you read there are hundreds (maybe more!) of people who have zero issues and we don't hear from them because they don't use this site With these surgeries for sure we may have setbacks and ups and downs but I guarantee you the successful, complication-free surgeries far outweigh the rest!

Meant horror stories.