Went to the seminar and am PARANOID

Hello Everyone my name is Lisa. I liove in East Hartford Ct and am 33 years old. Over the past few years I have put on SO much weight that it is pathetic. I have a few friends who went to have the surgery done with Dr Aranow and they came out of it FINE and look GREAT. I want to have this done so bad as I have tried everything Diet wise and just don't have the will power. My husband is the ONLY person behind me on this. My Father asked if before I do this can I make him my beneficiary,,, Isn't that sweet. My sister said I am CRAZY and everyone else has there own little comments also. Lets just say this.. I was always like a size 0 growing up then I hit about 20 and I went to about a 12 and then up and up and up and up.. I am busting out of 24's now. I need help. Everyone says OH MY GOD IT IS SO DANGEROUS your risking your life etc... Do you all get that from family members or do they support you.. I am thinking about going to the support groups on Monday nights in Middletown to see what it is all about. Any of you go there. If you want to e-mail me you can do so at [email protected] as I have posted on here before but I have NO CLUE how to see what people respond to me LOL.. I am new to this sorry. I talked to the office and my appt to see the Dr is on Dec 27th I am bummed about that as I want it YESTERDAY just so it is over LOL. Please get back to me as I really need friends at this time. Thanks so much.. Lisa

Hi Lisa! I sent you an email. Tammy

Come to the meeting and ask me about the different types of support. Do I have a story for you! I'm easy to find. Peter

I'll be there...and I'm easy to find too...I'm sitting on Peter's lap. Saving room for the DW...of course!! -Deb

Should I keep it cold. I'll bet you'll warm it up quick!!!! Peter

Hi Lisa, I can relate to you also. I read all of the memorials too..and the part that scares me is the long range stuff that happens after surgery...suddenly people are in serious trouble a year or 2 out...and there is not much anyone could do about it. All of them went in with such shining faith in their surgeons and believing they were doing the right thing. Support groups and message boards are nice and fun....but when the rubber meets the road..it will be ME and MY body...and if I get in trouble down the road the same will apply. There is not much talk about complications down the road on any of the boards...a lady on here 6 months out has just been rushed in to hospital with a fever and extreme pain...after doing all the tests...so far they don't know what's wrong.....one lady on main board wrote that she is on IV feeds after a year out and cannot eat at all...I feel like the bad stuff is kind of swept under the rug, no doubt unintentionally...cause of course no one wants this stuff to hapen to THEM! So many of the mortalities were posting on how great they looked and how good they felt and then WHAMMO..no more posts. I want to know the LONG range stats on mortality and complications when I see my proposed Doc...gastric leaks..peritonitus..septic poisonings...strictures..this is serious stuff here! It's not just the older people with massive BMI that passed away either!!! So family's concern is justified...we ARE ..RISKING OUR LIVES HERE...no doubt about it..and there are NO guarantees...I am clear about THAT! So a weighing of the risks is in order and a BALANCED look...I for one am making sure that I one hundred per cent cannot lose weight no matter what...before I try this... Good luck in your own personal choice!

Hi Sher, I need to make one comment...message boards and support groups are more than nice and fun. They are KEY to LONG TERM success of having WLS of any variety and flavor. You get out of it what you put into it, and fun and nice are secondary. Support groups and this board are what has made me a successful WLS patient, if I do say so myself. I couldn't have done it without both the support groups and the message boards. I use both often, on a daily basis, and it's been my savior. I'm lucky to also say I've made some great friends along the way. Thats a bonus. Dr Aranow will ensure you know the risks and will give you all the long term info you need. He is my Dr and I owe him my life. He literally saved mine. Good luck to you! -Deb

To read replies, just go to the board where posts are displayed..click on the title of your post and scroll down and read...course if you don't know that..I guess you won't be reading this! Oh well!

Hi Lisa, I go to the support groips on Monday nights, as often as I can, bgut I plan on being there tomorrow. ANyway, I never told my extended fasmily until after I had a surgery date. I also avoided telling people at work, or any one who I assumed would be negative. This is such a personal decision, one you have to make for yourself, and yourself only. In fact, I only told 3 people at work (Boss-Man, HR and 1 close friend) and I never told my Mother until I was home from the hospital! Yes, people are right, this is a dangerous surgery, but duh...what surgery isn't?? Yes, you are risking your life, but you are also risking your life with inaction...by gaining weight and eventually dealing with all the comorbities that come along with being (S)MO. I was SMO, and nobody else walked in my shoes. My $.02 for you is not to allow uneducated people (no disrespect meant) influence your decision on having WLS. If your family is comcerned, bring them to a support group, or even to meet with Dr Aranow. You're not in this alone, and key to a successful journey is support. Use us, thats why we're here! Hope to meet you soon. Heres a pic of me so introduce yourself. I don't bite (often). Peace, -Deb