New at all this ...

Hey Kristina,

text me at 727-423-4008, I'm not on much but can share my thought....god bless Susan

My husband and I have been trying for 2 years. In that time it has been on devastation after another, 2 fertility treatments to be told that the insurance won't pay for them any more. I have PCOS and was diagnosed with a rare brain disease that was causing me to go blind. I had one brain surgery, one medical device inserted into my spine to drain the fluid from my brain in hopes my eyesight would be saved, and 17 weeks ago I had RNY. In that whole time, I have watched friends and family became pregnant, some with two kids. It hurts every time there is another announcement, and then see parents who give drugs and alcohol to their kids in the news. I know how you feel. I didn't want the bypass. I didn't want yet another surgery, but in reality my quality of life was just getting worse. Now while my brain disease is as close to remission as I can get, I feel so much better. I feel healthy. It hasn't been easy. I had kidney stones, I finally ovulated on my own, and my body is doing a natural d and c to get ready for pregnancy, and lost so much blood I have been on bed rest for the last few days, but I haven't regretted it one bit, and all of this is so I can hold a little one in my arms one day. I have hope now that the surgery fixed what was wrong with my body in terms of not functioning to have a baby, that we will get this. We will foster adopt the rest of our kids probably because who knows how long the PCOS will stay away and my body will function normally. 

You are the same weight I was when going into surgery. Research your options, find a Dr who will listen, and stick up for what you want. If you have insulin resistant PCOS, the lap band won't fix it. Because your body works like a diabetic, and for me that meant having the RNY, but you have to do what you feel is right for you. If you don't like the Dr, which was rude of him to laugh at you, find another one. I am here to talk if you want, and I won't tell you all the things you hate to hear from people who don't understand infertility, but I will listen.

I'm so sorry you have been through all that but so grateful someone understands these terrible feelings im carrying about the infertility because I feel like I'm crazy and no one gets it and I'm an emotional roller coaster I think that's why I can't make my mind up on this surgery. I just don't want to end up like my mom who started at my age and didn't get me until 40 and I was the only one. I'm ready to lose this weight im hoping that gives me a surge in ovulation and then we can get pregnant I just don't want to have to wait they say like 2 years with the sleeve before u have kids and that's a while. Especially when I thought I'd be pregnant before thanksgiving before I knew we were having issues u know? 

Thank ink you so much 

Kristina 

I totally get it. I was so bummed I was going to have to wait too. I even had a very long argument with my surgeon about birth control. I refuse to be on it. Research is showing that it causes infertility in long term use, and it also shows that for insulin resistant PCOS it is the worst thing they can do for you. Then I was concerned that the part of the surgery that causes the PCOS to go away almost instantly would be gone after that honeymoon period of the first year, and then we would be back where we started. My PCP over ruled him and gave us the ok. She said the purpose of doing this was to get pregnant, so it is silly to wait, and even is detrimental to my health to be on even the implant. Now this might be controversial for some, but it is a decision that was researched and thought about and isn't for everyone.

Man I totally understand ... I know it's horrible but I just lie and tell me I'm on birth control or using it but I refuse to possibly miss the one time it may work I just couldn't live with myself I'd look back and wonder the whole time we used protection what if I ovulated and we missed it. 

Kristina 

The choice is YOURS.  One thing I would add to the posts here is this:  Read up on all the RULES you follow FOR LIFE on the various surgies.  You must be comfortable with the proceedure, yes.  More importantly, after you return to "normal eating and living everyday life" you want to be sure you can adhere to the vitamin/supplement rituals, appts. for bloodwork/fills in the band, possible reactions to certain foods such as lactose intolerance or sugar, ect.  That may not mean much now, but wait until you are going out to eat at a resturant or a guest in someone's home who is cooking for you (or cooking for your family). A person with a sleeve may eat quite differently than a person with RNY or a lapband or DS.  How readily can you adhere to a strict vitamin schedule or a limitation on they types of medications you can take? Can you be truthful with your healthcare workers to get the proper adjustment to the band? Are you likely to stray to slider foods in order to have a "binge session" on icecream and cookies?  The actual proceedure/recovery will be just a very small time in relation to the next 50 to 80 years of your life.  The actual proceedure and the initial recovery in the first year is what is really stressed on these boards, then people get on with life and become less active here.  Look beyond your goal weight and envision what you are willing to do daily after that.  Don't be in such a hurry that you don't fully consider the lifestyle impact that each surgery will bring.  Then make a well informed decision and work that tool.  I wish you the best!

Heather

I really appreciate this post because it's very true. If I look at my habits im actually a very active person so I don't think exercise will ever be an issue especially once I'm less weight and it's easier to do but diet I love sweets and I always stuff myself to the brim and I'm an emotional eater Nd I know that's just got to stop but I think I'll always love sweets ... I'm good with taking vitamins but I am never good with not being able to have something because then i want it ten thousand times more. So after thinking all that through im not sure in the long hall what one would be better for me to maintain thanks 

Kristina 

I'm also going through the process, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to go the gastric bypass route. To me there are better results. I've got PCOS and one of the big reasons why I'm doing the surgery is that my husband and I want to have children. I can't safely carry a baby right now and I don't want to risk either of our lives. We are planning on waiting the 18mon to 2 years that is recommended because I want to be as healthy as I can when we start trying.

  I have hated the thought of having surgery aswell... for many years. I waited longer than I should have because I was afraid.  Now, I am no longer afraid. I did alot of research. I spoke with wls specialists, and have chatted with people who have had all types of wls. I have decided to get the rny.  I feelvery cconfident about my decision. Surgery has come a long way since your fathers surgery, and even though there are still risks, things have changed drastically.  There is so much more support now days, and we know alot more about less invasive ways to do surgery etc. Do your research.. the more you know the easier your decision will be... good luck!