Pre-Op and Wondering what do I do Next?

I started this process back in September when my Cardiologist suggested I consider gastric by-pass as an option to do something about my morbid obestiy. He was really concerned about me as I had failed a stress test, my legs were swollen with edema, and due to my physical condition my choices were limited. After a heart catherization two severly blocked arteries were found, one 90% closed and the other 70% closed. Stents were implanted sucessfully October 29th and fortuntely I am alive today to talk about it. I had my consultation with Dr. Aranow on November 24th and we discussed the high risks involved in this surgery for me and the steps that I would have to take in order for me to have this surgery and reduce the risks. I weighed 388 lbs and was told I needed to lose at least 20 to 25 lbs before I could have the surgery and the more weight I lost the safer the surgery would be for me. I went back for my nutritional consultation on December 27th and I weighed in at 394 1/2 lbs. I was completely devestated and thought the surgery would be out of reach for me. I had my consultation with Eliana and we worked out a sensible food plan focusing on portion control which I have been following ever since. I went to the VA today and weighed in at 364 1/2 lbs. In December I was taking 140 units of Insulin daily and I am now taking 50 Units daily.My Glucose was at 5.2 My Blood Sugars are running in low 100's ans I am showing very little edema. My overall general health has improved and I feel better overall. I have an appointment with my Cardiologist next week and will find out when and if he will clear me for surgery. I would like to lose as much weight as possible before surgery which will make my surgery safer for me. Some of my family members are saying "Why have surgery if you are losing so much weight without it?" Why risk such serious surgery at your age? Am I wrong to consider putting off the surgery, as I have motivated myself before and lost hundreds of pounds only to gain it back? Am I on a pink cloud because of this easy weight loss and kidding myself? I feel this surgery could add 20 years to my life and is only a tool and if used properly will help me where my willpower alone before has always let me down. I need some feedback from some of you who may of had second thoughts about surgery and what you did to cope with them. Earl I

Hi Earl, Congratulations on your weight loss so far! That's great. For me, I was an expert at losing weight, it was keeping it off that gave me trouble. Eventually because of all the yo-yo dieting, I couldn't really lose it at all. To be honest, to lose all that weight would take a tremendous commitment and willpower, not to mention keeping it off for good. Have your weight loss efforts put you at the weight you are happy at? Probably not... With the surgery, in the beginning you lose almost magically. Of course, eventually the effects will "wear off" and it will be up to you to keep losing. But by then you will have hopefully developed all new eating patterns that will help you achieve this. Also, your stomach will still be much smaller, making it easier to eat less. The tool will help you keep the weight off. I know I "dieted" my weigh up to 313 lbs, and I would not have been able to do this without the surgery. I have NO co-morbidities anymore, everything that was wrong with me physically before surgery is gone. And I am the happiest I have ever been in my entire life. I live my life now fully and completely! Only because of this surgery. I had thoughts about this being the easy way out, but it's not really. I have to watch what I eat and exercise just like every other "normal" person now. But, at 313 pounds, I couldn't exercise. I got winded walking from my car to the mall...This surgery gave me the ability to lose the weight, so now I can exercise, now I can do anything - I even go ice skating now! I guess you can tell from my post that I am pro-surgery. I AM!! Because it was the best thing I ever did...and to anyone who thinks it is the easy way out, so what? What's wrong with having a little help, right? Why should everything be so hard? Just getting through each day (before surgery) was hard for me. I can't tell you what to do, only you can decide what is best for yourself. Talk to people, read people's profiles here on this website, look at the before and after pictures... Good luck to you whatever you decide to do! Anne

Hi Anne, Thanks for your kind reply. I need this kind of re-enforcement as I am now 60 years old and know this is not going to be easy. My biggest "fear" is another failure on my part snd I feel all of us don't lack "will power" and my hope is that this surgery will enable me to have the "concept" of what full is. I am leaning toward surgery and want to take this step with reasonable expections. Again Thank you for your encouragement. Earl

Earl, What Anne said is great. I agree with her 100%. I have a friend who was very large, lost over 100 lbs. by just eating right, and had the surgery a short time ago. Now he is losing faster and gets better and better every day. I know he reads these and will be reading this one and will agree. Having this surgery may help you keep the weight off if you use it right, relearn how to eat properly and exercise, even if you have lost weight. This surgery is a tool to help us in our journey. Dieting has not worked for us, as Anne said, we dieted our way up to morbidly obese weights. I wish you luck in your decision, just do your homework! Pam

Hi Pam, Thanks Pam. Your reply means a lot to me I am relearning a lot of the proper eating habits I learned in a eating disorder clinic when I lost 175 lbs in 9 months by proper eating and dieting. Even than when I finished my meals I was hungary, my hope is the surgery will help me. Kindest regards, Earl

Earl Congratulations on your weight loss! This only proves you will be a good post op candidate! Honestly-though..this decision is so personal. We can only tell you the benefits that this has brought to our lives. I can tell you without this surgery--I would have never lost this weight...It has saved my life. Dr. Arannow was my doctor and very competent. Good Luck with you decision and keep up the good work... God Bless You Joanie

Hi Joanie, Thank you for the encouragement, on a scale of 1 to 10 on having surgery I am probably a 9 today. I have to say I was starting to waver until I starting to read all the posts on this site. Again thanks. Earl

Congratulations Earl on losing the weight on your own and gaining back some health. Only you can answer if the surgery is right for you. You will know when you are ready. By no means is this the easy way out. I am 9 months out and really am seeing the difference of where these behavior modifications are coming into play. It's a tool. I am 37 years old and had a heart attack at age 35. I had a 95% blockage and a stent placed. I know have a total of 4 stents. This surgery has given me back a piece of life that I would never have had I not had the surgery. I have also not had any medicine for my diabetes since I had the surgery. You have to be mentally ready for the life changes. Do some research and ask a lot of questions. I know you'll make the right decission for you. Maggie

HI Maggie, Replys likes yours are a real inspiration to me. Thank you so much. I am pretty much home bound, and haven't driven a car in three years due to diabetes. I have had surgery on my right foot twice and am lucky I haven't lost it. I am currently having laser surgey on my eyes due to diabetic complications. So I guess I am reaching out to this group for the support I need to get through this stage of this very complex process of Gastric By Pass Surgery. Again Thanks for your kindness. Earl

Hi Earl, First of all congratulations on your weight loss. That is awesome! Do not let anyone discourage you from having this surgery...it is a lifesaver in more than one way! Remember dieting works short term. WLS is forever. Good luck with your journey and feel free to lean on us if you need us. JA