tomd74

Do doctors discuss bougie size with you or do they each have a certain size they prefer to use ? Or, put another way, do they allow the patient to be involved in deciding how small or large to make the “new stomach”?

Six years ago I went through all the steps towards WLS. The day before my surgery I cancelled it. I was afraid. I was thinking that I’m crazy to let someone remove most of stomach. I thought “yeah I’m a big dude but I’m not THAT big”. (I’m “only” 300 pounds). Well six years later, I weigh the same, still on BP meds, sleep apnea etc. I’m so nervous about doing the process again but then cancelling again out of fear. Any advice on taking the final plunge? Any advice on how to get through those final hours or days or minutes before surgery?

I am considering WLS. I weigh “only” 300 lbs- thought of as a “big guy” by most people but not necessarily “morbidly obese”. My kids are 12, 15 and 17. I’m worried that if I tell them the truth they will either think I’m crazy for having most of my stomach removed or weak because I can’t lose weight without surgery. I feel like they will feel this while at the same time saying to me “you’re not that big”. So what did you tell your teenagers when you made the decision?

Thank you all for your responses! Very helpful. Sorta still scares me because I think I would look sick and unhealthy if I weighed less than 200. When I graduated HS ((I’m 47 yo now) I was 215 and the picture of strength and athletic and good health (I’m wide shouldered and big boned). Thank you for your responses.

I’m about 6’ tall and weigh 300lbs. I’ve always been a big guy and I wonder if I’m “big enough” to consider the sleeve. Also worried about becoming “too skinny”. Was wondering how similar sized guys did after the surgery ?