HELP! I think I have talked my self out of this! - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

ready2lovelife · 10-27-2009, 07:22 AM

I have been reading a lot on here and have read some good things, bad things, and awefull things. I am 25 with no health problems at all except being fat. I know that I might have problems down the road but am pretty healthy now.

However, I have read about people doing well at the begining but a few years down the road they are having problems with deficiencies, constant nausea, and just all around ickyness. I am almost to the point were I don't want to risk trading a pretty comfortable life for an uncomfortable one.

Has anyone not had any complications? If you take all your vitamins will you still become deficient? Does the nausea go away?

Please help me get more comfortable with this!

Kimberly76 · 10-27-2009, 07:31 AM

I don't know how much you weigh.. and I'm not even going to go where you're asking your questions, I have a different point to make..

I went from 365 to 204, and I feel AMAZING, for the first time EVER in my life my insides match my outsides. It's a wonderful feeling from going from invisible to visible. AMAZING! I LOVE-LOVE my new life and anything that I may come incontact with, the bad, the ugly or whatever complication, it will be all worth it, I'll deal with it.

best of luck,

Kymel · 10-27-2009, 08:03 AM

I'd be willing to bet that at close to 300 pounds you do have some sort of health issues related to your weight. Might not cause you any pain or suffering, but they're there. I started right about the same as where you are, and while I didn't have any major health issues that immediately threatened my life, I was borderline for plenty that cause problems and were just around the corner to lifelong issues. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, just below borderline diabetes, major family history of heart problems and diabetes...and those were the issues I couldn't 'feel'. The ones that I could were all my muscle aches, joint pains, migraines, sick all the time and so on...not to mention the lack of ability to move my body enough to not just be a blob for the rest of my ever shortening life.

There can be complications, as you've seen. Their causes are wide spread and varying. I believe they are as independant as the individual. Each surgery is just as different as each person too. There's many methods. Your best bet is to follow the guidelines your surgical team gives you - that's a good start. If complications do arise - get with them as soon as possible.

It's scary going in - but so is the thought of bringing a child into this world. There are definately cases out there of things going wrong, but you have to weigh it against all those that go right too. Which I believe was your question...how many. Fact is, we're all on this road and will be until we croak...so to say that because we're a year out, or 10 years out with no complications isn't a guarantee either way how it will turn out. Another point too - these surgeries have changed 1000% since 10 or even 5 years ago. Comparing is a hard thing to do. Apples to oranges really.

The best advice I can give you is to continue to research. Both online, and with your surgical staff. Find out their success, failure and death rates. Find out what they recommend for you and your needs. If you've started the process already - you should have had some blood work done by now - ask them what the results mean so you really know what's going on with your body. Research everything you can, until you feel completely comfortable with moving forward. There's nothing wrong with that. I personally spent over 3 years researching and debating on it...then the decision of where to have it...then what kind of surgery to go with.

To answer your immediate question - I'm one that has not had any complications - so far. I take my vitamins and steer toward whole foods for nutrition. But...I am me, and my body is different than yours...and no one can guarantee that I'm not going to have some kind of complication down the road. I still have to face that...but it was worth the risk to have a healthier life, and a better chance at adding years back on instead of dying early from some sort of weight related issue. Not to mention not actually LIVING during those years that I'm here because I couldn't get around like everyone else.

Anyway - the other question - nausea...? I've only heard of a few with it - and it's usually a side effect of something else going on. Either a complication that can (hopefully) be remedied, or because they're not eating the right things. Force your body to accept what it shouldn't, and it's gonna push back. Play by the rules (where food is concerned) and it should be smooth sailing.

Research, research, research...

I love my life now. I don't regret my decision, and I wouldn't change it for the world!

Cee99Cee · 10-27-2009, 08:11 AM

I am only seven months out I am 49 years old at my largest 240 lbs I am now 157 I feel great I have not run into any problems I didn't even lose any of my hair (wishing I would have alot of hair) you might not have complication now but I know you will develop them in the coming years I had sleep apnea, high blood pressure, high chol., diabetes and bmi of 39 which are all gone I no longer breathe deep heavy breaths and more I can sit Indian style, tie my shoes without turning red in the face for lack of oxygen. I don't even feel like I have had an operation. Just giving you my experience which I don't usually do it makes me feel like I am flaunting it in front of other that are having complication. so on that note it was the best decision I have every made in my life.

BrandnewMe · 10-27-2009, 08:25 AM

This is a personal decision that only you can make. Is it easy? No. Is it worth it? When you are ready to make the changes necessary, YES!!

I have always been overweight as an adult. I thought I could manage it on my own but as the years went by, the weight went up. In 12 years (from your age to my age), I have mostly gained (some minor losses only to gain back + more), have had 2 children, developed insulin resistance, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, hypothyroidism, aching knees, and a general sense of blah about myself and life because of my inability to get my weight under control. I have not tried for job promotions because of my weight and not put myself out there for activities I really wanted to do because of my weight. I put myself in bad relationships because I didn't think I was worth any better. At 36 (now 37), I finally made the choice that enough was enough and I was going to have surgery as a tool to be healthier and live a full life.

I'm only a month out. I do struggle at times with my decisions on food, etc. but I would not be feeling as amazing as I do and as confident had I not decided to go forward with this surgery and taking over my life! I have purpose now! I am setting goals, both professionally and personally, that I've never even thought about in 15 years. I haven't had solid goals in 15 years for myself!! Sure, I was going to be a good mom and raise good children, but that was the only goal I had until I made the decision for weight loss surgery.

If you are ready, then this is a freeing thing! It's a rebirth for you. But if you aren't ready, you will struggle from what I have read. You need to look deep within yourself and decide if you are ready to make lifelong commitments to your health and well being. If the answer is yes, then go for it! If it's not, you may need to do some more comptemplation before heading into the operating room.

Best of luck with whatever decision you make. Just make sure it's the best one for yourself.

Toony · 10-27-2009, 10:48 AM

I'm 21 months out... ZERO complications, 100% happy with my decision!

ready2lovelife · 10-27-2009, 11:54 AM

Thank you all.

I am feeling a little better about things. I am pretty sure that i am going to do it even though I am still scared.

If I don't do something it will only get worse.

Thank you, again.

Lindsay

BrandnewMe · 10-27-2009, 12:22 PM

Being scared is really a normal reaction. It's a life altering decision! I think many of us go through a period where we are scared before we have surgery.

AirForceW1fe · 10-27-2009, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrandnewMe

Being scared is really a normal reaction. It's a life altering decision! I think many of us go through a period where we are scared before we have surgery.

Agreed, I would be more concerned if you were not scared and thought it was going to be easy.

Educate yourself as much as possible, as I have quickly found most medical personnel you will come in contact with know very little about how to care for our altered bodies. It really becomes our responsibility to be proactive and educate them when we can so we can protect our health.

There are risks involved in every day life, getting in a car, taking a shower, cooking a meal etc. Do your research, this site is a great place for it. Ask all your questions, question your surgeon and then just make sure you are mentally prepared for the journey. Sadly they do not operate on our brains so that part of it is totally up to us. It is a lifestyle change. For the better for the vast majority of us.

Good luck on your journey!