New here. Introducing Myself

Hello all! I've been reading the boards for about a month now so thought I'd introduce myself.

I decided exactly one month ago that I wanted/needed/was ready for WLS. I didn't think I would be eligible for insurance coverage because I wasn't quite 35 bmi and no major comorbidities so I originally was looking into surgeons in Mexico.

My husband encouraged me to at least look into a local surgeon so I called and have been to the mandatory seminar, waiting 3 agonizing weeks for the first appointment with the surgeon and, due to being shorter than I thought, he thinks I might actually qualify for surgery IF I have sleep apnea. Fingers crossed that I DO have sleep apnea!!! lol Never thought I'd say that. Going to get my blood work today and have an appointment with the nutritionist next week. I'm VERY impatiently waiting for the calls to schedule the psych eval and everything else on the list of must do's. I say impatiently because once I decided I wanted this...I wanted it done, like, yesterday!!! I guess the waiting is good though because I'm researching post-op diet and doing my best to get with the program now, in order to make things easier once it's done. I had my last alcoholic beverage this past weekend. It shouldn't be part of my post op life, so I'm getting rid of it now. I'm cutting out carbs, cutting back on my morning coffee (I'm down from 3 cups to just 1), etc. Luckily, my insurance doesn't require a 6 month diet like some. So, as long as I have that sleep apnea, I think I'm on track to hopefully have surgery this summer. If not, I will self-pay. I can't wait to start!

My main concerns now are staying patient through the process (I don't even like waiting in line, let alone waiting for something like this! I will repeat the 'patience is a virtue' mantra until surgery ;-)  Also, I worry if surgery will actually work for me. I told my surgeon at the consultation that I was interested in the sleeve and he agreed that I was a good candidate. HOWEVER, I'm starting to wonder if that's going to be enough for me. I've always been very into healthy eating and I've always been active. I taught aerobics for years (17+ hours of cardio per week PLUS weight training) I didn't like being the chubby instructor so I cycled on and off HCG for years keeping myself at "just" overweight BMI. So after years of starving on 500 calories a day and exercising 2-4 hours a day and STILL being the chubby instructor, I gave it up even though I loved it. I decided to join a cross fit gym and I loved it! I swore off the crash diets and started eating clean. I gained 30 pounds like this. And, they weren't muscle pounds. I think all the extreme dieting destroyed my metabolism. I had an injury that kept me out of the gym for a few months...another 10 or 15 pounds gained. I didn't let that stop me and once I was cleared for exercise, I took up hiking. I recently trained for and climbed a local mountain. 20 miles roundtrip and about 5,000 feet elevation gain. I was by far the chunkiest person on that mountain. That part was embarrassing. It was a great personal accomplishment, but I can't look at the pictures from it. I don't feel like my body matches my strength and commitment. In addition, I had a terrible time with my joints during the hike. I'm short and am carrying around way too much weight for my small frame. So, given all this, I'm starting to wonder if I need the malabsorption of the DS. I just don't know if my "small" amount of extra weight would justify the risks of DS. Any thoughts?

I'm also freaking out about the percentages. I hear that 50-60% weight loss is considered a success. I'm sorry, but even 60% wouldn't make me happy. I'm not having surgery to still be overweight! I'm tired of always being overweight. In addition to those less than ideal percentages, I'm now reading that one can expect up to a 25% regain? So, if I only lose 50% then regain 25%, in the end I will only have lost 25% of my excess. Those are disheartening numbers to say the least. 

I'm sorry if this is coming across as negative.  I really don't mean to be but I do want to be well-informed and to keep my expectations in check. I hope I don't disrespect those with more to lose. I know so many really do this as a means to regain their health. But, other than the joint pain, I basically feel healthy. I just don't like the way I look or feel comfortable in my skin. I used to be so outgoing, but as the weight goes up, I start to get more and more reclusive. I live in fear of running into people who haven't seen me in awhile (I'm reading this is quite common). I love traveling but am dreading the trips I have planned this summer as I know I'm going to feel self conscious about my body the whole time. 

I know I just put a lot of different thoughts out there, but if anyone has any advice or words of encouragement, I'd love to hear them. Thanks for reading and HI!!

Hi & Welcome!  I just wanted to say good luck with your journey if you do opt for it....  I also wanted to say from what ive read lightweights (BMI between 35-40%) more often make goal...simply because we have less to lose. That said, many people on the OBH site are successful both at losing & maintaining if you are committed to the process and keep to your surgeons plan. 

Being concerned is a good thing, it keeps us honest and holds us to plan (well mostly in my case). But if the overall level of commitment you described is true to form for you, im sure youll do great! Hope to see you around more!

Welcome!! Look into a counselor, they might be able to help with body issues in addition to wls. Hope your journey goes smoothly and quickly! ☺

Welcome aboard and good luck in the process.  

--gina

First, Welcome to the LWs the most friendly board on OH!!!

Then, to some of your concerns.  I am short, 4'10.5", was very heavy, 220, and 62 at surgery.  I have always been very active, driving ponies, going to the gym but it was harder and harder with my bad joints.  I had surgery to get my life back and now at 66, I can walk, ride my pony, go to the gym, garden and keep up with almost anyone. 

As far as your weight loss goes, many many LW lose 100% of their excess weight.  Jus****ching the folks who come here, it does seem to me that the RNY folks get their easier but that could be just my impression.  We don't see many DS but knowing what I know now, I would have probably done better with DS.  It just wasn't an option.  So do look at all types.  There are LW who do and have been very happy with DS.  I did lose 100% and regain is real.  I got to 111 which was too low for my frame but have gotten up to low 130s this year.  I'd like to be back to 120s and am working on it.  Still better than 220 and my drs are very pleased and say as we age we need a little more weight.  Not sure we need quite this much but ok.

Anyone can out eat any surgery. The key is to stay tuned in and stay on top of it.  The losing part is easy and relatively short.  The maintenance is for the rest of your life.  But surgery gives us a tool so that we have a chance.

Waiting is hard.  My insurance didn't have a 6 month requirement but my Dr did so it still took me 7 months to get through the process.  Use your time well, read and learn.  Get ready for the ride of your life. 

Thanks for the welcome everyone! Yes, I have read lightweights tend to lose more excess since there's less to lose. I REALLY hope that's the case with me. I guess I just worry because it's always seemed that I have work ten times harder than everyone around me for half the results. I really don't want that to be the case with WLS. Yes, I'll talk to my surgeon about the different options. Since I just barely made BMI (actually I was 34.9, thankfully the surgeon rounded up) I think he'll probably want to stick with a sleeve. But, I will ask. I just want the greatest chance for success. I am committed to following dr.'s orders and keeping accountable here. (In fact, I haven't even started logging my food yet, but I dreamt last night that I had eaten a salad but forgot to log the dressing! What a nightmare! lol) Thanks all! Looking forward to reading through this board.

I'm not good at waiting either.  I went to the seminar in December and had my surgery the following July.  I had RNY 7/8/2008.  I lost 70 lbs.  The surgery changed my life. 

I have regained about 12 lbs.  Exercise is a dirty to me.  Hate it but I really need to do it.  I retired in 2012 but having been working temp jobs for the past year and a half.  I just finished a job last Friday that was 7 months long.  Sitting all day, 5 days a week, and being bored sometimes, didn't do anything for my weight.  My snacks were healthy but I ate out of boredom.  I'm taking some time off and hopefully take off those pounds. 

I see what you mean about the regain facts, but I don't think that has to be.  You do have to watch your food intake.  Having the surgery doesn't magically keep us thin.  Would be nice!!

Welcome, I am also fairly new to this site.  My BMI was 35.?, weight was 231, highest weight 252, age 66 when I had rny on 7/22/14.  I am now 149 lbs., my pants have gone from very tight 18 to 6 or 8, tops medium / large instead of 1x or 2x.  My husband and pcp are very pleased with my weight loss and my BMI is now 25.  The journey isn't always easy (at least to me) but my cholesterol, blood pressure are down, and I feel so much better and have more energy.  I averaged about 225 for 48 years.  When I hit 149, this was the first time since 1966, I can't describe the feeling.  It was exciting!!!

wow! Congrats to you both!!! I hope a year or two from now, I'll be able to say the same things. Thank you everyone.

Hi Caligirl.  Welcome!  I am not very active on this board, but your post caught my eye because I was just thinking about how incredibly grateful I am that I chose the sleeve.  I had such a hard time deciding before my surgery.  I am 5'1 and weighed 205 the day of surgery.  Like you, I had no pre op diet requirements.  I am almost 8 months out from surgery and my current weight is 135.  The weight loss has pretty much been effortless.  I love working out and frequently do 5k runs, but nothing crazy.  I am so incredibly happy with the sleeve.  I am now a size 4 from a layne bryant 14.  My plan is to lose 10 more pounds.  Never in my life have I only had 10 pounds to lose!  The sleeve is the best thing I've ever done!