I was a lightweight as far as this surgery goes so the decision was difficult for me, too. There are a couple of reasons I decided to do it. One was because I had dieted MANY times in my life and had lost 80 lbs one time 105 one time and many smaller amounts in between. I had tried weight watchers, atkins, diet pills, liquid diets - nearly everything out there. I certainly could lose but would gain it all back afterward. And I was hungry all the time except on the atkins diet. I knew I had will power. I am one of the most determined people I know once I put my mind to something. BUT, for whatever reason, I couldn't keep the weight off. I obsessed about food constantly; what should I eat, what did I eat, why did I eat, when should I eat, etc. I finally got tired of all that obsessing taking up my life. I also decided I needed some tool that would help me KEEP the weight off.
After my last diet (Optifast) and spending $20,000 on plastic surgery (I was SURE I would keep the weight off this time!). I started gaining weight. I realized that if throwing $20,000 dollars worth of plastic surgery down the drain wasn't going to stop me from re-gaining then nothing, short of surgery, would.
I had also done a TON research and had read about the hormone changes that take place after RYN - especially ghrelin and how those changes affect appetite. That convinced me to give it a try.
I am a little over 2 1/2 years out and I have not had any complications - so far. I would make the decision again in a heartbeat. BUT, the decision must be yours and yours alone because there is always the possibility of complications.
Here's how my life has gotten better: I actually think of things besides eating most of the day. I look pretty darn good for a Nana! I feel great. I can go for long walks and not be out of breath. I can bend over and tie my shoes without discomfort. I don't have acid reflex, my sleep apnea is gone. My legs don't hurt at the end of the day. I can shop in regular size clothing stores.
As a closing note: I was crazy scared the day of surgery. I almost got up and walked out. I was so scared my pulse rate was 126 - with a sedative. They almost didn't do my surgery because of that but went ahead. I guess my pulse rate went back to normal levels as soon as I went under.
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Veronica
Lap 7/6/05
215/155/123
start/goal/current At NORMAL weight!
BMI 39.32/21.8
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