Question:
Should WLS be pursued even if don't have any co-morbidities?
— chatterbox213704 (posted on August 18, 2002)
August 18, 2002
I DON'T HAVE ANY OF THE OTHER PROBLEMS EXCEPT BEING FAT! MY IBM IS 47! I AM
GOING TO HAVE WLS BECAUSE I KNOW ALL THESE OTHER PROBLEMS ARE GOING TO
CAUGHT UP WITH ME BEFORE LONG! I WANT TO HAVE THE WLS NOW! BEFORE MY IBM IS
ANY HIGHER! YOU ARE THE ONLY PERSON WHO CAN DECIDE IF YOU SHOULD HAVE WLS!
I DONT KNOW ABOUT YOU BUT I HATE BEING FAT! I AM TIRED ALL THE TIME, AND
HAVE NO ENERGY! I AM PRAYING AND HAVE FAITH WLS IS WHAT IS BEST FOR ME!
GOOD LUCK WITH WHAT EVER YOU DECIDE!
— CYNDI B.
August 18, 2002
Hi CendI think you are wise in pursueing ths wls as I am about your size
and have been most of my adult life. You will eventually have a lot of the
problem the rest of us have . I wish I had know about this when I was your
age. You are so blessed to have this opportunity at your age. Your an ideal
person to have the surgery as its safe for you. Later down the road it
becomes more dangerous for the older ones. I am 57 and am trying to get the
wls. Blessings Sheri Carson
— Sheri C.
August 18, 2002
I just had surgery done with no real comorbs at all. I also have BCBS PPO
and it was very easy to get approved. I am only 10 days out and am doing
well but I had some complications during my surgery. I have been too tired
to update my profile but I have some sort of different "hookup"
now than what I was supposed to have. My surgeon said I will be perfectly
normal. JUst make sure you research everything you can. Right now at this
moment I couldn't recommend this surgery to anyone but I am sure this will
change in a week or two! Good luck.
— TP
August 18, 2002
I didn't have any problems really other than depression. I am 38, 5'3 and
was 314 lbs. I am 3 1/2 months post op and down 67 pounds. I have no
regrets except that I didn't do this 10 years ago!!
— candymom64
August 18, 2002
You know, its an interesting question -- one I've been struggling with. I
am 33, 250#, 5'4", no co-morbids (besides depression) despite the fact
that my weight has fluctuated over 100 pounds three times (with 271 being
my highest weight) and despite the fact that I smoke too much. What was
finally the clincher for me was a feeling that my life is passing me
by...even though I have great friends, go out, and generally feel good
about myself. I'm tired of the roller coaster, tired of being tired. I am
also scared of potential health problems...and this seems to be the only
viable, lasting solution. But only you can decide if this is right. Have
you tried every other option? This is not the easy way out....this is the
hard way out. Best of luck, girl.
— Tamara K.
August 18, 2002
I did not have any comorbidities but at 41, 5'3, 273 pounds it was just a
matter of time before they developed. I feel 100% better since my surgery-
almost 5 month out and and down to 192.5-
— ~~Stacie~~
August 18, 2002
I had a BMI of 48 and no co-morbidies but it was only a matter of time
before I developed them. I am 33 and I wish I had known about WLS 6 years
ago. I had surgery on 4/9/02 and I have lost 75 pounds so far. It has
been a miracle. Would I do it again? Yes a million times over!!!!
— Renee C.
August 18, 2002
I had no co-morbidities but I have a strong family history of heart
disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. I am 5'7" and I had a BMI
of 51 at 5'7" and 328 lbs. My blood pressure was just starting to
creep up. I wanted to have the surgery to prevent the co-morbities that I
knew would happen.
— pokergirl59
August 18, 2002
Kim, all I can do is echo the other posters...I am 33 and had picture
perfect health aside from the weight. However, I had two issues. The
first was that there was a quality to my life that was missing--I wanted to
do things with my kids that I didn't feel that I could easily do. I was
tired of having to choose between work and home as the sole place to expend
what little energy I did have. I wanted to go hiking, biking, camping, and
feel good while doing so. Secondly, I didn't want to
<i><b>develop</i></b> any comorbidities. Not that
there is no such thing as a thin person with diabetes or high blood
pressure or high cholesterol--but I felt that as long as I was heavy I was
living with a stacked deck and why do that to yourself if you have
options.
Results? I had open RNY on April 22 and feel positively magnificent. I
have lost about 70 pounds and bought my first outfit out of the misses
department in 13 or so years. My house stays cleaner, my kids aren't
having to compensate for my lack of energy and there is a sparkle in my
step that I had forgotten I once had.
No one can choose what is right for you but you. You need to do all your
homework and be sure in your decision--it is major surgery. All I'm saying
is that I am very pleased with everything I have seen to this point.
Good luck and blessings to you on your journey...
— Cheryl A.
August 18, 2002
Kim, once again, let me give you the other side. I was 5'4 and 280 pounds
with very few, if any, comorbidities. I wanted to be "normal"
once again. I just knew that life would be better as a thin person. I am
now headed for a reversal tomorrow. I have been sicker than I have ever
been in my life since this surgery. I "developed" morbidities
after the WLS. I am NOT saying that this happens to everyone at all, but
sometimes, here, it's hard to get the other side. Please go to my profile
and read what has happened. It will give you just one more point of view.
Good luck in whatever you decide. Barb Henson
— Barbara H.
August 19, 2002
I really didn't have any co-morbs except infertility (PCO) and some
backaches. No diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea etc. However my
BMI was 54 and had been that high for 10 years. I noticed your BMI is
under 40. Most insurance companies won't pay for WLS with a BMI under 40
without co-morbs. So you might want to check your policy. Unfortunately
that might make the decision for you. WLS is a wonderful tool and I highly
recommend it. The results outweigh the risks. Good Luck on your weight
loss journey. {{{}}}
— LisaTaz
August 19, 2002
I had none, except for the fact was fat. 5'2 and 248. WAY more then 100
pounds overweight. I was approved immediately for surgery.
— Patty H.
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