Super Obese

I am getting surgery on January 23rd and i have a BMI of 88.8 and i am really worried about my surgery. I want to have a better life but not at the cost of my life. I would like to hear how surgery went for other members who have a BMI like mine. If anyone knows members who were around my BME please let me know how to find out about their WLS journey. Thanks for any help.

There is a board for people with a BMI over 50. Try posting there. Good luck with your surgery! Tracy

My name is Howard and on November 30, 2000, I climbed on the operating table at over 500lbs with a BMI of 77. I know that's 11 points less than you, but I know some of what you are feeling right now. I had become a prisoner of my own body. No medical doctors would take me seriously. The winter of 1999, I fell when I slipped on ice walking to my truck. I knew then something had to be done! I had broken the bones in my arms in so many places, but that was the easy part. The Howard County Emergency Squad had to send 2 fulll crews to help lift me onto a stretcher and into the ambulance. Before they showed up I laid, helpless out in the snow, calling for help, but no one could hear me and even without the broken bones, I couldn't move. As I laid there, I thought of how horrible my life had become. I couldn't get dressed without help, my wife had to wipe my behind after a BM, we hadn't been intimate in years, and I knew my number was about to roll up with all my medical issues that were only getting worse. I made the decision to get gastric bypass. My surgeon was Dr. Apparao Vanguri from Franklin Square Hospital in Baltimore. My wife didn't want me to have the surgery, although she was extemely supportive and pushed and prodded the insurance company to pay for it. My wife was afraid that I wasn't going to make it off the table. She had prepared herself to accept the fact that I was going to die on the operating table. I reassured her many times before the surgery and again as she kissed me before surgery, that what we had wasn't a life - it was just an existence. There was no doubt I would have died had I not had the surgery. I knew in my heart it was the best thing for me. I came through the surgery with no problems, except for a gout flare-up, which had nothing to do with the surgery. I followed Dr. Vanguri's instructions and I had no complications. Now 5 years later and after a tummy tuck, I weigh between 245-255 lbs. The only medical problems I have now include the painful arms that were put together with bolts and pins after I fell on the ice and an occasional flare-up of gout (which I have had all my life). Now I can walk anywhere I want to go. I can sit anywhere I want to. I can buy my clothes at Walmart!!! My feet are even more narrow (from a 4E to a regular width. The worst part of having the surgery, which I could fix, is the foul smelling gas. My wife says she knows what I have been eating just by walking in the bathroom. I regret that I don't follow the prescribed diet as religiously as I should. I eat whatever I want. I know what will make me sick from a high sugar level and I know when I need more protein to keep my body on an even keel. I take the vitamins religiously. If I had it to do all over again, I would. My little brother just had it down in Delaware before T-day. In my opinion, he had the wrong type of gastric bypass surgery. He is over 450lbs and yet his doctor did the laproscopic method. He has had one complication after the other. BUT he hasn't followed the liquid then pureed diet as prescirbed by his doctor (not even a month out of surgery) and he still sits around in a chair wrapped in a blanke****ching tv. Make no mistake, gastric bypass surgery is not a magic pill. There isn't a magic pill!! I only wish I knew then what I know now. Exercise as soon as you are given clearance. Another guy had the surgery the same time I did and didn't need the tummy tuck, doesn't have the "breasts" or the bat wings. Even my lower arms have bat wings. Insurance doesn't pay for alot - they did pay the tummy tuck, but they won't pay for the removal of bat wings or the chest/breast surgery. I wished I had done more exercising when I was in the prime time to lose the weight and tone up (the first 12-18 months). The only thing that didn't change in my life was our sex life. That had nothing to do with the surgery. I don't know if it was because of all the intimate care she had to perform or the fact that she has put on weight now or maybe I am just not turned on by her anymore, but I simply don't have any sexual desire for my wife. I have talked to guys who are our size and they have said that the surgery and its weight loss gave them back their manhood and that what they hadn't been able to enjoy in a long time is now back with a bang. Seriously, I am availlable to e-mail you at anytime. My wife checks her e-mail, as don't use the computer all the time. I've been in your shoes. It is scary. As I said earlier, I was going to die without the surgery, and in considerable more pain with more restrictions on my life. I guess I just wanted a chance at life without the weight. Yeah, I'm still wearing a 2XL shirt. but I still have my 8XL pants and shirt to remind me where I have been to where I am now. I am here for you, just drop me a line. As you can tell, both my wife and myself are very open about my experience so that I can help others. Take care, Howard

Andre, Amy Williams, whose posts about OH events can be seen at the top of the main message board, started with a BMI of 79. She has done remarkably well. Check her profile for inspiration, and come on over to the over 50 BMI board: http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/member-interests/bmi_over_50/ And if you or your family need help after surgery, give me a call. I live 15 minutes away from Bayview. Best of luck. Kasey 365/210 (nonop)

Andre, You are doing a wonderful thing for yourself. You are giving yourself a chance a really living. I started out my journey with a BMI of 62.2. On 2/25/04, I had my surgery. Yes this is less than yours, but I was super obese. Although I did experience lots of complications and I nearly died after my surgery, I will honestly tell you that I would go through the whole process again to get where I am today. My BMI is now 24.7, and for the first time in my life I am truly living without anything holding me back. I walk where I want to, do what I want to, sit where I want to, and I no longer have to scan rooms to see where I would fit and be comfortable. My life before was a mere shadow of what it is now and it is absolutely amazing. Keep in mind that this surgery is a tool (possibly the best one ever) and that you have to not only want this to work, but be willing to do your part to make it sucessful. Make a plan to eat only what you are supposed to and stick to it for you. Use this time between now and your surgery wisely. Drink water to clear out toxins, try to move around a little more than usual, and eat sensibly. I think taking vitamins now is a good idea too. You are brave for actually taking the steps to make your life better, and you deserve a better life my friend. Please keep me posted on your progress, and know that I am on your side and thinking about you. If you have any questions or just need to talk just drop me an email. Happy New Year! Best, Amy

Hello Thanks to everyone for your support. Thanks to all that have posted reply's. I am so looking forward to getting back my freedom and mobility. I am looking forward to the day when i can once again walk my dogs. I don't have to preach to the choir about what kind of life i have been having. I am sure everyone can relate. I look forward to the date that i can relate to what it will be like to be on the losing side. I guess it is kind of like a rebirth. Please keep me in your prayers.

Hi, Andre My BMI started at approx 64.9. I see you have Dr. Magnuson at JHB. You seem to be in very good hands! I just had my surgery last week, so I'm not too far into my journey yet, but I know this is one of the best decisions I've ever made -- and you'll know too. Take care and if you have any questions or need any support, OH.com is the place to be! Robin

Andre, First let me say I am very proud of you for taking this step. You may not know this but it's because of you that I had my surgery 2 years ago. I was 357 pounds then and wearing the biggest size pants that lane bryants catalogue carried. Today I am almost 200 pounds lighter and in a size 10/12. I personally have had a very "easy" time and I am praying for the same for you. Please let me know if you need anything!! Love Diana