Taking the beginning steps

Hi, My name is Jewel. I am 37 and live in OKC. I am finally going to take the steps necessary to have wls. I decided to go with the lap band. I've read several posts but I still have questions. Since I decided to have the surgery, its been an emotional roller coaster for me. I am in tears. I feel like I am standing on the edge of a cliff. I've always been overweight. The last couple of years I began to enjoy my curves and to hell with anyone else that had a problem with it. But its really starting to take a toll on my back and joints. I haven't been to a dr in years. I can only imagine what he will diagnose me with. I am currently around 330. I would be happy if I went down to 200lbs. I am not expecting to be rail thin and nor do I want that. But it would be so lovely to wake up not in pain, be able to take walks without being winded, etc. Please someone tell me I am not being over dramatic. I don't understand why I keep crying when I think about it. I have total control over every other aspect of me life, except for my weight. In a way I feel like I am taking the easy way out instead of doing it myself. I thought about having the surgery done 7 years ago. My original doctor was all for it but then I was transferred to a new doctor. I asked her about the surgery and she told me no. That she doesn't believe in the surgery and losing weight was all about will power. I tried tranferring but was told there was at least a 4 month waiting period. By that time I decided to return to college full time and didn't have health insurance until this year. Sorry about my long ramblings.

Jewel, Congratulations on your decision to have the WLS. You are not alone with the roller coaster emotions, and this place is a great place to ask questions and get some support. Most of us don't do this to win beauty contasts, we do it for our health. There is nothing wrong with wanting to be without pain and to be healthy. Crying is perfectly normal, and trust me, you are not taking the easy way out. WLS is only a tool, and you can take the right steps and do very well, or you can take the wrong steps and not do as well. It is a day to day process, but it can be very successful and rewarding with the right mind set. Best of luck with your surgery, and feel free to ask questions if you have any, I learned so much from OH.com before my surgery, that I was totally at peace when I did have my surgery. Jane

Hi Jane. I am glad to hear I am not the only one. Reading the message boards is slowly calming me down.

Hello Jewl I know how you feel. I have been over weight almost my whole life. I'm 34 years old. I had the Lap band in October 2006. There are no regrets about having the surgery. My doctor was for it. I am a diabetic and I had a stroke in October 2004. That scared me so bad. So I decided to do something about my weight. I have tried so many diets and exerciese. I don't think its a easy way out. I've worked hard for were I am. You can't just stop eating, but when you start to lose the weight you will have more energy to start exercising. My highest weight was 350lbs. I lost some weight on my own and then decided to have the Lap Band done. I weight 239 now. What a difference it makes. Like I told you, my doctor was for it. But when I went to find a doctor for the surgery, they told me that my regular doctor has NO say in it. Remember that NO say in you having the surgery. My doctor is through St. Anthonys in OKC. Dr Holsaeter phone number is 232-0144. He is the best doctor. It takes about 2-3 weeks to get everything done. I was out of the hospital within 2 hours after I woke up from surgery. Good Luck on you journey. Give me an email if you have another other questions. I would love to share my journey so far. My 1st goal is 199 and my 2nd goal is 150. [email protected] Melissa

Thank you. I added you to my friends list. Believe me I will be emailing you. Enjoy your week

The beggining steps are all that it takes to start changing your life forever. Congratulations on your decision to have wls. It is the greatest gift that you could give yourself. I'm looking forward to talking to you more. Tonja Muret

Hello Jewel! Congratulations on your decision. Believe me....I had and still have some of those feelings. I'm being banded on February 15th and I can't hardly wait. I feel like this is the right decision for me. My doctor is also Dr. Holsaeter and I'm very pleased with him, his staff and the dietician he uses. You should give him a call like Melissa said. It would be nice to have a little group of us that used the same doc. Also, the website band2gether.net is a great informative tool for any and all information you could want about being banded. I am in no way taking anything away from OH because this is a great site as well. Good luck on your journey and I'll be praying for your decision.

Hi Tara. Thank you for the new site. I can never have to much information. lol

I was just reading this and thinking the same things. I'm glad that I'm not alone in this. I don't know a single soul who has had wls personally, so I am glad to see others from Oklahoma on here. I am at my highest right now - about 330. Boy was I shocked to see that number! Once I OFFICIALLY broke 300, and even 325, I started thinking that it was time I started doing something about my weight. I'm just exploring the wls surgery option, but I am thinking that with the amount of weight I have to lose and the health issues I am facing, that it might be my best option. I don't know though. I haven't really spoken to my Doctor or even talked with a surgeon or anything either.

Hi Kelli. I have a friend who had the gastric bypass. For me, that is too drastic. I still haven't made an appt with a doctor or surgeon. Someone was kind enough to give me the name to their doctor on another post. I haven't had the best luck with doctors in the past. I need a "plus size friendly" doctor. I want someone that will work with me with my goals. Are you going to the seminar at Intregis hospital next month? I am looking forward to it.!!