GSFan

I had not heard of that. Thanks!

What is a WLS dining out card?

Ok, went to info session this morning and then had my first appointment with the surgeon. He is recommending the gastric bypass instead of the sleeve. He says GB is the "gold standard" and has been around the longest, people lose the most weight with it, almost immediately can come off metformin. Any one else had this experience?

Thanks for your responses. I need to lose 200 pounds and he said he feels I would have more success with the GB. He also said it is up to me. I like the idea of the sleeve because it is less invasive. I also had a friend that had GB 5 years ago and she died from complications a week later. I also know a married couple that had GB and both are bigger now than before the surgery. Maybe I do need a 2nd opinion...

I have my info session at 9:00am then have an appointment with the surgeon (Dr. Vadim Sherman) in Houston at 12:30. On one hand, I feel ready to follow his advice and do whatever it takes to get this weight off. However, I am very nervous about going through the surgery itself and the fact that it is such a major lifestyle change and irreversible! I am 59 years old, have 3 grandchildren ages 9, 7 and 3. My mobility has declined to the point if I don't lose weight, I will be watching them from the sidelines instead of enjoying life with them. We recently took the oldest two to Disneyland and it was a real eye opener as far as the condition I am in. Just the walking I had to do in the airports did me in, there was no way I could have made it through the parks without the scooter we rented. It is encouraging to read the threads on here that so many state they only regret not doing the surgery sooner. At 5'6" and 350 pounds and a goal of 150, I have such a long way to go. Prayers and positive thoughts so appreciated!

What a difference! You look wonderful...keep up the good work

I am pre-op.

You look fantastic! TFS - very inspirational

I did this a while back and am so glad I finally did! I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea, now have a bipap machine and wouldn't want to be without it. I feel so much better! Good luck to you.

I am just starting the process but plan to tell no one but my husband.

Best of luck to you!

I am very new to all of this.. I will go to orientation on Feb 19. I've been lurking on this board for a couple of weeks trying to absorb all I can. About 25 years ago I lost 140 pounds by literally starving myself. I maintained the loss for 5 years by walking 3 miles a day and continuing my starvation diet. Life's stressors kicked in and I started gaining and stopped exercising and I am at my highest weight ever now. I never thought I would consider WLS because a dear friend of mine died a few years ago, from complications from gastric bypass surgery, one week after the procedure. I have other friends ( married couple) who had gastric bypass surgery and both are heavier now than before the surgery. Reading stories on this board has given me new hope. I m just so tired of being sick and tired! And I want to be around to enjoy my grandchildren. We are taking our two oldest grandchildren to Disneyland this weekend, and while I am excited for them, all I can do is worry about fitting in the airplane seat, making it through all the walking at the airport, and facing the reality that I will probably have to rent a scooter at the parks. I wish all of you the best and hope we can soon compare our success stories!

Healthygal, Thanks for posting this. I am very new to all of this myself. I will go to an orientation on Feb 19. I've been lurking on this board for a couple of weeks trying to absorb all I can. Your story sounds very similar to mine. About 25 years ago I lost 140 pounds by literally starving myself. I maintained the loss for 5 years by walking 3 miles a day and continuing my starvation diet. Life's stressors kicked in and I started gaining and stopped exercising and I am at my highest weight ever now. I never thought I would consider WLS because a dear friend of mine died a few years ago, from complications from gastric bypass surgery, one week after the procedure. I have other friends ( married couple) who had gastric bypass surgery and both are heavier now than before the surgery. Reading stories on this board has given me new hope. I m just so tired of being sick and tired! And I want to be around to enjoy my grandchildren. We are taking our two oldest grandchildren to Disneyland this weekend, and while I am excited for them, all I can do is worry about fitting in the airplane seat, making it through all the walking at the airport, and facing the reality that I will probably have to rent a scooter at the parks. I wish you all the best and hope we can soon compare our success stories!