Question:
Is what I'm feeling normal?

Hi. Well, my doctors office has submitted all of my stuff to my insurance company. I'm excited AND confused. My question is, is it normal to go back and forth regarding having the surgery? I'm so-so-so committed to do this, but there is this "little" voice that tells me "Kristin, just try harder and exercise more". Is what I'm feeling normal? I would appreciate any feedback!! Thanks everyone!!!    — MissAuntieK (posted on April 4, 2000)

April 4, 2000
Hi! I think what you are feeling is normal. I go in for my surgery next week, and still I pray that I am making the right choice. I am 90% certain it is; The other 10% of me is just scared of dying.:) But I will go through with it. I feel like I am dying in this body I have now. Just pray long and hard about it. These people are so supportive here, and so many success stories, and information...this is the place to be to help you with your decision.
   — Christy B.

April 4, 2000
Of course your feelings are normal. I would worry if you didn't have these feelings. I am almost 7 weeks post-op and I can tell you I was scared to death. I asked my doctor in front of my husband, what the mortality rate was for this surgery and he told us both, very matter of factly, less than 1%. All I can tell you is I do not regret my decision and you have a whole community of support here. You can also back out right up to the very last minute. It is your body and only you know if diet and exersice have worked or will work for you. I wish you all the best and will be glad to help in any way I can. Good luck and God bless. Hope to see you on the other side soon.
   — Jen L.

April 4, 2000
Yes it is very normal to have these feelings. I felt the same way before my surgery. I had my first app. in Feb and had the surgery the following Aug. My emotions were like a roller coaster the whole time. I had people tell me not to go through it and they made me thing I should try harder to lose. And I had others who were very supported of the decision I made. Even immediately after the surgery you will have some of the same ups and downs. But after the first visit and you have lost lots of weight you will definitly feel like you did the right thing. Just remember the reason you are doing this. For you, You are important enough to do this for. You want to live a healthy and productive life. This is the right decision for you. Stick with it and you will win. Keep going and look at the long term.
   — chris M.

April 5, 2000
Hi Kristin, I had those exact same feelings. I wondered if maybe I just really put my mind to it and watched what I ate and exercised more I'd lose this excess weight. Then on the other hand, I'd tell myself, you've done that and it hasn't worked yet!! Then I would read post about people who were over 300 pounds, who REALY needed the surgery and all those doubts would surface again. I would tell myself again, "maybe you just need to buckle down and learn some self control". But I went through with the surgery and I don't regret one moment of it. For the most part no one tried to talk me out of it. I would get comments like, "can't you just cut back on eating?" and unfortunately people like that don't understand the mechanics behind morbidly obese people. Hope this helps...If you need anything email me [email protected]. Good Luck,
   — Marni

April 5, 2000
Absolutely normal! The "little" voice you hear is the culturally-ingrained one that says diseases (like morbid obesity, alcoholism, etc.) aren't really diseases at all, but deep-seated character defects, and if you could just get hold of yourself you'd be thin, dammit! Kristin, you're not crazy, the world is. One of my favourite factoids is that the average model in a fashion magazine is 5'10' and weighs 115 pounds; the average North American woman is 5'4" and weighs 145. No wonder we're having a body image crisis! I have no doubt that you've tried dieting and you've tried exercising. To decide to have WLS is not weakness, it's strength. It's taking back real control, not the illusion of it. You go, girl!
   — Cheryl Denomy

April 5, 2000
Kristin, I was in "limbo" for months. I finally made a desicion when a dear friend died of a heart attack. In the emergency room, where I saw his 400lb+ lifeless frame laying on a gurney that he barely fit on, is when I made my life-altering desicion to go ahead and have the surgery. I didnt want it to be me in the future. "Don" lived a miserable lonely existance. Everyone thought that he was "grosse" and "nasty" because of his weight. Many failed to look past his exterior and appreciate the goodness he had inside. I love him dearly and miss him so. (I am crying right now.) Don't have the surgery so that you look better in a pair of jeans, (thats a bonus!) Do it for your health. So that your family and friends can have you around for a long time. We kid ourselves everytime we think that the next diet is going to work. If you don't put an end to the viscious cycle, 20 years and 200lbs would have passed the next time you blink. I know that I made the right choice. I will keep you in my thought and prayers. XOXO's Good luck! Email me at [email protected] if you would like to chat.
   — Lady C.