Last minute BIG DOUBTS

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

It's surgery so there is reason to be concerned, however I have to say this was the easiest surgery I have ever had. 3 years ago I decided to get healthy. I joined a gym, went 3 -4 times a week, sometimes 5 times a week. I started eating clean, quit sodas, only drank Water. I am a vegetarian. I was living pretty healthy.

I spent those same 3 years losing and regaining the same 35 -50 lbs.

Sometimes we need help. I've lost in 4 mths what previously took me an entire year. Even better, I am still losing. My surgery couldn't have been more textbook. No pain, I walked in recovery, and I have tolerated every food I've tried.

Don't let fear hold you back. Thank your son for his concern, but do what's best for you.

[Pac-woman 325]

It's normal to be scared and have second thoughts, but remember that if you do back out, you will likely have regret for not going through with it.

I agree with the person who said keeping the weight off is the issue.

Since my surgery in October, I am down 56 lbs and have already met my goal weight without trying too hard.

The Surgery isn't long and is very simple. To tell you how simple, I went to Mexico to get my surgery done. I flew out on Tuesday, Surgery on Wednesday and back home on Friday. I returned to work that Monday with no problems. I remember laying on the bed, he said okay I'm putting the sleepy stuff in and then I woke up and was walking within 15 minutes of waking up. I had a lot of doubts and fears, but I was determined to change my life for the best. Also, I went to Mexico by myself, with no one else with me. I now look back and think about how stupid that was... there could have been a lot of what if's... but they were only fears.

Think of how much better you will feel, how much more energy you will have and also, how much longer you'll live being healthier.

In the end, it comes down to what do you want?

Also, I was on this very forum posting right after my surgery. It really is a simple surgery. I encourage you to go through with it if you've come this far and its tomorrow.

Seriously? You were up and running 15 mins after your surgery? I laid in bed like an upside down turtle for about a few days. I needed help to get up.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

@@Pac-woman - I did too. When I work up I had to pee from all those IV fluids. I was given the choice of the bed pan or the bathroom. I choice the bathroom. Getting up wasn't hard at all. I didn't really have pain. I was just really sore. We all have different pain thresholds.

[Pac-woman 325]

@@BLERDgirl Oh yeah, I definately requested help to get up from the bed. First they had to disconnect me from all these God aweful cords (IV, heartbeat monitor, the leg circulation pumping thing, etc)...

Maybe if they would have boosted the hospital bed higher I could have wiggled my way out of it on my own. I had very shallow breathing (i usually do), I guess they had some concern. I had to inhale into this plastic cup looking thing to get my lungs stronger and keeping them from collapsing. Sounds more horrible than it was.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

They didn't use the leg thingy's on me. I think because I had the IVC filter. I had to drag the IV pole with me but I could get up and down without assistance.

The spirometer is not out of the ordinary. I had that as well. I just had to do it a few times a day. When I came home I started every morning by sitting up straight and taking a few deep breaths. It keeps congestion from building up in your lungs.

[Pac-woman 325]

@@BLERDgirl I am impressed. You knew exactly what I was talking about! You sure did your homework!!

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

@@Pac-woman - I had a bit of an advantge. I was a Certified Child Life Specialist. My job was to explain medical procedures to children and families. I did pre-surgical tours and medical play. I was familiar with most of what would happen because it was my job.

Edited January 19, 2015 by BLERDgirl

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

Well I think it is a mistake to let your child (as grown as he may be)influence you. He doesn't know what it is like to have obesity have such a strangle hold. My sons are now early 20s and the WLS scared them at the time too. Now, it is a distant memory and they don't recognize my obese photos - like that was another life.

However I will say that nobody ever thought I didn't try enough things pre surgery. I tried everything except drugs to lose weight (I did try the hormone drops). Everyone that knows me recognized that year after year I might win a few battles I was definitely losing the war. Lose, regain it plus more......finally turned into couldn't even lose anymore. I probably did so well post sleeve because I had tried so hard and so long by myself that finally having an effective tool (sleeve) to help made all the difference and was very motivational.

If it were me, I would want to really believe that I needed the surgery to save my life. It is a drastic measure. Its not the easy way out, but at some point, the ONLY way out.

[beachgurl84 456]

My son who is 22 came to me this morning with concerns and worries about me having surgery in the morning. I'm scared now and have been crying and considering backing out. He thinks it's too big of alteration with unknown things I might regret. He really doesn't want me to do this. He's an health conscious and excersise a. ETAC and has seen me lose 30 lbs in the last three months. I was commited this morning and now feel sick with doubt.

It sounds like your son hasn't done his research. If he had, he would know the risks of being overweight, far outweigh the risks of the surgery. Not only that, a c-section or gallbladder removal has a higher mortality rate than the VSG surgery.

You made this decision based on your research and the path you have taken in life to get to this point. Consider all that you've gone through before letting anyone (including us) tell you what you should do. I hope you go through with the sleeve because I know from my own personal experience it's worth it. I was terrified the day of surgery and miserable for two days after. But every day got better. And now I'm down 50 pounds.

My husband didn't want me to have the surgery. He kept telling me he loved me just the way I was. BUT, he also told me even though he was perfectly happy with me, he knew I wasn't happy. And he wanted me to do whatever I needed to do to make that happen. He supported me the whole way with unconditional love and understanding. He even cried as they wheeled me back to surgery.

It sounds like your son is afraid of you becoming a different person. And you will. You will become a vibrant, healthy person with an entire new outlook on life. If he was just afraid of the physical aspects, proper research would have relieved him of that. Please don't take this as insulting towards your son, but don't let his ignorance keep you from doing what's right for you. If you're going to decide not to do the surgery, do it for the right reasons. You'll regret it of you don't. I think it's great you have family to turn to for support, but just because they mean well, doesn't mean they have your best interest at heart. Best of luck to you

[galadriel535 43]

Actually that was the reaction I was afraid my daughters would have, but they were very supportive. For me this was the last, best option to save my life. I just could not take the weight off. I have gained and lost 100 pounds 2 times before in my life, but at this age, I struggled so much. I had an appetite that was out of control. I tried and tried to do it, but could not. Now, i am so happy I did this! My blood pressure is normal for the first time in 15 years. I was sleeved on 12-23, and feel soooooo much better than I have in years. This has improved the quality of my life immeasurably, and I am still healing. Yes, it is drastic, but at this point, I needed a drastic masure to change my life. Just my 2 cents worth.

[Lani789 128]

Hope you are in recovery right now. I am a single mom to one 23 year old. She was concerned. I knew it. She knew I was going to do the surgery. Since she was away at school she didn't know which day. I told her about a week later so it was a non-event

BTW when I picked her up at the airport at Thanksgiving she walked past me! Both of us couldn't be happier. I told her I now can stay up with future grandchildren. She would be happy to tell any children - don't block your parent from a full, rich life.

[wannaBthinsoon 1,634]

Well........ I wonder if it was yay, or nay today

[kimmyco 247]

I had doubts too. MANY!!! I was sleeved on September 25th. I'm down 52 pounds and I couldn't be happier. Best decision of my life. I can pretty much eat anything I want to eat, just tiny portions of course. I had surgery on a Thursday and was back to work the following Monday (desk job). This surgery has changed my life in so many ways. I wish you nothing but the best.

[pinkbunies 359]

@@Pac-woman yes. I was up and going 15 minutes after surgery. I also sent a text to everyone in a group I made prior to going under and sent it to them and said I'm done.

I had no appetite for about 5 days and I was scared to drink too much for fear I might cause a leak. I think I walked like 5 miles on Saturday when I got back home. I took no pain meds after getting home. I hated those stupid leggings things. lol

[blondebomb 580]

did I miss the comment of whether you did this for YOU or did you cancel? beleive me I had my doubts up to the morning of. I had all the normal emotions going on. I didnt tell no family members except my hubs. I told my kids I had to have hernia repair which I did but thats as far as I would go. one of my brothers is a health paleo fanatic! exercise etc...thin as a pencil! no diseases..healthy. there was NO way I was leaking this out to family. I am 6 months out an they still have no clue. its hard enuff on us emotionally an psychologically its a huge adjustment an takes time to get thru. I hope you went thru it for you. getting this far an a date tells me you were ready! keep us posted! hang in there! its your body an others who are uneducated have no clue of the facts an how far they have come with this! they also dont live in a obese body struggling in all aspects of life...take care..