How do I decide?

Hi, all

I am driving myself crazy trying to decide if I should get this surgery or not.  I'll be 63 in 2 weeks.  My only major health problem is sleep apnea - BP, glucose, cholesterol are all pretty much okay.  I'm 5'5", weigh 250.

I am very afraid of the potential for complications, as well as the new lifestyle I'll be living.  Is this going to be worth it or will I be miserable?

In your opinion, having been there and done that, do you feel it was worth the risks and changes in your lifestyle?

How can I get past this reluctance?  It's like there's a little voice in the back of my head saying "don't do this".  And no, I don't normally hear little voices!

Thanks to anyone who can share their experiences and concerns you might have had.

Kate

 

 

 

 

Kate,

If you are reluctant then it's not your time. You have to be sure about your lifestyle change.

WLS will NOT keep your weight off you will do ALL the work in the end. Listen to your little voices.

With my complications...would I do this surgery again? Yes. Why? Because it was right for me. Only you know if this WLS will be right for you. Listen. Read. Research.

I'm a revision to RNY. When I was in my 20's I had my stomach stapled. It was called a Gastroplasty. Everyone regained their weight back. I was a guinea pig. People learned from my first WLS. Good luck. Debbie

Kate...I agree with Debbiejean. If you have that many doubts you are not ready to have this surgery.

Do more research. Go to some support group meetings. Hear about other peoples journeys. This is not the EASY WAY OUT!! You are still responsible for maintaining your weight loss. The first year is easy. That is when you lose your weight. You need to learn during that time about healthy eating habits. This surgery will not stop your cravings and the desire to want the things you always loved.  Some people are lucky and can't eat the things they used to eat. They get sick. There are things I can't eat but there are other things I wish I never would have tried again!!

Would I do it again....you bet...in a heartbeat!!

Good luck....I wish you well.

HUGS....connie d

Wow. You sound so much like me. I am 63 also. I am 270, 5'4". I know I can lose it and i am pretty confident that the surgery will go well. My biggest concern is my love of cooking. Well, it's not really a love, but I love to have my family and friends over for holidays, birthdays. Etc. Does that all change? It kinda sounds like torture if you cook things you can't eat. I was told all my bites have to be pea size. That sound really hard.

Also, I just got my approval last week but I am delaying my surgery till jan. is that smart or am I not showing the right kind of commitment? I have to be successful at this. I want the rest of my life to be joyful, and fun. Tired of feeling bad about myself! Any words of wisdom or insights will be so appreciated.
Thanks so much
Cindy

Hi, Cindy

Yes, it's so very hard to know what to do, at least for me,  I've been approved by my insurance company and see the surgeon for my final office visit on Thurs 12/6.  They have surgery dates available this month.  I feel I should just go ahead and DO the surgery and stop all the thinking.

What to do?  I want to be healthy and live a long life.  But as you said, do i want the rest of my life to consist of pea sized bites of protein, protein, protein?  That doesn't sound very appealing.

I have a friend who had the sleeve in May, she's lost 101 lbs.  She basically eats what she wants (even pasta, potatoes, pizza, dessert, donuts) but just in very very small amounts,.  She's not counting grams of protein or ounces of water drunk. She's very very happy with her results and doesn't feel deprived because (1) she's eating the food she truly enjoys and (2) she's not very hungry ever and so has no desire to eat more.  I could live with that type program, but all I hear from the nutritionist and on these boards is PROTEIN.  So is my friend going to stop losing and regain all her weight?  Who knows?

So, bottom line.....no, I don't have any words of wisdom.  I'll talk it over with the surgeon and let you know how that goes.  I'm still on the fence and still confused as heck.

Kathy

i am 59 and had the sleeve two years ago.  Prior to that I had dealt with triple negative breast cancer, had lumpectomy, chemo and radiation.  Also, developed type 2 diabetes.  I needed to get healthy after the cancer so choose to have sleeve.  I was at 255 when had sleeve done.  I believed i lost slowing, losing 75 lbs.  I maintained 185 for awhile then blue out my knee from exercise. Had knee operation,  then had preutertine cancer last December so had laparoscopic hysterectomy.  Needless to say, stress and poor eating habits returning -- i've gained half weight back.  I do not want to be at my highest weight again of 285.  Today I met with my bariatric surgeon after going to nutritionist, pa and many hurdles.  I have been approved for sleeve to rny revision.  I know that I will have to work at changing and evolving those eating habits.  I will have to find distractions from food.  I have become weekend road cyclist at my age and look forward to training for a century ride (100 miles).  Yes, indeed.  It is a mindset and you will know when you are ready.  I am happier being active and healthy.  I look forward to retirement in a few years being able to travel, hike, cycle, kayak and all of those things.  Get all the information you can and do what works for you!!  I am excited about being given another opportunity.

I don't know if it will help you to know that I had the RNY when I was 72.  My health was declining and I could not see myself taking good care of my diabetes when I was in my 80s,  if I lived that long.  It wasn't an impulsive decision and I postponed my initial date because I thought that maybe I could lose the weight by my self.  Maybe I could of done it with the proper professional help but I didn't know of anyone at that time.  It would be preferable to avoid WLS but it has to be your commitment.  It is still hard work either way.  

Research your doctor, the hospital, and support staff.  I can recommend the IU Health Bariatrics and always prefer the university association whenever possible.

To just follow up:  my surgery went fine and I have had no problems.  I appreciate all the medical tests that Dr Mattar required to assure that my health was good enough to have the surgery.  Medicare will cover your cost but with the changes that will come as a result of the economy problem, it is my feeling that you should get it done before too long or risk now having coverage.  That is totally your decision of course.

BWB,

Thanks so much for your response,  Yes, it's very reassuring to know someone else over 60 had the surgery successfully.  I'm still on the fence about this.  I want to be healthy and live longer.  I just don't know if I want to do that by eating basically nothing but protein forever.  And the vitamin regimen...that's daunting to think of the possible complications because of malabsorption of essential vitamins and nutrients.

Do you have difficulty following the protein forward food plan?  Do you have to drink the shakes, etc?  All that sounds so unpleasant.  I know I'm sounding whiny but that's the thing I just can't get past....protein, protein, protein.  How do you do it?

Thanks for any advice you can provide, Kathy

Kathy,

 

“I just don't know if I want to do that by eating basically nothing but protein forever.  And the vitamin regimen...that's daunting to think of the possible complications because of malabsorption of essential vitamins and nutrients.”

 

Your impression is a little extreme and isn’t that limited at all.  It is normal to be a bit overwhelmed by the dietary requirements at first.  According to my instructions the first 8 weeks are critical  while our incision heals.  At 8 weeks my surgeon wants us to start getting the majority of our protein from regular food.  That includes meat, fish, poultry, dairy, (eggs and cheese).   Sugar Free pudding, jello, frozen desserts are allowed and many of us find ways to change them up to be truly delicious.  You may decide to make protein shakes if you need extra protein for snacks.  Things that sound icky before surgery may be your favorites afterwards.  Because of diabetes I didn’t eat rice, potatoes, pasta, white bread, sugar anyway but I do occasionally have a small amount  of rice or potatoes without a problem.  At one year and three months I can eat a cup of food and am perfectly satisfied.  It is hard to imagine but if 2 oz, 4oz, or 8 oz is your limit that is all  you can eat.  Our bodies do just fine on that amount. 

 

The vitamin regimen is much less than I expected.  We need double the amount of most normal supplements: especially daily multiple vitamin , calcium citrate, B-12, and iron.  Depending on your labs post-op, you may have additional needs.  My doctor is fine with generics.  When I add up the expense for two kinds of insulin, blood pressure meds, RLS meds, my current expense is much less because I am off these meds now.

 

Your doctor will order lab work done on a regular basis and will be on top of it.  You need to be sure that you are going to someone with a Center of Excellence rating.

 

Please understand that I never try to push anyone to have this surgery but I’m willing to give my experience to anyone who is investigating it for themselves. 

 

 

 

Thank you so much for your information.  You're right, I'm just feeling a little overwhelmed by all the new requirements.  I'm sure as I move through the stages it will become more normal-seeming.  It sounds like you have adjusted well and are doing well, thank you for sharing positive information.  I think I read too much about problems here on the boards.