Is it really possible?

Everyday I come to this forum.  It has been so good.  Everyone here has been so supportive.  As I have allowed myself to get to this weight, over the last year my health has gotten so bad that I am home so much.  It is painful to walk or stand more than 4 minutes now as I have developed osteoarthritis in my spine.  So it has been great getting to know everyone on the forum.  I read the stories of true life-changing things happening and I get so inspired.  I have really done an about face.  Never before did I even consider WLS until the last few months.  God has been so good to me that my weight up to this point has not done damage to any major organs.  I know that if I continue this way, this will not be the case.  I am very committed to this surgery and what needs to be changed in my life for the rest of my life.  I am afraid of one thing.  Is this life-change possible for me?   Seeing this transformation in real people makes me want it so bad for myself.  I want so much to be healthy.  Am I the only one that has gone through this? 

Hello Tessie59, I don't have any answers to your post as I'm just at the very beginning of my journey with WLS, but I noticed that you're near me and using the same doctor I hope to use.  I just received my referral to Dr. Caruana on Friday and I'll be calling for an appt. on Monday.   How do you like him??  And what do you think of the office staff??  I'm hoping I won't have t o wait too  long for an appt. but you never can tell with these things.... I'm feeling alot of the same things you are right now; is it really possible for me to change my life??  I never considered WLS either until just the last few months and now I'm scared but hopeful.  I want to be around and be healthy for my little boy and I'm hoping t his surgery will help me to do that. I just wanted to say HI since we  live so close to each  other, and let you  know I'm feeling  alot of the same things you are.  Please do respond or email me when you can, I'm looking forward to hearing from you.  :) Flo

First of all Dr. Caruana and his staff are the best.  They are wonderful and you will love them I'm sure.  He has also done so many surgeries and appears to be very efficient and knowledgeable.  I'm not sure how long you have lived in Corfu, but I graduated from Pembroke High School in 1977.  I don't think the wait is too long with him, but I know he has changed some of his procedures as my daughter is now just beginning the journey.  I think he makes you have your referrals done and the appointment with the psychiatrist before you see him.  Also if you go to his website it shows the letter that you need from your primary doc and the weight loss history you need to fill out.  It sounds like a lot but it's not really.  My email address is [email protected] if you would like to email me and my AIM is tessie5995.  I look forward to hearing from you soon. Terri

Tessie,

This surgery is a life altering choice that I would do again in a heartbeat.  I had been overweight all my life.  I remember in 7th grade, my weight hit 200lbs.  I was humiliated.  All through high school I was overweight and was picked on.  I became pregnant in February 1993 and that's when I gained the majority of my weight.  After the birth of my daughter, I was at 300lbs.  My highest ever was 318 just before I started researching this surgery.

In 2000 I was diagnosed with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, depression, and I was very sick.  Looking back now, I realize how ill I actually was.  I hated getting up in the morning because my body ached, I was always tired.  All I wanted to do was sleep all day long.  I hated cooking and taking care of my family.  It was plain aweful. 

In 2006, after doing over a year of research and not telling anyone I was interested, I finally said it out loud to my husband and decided to make the call the the Bariatric Center here in Syracuse.  8 months later, I had the LAP RNY.  To this day, just over 8 months out of surgery, I have to say, my only regret is not doing it sooner.  My life has changed for the better.  I am not saying that it is easy by any means, because it's harder than any diet I have ever started.  But it is soooo worth it!

Since surgery, I have been taken off all my meds (I went into the hospital being on 4 meds, came out with 1.  1 week later I was off that last one). I have so much more energy, I can walk, run, bike, swim, and exercise without any pain at all.  I can even outwalk my hubby and daughter now.  The results are still in progress, but I know that I made the right decision.  I have given myself more time with my family and friends.  I want to grow old with my loving husband and the path that I WAS on, there was no way.

This surgery is something that you have to consider for yourself and realize what the changes can make for you and your family. I started at 318 in October 06 and am down 90lbs this morning.  I am at 228lbs and still have 48 more lbs to go to be at my surgeon's goal of 180lbs. 

I know that it's easy to tell you all of this, but to experience this is just unreal.  I hope that you can make the right decision and have the peace of mind that you are doing this to better your own life for yourself, and nobody else.  I wish you the best.

Molly

Molly, Thank you so much for your reply.  I appreciate so much your honesty.  I have a date for surgery for July 18th.  I definately will do it.  I don't think I really have a choice at this point.  I am just praying that I can do this.  I'm so glad that you are doing so well.  Terri

I think as the weight drops the better your body feels.  I have NEVER had so much energy!  My knees do not hurt one bit and my back is feeling really good too! I am very hopeful for you love!

If you believe and are committed to making it work...it will work. Believe me. I could never have done this on my own. The most important part of this journey is the support that you receive here or if you are blessed enough to have a "live" support group. The people here are such a source of inspiration. YOU CAN DO THIS TOO. Diane~~

yes we have. please feel free to read my profile.......wls was a godsend for me and I do it again in a heartbeat

Well I'm on the road now.  :)  I sent my patient information packet in to Dr. Caruana's office today and the letter of medical necessity is on it's way from my PCP.  I've got an appt. scheduled for next week for the psych evaluation, and after that I'm not quite sure what comes next.  But at least the ball is rolling and  I feel like things are getting done.  :) Terri, I've only lived in Corfu for 8 years.  My husband  is originally from Buffalo and I'm originally from Rochester, so we basically moved right in the middle of both. My email is [email protected], feel free to drop me a note anytime you want.  :)