Some GOOD News About WLS, PLEASE

Hi!  I have been reading and reading various websites and various forums on OH and keep reading about all of the problems that people have post-WLS.  I realize that most people only talk about the bad stuff and don't always talk about the good.

Since this is a Christian forum, I am assuming that there are many on here with positive (Praise God!) testimonies and some good news for someone who is new to all of this and anticipating hearing soon when my surgery will be performed. 

I am trying to get a head start by exercising and eating less, but have so far to go.  I have never been able to lose weight and keep it off of any length of time.  I need this to work.  I want to make it work, but have some anxiety over changing my life (eating) entirely and FOREVER.  I would hate to go through all of this and gain the weight back, as I see happens with many.

Please give me some positive news and any advice on how YOU were able to do this.  I am not afraid of surgery, I am wary of life AFTER SURGERY.  I know in my mind that "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me..." but that concept is not in my heart about WLS, as of yet.

Your prayers, support, advice and positive news will be GREATLY APPRECIATED.

Hi, Kathi.
Which surgery are you going to have? That makes a difference, as far as number and types of post-surgery issues.
I am pre-op myself, so I can't really comment, except to say that, from what I can gather, the majority of post-op issues are fleeting rather than permanent.
As a believer, recognize that your anxiety over how eating and life will be after surgery is from the enemy, not from the Father. You are in God's hands, and that's the safest place to be. He will help you handle anything that comes up. I know you know that, but sometimes it helps to be reminded, so you can remind yourself. :)
Despite complications, changes in food and eating, everyone seems to respond with, "I'd do it all over again. My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner."
I'm having the VSG, and I'm looking forward to NOT being hungry except when truly hungry, only being able to eat a few bites (you get the best taste and most satisfaction from the first 3 bites anyway), losing weight at a comfortable pace, and becoming a vessel fit for the Master's use, not just spiritually but physically, as well.
I hope this helps, and I hope some post-op believers will respond.
Blessings,
Mary

Thanks Mary!  I know you are right about the doubts being from the enemy not our loving Father.  You are such an encouragement to me and I assume everyone on this forum.

The surgery I will have (assuming insurance approval) is RNY.  I wanted the gastric sleeve, but was told that insurance considers it experimental.  I keep thinking I am messing with God's creation, however, I haven't taken very good care of God's creation over the years, so must do something before I do any more damage to this vessel He has entrusted me with.  Therefore, this seems to be my best option.

Thank you again and I too hope some post-op believers will respond.

Kathi

Hi, Kathy.
God has blessed us with wonderful doctors and procedures, to assist in His total healing for us. Remember, He "knows we are dust." We confess that we have not taken care of our body, His temple, knowing He forgives readily and helps us make better choices.
Something you may want to consider is that the DS procedure, as I understand, involves 2 separate surgeries: 1) the Sleeve and 2) the Switch (for malabsorption). If it is filed with insurance as the DS, it will probably be approved. No one says you HAVE to have the second procedure. Just a thought.
I need to get today's devotion typed. Have a great day.
Blessings,
Mary

Hi there I'm a lap bander and have some health issues that severely limit my ability to exercise. This has been the best thing I've ever done for myself. It tipped the scales to make it possible to eat a small enough amount to loss weight for the first time in years. I don't lose very fast being a bandster and limited in exercise but I have lost 55 lbs. in a year which I think is awesome! Every form of WLS requires work in diet, exercise and mental health, it's not a magic bullet. It does however give us a tool to work with and assist us. I personally didn't want to have my insides restructured, but it has worked for thousands of people. We each have to make that decision for ourselves, but I believe God has given us these surgeons to help us, help ourselves. God has also watched over the success of many of our brothers and sisters in Christ so I have to believe it is fine with Him for us to try to improve our lives with WLS. I wish you the very best and know that God is with you on this journey!

Thanks, just getting the jitters, I guess.  I am tired of being unhealthy & taking so many meds.  I have to keep a spread sheet to keep track of my refills. I am nearly 62, there will be a point that I will be too old.  If I am going to do this, this is the time.  I just want to hear some success stories, please?????

Hi Kathy,

I am so glad that you are thoughtfully and prayerfully considering this life changing surgery!  I had RNY on Aug. 26.  Tomorrow I will be five weeks out and I can't believe the changes already.  My weight loss has been moderate - 35 pounds.  But God has miraculously given my body freedom from diabetes and hypertension.  I left the hospital on ZERO medications!  In my labwork since my surgery my fasting blood sugars have been 90.  Now that I am fully recovering from the surgery itself I can't tell you how much better I feel.  I no longer walk around in that "fog" that kept me out of life. 

I was pretty worried before the surgery too.  For me it was a fear of complications directly related to the surgery (ie, pain, risks, etc.)  The closer the surgery came, the more the enemy used these fears to compound my anxiety.  About two weeks before the surgery the Lord led me to Psalm 4:8 - In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone will keep me safe.  From that moment on I had a renewed sense of peace about what I was doing.  That doesn't mean that I did not still struggle a bit, but I could always gain control by holding tight to this scripture.

My prayer for you is that God will lead you through this decision, that He will hold the enemy at bay as you continue to seek His will for you in this life decision.  This is a big decision and, as you said, you can only accompli**** through His strength.

I will continue to pray for you.

Donna

Thanks Donna!  I am certain God has led me this far and I know the enemy is messing with me.  I really appreciate your answer.  Congratulations on your loss and NOT being on meds!  What a blessing!!  That is what I want, to get rid of all of those things.  When I first asked my PCP (who probably weighs 115 and "needs to lose weight") about WLS she said, "I wouldn't do that to my body." I pointed to my own and said, "This is so much better?" She then got an inkling of my pain and dilemma; I could see it in her face.

How are you doing with eating?  Things go down OK, etc.?  Any nausea? vomiting?  These are the things I worry about, as well as strictures.  I read about people being unable to eat chicken and/or eggs.  I love those things, they are my main sources of protein.

My husband, who is not saved, is concerned about the surgery itself.  I am more concerned with life after WLS.  I want a better life, not a worse one.  I want to live until I am supposed to die in a state of health and freedom from drugs and disease (as much as possible).  I realize I will still have the damage done by neuropathy and some of the other things that are residual from DM, Hypertension, CKD, etc.  But, at least I won't be carrying around practically another person on my body.  My whole attitude has changed knowing that I will not be carrying around this extra poundage for much longer.

Praise God!!  Thanks to you and everyone for the encouragement.  God is so good!  Thanks everyone!  I love having siblings in Him for encouragement and exortation (should I need it).  God bless!

Kathi

Hi there,
You are doing well to ask honest questions and do honest research at this time.  I did similar work prior to my surgery.  I also questioned whether it would be appropriate to "mess" with God's creation by having the surgery at all. 

I am a work in progress at this time.  I had RNY two years ago, in August.  In December 2007, I had hernia surgery to repair an incisional hernia, which slowed me down exercise wise for a few months.  In the past two years, I have also dealt with the deaths of my two dear brothers, who died suddenly at the ages of 40 and 57. 

As a result, I have had some setbacks in making the behavioral changes necessary to reach my goal weight.  But, I am not giving up.  The surgery has been a success to the point that I have lost over 100 pounds, and that I am no longer prediabetic.  I also no longer need cholesterol medication.  I do not suffer the terrible joint pain in my knees and legs either.  I have more energy and feel better over all. 

I also appreciate that I dump if I am stupid enough to consume sugar, so I am wary of anything with sugar.  This has helped me in making healthy food choices, for the most part. 

I have not reached goal weight, but will soon.  I have reached one goal, though, and that is the ability to shop in the normal department of the clothing store.  I went from wearing a 3X or 28 to a XL or 18.  For that I am most grateful.

As for making the lifestyle changes:  I had already developed a lot of the eating habits from having participated in Overeaters Anonymous for years before my surgery.  I also had been eating small meals more often because of having been hypoglycemic at one time and then the prediabetes.  During the summer before my surgery, I prayed and asked the Lord to release me from the sugar.  I asked Him to give me peace about that, because that was my major sticking point.  The message I got was that I had consumed more than my fair share of sugar in my life, because of my binge eating disorder.  He also assured me that He would release me from it.  I did some "Last Supper Syndrome" eating of hot fudge sundaes prior to my surgery.  But since my surgery, I have not really missed too much of the sugar.  Occassionally I miss it, but having dumped, I don't even dare try it anymore.

I hope this makes sense.

Hugs,
Trish

Thanks Trish.  It really does help to hear some success stories from believers.  I appreciate the Godly point of view rather than the worldly point of view.  Thanks and yes, what you said makes sense.  It spoke directly to me and I appreciate you taking the time to respond.

God bless,

Kathi