How did faith play a role in your decision to have wls

Hello-this is my first post. I wanted to know if anyone struggled with your decision to have wls based on your faith. Thanks! Jen

Hi, Jen. In my experience, I believe God led me to consider weight-loss surgery. Sometimes God heals outright, sometimes He uses doctors. It is taking great faith for me to believe for the money to pay for this surgery (no insurance), and it is taking great faith for me to believe that the surgery will help me physically. I reached the decision to have WLS after much prayer. I can feel God's leading, and I can't wait for the day when I'll have the surgery. Thanks for your question. Blessings, Mary

I believe God uses the things that are available to us to help us be better peoople. He definatlely controlled the whole process of getting my surgery approved thru the insurance and has been with me every step of the way. Without Him I wouldn't have been able to lose the 55# I have and know I will continue to lose more. I couldn't do it on my own so He provided the means for it to happen.

I do believe that my faith in God lead me down the path to WLS. I hated myself for so many years and when I really started my spiritual walk with Christ, it was many years before my WLS. So many paths God took me on...a Christian friend that I attended overeaters anonymous with, a church that provided home groups and safe places to talk about my struggle with body image and obsession with food...the list goes on. While I continued to struggle with weight loss, I moved to my childhood hometown, found a church that loved me just the way I was, and that enabled me to see that God's love is unconditional. It helped me get past the self hatred and pity and see that I needed to make a drastic decision and being over 100 lbs overweight I decided to research WLS. Ironically enough, a WLS patient at church recommended my surgeon. God gives us many tools. Some of us know how to implement those tools earlier than later. I believe that WLS is a tool, not a quick fix. God lead me to WLS I am sure. I believe I am becoming the woman he designed me to be.

Jen, I truly believe that God was in the whole process in deciding to have the surgery. My husband and I prayed and followed God's lead in everything. Most people think that I was crazy for going to a Dr. that ended up being a 8hr drive away but we truly believe God led us there. From our first visit there when my surgeon gave all credit to God for his abilities we knew we were supposed to be there. Pray, Pray, Pray and God will lead the way. Loni

I'm much like the others. I know God led me to WLS. I had never even heard of or considered it before and then when I found out that my insurance did not pay for any WLS, it seemed impossible. God made a way for me, medicare started paying for WLS. I went from finding out about surgery to having it in about 4 months. No approval problems-nothing. I was dying a slow death at 422lbs and now at 239 and still losing, I have life again and am able to spread the Word to those who are hurting. I love my WLS and I know God made all of this possible for me.

I could never have even started down this path without praying to Heavenly Father and pondering all aspects of this decision. I do not believe just because it is available a person should do this surgery. It is lifelong committment and we have to accept the consequences good or bad once we have it. I prayed for a longtime for a yes or no answer and didn't get it. The answer I did get was the Spirit testifying to me from my Father in Heaven that this is a choice....my choice and He would love me and support me whether or not I had the surgery. I also felt prompted that for me it was neither a right or wrong decision. When I finally made a firm decision that 'yes I am going to have WLS" I felt very much at peace about the decision and that the Lord was fine with it. I don't know if this helped you or confused you more, but good luck with everything. You have to weigh your individual situation as you pray and seek an answer and understanding of what you should do. Take Care!

Erica-that is exactly how I feel. When I first thought about having this surgery about 2 years ago, I distinctly hear the Lord say "Believe in me, trust in me". I instantly stopped pursuing the surgery and tried again on my own. Now two years have pasted and last September, my 37 year old brother died of a stroke and 5 weeks later my father died of a heart attack. I don't want to end up on the same road. I started the process again of getting approved for wls and prayed to make sure I was doing what was pleasing to the Lord. I didn't get that same distinct answer. I've prayed and prayed and no clear answer. My Pastor is a good friend and he gave me counsel that the Lord gave us a brain to think with and sometimes he wants us to use it for ourself. He leaves decisions up to us. My Pastor also received a word from Him for me that said "because I assist Him, He will assist me". Now my overanalyzing brain says that message can go both ways. He is going to assist me in getting approved for the surgery or he going to assist me in losing the weight on my own. I know, I know, I need to relax and let the spirit flow and accept whatever decision I make. I just want a clear yes or no from Him!!! So, thank you for your words. Everyones words. They help.

You are welcome! You will make the right decision for you and the Lord will be there for you.