Are you questioning yourself??

Are you double checking yourself?? Are you wondering why you are doing this??? Are there those who tell you that you should be able to do this yourself?? Trying to make you feel guilty?? Or telling you that you are cheating or taking the easy way out?? I have read more posts recently, where someone questions why do this if you have to eat differently, or watch what you eat, etc................ Why not just diet it off and not go thru this. If you honestly think you can do this by dieting.................Go for it!! I went on my first diet at age 13................... That was 50 years ago................... I KNOW why the surgery is the answer for me. It gives me the tool of not being hungry........... therefore, I am able to choose the right food................not be driven to eat from hunger!! A friend I've met thru OH, had her VSG March 10th............ and still has trouble wanting to eat................. She says "One thing I KNOW.......... I'll never be fat again.........................." Can you imagine that feeling?? I know that I sure want to. I want to be NORMAL, eat when I'm huingry and know that I can't eat too much as long as I listen to my body................and I will!! So, why are you doing this................?? I can tell you why I am. Because it is the greatest tool we have................ to do what we have always wanted to do................Take it off for the last time!! And, if you want that as badly as I do, you don't have to keep questioning yourself.................or feeling guilty. Those who have never experienced all that goes with being overweight............. see the world from a different perspective. If they honestly think that choosing to risk your future and life is the easy way out............... They have a problem, you don't!! You can talk all day long to someone who doesn't know what each of us feels every day........... If they don't understand.................they never will!! It's as simple as that!! I am doing this for me.................... It is the tool I have needed for 50 years. Thank God, that it has been made available in my lifetime. And, it will improve all aspects of our lives.............. I firmly believe that! I am doing this for me.....................because I deserve it!! Don't you deserve it, also??...................... Be blessed.............Karen

Hi Karen, I am right there with you! I have been on a diet my entire life and can lose the weight but it comes right back on. People who don't struggle with weight always tell me, just push yourself away from the table. It's easier said then done! I LOVE FOOD and EATING and would love to eat a tiny amount and not be hungry and that is why I am doing this. Being 59 years old, I want to stop having back pain and to live a longer life and enjoy my grandchildren and that is why I have chosen the WLS. Naturally, I am scared but I know it is the answer to a healthier and happier life. We can do this and I look forward to being a "LOSER" once and for all. Hugs and Smiles, Esther

Thanks, Esther.............. I think we are buddies in more ways than one............ our age, our BMI's and our values.................. I can HONESTLY say...............I am not afraid. When I went to the local seminar, here, I must admit that it was a bit concerning when the local surgeon said that he had only lost one patient.............. after RNY................ that wasn't the scary part. The thing was, he said............She did everything right, too!! Hmmmmmmmmm Makes you think more than once about this. When I made an appointment and asked him about it again............... He said that they really felt there must have been something in her medical background that she hadn't revealed................ Hmmmmmmm More thought. Then I did some soul searching.............. acknowledged to myself, that the difference in not having this done, is simply a slower death, and a more miserable life as the health problems continue from the age and the weight................. And, I know, that this is the "Miracle" I have looked for all my life............... A PCP I had years ago told me I was looking for a "Magic Pill" and there was none!! I have never asked for "Magic", just not to feel starved and driven to eat when I wish I could give it up entirely ........ and I would if it could resolve the problem............ But that isn't possible. This surgery is and I feel the VSG is the future............... I've been a dedicated mother and grandmother, always............. putting my family first above all..................and now it's my turn..............even my kids aren't 100% behind me.................I'm sure that's based on the fact that they don't wanna give up their dear ole mom who is always there when they want her to be.............. LOL But, as I told them..................you can say what you want........... it won't matter. I AM going to do this.................... You can be positive and accepting of that if you want to be helpful for me, or not, I have made up my mind. No Doubts!! No Fear!! Just Determination!! Karen

Hi Karen, We do have a lot in common. I have been married 36 years to a sweet loving man who loved me at 372 (my top weight) and continues to be my biggest support. My children however, are fighting me on this because they love their squishy mommy (as they put it). But I just tell them that their squishy mommy wants to live longer and enjoy them and their children and they need to support me like their dad does because I am scared and I need all the love and support I can get. This is a new start in life for us and I consider May 7th my new birthday. May 17th is my real birthday and this is my birthday present to myself. Karen, there is always risks we take. Everytime we get in our cars we take the risk of getting killed in an accident which is more likely to happen then dieing from WLS. The doctors do this surgery so frequently that they could probably do it with their eyes shut. All I know is both you and I are doing the right thing for our health. They run enough Pre-Op tests to see if there is anything wrong and the people that do die from this surgery died because it was their time to die and not because of WLS. We will be just fine! Friends, Esther

Karen, My surgery is May 2, too. God bless us both. At any rate, I wanted to add that I constantly feel like I have to defend this surgery and why I "need" it. I have been overweight for most of my adult life, and have gained 100 pounds in the last several years. I have tried every diet known to man and managed to diet my way to gaining every single time. My mother in law said that it is very selfish to risk my life, when I should just "stop eating unhealthy". Well, if it were that easy, I would not be obese. I don't like being morbidly obese, and apparently she (and others) think I have not tried hard enough and am just overweight for the fun of it. I can't wait to have this surgery, so I can stop defending my right to have it, and they can see results. Of course, I am sure that the negative people will have something else to say. Thanks for your words of wisdom and encouragement. God speed. xoxo Kimberly

Kimberly, If I could have had this at your age............... Wow!! So many things would have been different in my life. If you are happy with yourself, it translates into better more positive relationships................. No doubt about that!! I will add you to my growing list of May-babies................as we are gonna be re-born that day!! Just remember that you are doing this for you!! And, no matter what the nay-sayers have to say about it........... You deserve the opportunity to love yourself!! I know that all will be well. I am calm and confident that I have made the right choice. I thank God, everyday for giving me this opportunity, knowing that I will be even better to reach out to those in need of a kind word............everyday!! And, remember that anytime you need a pat on the back................a friend to support you.........somebody is always here at OH!! 24 hours a day!! Isn't that beautiful?? You'll be in my prayers for a miraculously wonderful future!! God Bless, Karen

I am thankful for OH! Thank you for your kind words. xoxo

I, too, am scared and excited. One minute, I'll think "maybe I should just try harder and work out more and eat better".... and then I remind myself that if I could have done it on my own, I certainly would have already!! No one wants to be overweight, especially in our culture, where it is so discriminated against. Then I also think about all the hungry impoverished people in the world, and here i am getting more than half of my stomach taken out!! But, I believe I will be able to serve God and others much better if I am HEALTHY! I want to do medical missions one day...thats hard to do, being obese. I have decided to trust God with this process and allow Him to direct my path. So far, He has led my to OH and you all incredible people, and some great new friends! I have been more open and honest about my weight issues with ya'll than I ever have anyone else. There has been alot of freedom in that for me, and I thank you so much for the gift you are! So, my plane tickets are non-refundable and I'm leaving May 6th and will have surgery May 9......God willing. Prayers for all of us, Jillianna

Just think, Jill, my girl..................all those hungry and impoverished people will have more to eat when we quit taking more than we need.................. Now! That's a plus, too!! You are one incredible person, yourself................... and you are gonna be a great asset to those here that come after you did ...............as well as an asset in whatever you choose to do with your life. I, like you, am certain that God led me to this site, both for help and I pray, to be helpful to others................. I'll be in PVR when you get on that plane!! And, I'll be thinking of you all the way!!.......Karen

Hi Jillianna, I really understand what you are saying. I am scared and nervous but just before I went into Dr. Krahn's office for my appointment, I prayed and asked Heavenly Father to help me make the right decision for my health and if it was his will, let Dr. Krahn decide whether I should have this surgery or not. I then put it in his hands and it seems like everything started taking shape and Dr. Krahn said he would do the surgery, the insurance approved it without any trouble and I thought I wouldn't get a surgery date until June and got a call that they scheduled me for May 7th. So I feel Heavenly Father is watching over me and helping me through this process. It is normal to be nervous and believe me I am, but everytime I pray.....I get a calm peaceful feeling so I know it's right. We are in God's hands. Don't worry.....we will be fine. Love, Esther