Considering Surgery

[Jonah 38]

Hi everyone!
I’m new to the forum and new to all of this. I’m in the consideration phase. I think I want surgery (specifically sleeve) but I want to be sure. I know this will change everything in my life. I don’t care about looking slimmer, this is all about my health. I’m 44, pre-diabetic, struggle with borderline high blood pressure, and have sleep apnea caused by my size. I’ve been trying for a year to deal with my health problems the old fashioned way but it isn’t helping. I did manage to drop about 25lb but now I’m not progressing and it isn’t enough to effect my health conditions.

So, what helped you decide?

Thanks for reading!

[GradyCat 3,695]

I thought about how EMS or EMT's would be able to lift me in case an ambulance came and that motivated me to want to be smaller.

[Frustr8 7,886]

Well Jonah there were multiple considerations, but my main bottom line " I found I feared the prospect of major surgery much less than existing as I was, obese, unloved by most everyone, hurting so much with arthritis,i could scarcely exercise. So short,of breath I couldn't climb a flight of stairs without stopping half-way. And my PCP had started making " you're gonna die within a year or too" and my insurance was paying good money for him to be my friend. Oh I had heard in passing about Bariatric Surgery, I figured it was Elective Mutilation, Structerlized starvation and for much younger people than me. I was 4 months short of 70 when I started my search, 72 years,8 months and 13 days when I received it, a RNY bypass, because it would alleviate most of not all of my comorbities. Now I do not deprecate VSG, it works well for many people, it just wasn't in my future ever.
What was it going to harm me to try for this surgery? My Primary Doctor had also mentioned as I gained weight and inches that,I was going to die. So if I was going to die anyway, what harm in trying? Maybe I would be,laughed out of the surgeon's office but I am redheaded, stubborn and I was not going out of life without a fight!
I have lost 130-some pounds since my highest weight, 95 since my surgery 8 months ago. And that , darlin', is with an aging post- menopausal body with Basal Metabolim Rate comparing to a Sick Sea Slug. You as being younger and also being male, can duplicate or exceed what I have done. I tell my friends and others my Fat Shell is cracking and as it disappears they are starting to see the real ME underneath. I used to have a round moon-shaper face, now as I lose, my face is rectangular, I have a neck, I joke like a 🐢 turtle, but I no longer recognize the Old Frustr8 in the mirror. I am seeing reflections of Dead Relatives, first my own mother, than her older sister Aunt Grace, now this week I look like their mother Grandma Cora. That one was a shock because she was 5ft3 or so, I am 5ft8in down from a youthful 5ft 11 or 6 feet height. Your spine kind of mushes down with menopause, and I am on the verge of isteoporosis, what I have is osteopenia, translates as calcium-poor bones, but not the deformities of o-porosis as yet.
By now I should be type 2 diabetic- both parents were, cardiac complications much worse than I have, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and wheelchair- bound because of the arthritis who has a steady relationship with me since 25 years old. It is only with the Grace of God I escaped them, with intact mind and emotions, body,well I never will look as good there as I would if I had been normal weight range. But life is what life is, I will rock what I can until death, and now I have every chance of making it to 90-100 years, I come from strong farm- rootstock people, they wore out instead of rusting out, the vast majority. And I plan to be on Bariatric Pal as long as I have the wits to do it.
So do consider joining us , it is the best thing I have ever,had, and I say that barring all the unforseen complications I have had, somebody gonna,get it well it would be ME.But still I would never,go back to my existance prior to surgery, wish I had done it earlier in my life, but I hadn't been ready then, but God and my surgeon have helped me become a thinner, more healthy person and I will be eternally grateful to both.So if you have questions, just ask, I pride myself on being pretty smart but if I can't give you an answer, there will be surely someone else who could. So stick with us, we will help Your rest of life to be the best of Your life.

[MrsGamgee 756]

For me, it was anxiety about leaving my husband with two small kids if I were to have a heart attack. Rather dramatic, I know, but it was ultimately what pushed me over the edge to ask for the referral.

[Healthy_life2 8,324]

1 hour ago, Jonah said:

Hi everyone!
I’m new to the forum and new to all of this. I’m in the consideration phase. I think I want surgery (specifically sleeve) but I want to be sure. I know this will change everything in my life. I don’t care about looking slimmer, this is all about my health. I’m 44, pre-diabetic, struggle with borderline high blood pressure, and have sleep apnea caused by my size. I’ve been trying for a year to deal with my health problems the old fashioned way but it isn’t helping. I did manage to drop about 25lb but now I’m not progressing and it isn’t enough to effect my health conditions.

So, what helped you decide?

Thanks for reading!

Ask if your local bariatric surgeon has an information seminar. Your surgeon may recommend a procedure.

Here is a link that may help in your research phase.

https://www.obesitycoverage.com/the-complete-patients-guide-to-bariatric-surgery/

Age 45 and 254 pounds, My wake-up call was being admitted to ICU. My internal organs shutting down from diabetic ketoacidosis. My heart stopped, and they brought me back. I wish it didn’t take that moment to understand my weight was slowly killing me.

I looked at how many times I’ve lost weight then had regain with extra. I needed a long-term solution to get my health back. I was sleeved in 2014. Five years out, no complications, no regret, and maintaining in the 130’s.

[Poppyseed28 115]

I decided to get the surgery because at just 28 I was almost 400 pounds and walking was becoming a problem. I didn’t want to lose my mobility. I didn’t really have any major health problems but I didn’t want to wait until I developed them.

[AngieBear 2,524]

About 6 years ago I lost 100 lbs w/out surgery after being diagnosed with fatty liver (my insurance at the time wouldn’t cover wls). Of course most of that weight gradually came back. A new career meant new insurance, and this time WLS was covered. I started consults the week my insurance became effective.

Edited May 2, 2019 by AngieBear

[VeeAurora 54]

I’m happy with my looks and I have no health issues, so I had to think long and hard whether it’s worth it or not. I came to the conclusion that my quality of life with obesity is so low that the risks of surgery don’t seem that bad in comparison. So my bypass is 10 days away now.

So basically, think of what your life is like. Is your current weight something you can live with? Or do you think you can lose it without surgery? If the answer is no then this could be the right path:) good luck 💕

[ahillig 136]

I'm tired of being fat and tired. I'm tired of not being able to do all the things I want to do like ride roller coasters. I work at an amusement park and can only ride a handful of coasters in my park due to my size and I love roller coasters! I stand at most parties because I'm afraid those folding cloth camp chairs will break. I'm tired of not being able to find cute clothes that look good on me. I just want my life back. When I was in high school I was athletic, I played tennis, marched in the marching band, played pick up soccer, and was very active, now mustering the energy to go to the store is challenging some days.

I've tried to lose weight on my own and have lost and gained the same 40lbs more times than I can count. I have never tried programs or fad diets, always eating healthy and calorie counting but I always get to a point where the amount of calories I eat in a day cannot be increased unless I workout HARD for 2-3 hours a day and that's unrealistic. I need that tool to help me get past the 40lb barrier and beyond to be successful long term. It's always been something I've had in the back of my mind but I never let myself explore it in the past because I've always lost the weight. I was so nervous about it and calling to make an appointment for a consult but the staff at my surgeons office is so nice and my surgeon is a really down to earth guy whom I feel totally comfortable with.

[Jonah 38]

Thanks to everyone who posted! I really appreciate hearing the perspectives.
I’m putting in my request with my primary physician. Then I’ll be able to take the class they have on wls.
I’m scared but I want a better quality of life in the future, for me and my loved ones.

[Frustr8 7,886]

And an update for you Jonah and everyone else, my weight miracle surgery has enabled me to be just be a little over 15 pounds to Onderland, and when I consider how far I have come to make here, I start sniffling a little. And I pray for you the joy I have now, Jonah, Good Luck in your search, I know my life has improved so much!

[Frustr8 7,886]

Every thing you go through now prepares you for what is ahead. And a thought from Carl Jung
Life Truly begins at 40, up until then everything is Research.