Is it really worth it?

[Recycled 2,182]

I think it's the perspective we have about this type of surgery. If you have chest pains and they find a blockage, the cardiologist tells you "You have to have surgery or you'll die". We believe that completely and without question. And after, we don't second guess that the surgery saved our lives. If the oncologist says " I have to remove the tumor or you'll die". We say of course....and cross our fingers it's in time and they got it all. And all the while, every Doc we've seen and every article we read touts all the hazards of obesity and the potential for causing death. And somehow we see the need for immediate and drastic action still as elective or a choice or simply not urgent. And as with any surgery, there is risks and discomfort and complications. More issues to make us consider the so called "decision".

Is it worth it.??? I think the more important question would be...."What is going to happen if I don't do it?" Where is the "worth" in remaining obese. With all those other life saving surgeries we never evaluate the recoveries or the discomfort or the difficulty or the worth. We just appreciate that it saved our life.

I've had two of those life threatening conditions and the surgeries that saved me.......surgeries that gave me a second and then a third chance. And for some reason I cannot explain, I still had on blinders about my obesity. I knew I should do something but the life threatening alarm just didn't go off.

Then it finally hit me. Even after I managed to beat these other unexpected killers.......I'm gonna allow obesity to kill me. Something I can prevent! Really?!

Now I feel like I'm on a time clock ticking away day by day. The surgery and the turn around benefits of losing the weight can't come fast enough. I don't worry about risks or recovery or pain or hardship. I can handle those. I just need to beat that clock. Who says you can't have a forth chance at life ?!

[Tiny One 223]

I'm getting sleeved on Friday...yes, this Friday! Maybe its just jitters...but is getting sleeved really worth the bad breath, bad BO, loss of hair, dumping, Constipation, almost pukes, full blown pukes...what else am I missing? I know the weight....but does it really and truly "outweigh" the above? Any advise, stories, pat on the back...would be welcomed. Thanks!

Yes, it outweighs the above. Almost 10 mons post op & not many problems at all.

Bad breath - used breath strips

Bad BO - didn't have this problem

Loss of hair - happened until I reached my daily Protein goals. But It wasn't noticeable as my hair is extremely thick. I only noticed when washing my hair.

Dumping - only when I eat something that I shouldn't have. Doesn't happen often, if at all.

Constipation - lasted only for 1-2 weeks at 2 mons post op until I increased Water & took stool softener.

Puking - only happened 3 times after getting discharged from hospital.

It is well worth it. Believe me, you will love it.

Good Luck!!!!

[Mrs.FullerRN 189]

I think it's the perspective we have about this type of surgery. If you have chest pains and they find a blockage' date=' the cardiologist tells you "You have to have surgery or you'll die". We believe that completely and without question. And after, we don't second guess that the surgery saved our lives. If the oncologist says " I have to remove the tumor or you'll die". We say of course....and cross our fingers it's in time and they got it all. And all the while, every Doc we've seen and every article we read touts all the hazards of obesity and the potential for causing death. And somehow we see the need for immediate and drastic action still as elective or a choice or simply not urgent. And as with any surgery, there is risks and discomfort and complications. More issues to make us consider the so called "decision".

Is it worth it.??? I think the more important question would be...."What is going to happen if I don't do it?" Where is the "worth" in remaining obese. With all those other life saving surgeries we never evaluate the recoveries or the discomfort or the difficulty or the worth. We just appreciate that it saved our life.

I've had two of those life threatening conditions and the surgeries that saved me.......surgeries that gave me a second and then a third chance. And for some reason I cannot explain, I still had on blinders about my obesity. I knew I should do something but the life threatening alarm just didn't go off.

Then it finally hit me. Even after I managed to beat these other unexpected killers.......I'm gonna allow obesity to kill me. Really?!

Now I feel like I'm on a time clock ticking away day by day. The surgery and the turn around benefits of losing the weight can't come fast enough. I don't worry about risks or recovery or pain or hardship. I can handle those. I just need to beat that clock. Who says you can't have a forth chance at life ?![/quote']

You just washed away any doubt I've had about surgery. Thank you