Introducing myself

[dhrguru 1,238]

Hello! I'm a 37 year old wife, mother of 2 & professional. I looked in WLS a few years ago, but was turned off by surgeon turnover in the hospital-- so I dropped it. I got a post card 2 weeks ago informing me they had a new surgeon, I looked him up and he has a very strong credentials and positive patient feedback-so I've decided to go for it. I love my husband, my carer and my kids. WLS, I'm hoping, will only enhance my ability to enjoy the things I love in my life even more.

I had my consultation appt on 3/4. I'm undecided on my surgery type. I went in leaning towards DS, but the bariatric team came off as though I wasn't a good candidate for DS. There is plenty of time to discuss why they feel that way-- but I do have my reservations about the procedure. (Actually I have reservations about all 3, but who doesn't!) So my other choices are RNY or GS. As I go though the pre-op testing, I'll talk more to my team and decide which to do.

Why did I decide to go this route? Honestly; I got tired of waiting on my husband to try and work on our weight together. (He does support my doing this though). I had to take the bull by the horns and forge forward for me. My kids are a little older (10 & 12), and are more independent so there are a few less demands on my time in terms of motherhood. I'm hypothyroid following a total thyroidectomey and a horrible 5 year battle with Graves disease (I won :-). I'm pre-diabetic, and have borderline hypertension, no other health issues.

Why am I fat? Well obviously cause I make the wrong choices with food and don't exercise enough . Emotionally, its because I was berated about my weight from an early age by my parents/relatives. (Oddly it wasn't till I was an adult that I realized I wasn't even fat!! Wish they'd have encouraged me rather than berate me). I truly had no one to teach me about nutrition. And of course the same people who berate me (my Mom) shoveled food in me by the #.

My fat history: I didn't try losing weight until after i had my second son. I did weight watchers; was successful and got down to my lowest weight of my adult life: 250. My son was dx'd autism and I lost myself trying to help him...so the pounds crept on eventually. Graves Disease helped me lose and gain 20-30 #'s while I struggled with it. When I made the decision to remove my thyroid, that finally set me on level ground. I'm one year post-op from my thyroid surgery, and I'm hoping I'll be at a normal thyroid level with my next blood work.

My sister had DS, and two other family member have lap-bands; so I have a great support system. I have pre-op testing (GI, pulmonologist, lab work and ultrasound) scheduled over the next two week. I'll will schedule my psych eval as well. I see my surgeon again on 4/8/15 and hope to be down 10#'s. Luckily, my insurance covers surgery 100%; except for my hospital co-pay of $150/night & my in-office visit co-pays.

I look forward to getting to know you all!

[beachgurl84 456]

Welcome aboard! Sounds like you're on the right path of doing your research and consulting a good WLS team. I totally relate with this

"Why am I fat? Well obviously cause I make the wrong choices with food and don't exercise enough . Emotionally, its because I was berated about my weight from an early age by my parents/relatives. (Oddly it wasn't till I was an adult that I realized I wasn't even fat!! Wish they'd have encouraged me rather than berate me). I truly had no one to teach me about nutrition. And of course the same people who berate me (my Mom) shoveled food in me by the #."

I look back at old photos and wonder why I ever thought I was fat. It's a self image struggle I think I'll have to deal with my whole life.

Congratulations on taking the first steps in this journey and welcome aboard.

[dhrguru 1,238]

Welcome aboard! Sounds like you're on the right path of doing your research and consulting a good WLS team. I totally relate with this

"Why am I fat? Well obviously cause I make the wrong choices with food and don't exercise enough . Emotionally, its because I was berated about my weight from an early age by my parents/relatives. (Oddly it wasn't till I was an adult that I realized I wasn't even fat!! Wish they'd have encouraged me rather than berate me). I truly had no one to teach me about nutrition. And of course the same people who berate me (my Mom) shoveled food in me by the #."

I look back at old photos and wonder why I ever thought I was fat. It's a self image struggle I think I'll have to deal with my whole life.

Congratulations on taking the first steps in this journey and welcome aboard.

Thanks beachgurl! I tell you family can be a double edge sword! I don't talk much with my mother, and don't plan on telling her anything about my surgery until after its done.

[beachgurl84 456]

I did tell my parents before my surgery but now I'm regretting it. They have been more than supportive but every time I talk to my mom she asks me how much I've lost. My loss has dramatically slowed in the last few weeks so every time I talk to her I have to be reminded of that. Then of course she has quite a few opinions about what I'm doing wrong (because of course it must be my fault).

[Bandista 7,466]

Hi there and welcome! Choosing myself first was such an amazing life-changing decision for me -- and of course every one else benefits from that because I'm centered and happy. (Wish I had figured that out years ago!). All those issues of being deserving, worthy, etc. Getting WLS was me saying I Choose Me! I am showing up for my life and it feels GREAT. I say all of this because I hear it in your post above -- you are going to do beautifully. Good luck with the whole process. You are really grabbing a hold of your health and your futures. Way to go.

[acbayliss 33]

I want to wish you the best of luck with which every surgery you decide on. Our stories are similar. I am 39 and a mom to a wonderful 11 year old. He was diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome and ADHD about 3 years ago. All my focus went into him and how I could help him. I begin to notice I couldn't do everyday things with him and that my weight was hampering my life. That's when I knew I needed to focus on me. I don't want to leave him without a mom.

As for family, I too was berated by my family as a child for my weight. I wasn't even chubby back then. My relationship with my dad isn't very good. So, I didn't tell him about my surgery until 2 weeks after I had it done. I regret every saying anything. Now I get constant text messages asking how much weight have it lost now.

Best of luck to you!

[donnag53 72]

Welcome. I had many questions and reservations when I started this process also. I went to my initial consult wanting lap band surgery. My surgeon recommended the sleeve and said he felt this was a better option for me. He did not pressure me but suggested I do some research and gather all the information I could about WLS. I went to see my PCP and had a very informative conversation with her. She was a great help. I than attended a seminar with my husband where my surgeon explained the different WLS and answered all my questions. I have attended supports and listened to everyone's stories, always taking notes. I have read anything I could get me hands on. This forum has been a big blessing. I learned a lot from people that have gone through this process. This Saturday I will attend a class on nutrition, exercise, meal planning, dining out and will finish it off with pre-op orientation with a registered nurse. I feel I am ready for my surgery and I know I made the right decision for me. By the way, I will have gastric sleeve on March, 18th. I wish you all the best and I know you will make the right decision for you. Keep us posted.

[Elode 8,093]

Hello and welcome

[JamieLogical 8,699]

Welcome! Sounds like you are taking the decision of which surgery will be best for you very seriously. I definitely recommend you do extensive research and get answers to all your questions from your surgical team before deciding.

[Sharpie 3,306]

welcome to the best support group there is. So happy that you made the decision to get healthy and happy. I was not a "fat" kid but was programmed to eat everything on my plate. My mother grew up during the depression and never got over being hungry. She never wasted a bite of food. I am sure I was not obese as a child because back in those days we had lots of outdoor activities and chores. WE even had recess and physical education at school. I did not get heavy until my late 40's pre-menopause and I had quite smoking which put 50# on my small frame quickly. After many unsuccessful weight loss programs, Nutrisystem, weight watchers, Jenny Craig, HCG, doctor supervised weight loss, etc. I felt I might be doomed to be overweight. After being diagnosed with diabetes , high blood pressure and high cholesterol I realized that my future health was in jeopardy. so, at age 66 I decided to get serious and get healthier. I also did some research and decided on lapband . After losing 70 lbs I feel like a new person . Best of Luck and keep us informed.