whiporee

Hi everyone -- I'm considering bypass surgery -- I've got an appointment with a surgeon for May 10. I'm paying out of pocket, so I don't have any insurance requirements to fulfill. But I'm trying to get my head around it, and really have a good feel for what is in store for me. Thanks for indulging, and please tell me what you can. I'm about ... I don't know, somewhere between 120 and 150 pounds overweight. My BMI is about 47. I'm 50 and have been overweight my whole life -- I've lost 100 pounds three separate times, I've lost 50 six more and I don't even count 30 as significant anymore. 10 years ago I lost 125 and managed to keep 40 of that off, so I've never gotten back to my highest weight. But for the last few years, nothing I've tried has made much difference, and I've tried everything. Three fasting programs, Nutri system. WW, Slimgenics. Trim Healthy Mama. Atkins. 've got three kids under 13,a nd while I get winded, I'm active. I'm the morning person at teh house, so I need to get up and get moving pretty early. I work out four times a week -- lately I've been doing about 150 flights of stairs in each workout, though last week I changed to the treadmill on an incline while carrying weights. I don't eat crazy but I do like sugar (i gave up candy for lent, so it's been a while since I had much of it). So I'm looking at this, but it scares me. So I'm hoping to get some honest feedback as to what, well, you have to give up. Aside from getting thinner, what else changes in your life? How long am I away from solid foods? How much can you actually eat once the procedure has settled in? Are there food that are just gone for good? And does it work almost all of the time? I know what doctors say, but I really wanted some feedback from folks who have been through it. Thanks for any opinions or insight anyone can offer. i appreciate it.

Thank you for the information. If I might ask a couple of more questions: Are carbonated beverages allowed? I read about dumping -- does that mean that I'd have to stay away from sweets, period? What about lethargia? I've read about people being very tired, and that's something I really can't afford in my life these days. Thanks again for the insight.