Doctor Is Pressuring Me To Have Surgery, Only Need To Lose 30 Lbs

[Mom of Five 0]

I have lost 55 pounds since March of 2012, but because I am on my third hernia repair the doctor is insisting that I have VSG (first two failed most likely because they were done laparascopically and the mesh wasn't large enough to cover all my small hernias, and partially due to obesity). Third hernia repair would be perfect if the mesh wasn't infected. Anyway, doctor is saying that the surgery will cure my metabolic syndrome (I'm diabetic, but my cholesterol is 158, I have high blood pressure probably due to outside factors/stress). But I'm not buying that. He wants to remove my infected mesh and do the VSG at the same time. After reading about the recovery of just the VSG, and knowing the kind of pain I am going to be in after the mesh removal, I am very hesitant. Not to mention I am continuing to lose weight, so why would I do this now?

My main question is: does anyone here think the operation is worth it just to lose another 30 pounds, when I am dropping the weight anyway?

[Hidden from view 159]

I'm not suggesting you should or shouldn't. There is more to VSG than weight loss. They don't know why yet, but it does seem to cure metabolic syndrome, fix type 2 diabetes and fix high blood pressure. There's plenty of info on the Web you can read to help you make up your mind, including lots of clinical studies. Those are what I read and they helped me come to my decision.

[Mom of Five 0]

Yes, I've read some of those. I'm not sure I'm willing to risk the other complications of the surgery for at best a 56% chance. I am from south Texas and am extremely concerned about the risk of dehydration, which seems to be a common post-op complication. I have enough problem with dry mouth after surgery, so to only be able to take in an ounce at a time is unacceptable to me. I take birth control that needs to be taken at the same time every day and Zyrtec, so need to be able to drink at least 4 ounces of Water to get those down. I'm unwilling to risk pregnancy, and other birth control methods are out. I also take a lot of Ibuprofen, and if I can't take that over the next couple of years would have to take narcotics 24/7.

I would be open to a modified version of the surgery, but will not budge on being able to consume 8 ounces of Water at a time, as in 5-10 minutes. I am also concerned that my lifestyle would make it extremely difficult to keep up with the supplement regimen. I have five children that I get out the door at four different times to four different schools over a 3 hour period every morning.

I will be recovering from a hernia mesh removal at the same time, which is bad enough, and for which I will need to take Percoset and Ibuprofen. My doctor is telling me taking pills right after surgery won't be a problem, but I call bullsh!t on that, from what I have read and what the dietician told me.

I already consume more Protein than the recommended amount but have low albumin levels. I'm afraid I would be constantly taking in Protein to the exclusion of vegetables and fruit. I'm also anemic, and have been for quite a while. Of course, being pregnant and breastfeeding for the better part of 17 years up until a couple of years ago has a lot to do with that. But I have trouble remembering to take that one little Iron pill a day, so taking several throughout the day is probably not going to happen.

[Carlotta1 401]

The reason that I am having this surgery is to help me with yo yo dieting. I know I can lose weight.. But I always gained It back. I recently lost 65 pounds only to gain it back immediately. I have done this many , many times in my life. So I am having vsg as a tool to maintain my weight loss. .

[woo woo 872]

From what you have written here, it kind of sounds like you have already made your mind up not to have the surgery, to be honest.

If I am wrong I apologize, but maybe you should consider getting a second opinion since it seems like this surgery is not something you are really willing to do?

Just my thoughts.