What event prompted you to seek WLS? - Page 4 - ThinnerTimes

Gwen · 11-20-2007, 02:03 AM

This is my story - written as part of my original "Introduce Yourself Thread" and before I had the RNY in September 2007:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gwen

...I've been overweight most of my life and have been on various weight loss programs (Herbalife, Weight Watchers, Slimming World, Rosemary Conley, you name them) and have even tried Paul McKenna's Weight Loss Program.

About 6 years ago when I split from my ex-husband (Steve) and fell in love with my Dane (Dennis is 32 and from Denmark) I managed, through some mild cardiovascular exercise (and a new found sexlife

) and sensible eating, to loose 26kg (56 pounds)! Unfortunately, that has now almost all crept back...

I started considering WLS when I found out that Sharon Osbourne had it done (albeit Lap Banding), but in the back of my mind I thought that it was only for celebrities and "wealthy" people, I did not consider myself worthy of such a self indulging procedure! That must have been more than three years ago, when the weight that I had lost started creeping back on...

In the meantime, I achieved some professional and personal success and my self esteem started to allow me to seriously consider a more permanent way out of this prison... I wanted my life back!!!

I started doing some research on the Internet and found out that a friend of Steve's (he turned out to be gay (reason for breakup) and we managed to stay friends once the divorce was finalised) had had WLS. Then Steve had a Lap RNY done about 18 months ago and he is now "half the man he used to be"!!!...

What I forgot to mention in that thread is that I did not suffer from any comorbitities apart from feeling like I was squashing my heart and lungs at night, when I tried to sleep, and I also experienced some mild pain in my knees and hips. Also, if I'm 100% honest, I probably suffered from mild depression, as a result of the obesity, and sometimes felt like I didn't have the will to live....

I was very fearful of developing some of the comorbitities, especially diabetes, and that is what made me decide to take this lifechanging step - and so far so good - it's the best thing I've done for myself and I'm feeling GREAT!!!

xxx

Badmamajama · 11-22-2007, 11:58 AM

My feet hurt from plantar faciaitis, and watching my dad go down hill with obesity issues. bmj

Phoenixfire · 11-22-2007, 06:53 PM

When I looked at my beautiful 11 year old daughter, on the edge of puberty and with a family of obese women, and realized that a healthy role model would give her a gift that I didn't have.
And it worked.
(Well there was a lot more, but that was the kicker).

Badmamajama · 11-23-2007, 08:31 AM

Phoenixfire, You replied at the end of my post, I do not think it was a mistake, but a blessing for to meet you. I am in love with your name and tattoo. I am constantly making firebird references and can see you too have risen from the ashes...I am 5ft8ins too, was 276&1/2, my highest, and another reason not listed on my original post for wls. Thank you for clicking on my box, I would love to learn more about you...hang tough...bmj

Vim&Vigour · 11-23-2007, 11:44 AM

Thank you all for answering my question. I can relate to each and every one of your answers and it is amazing how the instinct of self-preservation takes over. What I have noticed, mainly in other areas of the Forum, is how much stronger we become through wls, having survived all the pre-op stage and for you others to have dealt with the surgery and post-op period the best you have been able to, by your own will and the support of the Forum. (My op is in 12 days!). What strikes me is how the "ugly" aspects of (your) lives has surfaced once you have lost a lot of weight and how much stronger (although often vulnerable) you are in addressing very serious issues, such as marriage, work and family relationships. The wls "tool" starts to take on a new meaning for me in the TT forum, i.e. "empowerment". I suppose it is a little like a discovery of faith for some of us...

Many, many thanks...

redinsc · 11-25-2007, 06:19 AM

[quote=Vim&Vigour;233379]

What event in your Life prompted you to go for Weight loss surgery, RNY in particular? No doubt you have been, like me, yoyo dieting and somewhere along the line "enough is enough"?
How did you first hear about surgery, who recommended, what research did you undertake, do you know anybody who had WLS and why now rather than say 3 years ago?

You'll probaby get alot of responses to your questions, and you may want to check under Personal Stories also, there are alot of good histories there.

In my case, I got tired of worrying about whether I could "fit" in places I would go, seats on an airplane, rides in the amusement park, seats at the Braves game, and when I had to squeeeeeeze into them and really, REALLY saw myself in the mirror, I decided no more. I had started this process last year and was talked out of it by everyone I know, but this year I decided it was up to me and I had to do it. I chose RNY because of 2 reasons: 1) insurance wouldn't pay for the Lap and 2) the results from the RNY appeared much better and longer lasting. That's MY opinion. Now that I've read about the new gastric sleeve process, I wish I had known more about it before my surgery and maybe I would have went with that option. Mainly because of not having the malabsorption problems.

Yes, I have a friend at church who's had the RNY and was very pleased with it. She lost 125 lbs but has since regained about 20 due to HER bad habits, nothing to do with the surgery. She's stretched her pouch out bit by bit and can eat a regular meal instead of "our" regular meals. I'm sad for her but she made those bad choices and doesn't seem to mind.

It's been almost 4 weeks since surgery and mainly I've felt pretty good. My pouch has been VERY fussy over the past few days, even my pills bother me, but it's part of the process. I headed off dehydration on Thursday, weak on Friday, weak on Saturday and dry-heaved last night after taking ONE lousy pill. We'll see how today goes.

I still would do it all over again if I had to. I can't wait to have slack in my airplane seatbelt and be able to just slip right in the seats at the Braves games, just like most people. Keep a positive attitude and KNOW that you'll do well, and you will!

Stephanie

Vim&Vigour · 11-25-2007, 06:31 AM

Thanks Stephanie (and Hi Pickles!). Interesting to hear about your friend at Church - determined not to go down that path and your info is a good warning! Yes, the slack of the airplane seat belt...
Me too - "everybody" has talked me out of it, ie the senior generation and those who are envious. A friend does have a friend who ignored all commonsense and, as a result, died! but not from the actual surgery procedure...
Back to my Christmas card writing now..!
Thanks for your support!
Cheers!