I cannot decide if I should do this or not

[BeachMommy2Girls 6]

So, hi! I'm brand new here. I'm gathering information. I've been to the sleeve seminar, called my insurance, and have my first appointment on Tuesday. I go back and forth about this surgery almost hourly. I am prediabetic, prehypertensive, probably have sleep apnea, have GERD, PCOS, joint problems, and other things. My BMI is 42. I apparently can't lose any more than 10 pounds during this process or my insurance won't approve it. So I can't even try to lose on my own or else I'll have to start over. The earliest I could have the surgery is mid July. I'm scared of after surgery. I'm scared of complications. I'm scared of regretting it. I'm also scared of losing 2/3 of a major, vital organ. I'm very scared of the health problems that I'm headed for if I don't do this. This isn't really about what I look like - I don't want to have a heart attack in front of my kids. I don't want to die. But I also don't want to have a lifetime of complications from the surgery.

I'm not good at decisions.

[NYSuperDuck 77]

It sounds like without the surgery you are headed down the same road most everyone here was on too. I hope you make the right decision for you, but I can tell you I'm super happy with my results. It literally changed my life. I made the right decision for me... I trust you'll make the right one for you.


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[sleevinpops 303]

I had similar background...high blood pressure, apnea, cholesterol and pre diabetic when I finally made the decision. After years of struggling with weight, I did not want to die of a heart attack and not be there for my wife and especially my kids.

The surgery is not a quick decision to make, and remember, it is only a tool to help change your lifestyle and improve your health.

I am now two weeks post surgery, feeling great and already prior meds have been cut in half. I go for sleep test in late March and god willing, will no longer need CPAP.

This was my experience, I wish you all the best while making yours.

[ryan_86 335]

Only you can make this decision.

That said, I had a similar health history as you and started at a similar BMI.

My thinking in the risk of surgery is that it was exactly that - a risk - versus the certainty of the health consequences of continuing on the path I was on.

I also struggled with whether I would regret it. I like food. I used food as a coping mechanism. Food was tied to all my favorite things. I had to get over that. I still struggle with it.

But my BMI is 28 now, and my health is great. I thinking about taking up rock climbing. My life is really great right now because I had the surgery. It's not always easy, but no regrets.

[BeachMommy2Girls 6]

Only you can make this decision.

That said, I had a similar health history as you and started at a similar BMI.

My thinking in the risk of surgery is that it was exactly that - a risk - versus the certainty of the health consequences of continuing on the path I was on.

I also struggled with whether I would regret it. "

I like [mention=297401]ryan_86[/mention] what you brought up about food is completely how I feel. food has become our entertainment, my comfort, my relaxer, all of that. I need to find something to replace that addiction.

[Amy Sty 11]

I just had my surgery on monday. I came home from the hospital yesterday and I was a little emotional yesterday, second guessing my decision and feeling an emptiness?? Emotionally better today, physically I don't feel bad at all. Trying to keep moving.

[CocoNina 210]

I'm 10 days post op. I'll be honest, I didn't expect the pain to be this painful. It gets better everyday but emotionally, I'm sick of being weak from the surgery. It's a huge & life changing decision only you can decide for yourself. Even though I'm sort of emotionally drained, I've already lost 20 lbs since the liquid pre-op diet. I could never lose even that much weight before. If I could, I wouldn't have gotten the surgery. But in your condition, this will be a positive result for you since you need to lose weight. Ask yourself can you do it on your own by sticking to a strict diet or am I willing to go to the extreme with surgery? Complications are low according to statistics I've read. My hospital has 0 fatalities with weight loss surgery.


Height 5'0"
Weight for WLS consultation: 216 lbs.
Surgery date: 2/13/17
Goal: - 71 lbs for healthy BMI (about 145 lbs).
Current weight: 194.4 lbs
My profile picture is not me. It's my "FitSpiration" body.

[sarahblu 179]

The "what ifs" can be so scary. The fear of the unknown...

But, we don't know our future either way. The surgery is unknown and whether or not issues will arise and also NOT doing anything is unknown. Either way, you need to decide for yourself. Both are a choice.

Personally, I chose the risk for the hopeful reward. Doing something for my health in a positive way was the best choice for me.

This is not a quick fix or an easy road. You will still have to work at it every day. I had complications in the beginning that landed me back in the hospital for an additional week. I then had a wicked round of nausea that lasted for about a month and half. Things can happen and they can be awful but they can be that way if you choose not to have the surgery.

I am the healthiest I have ever been and am able to run, hike and actually participate in life. Once you decide, time will seem to stand still but then afterwards, it will fly by!! Best wishes for you!

[BeachMommy2Girls 6]

Thank you everyone! Does anyone know about WLS and PCOS going slower?

[Darkstarwon 4]

Omg I could have written that same post. We are so identical it's scary LOL. Waiting to hear your decision.

[carlychloe2 106]

So, hi! I'm brand new here. I'm gathering information. I've been to the sleeve seminar, called my insurance, and have my first appointment on Tuesday. I go back and forth about this surgery almost hourly. I am prediabetic, prehypertensive, probably have sleep apnea, have GERD, PCOS, joint problems, and other things. My BMI is 42. I apparently can't lose any more than 10 pounds during this process or my insurance won't approve it. So I can't even try to lose on my own or else I'll have to start over. The earliest I could have the surgery is mid July. I'm scared of after surgery. I'm scared of complications. I'm scared of regretting it. I'm also scared of losing 2/3 of a major, vital organ. I'm very scared of the health problems that I'm headed for if I don't do this. This isn't really about what I look like - I don't want to have a heart attack in front of my kids. I don't want to die. But I also don't want to have a lifetime of complications from the surgery.

I'm not good at decisions.

If you have gerd, most surgeons will advise against the sleeve. Gerd gets worse for many.

[BeachMommy2Girls 6]

If you have gerd, most surgeons will advise against the sleeve. Gerd gets worse for many.

I don't know that this is correct. At the seminar I went to, he said GERD would be much improved. I will ask when I go to my appt n

[carlychloe2 106]

I don't know that this is correct. At the seminar I went to, he said GERD would be much improved. I will ask when I go to my appt n

Keep researching. Heres what my surgeon said when i went to my first consult and?wanted the sleeve. I told him I had gerd for years. He said, "what I have been seei g with the sleeve, about 1/3 of sleeve patients will have gerd following the sleeve peocedure. But what Im seeing is?the 4 to 5 months out patients have severe gerd and end up having a revision to RNY". I myself refuse to chance it. At 58 im not having 2 surgeries. Best of luck to you.

[BeachMommy2Girls 6]

Thank you so much for bringing this up! I'm definitely going to ask about it and consider it

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

If you aren't sure then you shouldn't have surgery.

You should have a clear idea that surgery is for you, it is your best option and it is going to save your life.

Knowing that surgery is your best and only option makes getting through the hard times easier. It makes resisting food easier.

You will have fewer regrets in the long run.

You posted you are emotionally attached to food, you need to work that out before surgery or once you can't self medicate/comfort with food you will be miserable. It is like going cold turkey off heroin. You can't self soothe with food post-op at least not immediately and if you are not in a good mental space with food you will be tempted to advance your food stages and put yourself in danger or you will just be miserable and full of regret.