Need some points of view because my brain is on hiatus!
on 2/9/15 8:01 am
the unfortunate situation I find myself in is that for the last few months I was investigating my options for surgery as i did not have a co morbidity. During this process I recently found out I now have diabeties. I feel that its no longer an option to have the surgery but more of a necessity now. The biggest problem i have is I've got serious head games going on. (1) Should I try to lose 50 lbs on my own which would put me in a range of only 30 more to lose, I could live with that, still be "chunky" as I've been called but my guts won't be re arranged for life and I could control the diabeties with diet, or (2) have the surgery, hopefully lose the 80 lbs and be done with the diabeties ( doc said it will no longer be an issue for me) that being said, my track record for keeping weight off is poor at best. My entire life I have yo yo'd. Was told by my surgeon RNY is the only surgery I could have because of sever acid reflux. Any input to help me ease my mind would be appreciated as I'm just starting the Long list of tests that are required.
Hey, I've been where you are! Do I? Or not? I decided to go ahead with the surgery (2 weeks ago) because even though I didn't have any of the other pre existing conditions, I too was also the yo-yo dieter. I tried every pill, weigh****chers, Jenny Craig, personal trainers, etc.... So with my BMI being right under 40, I felt for ME it was easier to gain 10 lbs and get qualified for surgery than to try and lose almost 100lbs on my own. But I still have the mind set to know that the bypass was only a tool to help. I don't regret my decision at all! But either way, you do what you think is best for YOU! Good luck!
Nielah- Gastric Bypass on 1/26/15
SW:239 CW:212
Me again...I too had a hard time deciding. I was scheduled for surgery in March 2014 and was having unrelated chest pains, probably my acid reflux. I went to a cardiologist right before my surgery and he said I was not "big" enough to have weight loss surgery. He said I was pleasantly plump. Family members also convinced me that I could do the pre-op diet without having the surgery and all my issues would be fixed. (I had elevated BP and cholesterol). RNY was my only choice and it seemed so intrusive. Consequently on the Friday before my surgery I cancelled it more determined to continue on with the yogurts, weight loss shakes and a healthy diet. I did not keep it up and then in October I found out my A1C levels had raised again. I decided I didn't care what anyone else thought I was going to do it. Called Stanford and they didn't need me to do any of the pre-surgery stuff again and scheduled my surgery. Boy, when I went for my 2nd preop the surgeon was mad at me for wasting his time and told me if I cancelled again he was done with me. After that I was too scared of him to cancel, lol. I wrote him in an email that my biggest issue was my fear of hospitals and he said he would take care of me, so all was good. I have claustrophobia and I did have a panic attack in the hospital, wanting to undo it all and go home. Long story short I did it and I am glad I did. That being said, only you can make this decision. 
HW: 240 SW: 224 Goal: 130
on 2/9/15 9:25 am
See that's exactly what I see happening to me. All my best intentions to only gain again. And to make matters worse I have a son who is opposed to this and said that now that i ave diabetes it should should give me the extra incentive to be able to diet and keep the weight off. But my track record says otherwise.
It's nice to think you'll control diabetes with your diet, but it's the same as controlling your weight with diet- subject to your mood and will power. I left the hospital off diabetes meds, reflux meds and blood pressure meds. Praise and thanks be to God!!! I only wish I'd done this surgery MUCH sooner.
I understand your conflicted thinking completely and debated with myself up to a couple of weeks before my surgery. Every time I started thinking I could 'do this on my own' I had to remind myself about my numerous failed attempts over the years that just caused me to gain more than I lost. I knew I was only kidding myself to thinking could do it on my own. The surgery isn't a guarantee for success but it is my best chance and I have many reasons to want to live a longer and healthier life.
I did come to peace with my decision and most of my family is entirely supportive and I let them be my support. I just had my surgery Jan 27 and though it's early, I can honestly say I have no regrets.
Best of luck with your decision! Kim
Dr Referral Jan/14, Guelph Orientation Feb 27/14, Nurse, Nut, SW app't Mar 14 & June 16/14, Nut, SW Aug 26/14, Internist Dr. Agarwal app't Sept 15/14, Surgeon App't Dr. Bhojani Dec 11/14, Start 3 weeks Opti Jan 6/15, Surgery Jan 27/15. Eating to live...Not living to eat!
It is such a personal, and big, decision. I went through the whole flip flop thing too. Many people are opposed to the surgery, but it is not their body, it is yours. You have to live with illness, energy loss, stress, emotions, etc, not the other people. It is when I was diagnosed with diabetes that I made up my mind, with no looking back. This surgery is just a tool. You still have to do the work, but you do have this tool to help. Jenny Craig, diets, gyms, etc, are all tools, but they are tools you put away when you don't feel like using them, and it is all too easy to do that. Your tiny tummy will always be there to help you. Even if you fall back into old habits, you still have the ability to get back on track. I didn't want to live with diabetes, even controlled it can be a degenerative disease. I want to be here for my son, and eventually his kids. I want to get control of my life and maintain it, and stop the yo-yo. I haven't told many people about my surgery because I don't want to deal with the judgement. This is definitely not the easy way out, even though that is what people think sometimes. It is hard, and I am hoping it gets easier, everyone says it will. Again, this is your decision to make for you. It sounds like you want to do it, but others are holding you back. You are the one that lives in your skin. Figure out what you want, and go full charge at it not letting anyone else change your mind.
