Hi! Just want to introduce myself!

Hi, my name is Jai, and I'm very seriously planning to go forward with WLS.  I've been reading all your posts (pro thread stalker here), and I'm working towards getting the DS.  I need as much support as you can give me, because I know IRL, no one but my husband and sister will be supportive.  Especially not my mother...  .  My husband has decided to join me on this journey to WLS, and I am so relieved that he is as well.  We're both MO, and need this.  We've dieted separately, and together....we've worked out separately and together...we're just getting bigger.  We also just had twin boys 2 years ago, and I can say for sure I'm ready to do whatever it takes to be their mom for as long as humanly possible.  

In reading these threads and considering WLS, I've had to ask myself some very hard questions...and I realize now that I actually cannot stand my postpartum body.  I gained an additional 30lbs, and my stomach is stretched out and folded over.  I haven't taken pictures of myself the way I used too...and I don't like what I see in a lot of the pictures that are taken of me.  I also just found out that I'm pre-diabetic...and I have diabetes all through both sides of my family.  I don't want to be diabetic! So, this is IT...I'm done.  I've been overweight to obese for the past 10 years....That actually shocked me.  That I haven't been a healthy weight in 10 years.  I'm ready to get back to who I used to be. We officially start the process in December, and will probably meet with the surgeon in December as well.   DS, Here I Come!  

Hi and welcome!

 

I think you've made a great decision. Not only does the DS have the best statistics of any wls for percentage excess weight loss and for maintaining that weight loss, but also the best statistics for resolution of type 2 diabetes. With your family history and being prediabetic, that's a big plus.

I understand about family. My parents are deceased, but I know that my mother would never have been supportive of my decision. Not that this would have stopped me, but it's a pain. You will get through this, and you do have a supportive husband, and that will help a lot.

Larra

 

Thank you So much for the warm welcome. I'm looking forward to learning as much as possible from everyone. I'm just trying to read, and take in everything like a sponge. I feel more in control when I have all of the facts, and research. That being said, I do have one question...it's a hard one.

How do you guys see the DS impacting your health when you become elderly? Is there a plan for WLS patients in their later years? I already know how MO, diabetes, and high blood pressure will look in my old age...and I don't like it one bit. However, I'm also wondering what having the DS will be like in my 60's, 70's, and 80's God willing. Does anyone have any insight on this?

Sure we worry about it and try to figure out what it will be like.  But honestly, I'm pretty sure I never would have gotten to old age without the surgery.  I think we will just do the best we can.  Sure it's even possible that the DS and the combo of being heavy for so many years may take it's toll and we may have shorter life spans.  We don't know!

 

But I've worked with the geriatric population and seriously, if we miss out on a few years they most likely wouldn't be years we wanted to be alive anyway.

 

I know the oldest DSer, a Hess patient was alive a couple years ago but I'm not sure if he is still with us.  I think he would be about 80 now.  When I last heard about him, he was doing well.

welcome and congrats on making the decision to get healthy, your twin boys will benefit from you and your husband's health.  My family was beyond awful when i had my band 10 years ago, even though I got down to normal bmi etc  "how can you do that to yourself, just eat less, I would never do that"...balblalbalbl stuff this coming from a sibling that weighs >300 lbs, WLS makes some people so angry and will change the family dynamics, sometimes very negatively.  I was not going to say anything when I had my revision to the DS.  I hate to say, the less people you tell the better (for me anyway), only my daughter knows, no one else...no one.  again congrats on making the decision, you have your husband to support you, your boys will need you both, will your family be there when you can't walk up the stairs?  or just tell you to eat less......you have support here also...a great christmas present for you-DS

I broached the subject with my Mom a few weeks back, and the first thing she said was "Why are you being so stupid? Why do you have to take the easy way out?? Just eat healthy, and do cardio for 15 minutes a day, and you'll be fine!"

There will be plenty of time to discuss how my Mother has caused me to have an unhealthy relationship with food, dieting, and my weight. If i want to be healthy, she's the last person who can help me with that. Suffice it to say....I won't be telling her about this until I get my surgery date. It's better this way....

Welcome aboard. Ask any questions you like...we love questions. : )

--gina

 

I am new to this site to. I have had the biliopancriatic surgery  with a D/S. I had mine 8 years ago, I lost 130lbs but want to lose more so I have been following some of the advice on here and lost 3lbs this week, so the support of this group is awesome. I had my surgery in Canada.

 

Glad you're here posting. Wishing you all the best in getting the rest of your weight off. : )

--gina

WELCOME!! I am glad you found us :) Ask any questions you might have even if you might think they are silly ;p