09/19/06
I am in the beginning stages of the WLS journey. I have met with the surgeon once, attended orientation for the mandated 'New Beginnings' program all WLS patients of Dr. Boynton must attend, and have been digging around on the internet for supports sites. I'm glad I found this one. It seems well balanced, not pro or con, just presenting information provided by members, positive & negative.
I am very ambivalent about having this surgery. I am a 'lightweight', at 5' 3" and 224 lbs. My main impetus for having the surgery (RNY) is that I was diagnosed with diabetes in August 2005. I am the comorbidity queen. I have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and arthritis. I also suffer from chronic depression (unrelated to my weight issues, though I'm sure my weight exacerbates my depression). It seems like once I turned 50, my body started to deteriorate at an alarming rate. I am noticing a marked decline in my energy levels (could be due to the diabetes meds or menopause), I am having memory issues (could be due to the depression meds or menopause), and just a lot of unexplained aches and pains. Overall, I am alarmed. I fell down the stairs a month or so ago because my knee can no longer support my weight as I climb stairs. My recovery from those injuries has been very slow.
I have been researching this surgery for a number of years now, on and off. Reading extensively on the internet, talking to people I know that have had the surgery. I'd read or hear horror stories and back off considering having the surgery for a while. Only now, I'm more afraid of the diabetes then I am the WLS.
Next week, I have an appointment with the pulmonologist to see if I have sleep apnea. The pulmonologist is the first requirement I'm meeting, then nothing happens for me until mid-December when I go for my 'New Beginnings' assessment. 'New Beginnings' will oversee all my testing and assure that I meet all the requirements for the surgery. I don't want to have the surgery until June 2007, as I work for a school district and that will be the first opportunity for me to take an extended amount of time off from work.
So, that's where I am at this point. I'm just going to dig around and learn as much from this site as I can until I have my 'New Beginnings' assessment in December. I have already viewed many profiles and photos, and read all the Memorials ~ that was an eye opener.
