How Do I Get Off The Fence ?

[drucella22 31]

Have been thinking about doing this for about 2 years and I still can't get that gun ho feeling like I read people having on here. When I shop for clothes I'm ready then but I have days I'm feeling so-so about all this. I guess I'm really scared of something going really wrong. How do you get over this? Saw dr. ,Nutritionist (which was a joke), psychologist who said I need to find some support system ( friends and family don't want mento do it). I have Barrett's esophagus so I will see the gastroenterologist next week to see what he says about this and the Barrett's. That may make up my mind. Any suggestions how to get off the fence? Lol ty

[iegal 460]

HA HA

You are the only one who can get off the fence. Dr can't pull you the fence, tests won't pull you off nor can I. You are the captian of your future. Where will you be in one year without this surgery? Dream a little. Now, where will you be in one year with this surgery? What opportunities can be opened with surgery? What limitations will surgery give you?

What did it for me? I was tired of really trying every diet and being a failure. I knew my health was in jeopardy. I wanted to hike unlimted again. I wanted to shop in normal clothes. I wanted all that I could be without excuses.

Today I have achieved a dream. Oh, there are struggles and being sleeved is not a perfect life. This is a permanent surgery so you can not do this for anyone but yourself.

I love my sleeve and have no regrets.

[Marty McSkinnystein 342]

*push*

See you soon skinnier.

[drucella22 31]

Hi iegal! Im sick of a lot of things also just like you said you where. Sick of looking like this. Sick of buying fat women's ugly clothes. Sick of always being the fattest one in the group. Sick of losing and then gaining it back. Sick of feeling so self conscience all the time. Sick of barely fitting into a seat on a plane. Oh I can go on and on. But I don't want to be physically any sicker. Just can't get over that hump and I know there are no guarantees from anyone. Just really scared of it all I guess.

[drucella22 31]

*push*

<img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> See you soon skinnier.

Hey thanks for the push Marty lol wouldn't that be so nice if you could see me soon skinny. I'm just scared of being so sick. I don't really have anyone to help me and that concerns me also. I take care of my two granddaughters can I manage this all and just being home from the surgery?

[Marty McSkinnystein 342]

From everything I read (didn't have surgery yet) you can't be the sole caretaker of the little ones right away. But just imagine, if someone can help for a little bit-- just how much better you will be for them in the long run! It took me 3 years to decide finally for sure--- I wish I hadn't wasted time. Good luck! Just thinking about it is the first step!

[TinaD 18]

I'm so ready for my surgery. I'm two vistits with nut, psychologist, pulmonary dr., visit with surgeon then two weeks on pre op diet, my only fear is the all liquid diet. You see....I am a cruncher. chips, carrots, bell pepper, garden onions, etc. How do I get through not crunching? Lol Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

[Writergirl 230]

I gave a lot of thought as to what my "authentic" life is. Is it just eating? Or is it actually getting out there and living? I chose life. Also, I have Barrett's and my surgeon did NOT want to sleeve me. He wanted me to have a bypass. I finally got my gastro doc and surgeon to talk. My gastro really didn't want me to have the bypass. He said that the issue isn't reflux, it's ACID, and that I can control that with meds. He said he treats so many people with lifelong complications from the bypass, but none with complications from the sleeve. Since I was sleeved, I've had some acid, but no more than before. I'll know the "official" story when I go for a follow-up endoscopy with the gastro in August. I'd be interested in what your doctors recommend, if you wouldn't mind keeping me posted!

[kczar 166]

I'm so ready for my surgery. I'm two vistits with nut, psychologist, pulmonary dr., visit with surgeon then two weeks on pre op diet, my only fear is the all liquid diet. You see....I am a cruncher. chips, carrots, bell pepper, garden onions, etc. How do I get through not crunching? Lol Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

I'm pre-op as well but I plan on getting that great ice from Sonic and using it as a substitute. A bit of crunching/chewing and Water - great combo!

[Amanda 3.0 140]

Hi iegal! Im sick of a lot of things also just like you said you where. Sick of looking like this. Sick of buying fat women's ugly clothes. Sick of always being the fattest one in the group. Sick of losing and then gaining it back. Sick of feeling so self conscience all the time. Sick of barely fitting into a seat on a plane. Oh I can go on and on. But I don't want to be physically any sicker. Just can't get over that hump and I know there are no guarantees from anyone. Just really scared of it all I guess.

You are part of the club most of us belonged to and some still do. Every one of your concerns has been a concern of mine. Add the fear of someone deciding, after I get to the airport, that I need to buy another seat on the flight (this has not happened to me but I saw it on a TV show). Add the first thought of my day being, before I even get out of bed, "another day of being fat".

This is a serious surgery and so it is perfectly healthy to have reservations.

This is, seriously, the best thing I have done for myself. It might be for you too. If this is what it takes for you to lose the weight, then get off the fence. If you are taking care of grandchildren, you are probably old enough to have been suffering for a long while. I tried and tried to do it on my own, and one day I gave up and said "I need help, I cannot do it alone."

As for taking care of your grandkids, how old are they? Maybe they can help take care of you, if they aren't too little. They might just love that.

[girlfriday 59]

Have been thinking about doing this for about 2 years and I still can't get that gun ho feeling like I read people having on here. When I shop for clothes I'm ready then but I have days I'm feeling so-so about all this. I guess I'm really scared of something going really wrong. How do you get over this? Saw dr. ' date='Nutritionist (which was a joke), psychologist who said I need to find some support system ( friends and family don't want mento do it). I have Barrett's esophagus so I will see the gastroenterologist next week to see what he says about this and the Barrett's. That may make up my mind. Any suggestions how to get off the fence? Lol ty[/quote']

I told myself "How could I not do this?". I will be sleeved in 10 days. I am 40 and feel like I am 80. My weight loss goal is on the lower side (60 to 70) pounds. I have a small frame and this extra weight is causing joint pain. I have to stand all day at work and my feet hurt so badly at the end of the day. I also have sleep apnea, high cholesterol, GERD. My depression has worsened and I know if I don't do this to help myself then my depression will worsen even more. I don't go anywhere anymore if I can help it. I hate to shop for clothes and I don't want my picture made...... ever. my oldest son will be a sophomore in high school this year. I thought about how nice it will be to not be fat when he graduates from high school and actually want those pics made on such a special occasion. it is a very personal decision and I weighted the pros and cons. I am glad I am having it.

[Gene1970 179]

You have to decide what is going to make you happy for the rest of your life. I too was diagnosed with Barretts a few years ago, and then a year later they said I was mis-diagnosed. I have lived with HORRIBLE acid reflux for years. Don't let what the specialist says make your decison. I asked my specialist a couple years ago and he didn't think highly of the surgery... his skinny person advice was "just eat a little less and you'll lose the weight"...easy for someone without a weight problem to say. 2 years later and a few pounds more I decided that it was time to take charge of my own destiny. Sure there were risks... but there was only a SMALL percentage of people that have the complications. There are also MAJOR risks to keeping the extra weight on. It's a matter of how you want to spend the rest of your life. I was sleeved 1 week ago by who I would consider one of the best Surgeons around and couldn't be happier. I have already progressed to solid food. I lost 15lbs on the pre-op diet over 2 weeks and another 15lbs in the last week post op. I could have never done that on my own. I'm seeing huge changes in how clothes fit and about how I feel about myself. I'm still healing and it's not perfect yet... but in the end i can tell it was the best decison I have ever made, and I hope you decide to go for it too. Only you can jump off that fence... but from someone on the other side I can truly say it's not bad over here.

[babyblues4all2c 24]

I was where you are at a year ago. I was thinking about having surgery, but wasn't gun ho about it. I ended up not doing it. Something in my head just clicked one day and that was it. I am over half way done with the classes that my insurance has wls patients take. They have a great support group. Maybe you could look into a bariatric support group in your area. The only regret I see anyone on here have is not having done it sooner. Every person that I know that has had the sleeve done says the same thing. And I wish that I had done it a year ago, because I see where I could be right now.

[drucella22 31]

I gave a lot of thought as to what my "authentic" life is. Is it just eating? Or is it actually getting out there and living? I chose life. Also' date=' I have Barrett's and my surgeon did NOT want to sleeve me. He wanted me to have a bypass. I finally got my gastro doc and surgeon to talk. My gastro really didn't want me to have the bypass. He said that the issue isn't reflux, it's ACID, and that I can control that with meds. He said he treats so many people with lifelong complications from the bypass, but none with complications from the sleeve. Since I was sleeved, I've had some acid, but no more than before. I'll know the "official" story when I go for a follow-up endoscopy with the gastro in August. I'd be interested in what your doctors recommend, if you wouldn't mind keeping me posted![/quote']

Sure I'll keep you posted like I said I see the gastro dr. On Monday . I understand the problem to be is this... If i ever ended up with cancer of the esophagus then they wouldn't be able to treat it due to the stomach being altered. Surgeon said they take part oh the esophagus off and lift the stomach and this wouldn't be able to be done after the sleeve or by pass. So I'll see what's said on Monday.