I don't know - ThinnerTimes

bigrick · 03-29-2005, 04:09 PM

I am a little scared about this. My ego and persona is such that I haven't even come to grips with this yet. I am heathy...but I know that won't last forever if I don't do something. I need this.

Gatzby · 03-29-2005, 04:18 PM

First off... welcome to the boards.

Second...

If you aren't ready for this, don't do it. Remember, this is somethign that cannot be reversed, and it is a personal decision. I know that during my decision making process, I thought "I'm healthy" or "I'm not fat enough" etc.

The reality is:

I'm over 350 pounds
I have high blood pressure
I have sleep apnea
I have high cholesterol
I have had 3 abdominal hernias due to my weight.

I am not healthy, and with a BMI of like 54 (last time I checked online) I am fat enough.

Of course that is me. You need to evaluate yourself, and it is hard to do objectively (trust me on that one).

Best advice I can give, stick around these boards, talk to your doctor, and do your own research. You see the good, the bad, and the ugly about this surgery and the process before and after. The more education you have, the better prepared you will be to make a decision.

watergirl · 03-29-2005, 07:37 PM

Research, research, research. This is nothing that you jump into without some knowledge. There is so much information out there, good and bad. Make sure you get enough information so that when you decide on whether to have surgery or not, you know that you did it and are clear on your decision.

I wish you clairty.

Groovey kinda Love · 03-29-2005, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigrick

I am a little scared about this. My ego and persona is such that I haven't even come to grips with this yet. I am heathy...but I know that won't last forever if I don't do something. I need this.

Hello bigrick,

welcome to our little world. Hope you enjoy your visit, this has to be the best bunch of people online anywhere!

I totaly understand being scared, I am right there with you..... I go in 21 days for my surgery, I have thought this through and you know what? When I get to thinking about it, I also see the smile on my kids faces, I hear the laugher of my husbands voice or the soothing sounds of the water fall..... I hear the Cardinal sing a low tune. Its all these things and so much more that makes me know that my health is going down hill so very fast from my weight and one day I may not be here to enjoy the beauty that I behold.

WLS is a personal decission. It's not something one can take lightly. I have spent hours with it in my mind, everywhere I go it is there with me, Its reminder is always in my thoughts as if it haunts me, but I can't lose sight of why I am doing this....

bigrick · 03-29-2005, 09:47 PM

I am just worried...I have thought it over and I know that this is the right thing for me to do. I would love to get back to the me that I used to be. Thanks for the advice.....I'm keeping the faith.

365/365/210?

Lojak7 · 03-29-2005, 10:34 PM

Just to let you know, I am fairly new at this. I had the surgery on 02/10/2005. I really did NOT enter into this lightly. I tried to find every bit of information I could on GB. This decision took about 2 1/2 years for me to make. I read the pro/cons. Talked to my Doctor, Family, Priest, Lawyer, Accountant, Financial Advisor, Insurance company, Co-workers, even the moon, if I thought it would give me insight. The most important thing is YOU, and only YOU have to make the final decision. I am not as seasoned as most of the members on the board, but take the time to read the stories and comments. They really helped me. Talk to people. If you are uncomfortable about this, keep it to the professionals, or remain anomyous on the internet. INFO< INFO< INFO> is the key.Eventhough I was Super Morbidly Obese, I was still in pretty fair health. My chlorestol, tryglicerides were normal. My BP was never over 140/80, I could still Bench press 350lbs, but little things started popping up. I was fed up of the things that I was not able to do easily anymore like tying my shoes, or walking w/o sweating like a pig (longer story for another time). It finally pushed me over the edge, I was scared and anxious, but if I had to do it again...I would in a heartbeat. I am 47 days out, I have lost the swelling (edema) in my legs. The puffy face is gone. I lost 9 inches off my gut, 6" off my chest, I am roughly down 80+ lbs. I will be going to the doctor tomorrow, So I will get the "official" number tomorrow. I think I broke my scale a long time ago. I have a long way to go...a lifetime in this fight. As soon as my doctor came in to see me, after I was in recovery, he said "welcome to the rest of your life +20 years". My Doc, Dr. Michael Hill out of Saranac Lake, NY is the friggen BEST! Sorry to ramble, but make a choice, and informed one. If it not for you so be it. You decide to, we will be here for support. Good Luck

John
Dr. Michael Hill-open RNY
02/10/2005
439/358/215---a way to go

Mr AOR · 03-30-2005, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lojak7

Just to let you know, I am fairly new at this. I had the surgery on 02/10/2005. I really did NOT enter into this lightly. I tried to find every bit of information I could on GB. This decision took about 2 1/2 years for me to make. I read the pro/cons. Talked to my Doctor, Family, Priest, Lawyer, Accountant, Financial Advisor, Insurance company, Co-workers, even the moon, if I thought it would give me insight. The most important thing is YOU, and only YOU have to make the final decision. I am not as seasoned as most of the members on the board, but take the time to read the stories and comments. They really helped me. Talk to people. If you are uncomfortable about this, keep it to the professionals, or remain anomyous on the internet. INFO< INFO< INFO> is the key.Eventhough I was Super Morbidly Obese, I was still in pretty fair health. My chlorestol, tryglicerides were normal. My BP was never over 140/80, I could still Bench press 350lbs, but little things started popping up. I was fed up of the things that I was not able to do easily anymore like tying my shoes, or walking w/o sweating like a pig (longer story for another time). It finally pushed me over the edge, I was scared and anxious, but if I had to do it again...I would in a heartbeat. I am 47 days out, I have lost the swelling (edema) in my legs. The puffy face is gone. I lost 9 inches off my gut, 6" off my chest, I am roughly down 80+ lbs. I will be going to the doctor tomorrow, So I will get the "official" number tomorrow. I think I broke my scale a long time ago. I have a long way to go...a lifetime in this fight. As soon as my doctor came in to see me, after I was in recovery, he said "welcome to the rest of your life +20 years". My Doc, Dr. Michael Hill out of Saranac Lake, NY is the friggen BEST! Sorry to ramble, but make a choice, and informed one. If it not for you so be it. You decide to, we will be here for support. Good Luck

John
Dr. Michael Hill-open RNY
02/10/2005
439/358/215---a way to go

Great feedback, man. I don't think you rambled at all. Course, you gotta consider the source of that commentary, cuz I tend to babble away like a brook. Not Brooke, like the girl, but brook like...oh, there I go again!

Beyond that, on a personal note, great progress! You're just melting away, my friend. Glad to know that Dr Hill is the East Coast equal to our own Dr C!

I have no doubt that you'll hit your goal of 215!

Hey bigrick, ask questions of people that have had the surgery (good and bad situations), and talk with your primary physician. I think a great tactic to take, when really considering something serious (I'd say this counts!), is to make a list of pro and con. What are the things you're risking with the surgery, compared to the rewards of the surgery. What are you risking by NOT having it? What is the weight keeping you from doing? How will your quality of life and the relationships in your life improve with this surgery?

Just some suggestions on places to start!

bigrick · 03-31-2005, 08:42 AM

Thank you guys for all of your support. I am sure, but I needed some feedback from people in MY BOAT....you have ben great. I will continue to monitor and ask questions if that is o.k. I have a date of May 4.......

365/365/215

watergirl · 03-31-2005, 09:07 AM

Of Course it's okay! We're here for each other!