I love this place

Hi to all of you wonderful people . I just love reading everything you guys/gals post. I have posted a few times but not to much, but i feel i need to start coming here for support. Everything i need to get done is done, now i am just waiting for approval from insurance, that's the hard part. But I just wanted to say hi and i Think Of us all as Family and i think everyone here is great. I have been really emotional about the surgery to the point i am having panic attacks . I am so afraid i will die due to the surgery and it makes me wanna . i think about it all the time and it is making me . Has everyone experienced these feelings? I have thought about not doing the surgery because i am so nervous but i know i want to and need to. I am sure i will be just fine but the butterflies in my tummy are doing a dance in there. Ok i'm done now John

Hey John! Glad to see you posting.....keep coming back. This is quickly becoming my 'favorite board' too. The anxiety and hesitation that you are having are COMPLETELY normal feelings. I started reasearching WLS over 5 years before I had the nerve to go through with it and by the time I did decide that I HAD to have it, I had started to have rapidly declining health and major problems and knew that it was only going to get worse. In a nutshell, I was convinced that I was going to die WITHOUT surgery. Everyone's journey is different....many people research for years before they decide to do it or not and the decision is one that you should be at peace about (my opinion) BUT anxiety about ANY surgery is normal. I think the things that I had to ask myself when I was sitting on the fence were: *what kind of life (quality of life) will I have without surgery? *is the small chance of complications/death worth the risk when there is better health to be gained with a successful experience? *have I done everything in my power to try to lose the weight on my own? Now, after much prayer and meditation, I obviously decided that WLS was worth the risks because I had tried every diet imaginable ..... as well as starvation, bulimia, anorexia, etc. I 'interviewed' 3 different surgeons and chose the one that I thought was best (I'm secretly in love with him now ) and decided to put my faith in him because I wanted a healthier life. 11 months later and 115 pounds lighter, I know that I made the best decision FOR me. Keep on keeping on my friend and you will get the answers that you need. I'm always here if you need to talk. Kim

Thank you for your kind words, I know i will go through with it, i have been going back and forth for about 4 years now and i know it will save my life, i just can't get over the anxiety, but i am sure i will soon get over it. I am so excited to do it and i have gone so far in the process that i won't quit. I want to be healthy and live long. Again thank you for your support. John

Hey Johnny baby Glad you feel like stickin around Now you will eventually have to show us the freak inside you... don't be skeert just let it come out naturally... I'm teasin not really well who knows

Making the decision to have the surgery means many different things to many different people. For me personally, I am afraid of dying as well. I feel that if I continue to life my life the way I am right now, is that really a life I want? Do I want people starring at me? Do I want to live in fear of having a heart attack? Do I want my 1 y/o nephew to have to ask "Why is uncle Chad so big?" or "Tell me about uncle Chad before he died". My answer is NO. Being over weight has controled how I have lived my entire life so far. Now it is time for me to take control and get back the life I want. This surgery will give me the tool to help me get my life back. If I die from surgery, then it is God's will and it is my time to go. I am no longer going to slowly kill myself by living this lifestyle. If I die during surgery, at least my sister can tell my nephew that I died because I loved him with all my heart and I died trying to prolong my time on earth with him. That's my reasoning.... Chad

Chad, thank you for your comments. Your words made me think. You are right i have a niece who is just 1 yrs old and i want to watch her grow in to a lady and eating my selkf to death won't cut it. i am doing the surgery, i am just terrified to die during it. but the way i am going i will only have another 15 or so years and then the weight will kill me. Since i have decieded to go through with the surgery i have quit smoking and i have been doing the slim fast diet to get some weight off. It's been hard but worth it. Thanks to all for your wonderful support.

Johnny, Johnny, Johnny! I'm glad you found this place. We're all a bunch of people who understand one another's pain. This is a wonderful place to come for support; everyone is kind, empathetic, and will send you love, positive thoughts, and great advice! You're welcome here: we are a family. I can understand why you'd be feeling so much anxiety these days. Having surgery is a monumental decision, and you're changing your body, and your way of life forever. This surgery has saved so many lives. I'm not able to have the surgery because my insurance denied me x 2 appeals: it's an exclusion in my policy, so I'm going another route. I'm doing the Adkins diet to the tune of 37# since June 10. I get so much support on this board; even though I'm not a WLS candidate, the people here still cheer for my losses, and send hugs when I need 'em. That approval thing takes forever, but never fear, all of us did the waiting thing: and most of us got the big: GO AHEAD!! So get your cupboards ready, start researching post-op diet foods and preparation. Get your support systems in place for when you get home from the hospital, because you'll really need them. Are you partnered or single right now? I love this site because both partnered and single people can talk here, and be heard here. You're right, it's a really place to come to for entertainment (BETH!!! ) and unconditional support. So--keep coming back and talking to us! It doesn't have to be about WLS; just keep talking. Let those words lose their power over you so you can get on with your life, and your decision to have this life-saving surgery! Glad you're one of us! Jessica

Jessica, Thank you for your sweet words and support. I have been with my hubby for almost 3 years, November 13th will be 3 wonderful years. He is one of my biggest support people. I am sorry you can't have the surgery, But good luck with your diet. I am here to give you lots of & support. John