Need support. Making the big decision!!! - ThinnerTimes

Bmuscial · 10-15-2006, 05:24 PM

Hello to all i am new to this site and i am so glad i found it. I have been to my information session and now i am waiting on my visit to the surgeon. I am currently 245 at 5'5 and i am just sick of it. Everyone in my family is small and i have always been the big one. I have always held back from things that i want to do because of my weight. I live in Savannah Georgia and i wear pants year round and it has to stop. I have two small children and i want to be able to play with them and focus on them and not have to worry about my weight. I want this surgery so bad but i am still a little afraid that it just want happen. I decided last week that i was tired of people making the comment "well your pretty enough to be big". What is that do they actually think that that makes me feel better. I want to be proud of what i look like. I want to just be beautiful, not just beautiful enough to be big. Please help me put my mind at ease that this is the right decision.

kittens4 · 10-15-2006, 06:46 PM

It's a personal decision. I remember thinking a few years back...I'll never have surgery...I can do it with diet and exercise. Then, after waking up and realizing that I'd been trying to do that for the past 25 years and kept losing and re-gaining again...it was time for a change! The real reason for me isn't about what I look like...although that is a nice bonus to able to look cute in clothes.....but it's mainly for my health. I am healthy right now, but how long can that last at 5'4" and weighing 260? So, I started losing, and researching this, and here I am! I'm now at 231, and having surgery a week from tomorrow! I am very excited! Just the thought of being able to stop my cholesterol meds, and to be healthy enough to not develop diabetes, high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, etc etc. I believe I'm adding years to my life by doing this...and avoiding lots of health problems! My children are ages 21 & 23, one was just married, which means grandchildren are coming in a few years...I'd like to be able to play with them & take them places without fatigue! I already have more energy just having dropped the weight I have so far....I can't imagine how great I'll feel when I drop the other 100!!! lol! Anyway, good luck. Read, read, read! There's tons of information on this site! You can learn a lot from these people. Everyone here is very nice and ready to help.

CarlieGirl · 10-15-2006, 07:42 PM

welcome to the forum.

ready4achange · 10-15-2006, 08:01 PM

I had thought about having surgery for quite a few years. It wasn't until a vacation trip to Niagra Falls that I really made up my mind to do it. I had trouble walking the steps at the falls and walked behind my family because I couldn't keep up ! My kids are older 33,32,27 and 13 . My only regret is that I didn't decide to do this sooner. I started out at 334 and now am about 229. Even though I am not bikini ready I feel good. I can keep up with my grandkids and that is what matters. Me being around for many more days with my family. Good Luck on your journey. I hit some bumps in the road but in the end I am glad I did it....
Sandy

NewMel06 · 10-15-2006, 09:39 PM

It really is such a personal decision. It definately isn't for everyone. I had gone back and forth with the idea for many years. I wish I wouldn't have teetered so much and just gone for it the first time I thought about it!!! I witnessed the untimely death of my mother in law and saw the pain it caused. The thoughts of whose weddings she would never see and the grandkids she would never meet. It got me thinking that although my health was good, it would remain that good for long with my weight consistently rising. When I heard my doctor, the day after my surgery, tell me I just added years to my life, I felt so validated that this was right. Now, 101 pounds down, I feel like I have been unleashed from my jail. I am me again, and in many ways and new me! This surgery has change my life in so many ways, all good ways. It is improving my marriage, my mothering capabilities, professionally.......... and the list goes on. All because I regained this very important little thing called self esteem. Good luck to you in your decision. Just listen to your heart and your "gutt instinct" and you will not go wrong.
Welcome to the forum. We are always here to support each other!

Luna Lurker · 10-15-2006, 10:54 PM

It can only be your choice to have this surgery. I lost my father at the age of 52, and my mother at 65. I've had my right knee replaced this past Feburary and really would rather not to have to have the left one done. I take 3 medications for my type II diabetes and five other meds. I have many goals and there wasn't much of a chance of them being met if I didn't have this done. I'm glad that I have the support of my PCP, family, and friends behind me.

Bmuscial · 10-16-2006, 03:31 AM

I want to thank all of you for your comments. When my doctor asked me why i wanted this i told him that it was time i did something for myself. I know that i want this surgery, i've wanted it for a long time. I have two small children and i just don't want to put myself at risk for death. I have been researching this for about a year and i know i want the surgery. At my last doctor's appt i found out i have high blood pressure, and i have had diabeties for the last five years. So i know i can make all of that go away i just want to know that no one has had any problems.

AlabamaChick · 10-16-2006, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bmuscial

i just want to know that no one has had any problems.

That is not something we can tell you with this surgery, As with ANY major surgery, there are always complications and risks involved. You just have to weigh the pros and cons of having the surgery on a personal level and make an informed decision based on that. We will be here to support you with whatever you decide. Personally, I believe that this surgery saved my life. I honestly don't think I would have made it to see next year if I had not had it when I did. This was the ONLY chance left to spend a few more years with my children, who are 11 and 16.

Zenomia · 10-16-2006, 07:01 AM

First off, WELCOME to the forum, we are glad you found us.

You are about where I was starting out and the same height. I have three children all under 8, and this was the hardest decision I ever had to make. It was also the ONLY decision I could make. Like everyone already said, it's personal and you just have to weigh the risks.

I did have complications post-op, stictures-5 of them, but even so it was worth it and then some! There are more serious risks involved and each person is different. The more Experienced and Reputable your Surgeon, the better the odds are in your favor. Research the heck out of it, Reasearch your choice of Surgeon, and know Everything you are getting into.

I can honestly say that NOTHING has been a surprise to me to this point. I have learned from this forum, asked questions, gotten answers and there isn't a single thing that has happened to me that this forum didn't prepare me for!!

Best Wishes on your decision and process!!

coptergirl · 10-16-2006, 08:38 AM

Everyone has already covered the basics, but I just wanted to welcome you to the forum