My Intervention

Today my brother invited me over to his house for "dinner and cards". Turns out that he and my mother decided to have an intervention with me about having the surgery. Neither of them have ever been overweight. Obesity runs on my dads side of the family and I got it. Ironically my mother was all for this a few weeks ago. For a while she was actually offering to help pay for it. My brother has never been in favor of it so he was not a surprise. They are mainly worried about me dying because of my kids who are 4&5. I understand their worry. This is such a young age to lose your mother. But really, I havnt been that worried about dying. In fact I think why not do it now while I am such a low risk instead of waiting until things are really bad. The truth is... if I die, it will be because God decided now was the time and not because of anything I have decided to do or not to do. When I explained that to my brother he agreed. That is the same thing he tells his wife when he goes out on patrol (he's a police officer too) and does not wear a vest. I have not changed my mind about the surgery. However, I hope there are no more interventions. It make me feel sad. Thanks for listening. Your are all in my prayers. Please keep me in yours also. God is Good!!!

Hi Jac! I know how you are feeling. My sister is not in support of me having this surgery. My mother has had reservations too, but everyone else is thrilled for me. I think they are so happy because they feel sorry for me the way that I am and it gives them hope for me that I am having this surgery. It's a yukky feeling when our close, loved ones don't support us as we wish they would. Thank God for HIS support and strength though! I, also, have talked to my husband and kids (25 & 22) about if this the time that the Lord has decided to take me home and I told them that I had only one thing to say to them and that was that they had better keep their walk with the Lord on fire because I want to see them in heaven!!!!! I just have to believe that if He is leading me to this that He will bring me through it. Be encouraged! If God is on YOUR side you WIN!!!!!!! God Bless you!

I am so sorry that your family has chosen to put you through this. Beyond a doubt, it's because they care and are concerned for you. This is as much about lack of education as it is anything. They, like most people, are only as educated about WLS as the mass media and celebrity stories have educated them. Not enough! When people have the real scoop about WLS, and have shown themselves to be prepared and responsible ( going to lengths to choose a doc with a lot of surgeries under his belt & great results with them; making sure you understand about immediate and long-term aftercare; positive that you can be compliant with all orders for the rest of your life) then the people who don't know anything and yet want to argue don't have a leg to stand on. I am having DS and even the doctors I've talked to haven't heard of it; except one, who does RNY and spouted a lot of misinformation about DS. Yet, each and every one, to the last person, is impressed when I can give them a ton of information about the procedure, the newly-created anatomy, the stats on both morbidity and success, possible complications and what to do about them; and a good understanding of my responsibilities in life afterward. Should you have another intervention, hit them with the whole book and they won't have any points to argue on. I hope Cynthia doesn't mind my quoting her quoting the scriptures here, because I, too, am a strong believer that having this surgery in response to our morbid obesity is absolutely and literally scriptural: "You're right about us needing to take drastic steps...that's why I am standing on the Scripture: Prov. 23:2 - "And put a knife to thy throat (gullet), if thou be a man given to appetite". (KJV) and Matt. 5:29-30 - "And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell". (KJV)" Some people say that they don't overeat; well, I do. Even though I don't seem to be able to help it, it's the sin of gluttony. And I don't seem to be able to control it by will. I need something mechanical - a 'chastity belt' if you will - that just won't let me do things. In addition, the procedure I have chosen removes part of the stomach tissue that secretes a hormone called grhelin. It's a hunger hormone, and research is indicating that it probably has a strong influence when we feel inappropriate hunger. It's entirely possible that healing in this area that isn't working right could be all that's needed to stop me from overeating. Whether God chooses to heal supernaturally or leaves it to the skills of surgeons is His call, but we ARE allowed to take advantage of the gift of intelligence and learning that has come to the surgeons. Now, if I was a man inclined to be a pedophile but wanted to serve the Lord, there is not a soul in this world who would blame me for wanting to be castrated if that's what it took to control sinful behavior. I don't see this as any different at all. Just as Paul did, I sin when I don't want to... being proactive in putting a stop to that is taking that rebellious flesh in hand and putting it under control. So, in every possible way - your health, the relative safety of the procedure, and spiritually, you have concluded that this is the right thing to do. Don't let those who would, in their well-intended but misguided judgement, try to dissuade you keep you from doing what you know to be right. One thing I would absolutely positively address, though, is their legitimate concern about what would happen to your children if you died. Truth is, you might not make it to surgery at all - none of us get any guarantees and anything can happen in a heartbeat. One lady on the OK forum told us how a mother walking alongside a homecoming parade float tripped and fell under the wheels of the float - it crushed her from head to toe, with her screaming the whole time. Who would have guessed when they got excitedly dressed to go walk the parade that such tragedy would befall? Your children's future is yours to care for, so be certain that they are well provided for by being raised with parents who would do it the way you'd want it done. Denise in Ark