Pre-Op and Conflicted

[Redfoot 0]

Hello everyone, I've been lurking around these forums for a while now, I thought I would go ahead and introduce myself.

My name is De, I'm 30, and I'm in the bariatric program at Toronto Western Hospital. HW 360, CW 298, GW 135.

So far I've only had my orientation class and gone to one support group meeting. My first visits with the nurse and social worker are in a couple weeks, I'm still looking at 8-10 months before surgery. I'm lucky in that the government covers the cost of surgery and aftercare. It will be RNY unless there's complications, then it would be a sleeve.

Honestly, I'm not sure if I'm going to go through with it. My wife is extremely against it, she thinks it's way too risky and way too extreme for me. I'm not so sure. I've been overweight my whole life, and six months ago that climbed to 360 lbs. I feel like I need the surgery in order to succeed. But we've agreed that I will start the program, go through my appointments and nutrition classes, and if I can drop down to close to 210 lbs before surgery, I don't go through with it. At 210, my BMI drops below 35, which is the cut-off for WLS.

I really don't think I can do it, which is awful of me. I know I should be pumped and positive, but most days surgery is the only light in the tunnel. And then other days I feel like I can do it on my own.

[Sherrie Scharbrough 311]

I feel for you. most of us have lost weight many times but always gained it back plus more!! I have lost weight so many times and I have tried every weight loss gimmick that came around some I did up to 3 or 4 times thinking the same as you. If you stick to your program WLS's are a tool to help you get it off change the way you think about food and they help you maintain!! That is a huge thing to think about, how many times have you thought aww I've got this I don't need anything because I am strong and commited!! It is now coming to light that obesity is a disease We need help. Most of us don't even know what it takes to lose our weight. But....educate yourself and your wife then make your decision!! Good Luck and KEEP ON KEEPING ON!

[AZBlackhawk 122]

I felt the same way. Like why am I taking this drastic step? "I've lost weight before, I can do it again and this time, I'll just stick with it. "

Then I think about the obese people I see in the hospitals where I work. I do not want a stroke, or heart attack, or the need for oxygen, or to need a caregiver at 60 yes because I cannot move well. I do not want all the diseases that come with morbid obesity. I want to be around for my kids.

i needed this surgery as a jumpstart, a tool in my healthy journey. I thought of WLS as an "easy way out" like so many other people until I started looking into it. I thought I should be able to do it with diet and exercise.

I am one month post RNY. I can tell you, if I hadn't had it and had been on a "diet", there were so many times that I would have had ice cream because it was national ice cream day, had a sugary Starbucks drink because I was stressed, or eaten the Cheetos just because.

WLS, is a tool, one that is helping me make good choices and change my habits for good. I'm feeling so good going to the gym. Feeling so good getting rid of old clothes.

Of course you can do it. I think having a stroke, heart attack, or the plethora of problems diabetes gives you- is more drastic and life altering, in a bad way!

Good luck on your decision!

[WannabeH 114]

Hi it's been 18 months post surgery for me and I have had amazing results.
I think you need to ask yourself can you really successfully diet on your own and keep it off. Yes the surgery is drastic but being obese is not much fun either.
It's a very personal decision but it's been one of the best decisions I have ever made.
There seems to be a big taboo with WLS, but after my experience I have come to believe obesity is a medical condition and in most cases requires medical intervention.