Should I or shouldnt I? from England - ThinnerTimes

amber d · 06-18-2007, 03:49 AM

Hi there,
I joined this forum last september when I thought about having a gastric bypass. But for one reason or another the idea got shelved and here I am 10 pounds heavier ( I now weigh 210 pounds)
I have an appointment this friday with a very well respected surgeon who could do the bypass as soon as I want. (I am using my life savings to pay for this surgery so therefore I dont have to wait for insurance approval. Things are done a bit differently in England, If you are seriously overweight (over 350 pounds) then you may be considered for free surgery but you would have to go on a waiting list for anything up to two years.
I desperately need to speak to someone who has had this surgery because I feel so alone and unsure about things.
I know that I cannot spend the rest of my life trapped in this fat miserable body, but I am also scared that I will die on the operating table or that I will spend the rest of my life regretting this irriversable operation.
My husband and children are very against me even going for the initail consultation but say that they will accept what i want to do if it makes me happy. I am worried that if I have any pain or discomfort after the surgery, I will be left on my own to deal with it and that the only support i will get is " we didnt want you to have it done in the first place, so dont come crying to us now.
I'm so sorry to bore you with all the details bur as i have started to type I just cant seem to stop pouring out my thoughts. I would value anybodys comments, either posotive or negative. I just want your opinions on whether you think it is worth it when I only weigh 210. I am also worried that I may lose too much weight and end up wasting away. I cannot consider the lap band because it still leaves you with an appetite and I would graze all day so I dont think it is an option for me. Thank you so much for reading this. I have found comfprt just by reading this forum and by writing down my thoughts.
Hope you have the time to reply. If not, thanks once again for reading m story.
Regards from England

VanessaSFL · 06-18-2007, 05:43 AM

Amber Welcome to the forum!IMO I would go to the consult for sure.You do have a lot to consider.Reserch,reserch which I am sure you have.

I wish you peace with your thoughts...you are right this is a major decision.

Best to you,

Haveaball · 06-18-2007, 06:24 AM

It is a lot to consider. I did lots and lots of research. I found that the pros out weighed the cons. Once I heard about gbp, I knew it was for me. I met with a therapist and a nutrionist for 6 months on my own to make sure I was doing the right thing for me. The day of the operation, I drove myself to the hospital. I was calm and happy. I have lost 65 pounds in 7 months, I am slower than some, but I am so happy, I have had no complications and I would totally do it again in a heartbeat.

Good luck to you as you make your decision, it is a life changing decision.

amber d · 06-18-2007, 07:17 AM

Thank you so much for your replies. I am glad to hear that you would do it again in a heartbeat. I know that it can't be easy once you have the surgery but surely as you see the weight come off, that must be uplifting.
I am just scared that I will be throwing up and unable to keep anything down ( i dont like vomiting at the best of times)
Also, I drink a lot of diet coke and if I dont have any for a day or so then I get really bad migraines because of the lack of caffeine. I understand that you cannot drink coke after the surgery so I dont know if I could stand the relentless migraine that I would surely get.
Also is it true that you have to have a feeding tube down your nose after the operation. I am so squeamish that the thought of this makes me really frightened. I suppose I am just fretting about every little thing because I am so nevous about it all. I have been thinking about this for about a year and no matter how much I try to love myself as I am and be happy, I cannot get it out of my head. Thanks again, for your comments, its good to know that there are people out there who I can call upon for support .many thanks

Livin' La Vida Lori · 06-18-2007, 07:26 AM

Only you can make the decision if surgery is for you. I will tell you the only regret I have about getting GBP is that I didn't do it years ago! Best of luck with your decision!

LyndasRoom · 06-18-2007, 08:43 AM

Hi Amber, welcome.
Several of our members here are from England and may have used the surgeon you are considering. Keep reading and asking questions. DEFINITELY go to the consultation, and if you think enlightenment would help to convince your husband, take him with you!

ceekerr · 06-18-2007, 09:26 AM

Yes, it's true that I had a tube down my throat during the operation, but it came out before I woke up. Check with your surgeon.

As for the caffine - I was a major Diet Mt Dew drinker (more caffine than Coke). I quit a week or so before surgery - the headache lasted a few days, then I was OK.

It's a HUGE decision - only you can make - only you will live with the consequences since only you live in your body.

Good luck to you!

Carol

gottaloseit · 06-18-2007, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amber d

Thank you so much for your replies. I am glad to hear that you would do it again in a heartbeat. I know that it can't be easy once you have the surgery but surely as you see the weight come off, that must be uplifting.
I am just scared that I will be throwing up and unable to keep anything down ( i dont like vomiting at the best of times)
Also, I drink a lot of diet coke and if I dont have any for a day or so then I get really bad migraines because of the lack of caffeine. I understand that you cannot drink coke after the surgery so I dont know if I could stand the relentless migraine that I would surely get.
Also is it true that you have to have a feeding tube down your nose after the operation. I am so squeamish that the thought of this makes me really frightened. I suppose I am just fretting about every little thing because I am so nevous about it all. I have been thinking about this for about a year and no matter how much I try to love myself as I am and be happy, I cannot get it out of my head. Thanks again, for your comments, its good to know that there are people out there who I can call upon for support .many thanks

I too would have it again in a heartbeat. I used to NEED coke too but after the surgery, I never felt that need and I never suffered one caffeine headache from it. My tastes changed after the surgery and there are so many things that I do not have to have anymore. I do get an occassional craving and I use the MODERATION rule and just eat a little of whatever it is. Never heard of a feeding tube down your throat..The only thing attached to me after the surgery was a drain from one incision that was pulled out before I left for home. The best thing you can do is be positive and research what you will be doing to your insides. My "tool" is a blessing for me and I am so grateful that I cannot eat the way I used to. I feel so much better. I am 7 months out and have 3 pounds until 100 lb weight loss. It was sooooo worth it for me. Good luck with your decision!

CeeCee · 06-18-2007, 11:15 AM

Yup, big decision! I think there might be a bit more going on, too. Take your time thinking about it. I'm a bit concerned that you believe your husband and children will offer no support or help while you are recovering.
also:
-tube was gone before I woke up
- yes, I'd do it again
- caffeine is addictive. You'll have bad headaches for 2 or 3 days, then they will disappear
- you can still graze all day with the RNY too, so until you're ready to completely change the way you view and use food...

Remember- this is not a magic bullet. It's a tool, and like any tool it can malfunction, or be misused. If you're ready for a life-altering experience, then strap in for a wild ride!

Good luck!

coptergirl · 06-18-2007, 11:21 AM

My dear Ceecee took the words right out of my mouth. Welcome to the forum. Please take your time in considering th surgery, and do your research...which includes all the education you can get from your doctors office (ahem...I DO mean the consult). Take your hubby to the education seminars, consults, preop appointments, and preop counseling so he knows he is a vital part of your journey. Best of luck on your decision!