shall I have it or not??? - ThinnerTimes

julie40 · 12-04-2005, 06:32 PM

Hi
I have just been given funding to go ahead and have Gastric Bypass, but I am unsure and worried about posible complications. i would like to think it would make my life better but I am also scared that i may die and leave my children without a mother. Can anyone advise??

Blueyz · 12-04-2005, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by julie40

Hi
I have just been given funding to go ahead and have Gastric Bypass, but I am unsure and worried about posible complications. i would like to think it would make my life better but I am also scared that i may die and leave my children without a mother. Can anyone advise??

I can only say one thing...I would do it again tomorrow if I had to....I have no regrets at all. This surgery saved my life.

justawoman · 12-04-2005, 07:05 PM

I believe every mother has those fears, I am a mother of 3 small children and I had those fears but in the end when I thought about the big picture I made the decision to have the surgery. I figured there were risks if I stayed Morbidly obese just the same as if I have surgery. I was a very sickly mother, had asthma, nerve damage, borderline diabetic..Which was not healthy for my chilren to see me in that condition.

I wish you luck in your decision..

coptergirl · 12-04-2005, 07:27 PM

If you think about it, you don't see many old people who are obese, do you? Do your research,and if the decision is right for you, choose a doc with a great bariatric reputation. We are also hereto anwer any of your questions as they arise. You will be in my prayers - please keep us posted...

veroniquetalk · 12-04-2005, 08:48 PM

The only advice I can give you is to research, research, research. The more knowledge you have the better your decision will be. Find the best possible doctor in your area and ask that doctor every single question you can think of. If you have had surgery in the past and gotten through it without complications (especially from anesthesia) then the risks associated with surgery are probably less for you than for someone who maybe doesn't know how they will react to anesthesia - that is one of the big risks associated with surgery. Ask about what the dr does to alleviate the possibility of you getting blood clots in your legs after surgery -that is another big risk. You have some control over that because the more you walk after surgery the less likely you are to get blood clots. Those were the two biggest concerns I had and once I had decided in my mind that those things weren't big concerns for ME then it helped me to make the decision.

LisaM · 12-04-2005, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coptergirl

If you think about it, you don't see many old people who are obese, do you?

Wow, Whitney, that was EXACTLY the light-bulb moment for me. In June, I think it was, I was thinking to myself that people must lose weight before they get old, 'cause you almost never see really old fat people. Then I realized that they didn't lose the weight, they died before they could get that old. And that was my own future if I didn't have the surgery. Just my two cents...

coptergirl · 12-05-2005, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LisaM

Wow, Whitney, that was EXACTLY the light-bulb moment for me. In June, I think it was, I was thinking to myself that people must lose weight before they get old, 'cause you almost never see really old fat people. Then I realized that they didn't lose the weight, they died before they could get that old. And that was my own future if I didn't have the surgery. Just my two cents...

That was also my light bulb moment, Lisa. I actually said that to someone in reply to them asking why I would go to such drastic measures to lose weight, That usually stops them in their tracks!!

LizardQueen · 12-05-2005, 07:06 AM

No one can decide this for you. It is up to you! I almost didn't show up the day of surgery because I was terrified (I have 2 daughters) that something would happen. I could never explain to you how happy that I am that I worked up some courage and had wls. I feel like a new person!

Gladitsme · 12-05-2005, 01:52 PM

Julie,
The possibility of dying does exist from WLS. But it also exists from being MO. You didn't say where you are, but going to an experienced surgeon is really important. Whatever you decide, we're here for you. I have 2 sons and had to decide if I wanted them to have a slug mommy or a healthy mommy. I wouldn't go back if I could.

eyesthatkissu · 12-05-2005, 02:00 PM

It's a very personal choice. I can tell you, I'd do it again in an instant. I'm a much better mother now. As long as you research your surgeon thoroughly, research the team, the hospital, get in a support group, your risks of complications are far less then the risks brought on by your obesity. Good luck making this decision.