PROs VS Cons - Would love some advice

[ConflictedGirl91 0]

Hey All,

This is my first post so please go easy on me. In short - I'm a 26 y old girl who has had a VERY unhealthy relationship with food my entire life (since we're all on this forum, don't we all!) My highest weight was 255lbs (5'7) last summer. With MAJOR diet restriction and exercising 4-5 times a week I was able to lose roughly 35lbs over the course of 3-4 months. It is absolutely like pulling teeth to lose a pound for me - My lowest I was able to get down to 216lbs. Since then, I've fallen off the wagon, gotten back on, back off, and so forth countless times (Currently 230lbs). I feel the idea of diet and exercise has consumed such a large part of my life and I'm sick of it! I never considered WLS surgery until I saw a few friends of mine get the sleeve done. Since then, I then started following a few people on Instagram that have had incredible results from the surgery. And to be honest, I'm jealous of that, and I want that change for myself.

So here I am. A very confused girl who is looking for change but I am constantly contemplating for/against the surgery. There are of course so many PRO's - but for sake of making a decision I've made a list of my CON's - I'd love to all of your input and/or advice.

CONS:

- I don't think my family and friends will be supportive

- COST: To be able to get a good insurance that will cover this type of surgery where I wont go into debt, I'd have to pay $428/month

- Both of my friends had complications and that scares the crap out of me!

- I'm clearly addicted to food right now and love going out to eat - will this ruin my social life with food?

- Scarring & loose skin

Again, I'd love to hear your input. The good, the bad, and the ugly.

-ConfusedGirl91

[James Marusek 5,244]

I had RNY gastric bypass surgery. I think the total cost for the operation and all the preparatory work was around $50K. I found that getting qualified through my health insurance company gave me the most headaches for the entire process.

I had the surgery done primarily to improve my health, weight loss was only a secondary consideration. I had high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea, severe acid reflux (GERD) and a number of other issues. I was taking 4 types of prescription medicines and even those did not solve the problems. Within a few weeks after the operation I was off all my prescription meds. I am over 4 1/2 years post op. So the surgery met my expectation. It even helped solve my severe asthma problem. And I lost a lot of weight to boot. I dropped from a size 3X in shirts down to a size small and from a size 46 in pants down to a size 33. I replaced my whole wardrobe with the latest fashions. That was another win I didn't count on.

It takes about a year for the scaring to disappear. I did not find the the loose skin was that much of a problem. It probably depends on your initial weight prior to surgery.

Most of my family and friends were very supportive. But even if they were not I would still have gone this route.

I go out to eat at restaurants. I eat a little bit of the meal and then take the rest home as left overs for 2 or 3 meals. You might look at the bright side and consider that you will have more time to talk during meals, more time to socialize.

[Danny Paul 761]

On 12/21/2017 at 9:06 PM, ConflictedGirl91 said:

CONS:

- I don't think my family and friends will be supportive

- COST: To be able to get a good insurance that will cover this type of surgery where I wont go into debt, I'd have to pay $428/month

- Both of my friends had complications and that scares the crap out of me!

- I'm clearly addicted to food right now and love going out to eat - will this ruin my social life with food?

- Scarring & loose skin

Again, I'd love to hear your input. The good, the bad, and the ugly.

-ConfusedGirl91

Support: When I first started my weight loss journey my wife was against it. She feared that I would have complications during the surgery. I told her that I was going to get the surgery with or without her support. Furthermore, if she was going to be a negative influence I would exclude her from the process. She came around and gave me her full support. As for others I only told my brother, sister and a close friend. To this day everyone thinks that I have a bet with four other friends ($1,000 each ) to see who can lose the most weight by new years. I tell everyone I'm a distant second. Four months after my surgery people still cheer me on and hope that I can win the "bet".

Cost: My insurance company paid for it.

Complications: I had none and the people in my monthly support group haven't reported complications either.

Addicted to Food: I've written that my relationship with food has changed dramatically. Me and food were the best of friends . Today instead of living to eat I eat to live. Food is just nutrition to me. I don't like going out to restaurants like I once did. When I go out I usually order a side dish like vegetables and mash potatoes.( I make sure I have my 80 grams of Protein in before I go out) My days are all planned out so that I can get my 80 grams of protein and 64 ounces of fluids.

Scarring and loose skin: I was at 211lbs on the day of my surgery so I don't really have too much loose skin.

Why did I do it? I'm 60 years old with diabetes, high blood pressure, a heart condition, gerd, gout and high cholesterol. I took 4 meds for diabetes, 2 for BP, 1 for gerd, 2 for cholesterol and 1 for gout. I knew it was only a matter of time when my liver and kidneys would fail me due to the amount of meds I was taking. Today I only take one med for cholesterol and a baby aspirin. I also started taking a multi Vitamin, caclcuim supplement and B12 supplement daily.

I dropped 40 lbs in 4 months, my A1c is down, BP is good, Cholesterol much better(still needs improvement) gerd gone as well as the gout. I am able to get to the gym 4-5 days a week.The minor downside is having to spend all day planning my Proteins and fluids. Not wanting to eat is a very very strange feeling but one that is becoming my new norm as the days pass.

I realize that I'm still in the losing stage and the tough work is when I get to the maintenance stage. I try to prepare myself everyday for as I have met people who have gone off the program and regained the weight and then some. I treat this as my golden ticket and I only get one. I am inspired by the veterans on these forums who have lost the weight and maintained the weight loss. I try to read their comments and glean whatever advice they give for my long term success. Good luck on your decision and eventual journey.

[MiaS 0]

I’m having the same indecisiveness for my surgery. My bari dr said a lot of patients regain the weight after 3-5 yrs and was not very positive. And there were no long term studies done on sleevers 10+ years. I also take ibuprofen 3 days a month during my period which he said I could not do, then he said some patients of his have cancelled the surgery because of the ibuprofen issue.

I saw Dr Scott Um with Kaiser. I’m also concerned about scarring and loose skin. I wish Kaiser did the one incision method for the sleeve, seems excessive to do 5 cuts. The everyday Vitamins seems hard too.

Edited December 24, 2017 by MiaS

[BigAussieGirl 162]

Elective surgery is a big decision.

I can't give you any advice on costs or insurance as I don't understand the US system.

I had the sleeve 4 months ago, I was very nervous about having the surgery and it was fist suggested by my GP over 5 yrs ago. It took me 5 yrs to make an appointment to see a surgeon.

So far I've lost 44 kg so far (I think that's about 97 pounds.) I feel great. I still have a long way to go, but I'm noticing the health benefits already. My knees and back hurt less, my blood pressure and blood sugar were borderline high and are now back to 'normal'.

I wish I had this done 5 yrs ago, it is by far the best decision I've made in my life.

I felt 100% 3 days after surgery, no pain, just a little tired.