Lost and Afraid

Hi I am new here. I am over 6ft tall and 445lbs. I used to be heavier and started fasting and drinking more water. But now my doctor wants me to consider surgery. And I would be ok with that if general anesthesia wasn't the only option being offered. I know the risk of staying at this weight is dangerous. I have both Medicaid and Medicare and I need some real support and guidance on where or who to talk to about non surgical options or a doctor on Georgia that uses regional anesthesia. I feel lost and alone. 

I responded to you on another forum but I'll share my experience with non surgical weightloss. I've had excellent success in losing some major regain by working the Overeaters anonymous program. I regained 90lbs after my WLS and I'm down almost 70 lbs. I do have the help of my sleeve but 80% of my WL is just the decisions I make about what/how much I put in my mouth. If you'd like more info or to chat about it, feel free to PM me. 

If I were in your shoes, I would get the surgery in a heartbeat. If your insurance covers Dudoenal Switch, also known as the 'Cadillac of Weight loss Surgery' I would do that. I am 5'8 and 359 pounds as of this morning and my life is stolen from me. I hate to even leave the house due to the stares and the physical discomfort of walking at this weight is also horrific. Please, listen to your doctor. General Anesthesia should be fine. Did you have an operation before and have trouble? I've had general anesthesia at least 3 times being extremely obese and even having sleep apnea and I've been fine. No surgeon will do regional anesthesia for a major operation. I would personally rather risk it all and get the surgery than spend the rest of your years in pain and misery and then end up keeling over of a heart attack, god forbid. Please, talk to a counselor and trust your doctor. You WILL die if you do not have surgery. Chances of dying in surgery with a reputable weight loss specialist surgeon at a Center of Excellence qualified hospital is slim to none!