Hi

My name is Amber, I am 35 years old and a mom to two great boys who are 14 and 11. I am down to getting the authorization for surgery from my insurance and I am scared to death. I have battled weight all of my life and have never kept my weight off. I know I need this and I know it is what could save my life but what if it also the one thing that could take it? Any advice or motivation would be great! Thank you!

Thank you everyone for your advice and encouragement! That means a lot to me! I would love for this to be an easy choice to make but it isn't! I know I need the help but the hard part for me is I keep questioning it because I am scared and I don't have a lot of health issues except for sleep apnea. I also know though that if I don't do something soon I will have more issues than this! I hope that by meeting people on hear and talking with people that are going through this same process I will start to feel more at ease and confident with my decision.

I am scared too Amber. My kids are 4,6&7and leaving them is my biggest fear but I know that I am taking that chance by staying heavy. I know what you mean by few health problems last year when I first considered WLS I only had Sleep Apnea.This year I have Sleep Apnea,Hypertension and Hypothyroidism...My weight is the same as it was last year the only thing that has changed is I am a year older I am 32 yrs old 5'2 and 225 lbs.

Completely know what you're going through. I started this process so long ago and hit so many walls that i felt like though i was pursuing it, it wouldnt ever happen. Well i got my surgery date last week and now i am very nervous and anxious.

Thank you for the response it is nice to hear from people who either have already gone through the process or are still going through it! I keep praying I can get brave and do this!

Thanks, Amber

I am scared too Amber. My kids are 4,6&7and leaving them is my biggest fear but I know that I am taking that chance by staying heavy. I know what you mean by few health problems last year when I first considered WLS I only had sleep Apnea.This year I have Sleep Apnea,Hypertension and Hypothyroidism...My weight is the same as it was last year the only thing that has changed is I am a year older I am 32 yrs old 5'2 and 225 lbs.

Thank you for the response it is nice to hear from people who either have already gone through the process or are still going through it! I keep praying I can get brave and do this!

Completely know what you're going through. I started this process so long ago and hit so many walls that i felt like though i was pursuing it, it wouldnt ever happen. Well i got my surgery date last week and now i am very nervous and anxious.

Thank you, it's nice to hear from someone who knows what it is like to go through all of this!

Amber.. I can totally relate.. My surgery is on Monday.. I am getting a serious case of cold feet... I have the same fears as you.. My twins are 18 months.. And I am so worried about the surgery.. Not the pain and recovery.. But I know I need this.. I have been way over 200 pounds for 10 years.. I am miserable, and I feel like I have fought so hard to lose in my 30's.. And I am heavier.. So, what makes mr think I will be able to divot in my 40's.. Which is right around the corner.. I feel your anxiety.. I am living it too.. Thinking of you as you make your decision.. All the best to you..

Thank you for your response! I am sure you have got to be so nervous with it being so close! I can't imagine! I hope I can get to that point and be brave like you and go through with it! Thank you again and I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers!

I have 3 kids, my son has autism, and my youngest will be 12 months old when I go in for surgery. I worry about the possibility of dying also but I have to do this for me. My kids deserve a healthy mom who has energy and wants to go out and do outdoor activities with them. I'm dreading the recovery but I know that this is something that I have to do for me.

You are right kids do deserve a healthy mom, I guess thats why it makes it so hard because I want to be healthy for my kids but I also want to be around for them! I just wish this could be easy and I could be brave!

Hi! I also know how you feel. I am 35 yrs young with a 4yr old and a 10 month old. I was so nervous but knew that it was for the best to have the surgery. I am 2 weeks post op and am doing very good. I want to be there for my girls and with this surgery i know that i will be able to keep up with them and have an active life. All surgeries are scary, but just know that in the long run it will benefit both you and your children by being a health mommy.

I'm glad you are doing good!! I hope someday I can be where you are and put this behind me and start a healthier life!

I agree with all the above... the overall situation is the only way to "survive life" at this stage, is for the surgery to be done... all have risks... but, if you are anything like me, right now I cannot do anything! I feel like a total BLOB, and with my arthritis, can't do a thing...seriously... so this is the only thing that will help me... and tho I am scared a bit of the surgery, I know the overall benefit is SO worth it!

Thanks for your positive thoughts!

I was the exact same! I am 29 and have a 4 year old. I cried for about a week over this. My surgeon asked me about being nervous... i told him not about the pain or nausea... I'm just worried about waking up. I told him if he just got me through surgery I could handle the recovery. I am a nurse and have worked in surgery. I know how rare death during a surgery like this is. But most mothers go through this. I am almost 4 weeks post op and laugh at myself for how I acted. I am sooo glad I did this.

I am glad you are doing so good! I hope I can be there soon! Now if I can just get brave!

Amber177, this is just my opinion but don't over think it, if this is a decision you make for your health and for your children, then just trust your decision. If you sit and think about it to much it will drive you crazy and you will consider canceling the surgery, please don't do that! This surgery is awesome, it saved my life, I was sleeved on June 18, 2012 and I'm down 75 lbs already. You are a smart strong woman and you are going to make it thru this!

Hi there, I'm about a month away from 'the sleeve'...I have 4 year old triplets and am a soon to b divorcee ...so yea worried to death about what my kids would do without me. They need there daddy!!! Good luck on whatever u decide and hopefully see you on the losers bench soon...

Hi there, I'm about a month away from 'the sleeve'...I have 4 year old triplets and am a soon to b divorcee ...so yea worried to death about what my kids would do without me. They need there daddy!!! Good luck on whatever u decide and hopefully see you on the losers bench soon...

Amber it is so very hard and I feel for you. I have surgery tomorrow and that is the thought going through my head. I am a single parent to a six year old daughter - no father as she is adopted. However I went through legalzoom.com to set up a will and guardianship just in case. But again the risks are so small. Hang in there, you're doing the right thing for your kids.

Amber177, this is just my opinion but don't over think it, if this is a decision you make for your health and for your children, then just trust your decision. If you sit and think about it to much it will drive you crazy and you will consider canceling the surgery, please don't do that! This surgery is awesome, it saved my life, I was sleeved on June 18, 2012 and I'm down 75 lbs already. You are a smart strong woman and you are going to make it thru this!

Ohhh,,,,,,thank you so much! It is nice to hear such positive advice on here! I know I need to stick with this and go through with it! That is amazing you have lost that much in such a short amount of time! You should be proud of yourself! Thank you again!

Amber it is so very hard and I feel for you. I have surgery tomorrow and that is the thought going through my head. I am a single parent to a six year old daughter - no father as she is adopted. However I went through legalzoom.com to set up a will and guardianship just in case. But again the risks are so small. Hang in there, you're doing the right thing for your kids.

Thank you for your thoughts! Your daughter is beautiful! You like like a proud mama! I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers that your surgery and recovery go great! Thanks again!