having gastric bypass... so scared....

hey ya'll out there... im frankie IM New to this, but im here hopeing that i can find support from all the people who had to go through the same journey that i've started. I am 375 pounds... somewhere around there? and ive been "big" for almost all my life. I never really thought about getting any type of surgery mostly because ive been so scared of getting "put under" if thats normal ? i don't know.. i look to my mom alot in this situation because she had the gastric bypass back in april and she's lost over 100 pounds and feeling great... maybe some of you know here susan alba ? she writes on here all the time. anyways back to what i was saying. Im 20 years old still very young and i still have my whole life in front  of me, and i don't want my weight to hold me back anymore then what it already has.  is it really as easy as everyone says it is? because i look at it the other way like it being hell.

Franky
Nothing about this surgery is easy,Absolutly nothing,
Just wanted to say good luck on your journey and be sure to do tons of research.
Love and Hugs Deb
EDITED- To spell name right. So Sorry

Frankie the bad part isnt the surgery or being put under....the bad part if for people to do this without knowing all the things that they are going to have to change....It is a change of lifestyle...it isnt a magic bullett it is a way of lifeyou will NOt be able to eat all the foods you do now and probably never will...you may taste of them again once in a while but not eat candy , sugar, pasta, biscuits and gravy , mashed potaatoes...and you do need to realize that you will for awhile anyway use protein shakes or drinks of some kind to get in all the protein you need. you have too. no way around it and you Have to take vits for the rest of your life....so no when some people say this is the easy way out it sure isnt but I would have it done once a month for the rest of my life to be able to have this weight off and feel like i do now....tell your mom Hi. and we havent seen her on here for awhile....Jan

You will do fine just follow doc rules..and be sure and get prepared for after, that is where you need to concentrate, your protein, vitamins and water..so be sure and do allot of reading on that...but you will do fine with the surgery that was the easy part for me..I am 2 years out and have lost around 148 pds, and still watch what I put in my mouth..don't ever start the white thing...potatoes, pasta , white bread and sugar  after surgery, and  you want ever crave it, you can cook anything with splenda that you can cook with sugar...
For awhile you want have to worry about what you eat because you will be on liquids, and then it is so much easier not to eat much because your pouch will fill quickly...stay with us and ask questions, we are here for you....vesta

As far as the surgery goes it will be very simple and you should recover very quickly. I had almost no pain afterward. You will be sitting up in a chair the same day. Move as much as possible and the recovery goes faster. The biggest part and most important is that you are changing your life forever. You must be willing to change your life mentally. For me it is a mental thing.  My mind still wants foods I should not eat. Its a life long commitment.  Good support  makes a world of difference and it sounds like you have it with mom. Good luck.

Franky, I wasnt heavy at 20 but if I had been and this surgery was available, I would jump on it! Your life never will be the same as far as food and will be so improved otherwise.....but wrap your mind around it all first. That is so important.

I am 22 months out and have lost 142 pounds...Im healthy and loving the life I now get to live. And even tho I went thru some horrible issues in the beginning with some health issues after surgery, I would do it again.

Good luck and God's blessings on you as you make this decision for your health and life.

Keep coming on here and ask all you want, someone will surely be able to answer any question you might have.

Hi there, Frankie-

I am sorry it took me so long to post to you. I have been in here a couple of times, just to get thrown off....I have slow dial up and there are some issues.... Anyway-your story just touched my heart-because it seemed like maybe I was typing it- I was heavy from the time I was like 5 yrs old. I had my RNY in Nov 2007 and I have lost like 275#. I started at 438#.....at 38 yrs old- One thing I WOULD DO-IF I had it to do over again-is YES, I WOULD have had it at age 20!  You know, because you see your mom going through what I am about to tell you-but it WILL change your life-and you will go from struggling at every turn-to enjoying every single waking moment of every day!  Do it now while your young, and can just bounce right back!!!!  Your mom IS a true inspiration-so we know you have a good example, and you also have ALL of us for support-just like your mom!

Ok-then there is something you said that maybe got misunderstood-ARE "YOU" scared of being put under? OR is it because of your size that your scared?

You WILL have an anesthesiologist who WILL be an EXPERT for larger people-they are ALL experts-and Frankie, I would do it again, every year if I had to-because I was never living before-I was existing-and I did that for 38 years-I hope and pray you wont!

You will be in my prayers! I hope you get peace about it! Please keep us posted or have your mom let us know whats going on and GOOD LUCK!  Janet