Hi...first post for me

Hi fellow Missourians! I am currently considering WLS. However in my efforts to research others experiences I have just about scared myself to death. I am hearing the most horrific horror stories (this from a e-group that I subscribed to). I am on such an emotional rollercoaster right now. I am researching all aspects of all WLS's and at this point I am sick to my stomach just thinking about some of the things I have read. I have been discussing WLS with my dh and he is more than supportive of me getting it done. Right now I'm battling with feelings of possibly leaving my family. While I realize nothing is guaranteed, that aspect is really overwhelming my thought processes. I'm also learning of all of the residual effects of WLS. This is what has my stomach on edge. However, I realize that my quality of life is not "living" right now. While I have no known health issues (could be some but non that are noticble to me yet) I would hate to come out of WLS having "other" health issues other than just being obese. Now don't get me wrong, I know that if I continue on being morbidly obese I will certainly have health problems in the future, this is my main reason of considering it now, to avoid health problems that are imminent. I have a family history of HBP, Diabetes, Arthiritis and mild heart problems. My mom has all of the above except Diabetes, my aunt has just been diagnoised this yr with diabetes. I'm sure I could be plagued with issues as I have not had a full lab or anything done to date. I guess the reason I'm posting this here is because I'd love to know how others pre-OP and post-OP are dealing or have dealt with all the emotional up rising and sort. And btw, I am reserving my prespective WLS thoughts from my family. This except my DH. Everyone else know only of the dangers of WLS. Most believe it is the ultimate death sentence. However, none of them have done any research or have talked to more than one person who has had WLS. So what do you all think? Bad idea excluding my family thoughts from this? I've joined e-groups and am planning to attend a WLS support group ( a local group) later this month. Sooooo sorry to ramble. I am just needing to speak with others that are in my situation or have been in my situation. TIA, for your replies. Cassandra

Cassandra, I am in Concordia and just had to write back to you. I am having my surgery next Monday in Sedalia. I definitely know where you are coming from? The fact that you have researched and still researching means that you too, feel that you are starting to have problems with your weight.No one can make the decision for you. Please do not listen to the horror stories from other people. You Need to go to a seminar first and then you need to attend the support group for help also. You will then see that there are a lot of people whose lives have changed. Yes, we all are scared but I am at peace knowing I would not be this far if the Lord did not guide me. Now I will tell you also, I was not going to tell my 6 children about it until it was done, then my hubby was going to call them. I prayed about it and decided to telll them. I got to thinking this is not what I wanted them to do. So I have support from them, and also from the many people on here that you will meet. Email me, we are like 20 miles apart. Hang in there. Where are you going to the support group? Colette

Hi! I have a cousin that had surgery this year. She is doing great even though she had others telling her that she doesn't love her kids because she was having a surgery that would kill her. We don't need people like that in our lives. I feel if God allows me to get this surgery, he knows what is best for me. I am just going through the process. Went to my group consultation with Dr. Hornbostel in Sedalia on the 2nd. Going to my PCP to have some blood work done tomorrow. I feel when it is my time to go, I am going whether I have the surgery or not. I am just hoping for this surgery so that I can enjoy life with my kids before they are grown.

Hi Cassandra, Welcome to the Mo board~! As for worries you wouldnt be human if you didnt. As for me, well I am now 5+ months post op have had my fair share of bad and good days. By a bad day i mean that i had to go buy new clothes because I had lost another inch in my pants, or a shirt is getting to be like a potato sack. I have also had bad days where nothing wanted to stay down and I stayed on liquids for a day or so. However.......... Good days... I get compliments almost everyday on how good I look, how much I have lost, people asking how I feel etc. And on a really good day being a lb less than the day before. My advice, save your life, I know that sounds harsh but this surgey and your will to be a healthier, more productive person will. I am not going to say there arent risk because there are 1,000,000 websites to tell you them. Go ask a surgeon, or two, or three. Their opinions, Mo Medical Board, and the Better Bus Bureau is where the info is. Call them all, talk to them, etc. Opinions are like, well we all know, everyone has one... So it is clear, I am not pro any one Doctor, I had Roger De La Torre and he in my opinion saved my life, however again there have been days when it was a struggle, but well worth all of it. So I 2 will stop rambling. I wish you the best of luck with your journey~! Gevin RNY 06-01-05 314.5/191/146

Hi Gevin, Thanks for the welcome and congrats on your progress thus far. What amazing progress you have had made !

Cassandra... I'm not going to bore you to death with statistics and the like. You sound like a very intelligent woman who is doing her homework in the beginning stages of the game. You know what they say about opinions and the fact that everyone has one??? Well it is true. That is the ONE reason that I did NOT let my quest for this surgery or even the fact that I have HAD the surgery become fodder for the masses. I have told NOONE that did not need to know. PURE PLAIN AND SIMPLE. There are alot of folks that don't subscribe to my way of thinking but it has saved me massive amounts of grief. In the preop stage I did not have to listen about Billyjoebob'sniece that had the surgery and died. Or Peggywhatshernamescousin that is a walking skeleton and wishes she hadn't done it. I also don't have to deal with coworkers and others scrutinizing every bite of food that I put in my mouth or worse yet, that I DON'T put in my mouth. MY LIFE IS MINE.. not theirs and thankyouverymuch I can make my decisions for myself. You know what it is like when you are newly pregnant. Everyone HAS to tell you their horror stories of being in labor twentygajillion days yada yada yada... Research yourself, talk to the folks that KNOW the scoop (us here on the board as well as others who have been in your shoes) and educate educate educate yourself! YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE THAT CAN MAKE THE DECISION IF THIS IS RIGHT FOR YOU! For me, I was starting down the road to commorbids... and I wasn't going to wait to get them full blown before I did something... it is a personal decision ... Honey I wish you all the best...and welcome to the Missouri board! Elizabeth~

Hey Cassandra, I am from Windsor Mo. and I am 4 days post-op. I had all the feelings you are having. I have young children and I was afraid I was going to die. I knew that the risk were high but I figured the risks of being morbidly obese out weigh the surgery risks. There are alot of people out there who do not want you to get this surgery. I would encourage you to talk to people who have had sucess at it also. Yes, there can be complications but most of those complications are do to people who do not follow doc's instructions after surgery. This is a big decision and it is not to be taken lightly. From someone who is right out of surgery I would tell you that I would do it again in a heartbeat because I know that I made an educated , Godly decision. You hang in there and if you need to talk just email me. I would love to answer any questions you might have. One thing, I think it is great having such support from your DH. May God bless you today and everyday. Penni

We have all been there,... I am waiting for a surgery date,... I am planing the DS,... I was scheduled to have the RNY in August and changed my mind after I researched it till I was blue in the face,.. I have some things in my profile and it is still a work in progress,.. but I know that when I finially made my mind up it was like, a ton of pooh lifted off my shoulders,....I felt so high,... I just hope you get the same feeling when you have made your mind up,.... it's in you to decide to change your life no one else. You have the power. Good luck on your adventure to a new life and may God be with you all the way. Marylin

First I just want to say......THANKS! You all have made me think about what my focus should and needs to be. I have been looking at my situation through the eyes of others. I have yet to consider what is best or not best for me. Each and everyone of you are right, I have to think of what is best for me. What I do know is: "I'm not "living" right now! I won't have any quality of life should I continue on the path that I am on. You guys have definitely given me food for thought this morning.....THANKS! Wish I'd posted here sooner! Cassandra