Old gal making a decision

Well, this is the first time I have ever posted to any board but I have been reading this one for a time now in my decision making phase and feel it is helpful for us folks going through the WLS decision making process. I just posted to my profile for the first time and If you are bored please read it and respond if your experiences could help me. I would appreciate your input either here are by email.

Hi Betty, I am so delighted you are using Dr. Thomas. I used Dr. Warden in the group and met Dr. Thomas at one of the seminars. They are all wonderful doctors and the entire staff is so very helpful. I was 58 when I had my surgery in Nov.and I am a retired Special Ed teacher. I have the genetics problem and I am afraid I have passed it on to my girls. I needed back surgery and knee surgery but my doctors all agreed that I should have the WLS and try to get some of the weight off my joints first. I have lost over 50 pounds and feel wonderful. I had three weeks of physical therapy in the warm water and started my water arerobics today. It is wonderful! I challenge you to read all you can get your hands on and read every post you can. I have Susan Maria's book and read it 3 times before surgery and keep it by my recliner now. Another book I bought and enjoyed was WLS for Dummies. My entire trip took me 2 1/2 years. But, I feel God was in control and He knew I needed the doctors in Covington. I even had to wait on Katrina. My first appointment with Dr. Warden was in July, 2005 and I weighed 311. The week before my surgery I weighed in at 292. This is the most wonderful thing I have ever done for myself. I hope you will find peace in your journey. I also hope we just may meet one day. I have my next appt. in March with Dr. Warden. If there are any questions I can answer for you ,please contact me. Smiles, Jan Brown

Hi Betty, I just finished visiting your profile. You have lived your entire life taking care of your family and now comes the time to do something for yourself. When you're pain-free and happy, your children will understand. This is a very private and individual step for all of us. The motivations are not the same, however.... My BMI was higher than yours, 57. I rode my bike this morning to the daycare, pulling my 40 pound preschooler in a special kid trailer. I'm 3 weeks postop from another surgery, but this new lease on life carries with it the ability to recover fast and get back to aggressive activities. There's a bicycle waiting for you! Onward, Frances

Thank you for your responses. It is good to know you are not in this alone. Sometime it seems no one is as fat as I am! I feel like a failure I can't handle this without surgery. This website has been a great support to me even though this is the first day I have posted. I have read 100's of profiles and looked at lots of before and after pictures. I can't wait to meet with my surgeon next week. I am hoping since I have done everything he said I needed and I am self pay and can get a date.