Intro of MOI!

Hello everyone :) My name is Amalia, I am a 53 y.o. female Greek living in Greece and I'm 1 or 2 months away from Gastric Sleeve surgery.
I found this site while looking for a support forum for my specific situation and I'm so glad I did! I've been lurking for the past few days, reading older posts and I feel very positive about it all.
I have two major health problems.
1. At 125 kilos or 275 lbs on a 163 cm or 5' 1'' frame, I am moribidly obese. I have almost always been overweight but managed to control it more or less with continuous struggle until my #2 major health problem stepped in and took over.
2. I have suffered from Multiple Sclerosis for 35 years but did not know about it intil 1989 when I suddenly became semi-paralyzed and the good doctors HAD to find a reason. I have been mostly  in a wheelchair since 2000 as the temporary semi-paralysis turned into a permanent quadraparesis.
The combination of endless meds, strange treatments, overall weakness and overpowering fatigue did not curb my appetite, alas!
For years I have known that Bariatric Surgery is my only recourse but horror stories about failures in Gastric Bypasses frightened me too much to try. A few months ago, I heard about this new procedure - Gastric Sleeve - and met the top surgeon in Greece who does it. He accepted me as a patient and we are now in the prep stages for the big day, which is only 1 or 2 months away, depending on approval from the insurance.
As I get closer to that day, I'm getting more and more nervous. I'm wondering if I'll be able to keep taking my meds without ruinng what will be left of my stomach. I wonder if the shock of the surgery plus the sudden weight loss will trigger yet another debiitating flare from my MS. I'm wondering if the weight loss will help me walk again and feel healthier or whether it's all for nought.

Congratulations for being so brave to take this unknown step.  My hope for u is that it will help you.  I think you will find a lot of support here.  Welcome!

Welcome to OH, Amalia!  I am happy to have you as a Bariatric Buddy!

I had a gastric bypass on 09/14/2009.  I'm sure there are no two people who have had the exact same experiences with weight loss surgery, but I can tell you that my experience has been awesome so far and I am very happy that I had surgery.

I take a handful of medications each morning, plus all of my supplements, with about 8 oz. of water.  There are days when my "pouch" is unsettled or feels overly full, but I usually feel fine and am able to eat breakfast once the meds work their way down. 

Make sure that your surgeon is well educated on MS.  I would think that he would not have accepted you if he didn't feel confident that the surgery was safe for you and would benefit your overall health.

I congratulate you on making the decision to face your fears for the opportunity to change your life!  I wish you all of the very best and look forward to hearing about your journey!  Take care!

Hi Amalia! Welcome to our group. I am sure you will find lots of surrpot, encouragement, and friendship here. the folks here are just great!

You certainly have your challenges with the MS. I am certain, that cannot be an easy thing to live with at times. I hope and pray this surgery will benefit you far beyond just the weight loss. As far as the meds go, the sleeve is different from Gastric Bypass itsself, and I don't think you face nearly the risks of ulceration from meds and such as you would with Gastric bypass. (I cannot promise this, but thats my understanding).

As far as if the weight loss will help you or all be for nought... It is never all for nought. You will absolutely feel better with all of that extra weight off of you. You will avoid many co-morbidities, which would make things so much harder for you if you were to remain obese. AND remember too, that when people are assisting you and caring for you, it will be much easier for them, which means you will get better care. It will decrease chances for pressure sores as well. I do hope it will help you find some mobility again. I would think asking your doctor that manages your care for the MS would be a good idea to get some of these answers, but then, they may not know either. But either way, you will experience many benefits from losing the excess weight.

My heart is with you and i wish you the best of luck with your results! I hope you will continue to post here and share your journey with us. It will be a great learning exoperience for many of us, and you will learn a lot from us as well. Congratulations on your upcoming surgery! Waiting to welcome you to the losers bench!

Amazing decision you are making Amelia.  I will continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers over the next weeks.  I agree with the other posts and believe that weight loss will improve many things for your future.  Can't wait to hear of the transformation in your life.  I am seeing many positive things in my life since having my surgery 15 weeks ago.  The changes come slowly, but they come. 

Nice to have a friend in Greece.  I get so much more from the support and friendships I have made here at OH and bariatric buddy group.  Take care, Kathy

Thank you all for your wishes and your offers of support. Both the surgeon and my neurologist assure me that things will be better after I lose the weight and I have no reason to doubt them. Nonetheless, as someone who has been in and out of hospitals all my life, I know that no surgery was made in heaven and I expect to have at least a few problems of adjustment. Since my mother died just two months ago, I have only my husband to lean on now in times of trouble and although he is very suppportive, it worries me.
I go to this thing with mixed feelings, plenty of hope and gritting my teeth to withstand the troubles of the journey until my goal is achieved.

Amalia