Maybe I Shouldn't Do This

[kyllfalcon 768]

This doubt and fear seems to be just a normal part of the preparation process. Do as they others say, go to the information session and listen carefully to what they say. Don't cloud your mind at that time with doubts.... really LISTEN.

It takes most of us a while to wrap our heads around this thing... cutting out a huge chunk of a major organ... fear of complications... fear of not waking up... fear of death...fear of ending up worse off than when we started...

Keep seeking information, it's the key to a solid decision.

Good luck!

[StrangelyNormal 182]

Normal to feel this way. Keep in mind that statistically only 3% of obese patients that lose weight through diet and exercise can/will be able to maintain their weight. Yes, u can lose weight through diet and exercise, but maintaining is very next to impossible. None of us would be here if maintaining it wasn't so difficult. Good luck and best wishes. I know you will make the best decision that fits u. Only u know what is best for u

[Gene1970 179]

I would say 90% of the people here felt the same way as you did... heck probably more than that. Like everyone is saying, get the information and take it from there. For me I really had to reflect on how many times in the past I had tried a different diet or excercise and remember what the result was.... always a fail or a small loss and a larger gain. If I didn't get the surgery and just told myself that things would have changed... they wouldn't have. The decision is not easy and should take a lot of self reflection to see if it is truly what you want. In the end for me at least I KNOW it was the best decision of my life.

[vsginnj 415]

Ok quick true story , after all pre op requirements were met ,no small task, about a week before surgery date I was getting nervous , wifey's negativity ,my fear ,pride and lots of other neg. emotions were getting the best of me. I sat down in my kitchen with my two therapists Ben and jerry to have a pint of chubby hubby and sort this out.Chair breaks,kinda explodes,in a second I'm on my back like a turtle on his shell , splinters in my back and ice cream everywhere.Pretty clear sign to follow through with surgery.That was 12/7/11 I am down 131 lbs and the only regret is not doing this sooner. Good luck on your journey and god bless you!

[jilldgipson 12]

I think everyone worries and wonders if this is the right thing to do. I had a BMI of about 38 and was perfectly healthy, so I wondered if I would ruin my good health (and my wallet, since I self paid) with this surgery.

In the end I decided that I wanted to live the rest of my life in a normal sized body, without doctors telling me I should lose weight every time I saw them. And without feeling self conscious every time I went shopping, went swimming, looked in the mirror, etc.

I had surgery a month ago, and I feel great (26 pounds down)! I have had such an easy time. No nausea, no throwing up, no issues with food of any kind since I left the hospital. And I don't care about food - at all. I forget to eat sometimes. I am free.

So for me, this was exactly the right decision. But I did research it, go to seminars and browse this and other forums for two years before I decided to go forward. Just make sure you know everything you can know about the surgery, search your soul and find your answer. I will tell you that you won't miss eating large amountsof food. Food becomes a means to stay healthy, not a crutch or a way to pass the time. And food is certainly not a compulsion anymore - I thought I would NEVER be able to say that.

I will tell you that it's difficult for me to not say "DO IT, DO IT!" to everyone who asks the question you asked. This is the best thing I have ever done for myself. But we are all different and this is a very personal decision. Think long and hard - read these blogs, the good and the bad. You will find the answer that is right for you.

[Andrea8967 25]

Here's my two cents. Stop into a Weight Watchers meeting and ask the women how long they've been attending, how much weight they've lost and how much they've gained back. Most of these people are "lifers". They've been fooling around losing the same 15-20 lbs for years and paying hundreds of dollars in fees. I have been a WW for over 25 years and I've watched my weight steadily increase from 147 to 230. Nothing worked for me until I was sleeved.

Everyone is kinda nervous at the beginning. I was most worried about never being able to eat a normal meal again. But the truth is - I'm eating all the time now that my stomach is smaller. I love it!

Don't wait until you're 58 to do this. You have a wonderful opportunity to start over. Get as much info as you can and feel confident with your surgeon. Then you'll be able to make an intelligent decision. Good luck. We'll all be here for you thru the whole thing.

[shangefan 193]

Ok quick true story , after all pre op requirements were met ,no small task, about a week before surgery date I was getting nervous , wifey's negativity ,my fear ,pride and lots of other neg. emotions were getting the best of me. I sat down in my kitchen with my two therapists Ben and jerry to have a pint of chubby hubby and sort this out.Chair breaks,kinda explodes,in a second I'm on my back like a turtle on his shell , splinters in my back and ice cream everywhere.Pretty clear sign to follow through with surgery.That was 12/7/11 I am down 131 lbs and the only regret is not doing this sooner. Good luck on your journey and god bless you!

wow! That is quite a story.

[NHJulie 13]

Wow! All of you are amazing! Thank you so much for all you've said. I do know, deep down, this is right for me. I'm tired of "dieting" and not feeling comfortable within myself. I think this was a little hiccup along my journey I am so glad to have people like you on my side! This site is truly wonderful! Thank you again everyone!!