Mello1

Hey! I'm going with the by-pass because as my doctor recommends because of the reflux problems and I have a small hiatal hernia that the doctor will also fix. This year was the worse for it and it's not going to get any better and I don't want to take the steroids; I already don't want to keep taking this HBP meds as it is. Thanks for the clarification, I had read up on it some more and I understand better now.

A co-worker and long time friend (over 30 years) of mine knows because she is getting ready to do the same thing. We both have been talking about it and came to our decisions in different ways. She had actually told me earlier this year that she was thinking about it, and I happen to have a colon and endoscopy this summer as part of my full checkup and the doctor who did my endoscopy is the bariatric surgeon. I did the endo because of my acid reflux and hiatal hernia that I have been dealing with for the past 10 years. His office kept calling me about a consultation and finally I decided to go to hear what he had to say, not totally convinced that this was something that I was going to do -- thus his recommendation for the by-pass; my friend is getting the sleeve. She has only told one family member and I have told 2 other close friends (one a retired RN) and both are supportive, but we roll that way. I haven't decided if I will use my sick leave; I think that I will work thru the holidays and take my vacay in January if that is when my surgery is approved or I may take a combo of sick and vacay because I have excess leave. Other than that, I will tell a few others eventually... or not. Still debating whether I will tell my sis pre-op or not. I figured that now is the time for me while my health is still reasonably well, but I'm having increasing difficulty with knees and feet and I'm sick of the reflux and HBP. I want to retire at goal weight.

Amen sister! Good for you! Interesting, I was watching an episode of 'My 600 lb. Life' yesterday and it featured a woman who was going thru WLS with a non supportive husband, who eventually left her because he was with someone else. Once she released all of the stress and strain of his controlling, belittling attitude and re-aligned herself with advocating for herself, she started to become more successful with her weight loss. This is also the reason why folk don't tell many people about these procedures because the last thing a person needs is people being negative and non-supportive. Lastly, it's not like you gained a whole lot here -- just think that if you weren't going for the WLS, just eating the way you have in the past, you may be much heavier so clearly you are making good changes that will only get better post-op. Oh, one more thing: your health is the most important thing here. Please monitor how you feel first before returning to work. We must be present and in control of our own health.

Great! Welcome aboard!

Kwel!

Hi back to ya! I had my initial consultation on the 4th; so that would put me in the January range for the procedure.

Exact situation here. Because I have Acid Reflux, that is what is being recommended for me and I'm trying to adjust although he will do the sleeve. I'm trying to weigh the best options for me now,

Thanks for starting this thread. I just joined a few minutes ago and I had my initial consultation just yesterday. All of this is a bit overwhelming, but it's good to know that I share a similar story. I'm over sixty and I had my gallbladder removed when I was 22 and Gastric By Pass is being recommended for me because of the acid reflux disease although my surgeon will also do the sleeve if that's what I want. It's kinda freaking me out realizing that either my stomach will be significantly reduced or bypassed all together. I have to make a decision on which way I'm going to go very soon and I'm glad for this forum. I have a lot to read. I won't put up a profile until I decide. Good luck and best wishes for a successful surgery to you.