HELP!.......I'm Soooooooooo Confuuuuuuuuused!!!!!!

Hi All, I just posted the paragraph below on my profile and thought it would be a good idea to come to y'all for some much needed support! I was so "fired-up" about having WLS a week ago! Today, however, that old, ugly, "voice of doubt" crept back into my conscience and stold some of my "fire"! It's the same negative "voice" that has talked me out of staying on every diet or nutritional program I've ever been on! I know I should just tell it to take a flying leap but some of the arguements "the voice" has against having WLS are valid. Arguements such as "You could have complications!" or "You could even die from the surgery!" I know I'm not the only one who has gone through this mental tug-o-war, it just feels that way right now! On the other hand, I also feel that without this WLS my days are numbered anyway! I'm 38 years old, 5ft 7, and weigh 346lbs (highest weight 384lbs.). I have several co-morbitities - hypertension, diabetes, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, PCOS and now possibly a heart condition! Has anyone else had that many medical problems and come through WLS okay? I am trying to think positively but sometimes my fears get the best of me!! Cheryl G.

Cheryl, I'm only 26 and went in with high BP, high cholesterol, arthritis, and reflux. I came out with normal BP and no more reflux. I am sure when I go for my 6 week check that my cholesterol will be down too. A friend of mine had it 3 years ago. He started at 498 pounds, diabetes, high BP, sleep apnea, arthritis & was on the verge of having double knee replacement! After having WLS, he is now 225 pounds, no diabetes, normal BP, no sleep apnea & has NOT had to have his knees replaced yet! It literally was a life-saving procedure for him. Please pray and ask God to lead you. My specific request to him was that if this wasn't the right option for me, close the door and show me another way. I was approved w/in 2 weeks. I'll be praying that you make the right decision, whichever it is! Amanda

Thanks Amanda! I will pray for guidance again! If it's meant to be, it's meant to be and it will happen! Thanks again! Cheryl G.

Hey Cheryl, Sometimes our fears get the best of all of us. But as you said, our days are numbered when we are overweight. I figure if it is our time to go, we will go no matter what way it is. I feel 1000% better since I had my surrgery. I am out of my wheelchair and trying to walk more each week. If you ever need anything, just yell. I will do what I can to help anbd so will the rest of the members on this board. We are all one great family You are in my thoughts and prayers. Hugs, Derba =^..^=

Hey Cheryl, I am right where you are I should know tomorrow what my surgery date is, You do go up and down with your emotions. However, I have researched for over 2 years prior to making the leap, I have talked with others who have had the surgery and they are doing well. I just prayed and received the peace of God. I am now so excited. I know it will not be an easy ride, because nothing worth having is easy. But I am at peace "shaloam" nothing missing, nothing broken, nothing tattered and nothing torn. Email me anytime we can talk. I also went to a Support Group meetings, this was really awesome, you get to really talk out your feelings with others who are where you are or have gone through the same things prior to surgery. Michelle

Thank you ladies for all of your wonderful words of wisdom and encouragement! Today is a brand new day and I know in my heart of hearts that WLS is the best and most certainly the right choice for me! I have prayed about it on several occassions! I keep saying I'll do the footwork and leave the rest in God's hands! But then I let that old devilish "voice of doubt" get me down! Well, when that happens I will remember that I'm certainly not alone on this amazing journey and that everyone has doubts and fears! The most important thing is to STAY FOCUSED! And to keep PRAYING and POSTING! PRAYING and POSTING! Blessings! Cheryl G.

HI! WHEN IN DOUBT PUNT! I AM 50 YEARS OLD, SURGERY DATE OCT 14, 04, WEIGHED 310LBS WHEN I STARTED MY JOURNEY, WEIGHT BEFORE SURGERY 276LBS, WEIGHT LOST AFTER SURGERY 57LBS SO FAR I NOW WEIGH 218LBS. I HAVE GONE FROM A SIZE 26 TO AN 18 AND CAN'T BELIEVE THE CHANGES, HAVE MORE ENERGY AND MORE MOVEABILITY. TRY BEING POSITIVE, YOU HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR BUT FEAR IT SELF. DON'T LET IT STOP YOU FROM HAVING A NEW LIFE AGAIN. I KNOW, I HAVE ARTHRITIS, FIBROMALYGIA (MUSCLE DISORDER) AND WITHOUT THIS SURGERY I WAS GOING DOWN HILL FAST. HAVE FAITH IN YOUR DOCTORS AND YOURSELF, YOU'LL BE JUST FINE! YOU HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE! NEGATIVITY BREATHS NEGATIVITY. POSTIVE THINKING MAKES POSITIVE ACTIONS. YOU'RE IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS, YOU'LL MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION. I WILL TELL YOU THAT THIS IS NOT THE EASY WAY OUT! YOU WILL HAVE TO MAKE LIFE TIME CHANGES IN YOUR EATING, EXERCISING AND THINKING AND YOU WILL HAVE YOUR MOMENTS; BUT I WOULD DO THIS SURGERY IN AGAIN IN A HEART BEAT THAN BE AT THE WEIGHT I WAS AND I AM ONLY 3 MONTHS POST OP AND STILL LOSING. GIVE YOURSELF MORE CREDIT, YOU DESERVE A NEW LIFE, HAPPINESS AND CHANGE IS GOOD! GOOD BLESS YOU, YOU WILL ACHIEVE THE UNTHINKABLE!

Thank you Karen for your support! Congrats on your weight loss! It must be so exciting to be on the losing side! Today I have reinforced my resolve to have WLS! So the "amazing journey continues"! I should have a surgery date soon! My surgeon will be Dr. Paul E. Macik! I have every faith in his abilities as a surgeon and I will put myself in his highly capeable (sp) hands! Thanks again! Blessings! Cheryl G.

Thank you for responding. Dr. Paul Macik was my surgeon also, you will love him and his staff. He is very quiet, but is there to help you in anyway. He's a great sugeon. Had surgery on thursday, went home saturday. No complications at all. I can now eat most food. You will be pleased. Keep in touch. karen