and petrified is not an understatement.

Here's my story. I've been "big" my whole life, but it wasn't until I was in my late 20s that I entered the obese/morbidly obese categories. I've had moderate success with Weight Watchers, but haven't been able to maintain. At one point, I was able to get down to 197, but that was short lived. Now I'm 41, 5'6", 274, BMI 45.4, and "pre" everything you can think of.

While I've been contemplating weight loss surgery for some time (and have some excellent role models), it wasn't until last month when I was convinced that I was having a heart attack (really the onset of a migraine) that I decided I needed to talk with my doctor. We both decided that I should pursue weight loss surgery. She referred me to the GWU Bariatric Surgery Center and I got ready for the appointment.

I had it all set in my mind - six months from now I would have gastric band and I would be on my way to the healthier me.

I met with the PA. At the end of the history, she asked what I was considering. I confidently announced - "I've done my research and I want the band." She politely told me that she didn't think that was my best option. I decided to wait to hear from the doctor because she was "just" a PA?!

Dr. Vaziri met with me and talked about everything he had read and heard about me. He told me that I was very healthy and an excellent candidate for weight loss surgery - just not the band. Now this doctor was telling me that I was wrong and he knew more about this than I did! The nerve. He explained that, given my cravings and current body weight, I was a much better candidate for RNY.

Here's the truth - I had wrapped my brain around the band and commited to implement the changes needed to be successful. There's something about the band that makes it seem so minor. And now I'm told that the best thing for me is the one that I perceive to be scary, scary and scary.

I'm going to go forward and I know that I will educate myself over the next 6 months and I'll realize that the doctor is correct, but right now all I can think of is every side effect etc.

Would love to hear from people that were equally as scared and what they've learned to put everything in perspective.

I'm so glad I've found this forum!

and petrified is not an understatement.

Here's my story. I've been "big" my whole life' date=' but it wasn't until I was in my late 20s that I entered the obese/morbidly obese categories. I've had moderate success with Weight Watchers, but haven't been able to maintain. At one point, I was able to get down to 197, but that was short lived. Now I'm 41, 5'6", 274, BMI 45.4, and "pre" everything you can think of.

While I've been contemplating weight loss surgery for some time (and have some excellent role models), it wasn't until last month when I was convinced that I was having a heart attack (really the onset of a migraine) that I decided I needed to talk with my doctor. We both decided that I should pursue weight loss surgery. She referred me to the GWU Bariatric Surgery Center and I got ready for the appointment.

I had it all set in my mind - six months from now I would have gastric band and I would be on my way to the healthier me.

I met with the PA. At the end of the history, she asked what I was considering. I confidently announced - "I've done my research and I want the band." She politely told me that she didn't think that was my best option. I decided to wait to hear from the doctor because she was "just" a PA?!

Dr. Vaziri met with me and talked about everything he had read and heard about me. He told me that I was very healthy and an excellent candidate for weight loss surgery - just not the band. Now this doctor was telling me that I was wrong and he knew more about this than I did! The nerve. He explained that, given my cravings and current body weight, I was a much better candidate for RNY.

Here's the truth - I had wrapped my brain around the band and commited to implement the changes needed to be successful. There's something about the band that makes it seem so minor. And now I'm told that the best thing for me is the one that I perceive to be scary, scary and scary.

I'm going to go forward and I know that I will educate myself over the next 6 months and I'll realize that the doctor is correct, but right now all I can think of is every side effect etc.

Would love to hear from people that were equally as scared and what they've learned to put everything in perspective.

I'm so glad I've found this forum![/quote']

Sheba, the P.A. Is good! ( I may have misspelled her name).

They both require Surg. But the band requires multiple fixes and adjustments, bills, copayment, hospitalizations. Plus being imbedded in the ab wall. Plenty of revisions on this site of band to RnY......

My op w/ Vaziri is on Tuesday.

I chose RnY because I needed faster weight loss and long term restriction due to a neuro health condition I have. If I did not have these things in place, and due to ongoing health probs from that my next level of health prob would be near death or death.

I am scared because of going under. I am scared of anything that calls for possible human error impacting my body. I have bled out twice on the op table and have had bad reactions to anesthesia leading to hospital stays. But I am also scared of dying from my condition and leaving my two children and husband and a life where I have not left my legacy in my personal and business lives.

HW 245; CW pre-op: 229; Surg Date: 2/26/13