Newbie from Chicago

[favoredone 590]

Hey Guys! I am a 36 year old teacher and doctoral student from Chicago.. I have been researching WLS for a few years now. Until recently, I never took the next step to meet w/ a WL specialist and surgeon... I'm in my 2nd month of a 6 month pre-approval process.. I was dead set on the band, even w/ the failure percentage and probability of revision and port problems.. Yesterday, I met w/ my surgeon Dr. Gerald Cahill and he gave a thorough explanation of why I am a prime candidate for the sleeve.... I'm still apprehensive, but upon perusing the board, I'm encouraged by the success stories and the support provided here... I am so SCARED to share this news w/ my family... a little over 7 years ago, my 28 yo cousin died from complications of gastric bypass, because of this they are not very open to WLS...Also, because I am active, confident and successful... my friends and fam don't think I need WLS... I've been losing weight fairly steadily, but I aggravated an old back injury and can't workout like I need to.. and for the past 2 months, I've not be eating properly and essentially sending my body into starvation mode and an imbalance in my blood sugar..... I think I just got disgusted w/ my weight and kind of said.. whatever!!.. I'm much better now and excited to start focusing on me and what I know I need for my life... How did you tell your loved ones?? Or should I wait until after the surgery to tell them???

I'm willing to accept all advice, input, etc.... I'm going to do it...I want my life back!!!!

[Papa Jack 86]

Welcome! There are a lot of great people here ( like me! ) and advice. What happen to your cousin? Sorry for your loss. You will find very few people understand Weight Loss Surgery. Just remember you are doing this for you. You have to live with you. I have been told "dad as much as you like food!" My reply is "Right, as much as I like food. That's why I need this."

So good luck & look forward to your post.

[djpangd 0]

Hello Favoredone,

I am about where you are, two months into the 6 mo. diet. I'm also going for the VSG with Dr. Cahill. I've done my research and have decided that the VSG is the way to go.... but OMGosh telling the family about it was so hard. Saying that 85 % of your stomach will be cut off.....I mean actually saying the words, they looked at me like I'd lost my mind!!! My son is having the hardest time with it and my mother is not that thrilled with the idea either. I can't imagine having that conversation under your circumstances. How tragic for your family to lose your cousin that way!

[AutumnBlueCarmen 4]

So sorry to hear about your cousin!

You have to decide for yourself....but I am not telling my family. Only 3 people know I will be having VSG. My husband who is very supportive and been through all my ups and downs and pains with weight, My BFF of 25 years who had Lap Band and wishes she would have had VSG or Bypass, and a new friend here who I tell everything who was worried about my decision and said she loves me the way I am. I can hear all the disapproval with all my other friends and family and I don't want to hear it. So, that is my decision.

Do what is comfortable for yourself....but you are doing this for you and nobody else. Good luck and hope to see you around and hear all your updates!

((hugs))

[Nancy Rivers 24]

Welcome to the forums! Sorry about your cousin.

Personally, I have not told my family. A few years ago, when a friend of mine had the lap band done, I was casually talking about it with my family and my sister went ballistic and told me to never ever have WLS because it wasn't safe, etc. I reminded her that I wasn't the one having the surgery (at that time), I was just relaying what a FRIEND was doing, but it didn't matter. My parents didn't like the idea either. So, when I decided to have the surgery this year, I never told them. I don't plan to either. When I do see them again and IF they inquire about my weight, I'm just going to tell them that I made lifestyle changes and am not eating as much and have started exercising (which is not a lie). Of course they live in a different state than where I work, so it's going to be a while before I see them again. However, I have told many of my friends from work and all of them have been supportive.

Bottom line, it is your decision who you tell. Only you can make that decision.

[2sweetnsugarland 9]

Welcome to the board!!! I can tell by your name that you know that there is a higher power in control of all we do. :angel: :angel: :angel::pray2: With that said I would tell somone that is truly close to me just so that someone will know what's going on in your life. I understand how your family feels since there was a death associated with WLS but you have to remember that was then and this is now. Our surgery is not as invasive as the by-pass, there is no re-routing of intestines or anything, that's is the main reason why I choose the sleeve. Good luck in your weight loss journey and please keep us posted. Take really good care of yourself! Toodles!

[myrori 55]

Hey Guys! I am a 36 year old teacher and doctoral student from Chicago.. I have been researching WLS for a few years now. Until recently, I never took the next step to meet w/ a WL specialist and surgeon... I'm in my 2nd month of a 6 month pre-approval process.. I was dead set on the band, even w/ the failure percentage and probability of revision and port problems.. Yesterday, I met w/ my surgeon Dr. Gerald Cahill and he gave a thorough explanation of why I am a prime candidate for the sleeve.... I'm still apprehensive, but upon perusing the board, I'm encouraged by the success stories and the support provided here... I am so SCARED to share this news w/ my family... a little over 7 years ago, my 28 yo cousin died from complications of gastric bypass, because of this they are not very open to WLS...Also, because I am active, confident and successful... my friends and fam don't think I need WLS... I've been losing weight fairly steadily, but I aggravated an old back injury and can't workout like I need to.. and for the past 2 months, I've not be eating properly and essentially sending my body into starvation mode and an imbalance in my blood sugar..... I think I just got disgusted w/ my weight and kind of said.. whatever!!.. I'm much better now and excited to start focusing on me and what I know I need for my life... How did you tell your loved ones?? Or should I wait until after the surgery to tell them???

I'm willing to accept all advice, input, etc.... I'm going to do it...I want my life back!!!!

Welcome! I am also from the Chicago area, Elgin area to be specific! Everyone is scared because we view this as something we choose vs something that happens to us and also I think the sub conscious works on us fighting the comfort level we are use to. I too had back problems that were constant for a year before I lost the weight. my s4 and s5 were causing constant pain, I could not even walk around my block with my dogs, then my Dad died of a stroke from High blood pressure and I took a good long hard look at my situation and the fact the 5 bp medications were barely controlling y my blood pressure and it all kinda hit at once in addition to my 24 year old daughter having gastric bypass ( her bravery to have wls really inspired me) and I suddenly just knew it was my time to to this! Despite all the times I tried to *reason* myself out of the surgery, there was a place deep down that knew and felt the surgery was just right for me at this time in my life. My only regret is that I did not do it sooner, ohh the fun I could have in my youth and the better skin I would have had! I have meant with a a couple of folks in the are who had questions and wanted to know more, I would be happy to do the same with you!