BA-Fan

First post here (I apologize for the length) so please bear with me. I have thought about WLS for 4.5 to 5 years now. In mid-2010, I went on a medically supervised WL program and over the course of 18 or so months, lost from 412.5 to 300.5 pounds by dieting and exercise (walking). At this point, I developed a very painful sciatic nerve flare up and had to quit walking. Also around this time, the program that I was on changed drastically (on the medical side) and I dropped out, lost my focus on dieting, and by early 2014 had regained around 70 pounds. I realized something had to change, and in early 2014 went to a WLS seminar and decided that VSG was right for me. It took me a while to get my nerve up to call the surgeon's office for an appointment, but I had my initial appointment with him in August 2014. The surgeon wanted me to lose 15-20 pounds (which I have lost about 10 or so). Also, my insurance wanted me to have 3-4 consecutive monthly visits with a Dr.'s office to weigh in for approval purposes. This has recently been completed and my PCP has written a letter of medical necessity to the surgeon. I have been in contact with my surgeon's office and advised them that I'm going to need another 4-6 weeks to try to lose the weight that he wanted me to lose. I had another flare up of my sciatic nerve over the Christmas holiday and it is slowly getting better, but I'm still not back to my usual walking routine. Another reason I'm delaying making the surgeon appointment is that I would like to join a gym and start exercising more than just walking. I would like to be in full exercise mode prior to the surgery so that I can hit the ground running immediately after I'm cleared to exercise post-op. The only discussions that I've had with my wife about the surgery is that I told her that I scheduled an initial consultation and I discussed with her what the Dr. said during my initial visit when I got home. She does not support my decision to have the surgery and is opposed to it. She is also obese and doesn't want to make any changes in her lifestyle. I find it difficult to talk to my wife about a lot of things, WLS is just one of the many. I know I need to do this for myself and my health due to a number of comorbidities that I currently have. I'm still frustrated and apprehensive over the WLS surgery and the changes that I know that I'll need to make in my life for it to be successful. I do think about the surgery almost all the time and what my life could be like 125 to 150 poounds lighter. There is a support group 3 or 4 miles from where I work that I have not attended due to the time of the day that it is held. Are there any suggestions or words of encouragement that I can solicit from the forum users? Thanks in advance!

No, she's mostly just hateful. I understand the risks and the rewards, but like I said, it is difficult for me to speak with her about a number of things because she is so closed-minded and opinionated.

I don't really think the wife would be a good support partner. Our two sons may be a better help for me. The oldest, a college student, has had Type 1 diabetes since middle school so we're familiar in our household with counting carbs. I've never joined a gym before and don't know anything about how to use any of the equipment or what I should be doing. The only things I've ever used before are a treadmill and stationary bike. Any suggestions on what to get started with whenever I do take the plunge and join the gym?

I've got a lift to the hospital. My elderly parents have said they would drive down here (about 2.5 hours from where they live) to either take me and/or be with me at the hospital, even staying in a hotel for a few days because my wife and Mom don't get along. We've got 2 sons, one in middle school and the other a sophomore in college that I would like to be around for as they grow older.