Hey all,
I am in the very first stages of even considering this surgery. I've only heard of it for 2 weeks now and I am totally convinced it could be the answer to my prayers and weight problem. I have read through many of these forums and I am looking for someone to tell me if it is the magic it seems to be or if you will always be struggling. I don't want to come back to the place I am now, but will I have to give up Dr. Pepper forever?
My weight problems started after high school, I gained a little at a time - the freshman 15 plus the sophomore 20 and the junior 25, etc. When I was 34 I tried "one of those diets" and lost 45 lbs and it got me back to a good weight of 150, but in under 2 yrs I gained it all back and kept going until I got to 215 - then I got divorced, went down 30 lbs........... then I met someone and married 2 yrs later and was @ 209. Over the next few years I gained 40+ lbs. At my peak I was 256 lbs. I was 40 yrs old then (5 years ago)and I am 5'5" . I decided that since I had hit the BIG 40, it was time to diet - AGAIN. I lost down to 199 on a Dr. supervised program at the hospital where I worked and the day after Thanksgiving I realized I couldn't drink one more shake. now almost 5 years later, I have gained back up to 235, which is a record for not having gained it all PLUS more. My BMI calculates to around a 39.9 - may as well say 40.
With no energy, no motivation to exercise (it makes my heart race) and no desire to drink any shakes or eat supplement bars, I am pre-diabetic, have high blood pressure and take 4 meds a day to reduce my BP and risk of heart attack.
My father died of a heart attack when he was 49 (I was 14) and now that I am just over 3 years from that same age, I am scared. I want to be skinny again and healthy enough to make it into my 50s. In apprearance, I favor my father's side of my family and most of my aunts/uncles as well as my grandparents are overweight. I expect I'm doomed to be fat forever.
Can anyone offer advice on where to start this process (ie do I call my insurance or my family doctor?) I know this surgery is being done where I live so that's not a problem. I know of just one person that had it done a year ago and he is a doctor, so that eases my mind a little.
I've never had any surgery or anything besides dental work done. the thought of electing to be cut on and knowing there are big risks makes me hesitate to go any further. If this procedure increases my life span, but I end up with negative side effects that hinder my quality of life, did I actually accomplish anything positive??? Is the procedure for the most part safe and will it be a good choice for me?
Anyone that can offer advice at this preliminary stage, I would so much appreciate it.
Thank you.
Signed Skeptical
