Making the Decision

[Ravenhair 0]

Hello all,

I was given this forum by my nutritionist so I could understand more about the surgery and what to expect. I am struggling with this because I always thought I was okay. I have now discovered that my health is in jeopardy and I need to make a decision as to what I am going to do about my weight. I have lost weight in the past buy have never kept it off (sound familiar?). Anyway, I am still struggling with this and hope to understand from all of you what I can expect if I choose to go ahead with the surgery. My friends and family are encouraging me not to do the surgery. They are concerned and afraid as I am. I need to lose 80 pounds which seems like an impossible task. My doctor recommended the sleeve as a tool to help. I am just confused as to what it will be like afterward. The idea that food is no longer my friend sort of speak.

Does anyone have any input to the surgery? Has it worked for you? What did it feel like afterward?

I really appreciate your insight and comments.

Thanks to all.

[fatBgone 6]

I would really suggest that you read, read, read! All the different posts under all the different topics. It will let you see some of the different success stories, problems that people encounter, suggestions, etc. there are so many different topics and posts and just about everyone at one time has posted his/her story. When I first found this board, I just spent so much time reading what everyone posted and I really learned so much. You get to read about it as it happened and sometimes that is the best way to really try to understand what was happening with the person at that time and was that pre-op or how many weeks post-op, etc.

Good luck!

[Rev Me Up! 75]

Hi,

I agree with t post above - there are so many different stories on this board and you should go through and read as many as possible. The experience varies. I wish that I could have lost the weight without surgery, but it was never going to happen. The recovery is hard - the first month is very difficult. However, I can say today that I am in control of the food and it is NOT in control of me. I am 2 months out.

Good luck with your decision - it is not something to be taken lightly!

Lara

[Griselda 7]

I think unless your family members have also had some form of weight loss surgery, in general, they tend to not support it. I know that my husband was dead set against it and kept saying just go on a diet, we will do it together, let's start walking, etc. We shared a family doctor and when the family doctor actually suggested I have some form of WLS because of all my comorbidities, he was still saying he didn't think it was necessary. Then even when I went to see four different specialists (related to comorbidities) and all of them suggested WLS, he still didn't think it was a good idea. Well, we are now divorcing (not because of that, but other issues) and so now he really doesn't get to 'have a say' in it. He still thinks it is a bad idea and the rest of my family also think it is too dangerous. However, they do not live in my body and even though I weigh less than 300 lbs, I have every problem in the book that is related to weight. If one of them were in my situation, I would try to find out what was best for them. I think it is hard for people who haven't been there, or people who are there, but are not wiling to have surgery themselves. Only YOU can decide what YOU need to do. It is surgery, there are risks, there are risks to not having surgery, there are risks to flying, driving, falling in love, choosing one career path over the other, etc. Only we can decide what are acceptable risks for ourselves. I am less than 2 weeks away from having surgery and I was POSITIVE I would have no fears or second thoughts or cold feet, however, as it gets close, I find that I am very worried. and wondering if my family aren't right and wouldn't my son rather have a fat, unhealthy mom who might not die until he is in his 40's or one who might die in a few weeks. I picture friends/family crying and saying "We didn't care she was fat, at least she was alive" But, realistically, the chances of me dying from the procedure are not very high.

Keep reading, keep asking and keep looking for the answer, you will know it when you find it!!

quote name='fatBgone' timestamp='1304447101' post='145603']

I would really suggest that you read, read, read! All the different posts under all the different topics. It will let you see some of the different success stories, problems that people encounter, suggestions, etc. there are so many different topics and posts and just about everyone at one time has posted his/her story. When I first found this board, I just spent so much time reading what everyone posted and I really learned so much. You get to read about it as it happened and sometimes that is the best way to really try to understand what was happening with the person at that time and was that pre-op or how many weeks post-op, etc.

Good luck!

[feedyoureye 3,087]

This whole site is crammed with amazing stories. It may seem too big to even dive into, but you really should, its worth it. Spend some late nights on the computer looking through parts. I hit the "view new content" upper right to see whats new... then go down the list and peek into where ever looks interesting to you. The vast majority of people here love their sleeve even if some of them had difficult Patches here and there. I have had NO really bad patches to speak of ....a few stalls, sore stomach, crapy taisting meds...., I love my sleeve, and if I don't lose another pound, it has all been worth it. I am still learning... at 15 weeks out.... and about half of my weight lost. I still read this forum every day, and post and make the most of it that I can. ...read on!

[feedyoureye 3,087]

This whole site is crammed with amazing stories. It may seem too big to even dive into, but you really should, its worth it. Spend some late nights on the computer looking through parts. I hit the "view new content" upper right to see whats new... then go down the list and peek into where ever looks interesting to you. The vast majority of people here love their sleeve even if some of them had difficult Patches here and there. I have had NO really bad patches to speak of ....a few stalls, sore stomach, crapy taisting meds...., I love my sleeve, and if I don't lose another pound, it has all been worth it. I am still learning... at 15 weeks out.... and about half of my weight lost. I still read this forum every day, and post and make the most of it that I can. ...read on!