Babysteppin

Haven't had the surgery yet, but I can sympathize with what reflux is all about. I know that propping your pillows up a little more at night can sometimes help. My doctor said it's actually best if you can prop the head of your bed up by a few inches...but I've never been able to figure out how to do that! lol

Never say never, right!

I spent the next few years saying it was too drastric, I could never alter my body like that, yada yada...

Guess what, if stretching my body to the size of two people isn't alteration I don't what is.

Wow, looking at it this way makes a lot of sense. I'm pre-surgery, and one of my "anti-surgery mantras" has been the idea that it might be altering my body in too drastic of a way. But I never thought about the fact that what I'm currently doing to my body is pretty darn drastic in and of itself. Thanks for the fresh perspective

I'm enrolled at Mt. Auburn too...but still pre-surgery, so I'm wondering the same thing. So far I haven't found anyone on the forums who's had surgery through them. It's so hard to know if you're picking the right place. I mean, it's not like buying a car where you get to take a 'test drive' first! But when thinking of the aftercare, support groups, and follow up appointments...Mt. Auburn would be more conveniently located for me, and it'd make me more likely to keep going back (as opposed to going into the city). Just a thought. Not much help from me, but in any case it looks like we're in the same boat

Jasleeve - I'm sorry that the procedure & recovery time was such an ordeal (to say the least!). I am glad you are doing much better now, and feeling well. I really appreciate you sharing your story, because it's helping to me learn about some of the potential complications that could happen. I'm totally a pro's & con's list maker when it comes to making big decisions....so thank you for your perspective!!

omg...WHAT is going to happen with Deb?? I've been waiting months to find out!! lol

Thank you SO much everyone. I wasn't sure if anyone would respond...but you are all so wonderful It is reassuring to notice in your replies that the positive things seem to be outweighing the negative. And I also really appreciate your honesty about some of the 'not-so-flowery' things too I'm learning from doctors, and now you guys - that it really is a total 180-degree lifestyle change, and that the surgery is a physical tool to help support you in some of those changes. The rest would be up to ME, I guess! At one point in my life I managed to lose 165lbs through diet and exercise...but man, it feels virtually impossible to do that all over again...let alone maintain it without the help of WLS.

I'm seeing a Psychiatrist for the initial evaluation in a couple of weeks, and then going to an all day "Immersion Day" program at the hospital, where I'll be inundated with information. I've been considering WLS for over a year now, so I hope I'll be closer to a decision after going through these appointments. Besides the physical adjustments to surgery itself, I think one of my biggest fears is the 'mourning of food', like someone here mentioned. Sounds silly, but I realize that food and I have been having a lifelong love affair! Man, what a nasty divorce it might be...hehe. But one way or another, it needs to happen. Thanks again for all your support

Hi everyone,

Well, I'm a newbie to the group...A super-newbie, really - since I'm still trying to decide whether to take the plunge into WLS or not. I swear...the more research I do, the more confused I get! It's good to research all the 'facts and statistics', but I feel there is still such a huge 'uknown' to it all. I hate 'unknowns'!! I know every person's experience is different...and I also know there's no way for me to predict exactly how my body & mind will handle the sleeve before going ahead with it. (Sure would make this decision easier, if I could though!) Anywhoo...I was thinking it might help to hear from those who've had the surgery. My biggest question is the whole, "If I knew then what I know now" deal. If you could do it all over again....would you? I totally welcome any responses...the good...the bad...or the ugly Thanks in advance. This seems like a really great forum for support.