Turning to my Support Group for Help...Again

Here is the situation: I am a ridiculously analytical person. Having said that, pro and con lists and "book reports" on anything that tickles my fancy are a way of life. My query is this...Would someone be willing to send me their 10 reasons for having had the surgery, along with the 10 reasons, if there are ANY, why they wish they did not have the surgery. Lastly, if anyone would be willing to share with me a complete list of foods/drinks/snacks that are no longer permissible post-op, it would be greatly appreciated. My mind is wanding, I am starting to get freaked out, so I have to "hit the books". Any and all help is tremendously appreciated. You can email me through obesityhelp.com. Thanks in advance, and as always thanks to everyone for being there. Smooches, N Anderson

Reasons FOR having surgery (Not in any particular order): reduce co-morbidities - HBP, diabetes, etc; reduce stress on knees and back; reduce sleep apnea; better body image; improve self image; ability to move and "do things" without becoming winded; better fashion options; less stess on heart; fit in an airline seat; live longer. Reasons for NOT having surgery (Not in any particular order): possibility of death during surgery; enjoy health complications/co-morbidities; like or enjoy pain; hate to sleep; want to die younger. Snacks to avoid: anything with sugar, cheetos, chips, alcohol (any) Hope this helps. Good luck on your journey, whereever it takes you. becky, 3/3/04 (396)330/293/175

Hi N, Well Becky's list is pretty much the same as mine but here goes........ Reasons to do the surgery......hmmmm tough but I was getting to the point where it was more and more difficult to do a hundred different things like walking any distances, going up and down stairs, sitting in a chair without worrying if I would fit or worse yet break it. I love traveling but getting on a plane and fitting into the seats never mind thinking about putting the lap tray down was a major event. I want to live longer and healthier, I want to see my nieces marry and have children and I want to be able to play with and take care of those kids. I wanted to be able to move, stop taking so many medications, sleep (hmmm.....well I still want that ) and the list goes on and on and on. My reasons for not having surgery??? Well for me there weren't any. My only regret was not having done this years ago. I just wish I hadn't wasted so many years being inactive and restricted. Hope this helps and if you have any other questions let me know...... Linda

An interesting question. I'll try to provide my answers as best as I can, not knowing whether I can come up with 10 of each! In no particular order, reasons I had surgery: Obtain healthier weight Look and feel better Decrease risk of obesity-related disease (diabetes, heart problems, etc.) Be able to move again without pain (back, knee, etc.) Lose the emotional baggage of being morbidly obese To be active -- I now exercise 5-6 days a week, can run (a little), ride my bike, etc. without feeling like I'm gonna die! Look pretty again Have pretty clothing that fits me well Arguments against surgery: Risk of death Risk of complications (I had some; I got through it & feel great now) Fear of the unknown Fear I will be the only person it doesn't work for Missing food! It's a real commitment that takes work ... did I have what it takes to make such a commitment? The pros outweighed the cons for me. I'm 6 months out as of tomorrow & I feel much, much better. I had my difficulties in the early stages but they're like a blur to me now, as I'm stepping out and enjoying life as a healthier person. Good luck to you!! Kathy F.

Hi, I have more than 10 reasons FOR the surgery - they were my goals, and most have been achieved! Here they are - in no particular order! 1. To be able to sit with my legs crossed. 2. To be able to play on the floor with my children. 3. To get off most of my medications. 4. To walk up the flight of stairs at work without huffing and puffing. 5. To get dressed, and put on make-up without sweating. 6. To be able to clean my feet in the shower without getting a charlie horse. 7. To be able to go shopping in a "regular" store. 8. To be able to enjoy exercise again! 9. To get OFF the CPAP machine! 10. To have more energy. 11. To get a new, stylish wardrobe. 12. To be thinner than my mom, who has always criticized my weight. 13. To be an inspiration to others who have been fighting the battle of weight all their lives - to show them there is hope, and there is a way out! 14. For my wedding dress to be too small! 15. To weigh less than my husband (who is the most wonderful man on earth!) 16. To be able to get a booth at a restaurant and not wonder if I'll be able to fit! Or worse yet, to have to switch booths because it doesn't fit! 17. To be able to sit in a beach (sand) chair without worrying that I will break it. 18. To be able to get out of that beach chair without needing a crane! 19. To eat and not get a stain in-between my boobs! I always wondered why on earth I put a napkin on my lap -- nothing had EVER landed there! 20. To be able to give my 2 sons a bath -- it hurts to kneel down and reach over towards them. 21. To have my back not hurt any more! 22. To be able to kneel down on the floor - whether to pray or to play with the kids. 23. To be healthy! Ok - now reasons why I would not have had the surgery......... I can't think of one - I've met almost every goal, I'm off all the medicines, off the C-Pap machine, feel great and have tons of energy! My only regret is that I wasn't able to do this earlier! What foods that are no longer permissable -- while I am losing weight, I eat low fat, low carb, high protein (in accordance with my surgeon's instructions). However, I have eaten things that don't fit into that structure a few times. I have never been sick, except for an episode of "dumping" once - from eating jello (high fructose corn syrup was probably the culprit). Otherwise, I'm certain that I will be able to eat anything I want to - in moderation. Hope this is helpful. God Bless, Kathy Bilodeau Lap RNY 12/3/03 - 84 lbs.

First: My reasons are/were set forth in goals: To turn them into goals, I suppose you just imagine "Because I am not/can not" in front of them... 1. Stop taking medication 2. Be Healthy 3. Have more energy 4. Stop feeling self conscious and embarrased about my size 5. Be able to walk and climb stairs without pain 6. Not have to worry about if I will 'fit' in a chair or booth or if it's a plastic chair- can it hold me? 7. Be able to fit in the clothes in my closet from the last few years. 8. My long BE ABLE TO LIST: Be able to sit in movie theater seat comfortably, ride rollercoaster and other amusement park rides again, be able to shop in regular stores, Be able to mountain bike again, Be able to cross legs and sit Indian style, be able to fly comfortably (and put the tray table down!), Be able to play on the floor with nephews without worrying if I will be able to get up, Be smaller than my husband 9. Reach and maintain a healthy goal weight. 10. Conceive and have a healthy pregnancy/child Second, I do not believe that anything at all is completely off limits to you after surgery. But, you simply MUST change your eating habits and relationship with food, in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The only foods on my "NO WAY" list, are ones that make me physically ill such as: 1. any quantity of anything with concentrated sugar- i.e. cake, icecream, candy, etc. I can have a bite, but that's my limit! 2. Ham (why? who knows!) 3. Chinese Food (makes me deathly ill) 4. Anything with MSG in it. I am terribly sensitive to MSG now. It gives me horrible headaches almost instantly. That's it. Good luck to you in your quest. Lisa C

Thanks so much for your responses. I can not tell you how edifying it is to see others goals and reasonings for and against. As always you are so kind to share your personal and private thoughts with me and others. You have no idea how helpful and considerate as well as courageous that is to those who are vascillating. As always you have all been a tremendouse help. Without a solid support base (read here - family), sometimes I find myself twisting in the wind. If it weren't for AMOS I wouldn't even be in a position to consider WLS. Thanks Yet Again, N Anderson