Question:
Should I be having WLS surgery?

I am a pre-op patient, no surgery date scheduled yet but have a consult with the physician the end of this month. I have a blood cancer (myeloma) and am going into my 5th year of survival. I want a better quality of life and know that weight loss will help me achieve that. I have experienced catheter related blood clots in the past and am very worried about that. Am I crazy for even wanting this sugery? I have sleep apnea, asthma, high blood pressure, bordeline diabetes, joint and back pains, etc. I've tried very hard in the past to lose weight, only to gain it back and more. My oncologist and my primary care doctor says it's o.k. for me to have the surgery. However, sometimes I think I am crazy for even thinking of WLS and wanting it. If anyone has thoughts on this, I really would like to hear what you think. I'm just afraid that I'm thinking in a bubble and not looking at reality. I appreciate your share your thoughts.    — Valr1 (posted on August 13, 2005)

August 13, 2005
You are not crazy for wanting a better way of life. I had a lot of co-morbids just like you. I have leaky heart valves and I've had 2 small strokes. Both my cardiologist and my neurologist stated that the surgery would benefit me greatly. After testing by the doctors, I was cleared to have the Gastric Bypass RNY. My neurologist told me that my next stroke might not be survivable! I could have a massive stroke anytime. That was last September. Thats when I started doing a lot of research about WSL. I found a wonderful and competant surgeon in Dr. Phillip Hornbostel of Sedalia, MO. Congratulations on your 5 year survival rate! If you can survive cancer, you can get through WLS with ease. God Bless You! Lap RNY 6/16/05 292/238
   — LilaDove

August 13, 2005
Hi there, I just wanted to comment. You would be surprised how much of the bad feelings you will loose when you loose the weight. As someone who has yo-yoed between 190 and 225 for the last 3 years, I have seen the changes in my body from when I am smaller verses larger. I am at my biggest weight right now and I have all of the little annoyances that I have had in the past, lower back ache, joint aches, headaches daily, fatigue, reflux, and a few other more embarrassing things. I feel like a hypochondriac = ) Loosing the weight will take all of those things away. Loosing weight can not take away your cancer, but it can improve lie as you know it. For wanting that, you are about as Sane as any one I know! Good luck to you and may God bless you and keep you safe in your journey.
   — Tiger Lover

August 13, 2005
My opinion is go for it! What have you got to lose, besides all the co-morbidities? Make sure your WLS surgeon is very aware of the clotting problem (that's why they give you heparin while in the hospital) If this were me, I'd make sure they would keep me in the hospital for more than 2 days post-op...up to 5 at the very least to help ward off complications. Carmen
   — kccjer

August 13, 2005
You need to look deep inside yourself and figure out your motivations for seeking surgery. You are a borderline BMI at 42 but definitely qualify and you do have some weight related co-morbs. But you need to be doing the surgery for the right reasons and looks is not the reason. Health and health only should be the driving factor. <p>If you know in your heart this is the only way you can achieve a healthy body and you have the blessing or your doctors then I say go for it. I know for me it truly was the only option that had a ghost of a chance of working. Good Luck in your decision making. For the people who knew in their hearts that WLS was the only answer, they do not regret it for one minute. It gave them their lives back. For me life at 215 is sooooo much better than life at 442!
   — zoedogcbr

August 16, 2005
Thank you to all of those who responded to my question. Your thoughts are appreciated and well received. I'll keep you posted. God Bless.
   — Valr1