Carol C.
Why WLS?
Jan 21, 2009
So, was sitting here thinking how happy I am that I had my Sleeve. I am down 55# as of today. I read the Obesity Help Online Forums regularly and find it amazing what people will post here. Lately we have had a troll posting about the evils of WLS. Made me think and realize just how much better off I am today then I was before my surgery. I am no longer living on motrin to ease the daily aches and pains I was having. I can walk up several flights of stairs without getting winded. I can even look at a whole table of food and not feel like I have to eat something.Yeah, I have given up a lot, and no its not always easy. I have not had a drop of diet coke since my surgery, nor have I had any sweets. I struggle somedays to eat enough so that I am not in "starvation" mode. I still need to excercise and follow strict diet rules. Oh, and lets not forget the pain in my stomach if I eat even one bite to much of something. I am luckier then some in that I never get some of the side effects they do. I don't "dump", I don't throw up or get "foamies", and best of all, I have never had food get stuck.
So, why did I choose WLS, and why the VSG?
Well, first of all I have tried many diets, most of which worked for a short time, only to gain all my weight lost and then some. The last diet (Jenny Craig) I had lost a lot only to be gaining it all back. I was within 10 pounds of my start weight one year later. I had met several coworkers who had gotten the lapband and were successful. I decided that I was going to get one myself and stop the yoyo dieting.
I started doing research on the net, and found a wonderful site that offered support and information. Obesityhelp.com also hosts seminars across the US for pre-ops, post-ops and those looking for reconstructive surgery after their weight loss. I went to my first seminar a week later and never looked back. I had a free consult with a bariatric surgeon while I was there and he recommended an open DS to me. He stated that the lapband would not work for me. The idea of cutting me wide open for surgery horrified me. I knew enough about medicine to know the recovery time and pain would be greater if they did the open. So I went back to the web and did more research.
At this point I was thinking I would get the DS, but wanted to do more research. As I looked into the procedure I found that it could be done in 2 parts, or all at the same time. The first part, the VSG could also be a stand alone procedure. I looked more and more into the VSG and liked what I found. It is a restrictive procedure that also removes most of the grehlin from your stomach. My biggest problem was hunger and never feeling satisfied when I ate. VSG addressed both of these issues. My next step was to pick a surgeon.
I knew my insurance would not pay for my WLS, so I would have to pay for it myself. With this in mind, I started looking into surgeons in AZ. The cost was prohibitive. I would have to cash out my 401K and was still not sure I would have enough. I then checked into Mexico. Ah, much better prices, but would the care be up to standard? After reading testimonials, I decided to go for it. I contacted several Dr's there, talked to them online and on the phone, and finally went with the cheapest in Tijauna.
Yeah, I know I was taking a risk, but I felt it was worth it. I was constantly in pain in my knees, back and shoulder. I had trouble walking up 1 flight of stairs, and I was depressed cause I just couldn't lose weight. In healthcare you always have to weigh the benefits agains the risks. And for me there was no contest. I am happier, healthier, and currently at my lowest weight since I graduated Nursing School. Soon I will be under 200#. I think the last time I was that low was in the 80's.
So, I say to those who say WLS is not necessary, or is the easy way out. Who cares? Its my life not yours, and as long as I am happy, why can't you just be happy for me?
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About Me
North Hollywood, CA
Location
49.1
BMI
Surgery
09/29/2008
Surgery Date
Sep 13, 2008
Member Since
