New To This

Hello All, I have been researching WLS for about two years now but the time was never right. After having problems during my pregnancy I knew that now was the perfect time. My hubby and I agree this is the best step to a happier and healthy life. My mother on the other hand has her reservations, and has put a small amount of doubt in me. I have been approved by my insurance and now it's all a matter of jumping through the right hoops. I was just wondering if anyone else had second guessed their second thoughts? Thanks, Jamie

Welcome Jamie I am glad you found us. I definately had second and third and fourth thoughts before I had mine done. I almost cancelled my surgery a week before. But I will tell you now, it was the best decision I ever made. You are completely normal second guessing, this is a big decision. I wish you luck! Julie

Hi Jamie, Your story sounds all too familiar to me. My husband is in the military. We got married in '92. We moved to Las Vegas a week later. I am from Myrtle Beach and had never been away from my family. I was the oldest of four children and it was hard. My family doctor had told me that I could never get pregnant and somehow by a miracle being with my husband for 3 years I got pregnant the first day we got to our new base and had just gotten married. So, the pounds came on like crazy. After I had my son I gained 60 lbs in 4 months. My hormones were crazy from PCOS, which I didn't even know I had yet. I looked into weight loss years ago when a military doctor said "you know there is always surgery". I was totally against it because of fear of not knowing. I am so glad I did this but it was after 5 close family members and several other people I know really well got it. Since then I have several more family members and family friends who have had it. Not one of them had any problems and they are all as happy as I am. It does take some getting used to, but it is like I have a new life. I am so happy. Not stressed out anymore(I think I had hypertension at the time but had not been diagnosed). No more diabetes, heel spurs and bad back pain. I feel so much better physically. Do not do this to look like a beauty queen or how you looked in high school, do this for your health if anything. And even if you do not have health problems now you probably will later in life. You should attend a support group. They are great. Your second guessing and fears will subside after you talk to and see people *****ally had this in person. I say it is up to you, but do not worry about what anyone thinks about this surgery. I think the fear of not knowing is probably what is scaring your family. Get them to look on this board and go to a support group. They will look at WLS in a different perspective. I wish I had started my support group before my surgery I would have had it years earlier. If you have any questions you can always email me. Good luck and if you are already approved your are closer than you think to having surgery, that is the hard part for a lot of people. Theresa Z

Don't let other's fears sabbotage the best thing ever!! My parents were SO against it, and now they sing the praises of Dr. Byrne and weight loss surgery!! This is the best thing I ever did, and right before my surgery I got really freaked because I was suuuuuper high risk. God said, you can either feed your fear, or feed your faith. If you have fear, then faith can't be in the same room with fear, so I gave it to God, and said this is to make me better, and healthier, and I immediately had a peace. I was sooooo happy and after surgery, I knew it was the best thing I had ever done, and never had any complications. I did have kidney stones, but not really a surgery complication....you have to drink your water. I did also just have bile duct surgery, but also, not because of the surgery, but I had my gallbladder out years back, and losing the weight so fast caused it to get blocked and have stones, so I just have surgery last week, but its all good and I am down 141 pounds!!!! You can do it!! Dr. Byrne is ranked top 4 bariatric surgeons in the USA, so if you want a recommendation, you can't go wrong with MUSC, very much worth the drive from Beaufort. We just moved to CA, and I am going back next year to keep my followups with him, even though I have a great top ranked surgeon here in CA, recommended by Dr. Byrne, and even Dr. Byrne said he is like the top lap RNY surgeon in the world. He did my surgery and he is awesome.....but I still love Dr. Byrne!!! Take care and don't be afraid of change, its all good and positive!!! GO FOR IT!! Deb

THANKS ALL!!! I know that I will end up going through with things, and it will be the best thing I have ever done. I just have an over- protective mother which I understand I am her one and only baby girl. After reading some of the responses I wish I had this Dr. Byrne everyone praised. But I have complete faith in Dr. Mc Devitt and his program.

HEY JAMIE, WELCOME TO THE BOARD. YOU MAY NOTICE FROM MY REPLY THAT I LIVE IN NC. YOU'RE PROBABLY WONDERING WHAT I'M DOING ON THE S.C. BOARD. WELL MY PROPERTY LINE IS THE NORTH/SOUTH CAROLINA STATE LINE AND THIS IS A BUNCH OF GREAT PEOPLE WHO MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE FAMILY. AS FAR AS YOUR RESEVATIONS GO; I THINK ALL MOTHERS, NO MATTER HOW YOUNG OR OLD YOU ARE WILL WORRY ABOUT THEIR DAUGHTERS HAVING SURGERY. MY MOTHER ALSO HAD RESEVATIONS AND I'M 51. BUT YOU HAVE TO THINK AND DO WHAT'S BEST FOR YOU AND YOUR LITTLE FAMILY. YOU'LL THANK YOURSELF WHEN YOU START SEEING THE DIFFERENCE. I DON'T THINK YOU WOULD BE NORMAL IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE DOUBTS OR SECOND THOUGHTS, EVERYONE GOES THOUGH THEM. THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS BEFORE MY SURGERY AND WHEN I WAS BEING PREPED FOR SURGERY I KEPT ASKING MY SELF, DO I REALLY WANT TO DO THIS? THEN WHEN I WOKE UP IN RECOVERY, I SAID I DON'T WANT TO DO THIS TAKE ME BACK AND PUT ME BACK TO NORMAL. BUT I GOT OVER THAT QUICK. YOU'LL SEE HOW QUICK YOU'LL FEEL BETTER BOTH PHYSICALLY AND ABOUT YOU'RE SELF, ESPECIALLY WHEN PEOPLE START MENTIONING HOW GOOD YOU LOOK, EVEN ONLY 4 WEEKS OUT AS I AM. IF YOUR HAVING SURGERY AT MUSC YOU CAN'T GO WRONG. DR. BYRNE IS THE BEST THERE IS AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED, AND AS A NURSE WORKING IN A HOSP. I'VE SEEN ALOT OF SURGEONS. YOU'LL ALSO LOVE THE NURSE'S ON THE FLOOR. MY BEST ADVISE TO YOU POST-OPERATIVELY IS GET OUT OF BED AS SOON AS YOU CAN AND WALK. THIS HELP GET THE SORENESS OUT AND GETS THE GAS MOVING OUT. USE YOUR INSENTIVE SPIROMETER, THIS HELPS GET THE ANESTHESIA OUT OF YOUR LUNGS. BEST OF LUCK AND MY GOD BLESS YOU. DONNA, SFY

Hey there Believe me when I say this was probably the most difficult decision I have ever made. However, it is the best decision I have ever made!!! I work at a hospital so I was getting medical opinions left and right. All the medical opinions were "do it", "you won't regret it" while all the non-medical opinions were "don't do it", "I saw someone on TV that had that and they died", etc. Just helped seal the deal for me when all the medical opinions were do it and everyone else was I know someone that knows someone that knows someone, etc... I hope you understand what I am saying. --Kelly