C'mon...everybody! Let's play!!!!

VSG and DS and other surgeries are not covered by my insurance carrier and self-pay is not an option. I originally intended to have a LapBand, but the general consensus was that with a very high BMI, (62+)I was more likely to lose more of my excess weight with the RNY. I do believe that Lap Band is probably a less invasive procedure: unfortunately, dropping the 100-120 pounds that they projected would likely not be enough to ameliorate the ol' co-morbs...so here I am.

Are you still having pain after losing as much as you have?  You mentioned the pain in past tense, which is why I am asking.  I know for me most of my pain is almost gone. The only pain I still have is knee pain which losing the weight will only slightly help. In the long run I'll need surgery to fix that.   Do you, not the doctors, think you can lose the weight and keep it off without WLS?  I imagine those people who are wanting WLS for vanity reasons feel that way. Most have tried and failed many times. Then there's the doctors telling them the chances of losing AND keeping the weight off are slim to none. (Just like they told you..) See those people who don't have the co-morbs like you just don't think about that health stuff. (Trust me, I don't.. and I even have some co-morbs..) I imagine many of them are younger than you. Did you have these problems at 21, 25, 30? It's not to say that they won't develop these issues later in life. So if the odds are stacked against them with prolonged obesity and they've tried to lose weight should WLS still be wrong for them because they want it for vanity reasons?  I mean, even though they may not comprehend the health benefits from losing weight and sustaining the weight-loss, it's still going to help them in the long run, before they develop the co-morbidities. If they can lose the weight on their on, great, but how likely is that.  Even looking at my TOPS group the only person who has had sustained success coming from a BMI over 40 *had* WLS. So I guess what I'm trying to say here is that regardless of the person's reasoning for having WLS it's going to be beneficial in the long run. Sure there's a serious risk, but life without pain is worth the risk, even if it's emotional pain your ridding yourself of. In my opinion, the emotional pain of not fitting in or not being "pretty" in the eyes of society *IS* a co-morbidity. For the record, again, my reasoning behind wanting WLS goes well beyond vanity but vanity does play an important role in my final decision.  At this time I am still undecided though I am leaning more towards surgery. I'm sure my mind will change 10 times before I finally make it up. It is good for this board that you have a minority viewpoint. Otherwise none of us would really question why we do or do not want WLS.

Ah I will answer you question.....SO I haven't been around because I haven't been doing very well with myself...but I am trying. Some reason I can't jump back on the wagon. I need to and I know I need to but I just haven't been able too. And plus my grandpa is in the hospital...they just removed his leg....eh I'd rather not talk about it. I lurk, now days. I just need to get back to myself.

oh man...my FIL had his leg removed.  This, needless to say, is a challenge. FIL tught himslef to drive again, he was 85 when his leg got removed! keep him smiling and let  him know you will be there to teach him to drive again. You'll get back on track.  Remember your softball dream, girlie! I'm rooting for you.  I'd love to *** see you play one day in the semi pros.

I think he's 70, he was like in the best shape of his life...him and my grandma would walk every single day and eat healthy. Then all of sudden he has blood clots and diabetes. Wam bam....leg gone.  And I will jump back on....I'm going grocery shopping tonight and getting lots of fruit and lean cuisines. And make literally foce myself to walk everyday!!!! Or atleast 5 days a week. I just need something to push me....which needs to be myself.

Christa -- Sorry to hear about your grandfather.  That's really hard to take for anyone, but when the person in question goes out of their way to eat healthy and exercise regularly, it seems especially unfair.

Yes, you're right, sometimes you just have to force yourself to jump back on the wagon, even when your heart isn't in it.

hi Neecee, I have been around lurking but I have also been avoiding posting because I started such a controversy before that I wanted to lay low for a while!!!  I loved the posts and the debate that it created, everyone needs to stretch their brain a little, but it was uncomfortable that some people thought I was preaching. Other than that I have been SO busy at work that i can barely breathe.  In at 6:30 and out at 4:00, last days of school, graduation tomorrow so after that I am going to have more time, I think!!!  Now I have to go talk to Shari!!!

I'm gonna group answer everyone in this thread at once to save time. I don't think I am made of any better stuff that the other 95% of people who cannot keep weight off with lifestyle changes alone. Have I done well? Yep, but many of them did too-- and I cannot afford the regain. Just can't. Why not just keep going until the loss slows? Mostly it's about time. I have a two-month window each year during which I can have the surgery if that's what I am going to do-- otherwise, I wait until the next window--in a year. But the bigger reason is that my very large friends and my doctors all have had/witnessed the experience of about a hundred pound loss in people my size then an inexplicable and lengthy plateau that sometimes actually *never* ends. I can't afford that either. A hundred pounds probably isn't going to do what needs doing. As for Chris' question about my referring to pain in the past tense: some of it has lessened, but it still hurts like hell afire on occasion, and that will likely increase with the effects of gravity and time. I still have sleep apnea (which killed my aunt, actually.) I still have pain while standing. I still get short of breath. I've reduced them to the point of being tolerable, but tolerable isn't the same as "good", if you know what I mean. Keep this in mind: I have a virginal metabolism-- I haven't dieted a million times, so I am losing at a pretty good clip. I'm also probably more able to stick to a regimented plan because I know it's finite: in a month, I will stop the rigid calorie counting for a while and eat little bits of things and be sated. You can do just about anything if you know you don't have to do it for long, right? Overall, I only hope to speed the process. I will lose a big chunk in 12 months, then be right back here where I started, eating 1200 calories a day for life to maintain/complete the loss. If I had a hundred pounds to lose, I'd probably try lifestyle changes alone, but I am of the opinion that this approach will give me the best medical outcomes overall. Thanks for your concern, allayouse.

Hi Shari, I'll make this short and sweet. Your presence is always welcomed by me, and in your travels to become a healthier you, I support and wish you the best of luck in all your endeavors. Warm Regards -Bud 

Thank you for filling in all the little gaps for me.  Now I think I truly understand and I'll quit buggin' ya.  Please know that I wish the very best of outcomes for you.  I look forward to seeing your progress.