Hello Everyone

I have just found this website and forum and am a complete newbie to the idea of posting.  I was referred by my doctor for surgery in October 2016 and I will be attending an information session next week.  I am still on the fence about surgery, I am afraid of doing it but I am also scared what will become of me if I don't have surgery. I am hoping the information session will help me make a decision. Any support and advice you can give me will be appreciated.

Welcome! I think most people are scared ..... i was afraid of dying in surgery but i was also assured of dying early being morbidly obese. We try and fool ourselves that we are not that bad. I had lost weight many times...but could never keep it off. I now have hope of keeping it off. I am not going to tell you it was easy, or is still easy, but it is so worth it.

Spend some time reading the forum boards there is a lot of good information out there.

Good Luck

Welcome to the boards! Spend time reading everything you can. If you can't find an answer to a question, ask. 

This is a supportive community and they will tell it like it is. 

I've written about this a few times, but The reality is the complication rates for other types of obesity related surgery are higher than weightloss surgery. Heart surgery, joint replacement, gallbladder removal etc. not to mention the complications from diabetes, high blood pressure too. And I'll add in earlier detection of many cancers.

WLS isn't a guaranteed cure or prevention for any of the above. But, reducing our weight lowers our risks and puts us in a better position to deal with other health challenges as we age.

All that to say, it's normal to be afraid, and unsure. It is major surgery. It's just important to keep the risks in perspective. 

Keep posting!

Welcome!

I think the only way to make a decision like this is to do everything you can to be as informed as possible about what you are committing to. Read these forums, watch videos on Youtube, read and research and read some more. For me the information session at the clinic did very little to influence my decision. Reading forums such as these and hearing directly from people that are living the lifestyle was far more informative and motivating. Spend some time here and I'm sure you'll start to identify with a lot of the people, stories and situations. It is a unique environment that many of us don't have in our real lives; people who  really do understand, not just those who may try to understand. Whether or not surgery is right for you (or which surgery is right for you) is something that only you can decide but if you are willing to put in the work I wouldn't let fear of the surgery itself hold you back. Good luck with whatever you decide. 

Christine

Thank you Christine, I appreciate your advice. 

OrangeBlossom

Hi!

I was just where you are in Oct 2014. (I'd hit my highest weight of 415, diagnosed as diabetic, and approached by my PCP about bariatric surgery.) I found this site & joined immediately. There was more information than I thought I could take in but I learned so much roaming the different forums. Read anything that catches your attention, & feel free to ask questions, everyone's welcoming.

Just had my surgery on Dec 19th & am so very glad I did. Hope you feel the same soon. :)

hello orange; i had an open rny about 12-13 yrs ago and was 406 at the time then lost 200lbs; if u have good insurance u can possible get the panni (excess skin} from your tummy removed  but usually everything else is a cosmetic procedure. depending on how much you need to lose and you plan on sticking to it its an awesome tool. it is possible to regain weight like myself i'm going to do the doujuno switch since its been so long and i've gained like 1lb a month. with my health; job i had no time to exercise or even barely eat. my weight now is 327; so i still am maintaining a weight loss from back then i'm just not able to get the 127 off. i'm hoping when its my turn i'm able to lose 150-180. good luck orange and when your day is done we'll be here waiting to find out how much you lost before you left the hospital:}

Any sane person is scared about major surgery.  

I was on the fence regarding WLS for years.  I finally caved in 2015 and my only regret was waiting so long.  I had success prior with weight loss, however my endless hunger was driving me nuts, as well as the fact that no matter what I tried things stopped working.  

Be kind to yourself is the best advice.  Explore all options.  Ask lots of questions!  Also, support is invaluable.  If you do not have family or friends to support you, get a counselor.  I did and don't regret it one bit.

No matter what you decide, good luck!

I wish I had read this before my surgery a month ago, although I would still have had it. But Cynthia Adams poses some excellent questions about your motivation in this great little book: The Emotional First Aid Kit: A Practical Guide to Life After Bariatric Surgery, Second Edition.

Just listen to yourself and take into consideration all of your options, you will be fine!  Good luck