Is it worth it...

Good am all! I am new here... so I will just jump in. So, a few questions... first background. I have not been over weight for too long... 5 years, however in the last year I have really have packed it on. I have had every test to be told that I eat too much and don' t exercise enough (lot's of poking and prodding to be told something I already knew). Anyway. I have Tricare. I am not 100 pounds yet overweight, but I don't want to get there! Can you believe the nut job that told me just to eat a bunch more, gain 20 more pounds then there will be no problem?!? Oh, and the doctors, oh so fun! Sometimes I feel like they are just herding cattle through the waiting room. I can't count how many times I have heard "if you would just eat less and exercise you would loose the weight"... These insane people just don't seem to understand the feeling of pouring salt on your arm and taking a bite out of desperate hunger because I already ate my 24 points (tried every diet imaginable). I am determined though. I went to WLSC in Newport News... Dr. Terricina will agree to do the surgery... however I am a self pay. I don't know about the rest of you, but $17,250 is a good chunk of change out of my savings account. So, my question is... is it worth it? I think it is... I have asthma now, type 2 diabetes, and a barrage of other embarrassing "health issues" that I am sure those who have been here know... I am young! I want to live to enjoy my life! I want to run! I want to swim! I want to ride the Griffon without getting my booty stuck in the seat! So, if you were not a self pay... looking back, would you have squeezed your retirement fund for the surgery ( I am guessing if I don't then I won't be around to enjoy the fruits of my frugal labors). And hey - I am sick of buying XL maternity clothes because I am too embarrassed to move up to a size 24. Oh, and if I hear one more person tell me "there is no way you are 88 pounds overweight"... I think I may be typing my next message from prison. Anyway... any words of advise?

First off Hello and welcome to the VA board. I am 53 and a type diabetes, high blood pressure, acid reflux, throyd  problems  to  name a few. If I had a savings account with the amount needed I would do it with no throughts. I am like you I am tired of hearing that I do not look that big. I carry my weight all over and do not look that big but trust me I am. I have been sick and am on a 1800 cal diet and am slowing losing some of this weight with the help of everybody here and my daughter. My advice is to do all the research necessary to make a informed decision and go for it. It will help in the long run. I am walking on a treadmill which helps for the excersise. If I can make it so can you and I would love to try to help you along the way. Yes I am looking to do the surgery and am following a 6 month weight loss with my doctor so that my insurance hopefully will approve me this time. You have come to the right place and many others will tell you just about the same that I have.

Good morning!  First off, welcome to the Va. Board!  So glad you posted -- I had to smile reading it because I think most of us have had similar experiences over the years.  I know that doesn't help you, but sometimes just knowing that you aren't alone does.  I had TRICARE, too -- and as you know, they have guidelines you have to meet in order to be covered, as do many other insurance companies.  In my case, I more than qualified...sad, but true.  Not knowing you, your situation (other than what you have shared), I can't say what you should do (nor would it be my place to tell you), but what I can say is that I wish I had done this earlier than I did...the changes in my life since WLS have been amazing...pure and simple.  I discounted it for many, many years thinking it was "the easy way out."  Little did I know.  The surgery, as you will hear people say, is a "tool" to be used to lose weight and improve your health.  It needs to be taken care of, managed, paid attention to, all sorts of things.  But, if you do what you need to do, it is life changing, pure and simple.  Keep investigating it to make sure it is an investment you want to make in yourself...read postings on OH and other sites you might come across, read books (one I can recommend is Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies...believe it or not, an excellent resource!), talk to people and talk to your surgeon.  Personally, I am so glad I finally decided to make the investment in myself...it was long overdue. I hope this helps some...I am sure others will post and give you their ideas as well.  There are a lot of great people on this Board with a lot of experience and great ideas.  I wish you the best!  Take care!  :)

Hello there!  It is SO worth it.  I'm so thankful for surgery and taking back charge of my life.  :)  I was quite a bit heavier than you, but even so, I would say with your health problems you may be able to alleviate them or reduce them by having surgery.  Best of luck!

Hi there. I, as so many of the people who have WLS are prime examples of why this IS so worth it. I am 7 weeks out from my laproscopic RNY. Before surgery I had type 2 diabetes, 4 shots a day, 1000 units + daily, Emphysema, Asthma, Congestive Heart Failure, just to name some. I was taking 17 pills, those 4 shots, and 4 breathing treatments daily. I was miserable. Couldn't even keep up with my 8 yr old much less enjoy quality time with him, playing and had never worked out.

Now! It is a completely different story. Almost immediately after surgery, as a matter of fact, from the day I came home from the hospital, I have not had to take anything for my diabetes, and my sugar runs normal. I am only on 1 pill for my blood pressure and have not had breathing treatments either. I am not only playing with my son, but running, YES RUNNING, around after him. I even joined the gym for the both of us and we go and work out together. My life has drastically improved and it is only getting better every day. I am down 66 lbs since my surgeon appt in March and 45 lbs from surgery day, April 30th.

Would I do this again? You bet your tush I would. I would do this regardless of if I had to take out 10 mortgages on my house, empty my retirement, or max out every credit card I have. This surgery is not for everyone and no one should have it until they are absolutely positive that they are ready. It is not just about the surgery. It is totally about the lifestyle you have to agree to change to once the incisions are closed. It is not just a physical challenge for the rest of your life but a mental challenge, an emotional challenge, that is often overwhelming but when you realize that the illnesses, diseases that you were suffering from, or on the verge of suffering from are no longer life threatening or are vanishing away, you will realize that you have made the right decision for you! And only you will know when and if that happens.

 I totally know exactyl how you feel. I too am having my surgery done by dr. t on 7/15. I want to be able to go up and down the stairs of water country, not to mention getting on appollo's chariat. people at work cannot believe that i am 100#'s over weight either. I keep hearing that I dont weigh enought to have the surgery, and I just tell them that you dont know what i look like out of my scrubs. LOL. :). everyone that i"ve talk to that has had the surgery said that they wouldn't have changed a thing, and if i didn't get the insurace that i have now, i would have totally self paid. i think it will be totally worth it.