Newbie here

 It's taken me over a year to get to this point of considering WLS. Met with a doctor last summer, but heard a few horror stories in the waiting room and was never comfortable after that (even though I understand he has a good reputation).

After having a friend of a friend undergo this surgery earlier this year, and hearing the success she has had, I decided to at least go back for an informational seminar. I really liked the feel of the place and had my initial consult with my surgeon just yesterday. He acknowledged all my fears and concerns about even getting to the place where I can consider surgery.

My insurance requires a 3 month period, so I'm giving myself that time to do more research on which procedure to have. Lapband is probably not an option due to my weight, but Dr. and I talked about the sleeve and gastric bypass. 

I so look forward to learning from those of you who have gone before.

It is a very personal decision.  My husband and Megan are the King and Queen of surviving those horror stories you heard.  Do your research and make your decision.

Even the King and Queen would tell you that they would do it all over again.  Between the life they had and the life they have, it was all so very much worth it.

You did not give us a doc name or location.  If you are in DFW area we are having a dinner next Saturday night.  You do not have to wait until you are post op to meet us and bleed us for information.  We are a friendly bunch and can answer most questions you have.

If you are in the Houston area there are many support groups there.  Ask and you will receive.  There is a conference in Houston in November that we will all be at, I highly rec commend you attend.  More information from good experts than you could ever want.

Good luck, jump on the daily WLS Express and you will get a good idea of who we are and where we are.

Tried to post to you last night and the puter wasn't cooperating! Que is so right! it is a very personal and courageous decision! What city are you in? What Doc are you talking to? I went to many seminar till I found the one I was comfortable with one! It is very important to feel comfortable and confident with your surgeon!

Some poeple breeze through the process and never have a problem, some have a few small hiccups along the way, and some are flat out survivors!! I am a survivor like Que and Tom!! Never thought of it that way till Que said it in an earlier post but I guess she is right!

Only 1 time in the 3 years since my surgery did I question wether I did the right thing and that  was last January and it did not last long. I would go through the whole thing all over again in a heart beat.

Four years ago I was 43, 330lbs and 5'2" short. I wore a size 28 flowy dress and a size 32 pantand a size 9.5-10 shoe. Here I am a few years later 47,135lbs, still 5'2" but I wear a 4-6 fitted dress, 6-8 pant ( except Chicos' jeans I wear a zero) and a 7-7.5 shoe. My cholesterol went from 220 to 120, I take 1/3 the anti depressants, and I haven't broken my feet again due to my weight since my surgery!

I no longer live in fear of loosing my job because I am too fat to do it! (irrational fear but nonthe less real) I fit in any public bathroom stall, any chair, any boothe, even airline seats. I can see my feet, tie my shoes and wear fancy toghts and pany hose without blowing them out!! I can buy clothes any and everywhere and I do!! It is great fun to shop and I don't go home crying!!

I have more REAL confidence and don't have to fake it anymore. I stand up for myself now! I have more quality time with my grandkids because I can go more places and do more things and keep up and do not fear emmbarassing them! 

Well I was trying to correct mispelling and somehow hit enter!! I am truly a technotard!! Anyway back to the topic at hand!

Now all that being said! Life will not be perfect after you loose the weight! I was always told If you would just loose weight you could have any job,man, thing yada yadda yadda.... Bull honky!! Life is life! It is what you make of it! You will stii be you just a slimmer healthier you! Life sh%t will still happen! You will find new ways ways to deal with stress instead of  eating. Hopefully something positive like excercising or a hobby or volunteer work instead of something destructive!

Like Que said let us know where you are so we can help you hook up with a support group in your area. It Is EXTREMELY important to stay actively involved with a support group of some kind. The rate of success goes up in people who attend support groups. We are all here for you and would love to help, support and answer questions for you!!

Sorry this is so long! Woke up with my brain on fire. Hope to meet you someday. Oh, BTW, if you read my food plans...they are not the norm! I eat way more food than most anybody to keep my weight up because I am "special"Hee hee!!

Meggie

Hello MominKaty.  I assume you live in the Katy area.  There are a lot of great WLS drs. in the Houston area.  You are right to do your research.  I had RNY 4.5 years ago and am very pleased with it.  If I had a choice, I would choose Sleeve over RNY, but everyone is different.  The only reason would be to help avoid malabsorption which is really the only concern I have with RNY.  There are a lot of WLS patients in the Katy area.  Hope you do your homework and choose what you think is best for you.  There will be a lot of people here to support you. 

Karla

 Thanks for the replies and encouragement to my original post. Someone asked me which doctor I am using. After originally meeting with another WLS doctor last year and feeling uncomfortable, I went to the seminar at The Davis Clinic last month and then met with Dr. Garth Davis two weeks ago. I found him to be very calming and more than willing to answer all my questions, even those that seemed a bit "far out there!"

Someone else with the school district used him for WLS several years ago and has been very happy with the results/care she's received.

My next step is schedule my nutritional and psychological evaluation. Oh..and lose 30 pounds.