I think I grew feathers and a beak because I just called and canceled my appointment with the doctor for tomorrow I read a couple horror stories and everything is just so life or death that I can't calm my anxieties enough to go to my appointment. I'm afraid I may be stuck in this fat suit forever

I am 52, 260 lbs and afraid to have the surgery. But I am also afraid to NOT have the surgery. Life is short. So trite, I know. 52 sounds like a long time, huh? It's not! I have friends in their 70s more active than I am. Being older doesn't have to mean being old and I fear a sad, sedentary future if I don't have the surgery. What I mean for all of us is, we can skip the surgery, stay obese, have all that sickness that goes with obesity, which only get worse the more we age, OR, we can take the chance on the surgery and live lighter, healthier, more active lives with our loved ones for whatever time we have left on the planet! The chances of complications to surgery are less when you compare it to future complications from obesity.

Good luck to all of us.

You can't do this until you are ready. Seriously...it's a huge commitment. BUT - a doctor's appointment isn't a commitment to surgery - it's just taking one step - and you can do one step. Get information, ensure you trust the surgeon and his/her team, talk to a dietician, research the procedure, etc. Just take it one step at a time and if the doors are to open, they will. Do this for you!

COURAGE IS BEING SCARED TO DEATH, BUT SADDLING UP ANYWAY! (John Wayne).

I ended up with 3 clots now and am on Coumadin and lovanox. I still am glad I had the surgery. I was unlucky but, when my clots resolve I will be thin and healthy. No one can make you ok with having surgery if your terrified. what we can do is support each other let you know from our experiences. My advice research research research. Make a list of every question and ask your surgeon. Every surgery has risks, some of us did get stuck with complications For me obesity has more long term risks that the sleeve surgery. For every me and iggy there are 100 everything is awesome posts. Honestly trying to choke down protein shakes and getting my liquid in is more of a hardship than the clots are at this point. Hope you make the best decision for you based on knowledge not fear. Regardless what you decide to do be comfortable with your decision.

(Ctrl/Cmd+V)

Nicci, I'm so glad you re-scheduled your appointment. I read the responses to your post and was amazed at the support you recieved! I just joined this website last night and must say this is great!

Good luck on your journey and I hope to watch your progress!

Yael770

For myself, i look at why I'm on this forum in the first place. Faliure at dieting is why I'm here. Things will never change for me unless I try something different. As far as the friends go, if you lose them they were never your friends to begin with. I would rather find out now. I'm just looking for quality of life. You can get terrified when reading on here as well as encouraged. If you get too scared then wait : ) The surgery isn't going to disappear and will be here when you are ready and if you are ready. Could be this isn't the choice for you. I hope it all works out for the best for you Nicci. MY surgery day is Nov. 9th and Iwill be posting my surgery story as it unfolds. I guess the most important thing I would like to pass along is that food is KILLING us. Its just a slower death .

one day at a time... just do it!!!!

My hubby did not want me to do it because of the risks... then I showed him that the top 5 reasons for death for women are ALL caused by obesity... I was more at risk for dying while walking to get the mail than to have this surgery.

I am now off pre-diabetes medication and my blood pressure medication... I am also jogging my FIRST ever 5K on October 27th... I never would have thought that this was possible... I only had surgery 8 weeks ago... Went to my first appointment on July 18, then ran through all of the appointements and had surgery on August 9....

I have only one regret... I am 41, wish I had done this ten years prior....

one day at a time... just do it!!!!

My hubby did not want me to do it because of the risks... then I showed him that the top 5 reasons for death for women are ALL caused by obesity... I was more at risk for dying while walking to get the mail than to have this surgery.

I am now off pre-diabetes medication and my blood pressure medication... I am also jogging my FIRST ever 5K on October 27th... I never would have thought that this was possible... I only had surgery 8 weeks ago... Went to my first appointment on July 18, then ran through all of the appointements and had surgery on August 9....

I have only one regret... I am 41, wish I had done this ten years prior....

Nicci I would like to chime in...

I started researching, went to OH, then found this site. I became so overwhelmed by negative posts and even the ones that will have you thinking twice about surgery, I left for awhile. It was time to step back and think about my decision without all of the outside influences.

When something is before you constantly, one can't help to be affected by it.

If someone's experience is not the best and you believe that this particular procedure may not be the best option, there are at least 2 others that may suit you better, right? If the end result is losing weight, being healthy and looking fly (lol), AND surgical intervention is the choice to get it done, don't stop...refocus and get back to it.

You have done that, but if it becomes too much, step back and focus on you and how your life will become whether by surgical intervention or conventional methods. You will be a healthier you, living life as you should.

Just make sure if you go ahead with the sleeve that you are comfortable and able to have a second operation, a DS or Bypass. The reason is due to the Ghrelin hormone being removed by the sleeve procedure which causes u tool have no sense of hunger, however our bodie adapt and the Grehlin comes back which means you will feel hunger again. For me it was the 2 year mark, started to feel so hungry and sure enough my Grehlin levels when tested were back in the normal range. Now, I'm looking at another procedure

You did not chicken out. You need to make that you're mentally ready and that you do your own research on all WLS procedures, like I wish I did.

I am glad that you rescheduled your appointment just to talk. You are still not committing yourself, but you are getting informed, and that is the best starting place. If you decide not to get the sleeve, at least you know you have done your research.

I was 31 when I got my surgery. I also had ZERO healthy issues. My cholesterol was low, my blood pressure was low, my blood sugar was normal, other than being overweight, I was normal. However, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and heart problems ALL run in my family. I knew it was just a matter of time before it would probably happen to me. My mom was in her thirties when she developed high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. I didn't want to wait until I already had problems, I wanted to prevent them. I had 2 very young children (14 months and 3 yrs) when I went to have the surgery done. I was scared leaving them, what if I didn't some back...but deep down I knew this was the right thing to do. I have not regretted it for a moment since I had it done almost 2 years ago. I am healthy, and, for the first time in my life, I am happy with myself. Yes, I also got it done not only for my health, but also for my self-esteem. I wanted to look better too. I didn't want to be stared at and made fun of walking down the street. I wanted to shop in normal stores, I wanted to feel normal.

Like others have said, continue to research. Read all the positive stories on here too. All the NSV's. Of course there are risks and complications, and despite them being very low, they can happen. So you have to go into this with open eyes. Whatever decision you decided to make, just make sure it is the right one for you. Best of luck!

I think I grew feathers and a beak because I just called and canceled my appointment with the doctor for tomorrow <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> I read a couple horror stories and everything is just so life or death that I can't calm my anxieties enough to go to my appointment. I'm afraid I may be stuck in this fat suit forever <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/mellow.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

I'm so glad you posted this. I'm waiting on the insurance company but after reading post op stories started to think about backing out. But I don't want to keep living this way either. I am going forward, but well-informed and fully aware of the challenges ahead. Thanks everyone!

It seems so much more dangerous to makes decision then just let things ride, doesn't it? Try phrasing it this way instead, "I've done the research and looked into the side effects of obesity and remaining the size I currently am or continuing to get larger and decided that its the safest option long term"

Everything is a decision, choosing to stay on the course your on is not "not making a decision" it is also a choice. I understand why you're scared, I'm scared, and last week I read some of the really bad horror stories and couldn't sleep, literally, so the next day I went to my dr, and asked him about all the horror stories. It helped.

Do that before you make the decision to stay obese.

In fact, I'm following another sleever on the site named Iggy. She's had a horrible time. Her posts helped me in chickening out.

I have been following that very same post! Thats the one that made me "re-think" what I was getting myself in to as well.

Just make sure if you go ahead with the sleeve that you are comfortable and able to have a second operation, a DS or Bypass. The reason is due to the Ghrelin hormone being removed by the sleeve procedure which causes u tool have no sense of hunger, however our bodie adapt and the Grehlin comes back which means you will feel hunger again. For me it was the 2 year mark, started to feel so hungry and sure enough my Grehlin levels when tested were back in the normal range. Now, I'm looking at another procedure

Wow I wasn't aware that the hormones for hunger would/could potentially come back! Huh....I know I don't want multiple procedures (I hate the idea of going under for any reason, but I can buck up when I have to).