What Is (or Was) Holding You Back from Weight Loss Surgery?

[Redsfan19 36]

Right now, what's holding me back MOSTLY is the fear of complications. I'm 31, and while I'm also afraid of the complications of my weight and co-morbidities, I'm really afraid of doing this and suffering from some type of permanent damage to my digestive system or from Vitamin malabsorbtion (even though I fully intend to take Vitamins and supplements RELIGIOUSLY) that I just have to live with for the rest of my life. I am meeting with my potential surgeon this week, and have a HUGE list of questions to ask re: complications, both generally and specifically related to his stats and my particular health issues.

However, I still keep coming back to the fear of what this excess weight, T2 Diabetes, etc, will do to me in 20 years if I DON'T do this.

Edited October 12, 2014 by Redsfan19

[bellabill 253]

I was not sure if it was the best for me. 2004 10 years ago an ortho surgeon suggested I look into bariatric surgery with Dr. Kelly. At the the time there was not many choices to be made back then. Since I have lots of exposure in the Operating room caused more fears. So I held off and many years later I joined the behavior track rather than the surgical track. Still scared but up till now my co-morbities caught up with me that my knees need replacing!! So I now have no choice but to do this surgery so I can do the knee surgery. Been out of work since April. I wished I had this done ten years ago! It would saved me a lot of headaches! I feel more confident now than before cause I know it's more prevalent now than ever before. So now with all this I have a chance to recover and get back on track with my life!

[gowalking 10,790]

I was not sure if it was the best for me. 2004 10 years ago an ortho surgeon suggested I look into bariatric surgery with Dr. Kelly. At the the time there was not many choices to be made back then. Since I have lots of exposure in the Operating room caused more fears. So I held off and many years later I joined the behavior track rather than the surgical track. Still scared but up till now my co-morbities caught up with me that my knees need replacing!! So I now have no choice but to do this surgery so I can do the knee surgery. Been out of work since April. I wished I had this done ten years ago! It would saved me a lot of headaches! I feel more confident now than before cause I know it's more prevalent now than ever before. So now with all this I have a chance to recover and get back on track with my life!

I wish I could give you a crystal ball so you can see how much improved you will be. The best I can do is tell you that I finally gave in and got banded in January of 2013 for the same reason as you...I needed both hips replaced and both knees. I had to lose nearly 70 lbs. before even being considered a candidate for surgery. I lost the weight in six months, had the surgery two months later and now...one year after both hips replaced, I am nearly normal again. Yes, I still have issues but I no longer need a cane or wheelchair assistance. I can walk without needing to sit down every few minutes, I can climb, bend, swim, everything. I can do almost everything I want and I have my life back. I even have avoided replacement of the knees as I've lost more than 140 lbs. and my weight is no longer a stressor on my knees. This can be your future so think of me as your future and know that it is all possible for you. Good luck!

[bellabill 253]

I wish I could give you a crystal ball so you can see how much improved you will be. The best I can do is tell you that I finally gave in and got banded in January of 2013 for the same reason as you...I needed both hips replaced and both knees. I had to lose nearly 70 lbs. before even being considered a candidate for surgery. I lost the weight in six months, had the surgery two months later and now...one year after both hips replaced, I am nearly normal again. Yes, I still have issues but I no longer need a cane or wheelchair assistance. I can walk without needing to sit down every few minutes, I can climb, bend, swim, everything. I can do almost everything I want and I have my life back. I even have avoided replacement of the knees as I've lost more than 140 lbs. and my weight is no longer a stressor on my knees. This can be your future so think of me as your future and know that it is all possible for you. Good luck!

. Thank you for the crystal ball predictions ! Like you, I have degenerative hip disease so that means it will be down the road. If I lose 150 lbs ( half of me) the weight certainly be off the hip joints which mean I may not have worry about that. Also I have disc problem and that too I hope it will be relieved as well. Certainly the knees needs work. It really sucks and so painful ! You know the feeling ! I am excited to go into a new chapter in my life. Thanks again for your feedback. I appreciate it!

[chrispina 18]

A friend died after having a bypass several years ago. It's a type of procedure that they dont even do anymore and she had other health conditions that contributed to her problems, but it still made an impression that won't go away. I'm just finally at the point where i am more afraid of not having the surgery than i am of having it.

[Cupcake 801]

Hi for me it was the side affects, then I realize that if I did not have this surgery the side affects of dying fro my comorbilities out weigh everything, Now I am loving life and the new healthy me and wish i had done it earlier but it was meant for me to have this surgery and I am loving the new me.

[Shadowcub 28]

I have to admit, the potential for lifelong complications from malabsorption of nutrients post-RNY is a concern to me, But the biggest concern I have is that I will find a way, to put the weight back on post-op leaving me all the complications without any of the benefits.

[sue4491 3]

I didn't have weight loss surgery because I have known many folks who regained the weight if they didn't diet and exercise after surgery. But dieting and exercising works to lose and/or keep off weight without surgery. So I chose the latter!

[Miz Z1 52]

I had no idea what options were available or if I qualified or if my insurance would cover any surgery. I have a friend who had bypass surgery and between talking to her and research on my own, I knew surgery was my solution. I had even resolved to self pay if it came to that. Fortunately my insurance agreed to pay for the sleeve surgery even though their site said they would not. I'm a

very lucky person. It's been 3 years and I still think it was

a Miracle and appreciate it every day.

Edited February 1, 2015 by Miz Z1

[mmcgee610 8]

I chose other after finally deciding that diets were not working for me--and this was this was the best way for me to lose weight. It has been the best decision I ever made about my weight and health!!

[preopnurse 3]

I am afraid of all the excess skin and not being able to afford plastic surgery.

[goodnuff 239]

Other: My insurance approved but my manager is dragging his feet about giving me time off work, even though I discussed it with him months ago, due to other employees being out. I'm not eligible for FMLA yet so it doesn't seem like there's anything I can do.

[My Bariatric Life 764]

FEAR

I was afraid of rerouting my anatomy. I was afraid of surgery in and of itself. I waited a very long time to get my gastric bypass. I even cancelled my first surgery. When my fear of dying from obesity and related diseases (diabetes, hypertension, yikes!) became greater than my fear of the surgery, I went under the knife. It saved my life.

Apparently I did not learn my lesson about letting fear hold me back. Karma has a way of coming back to us! I was forced to face my fear of surgery again. I really wanted plastic surgery. My dream was to have Dr. JF Capella do my body contouring. I was so thrilled when I finally had the appointment with him in 2007. I began saving money. And when I had enough saved for my surgery... I did not go through with it. I kept saving money, though. I saved for so long that I had twice what I needed. Still I did not get my surgery. FEAR!

Finally in 2013 a set of synchronicities happened and finally I had my plastic surgery. In some ways it was the best thing I have ever done for myself. After that I vowed to never let fear hold me back again. And I have been living into that promise, living life fully and doing things I never would have done before because I'd let fear hold me back. Its been freeing.

Edited February 24, 2015 by My Bariatric Life

[NekayLaw 4]

I was in law school trying to lose on my own.. Which if anyone knows the stress with law school it didnt work. So now im on a year vacation from school and working at a place that has good insurance. Having it with kaiser is easier because the requirements are simple. So now im able to actually take the time to get it done.

[2twinkle 86]

My main insurance has been IHS, who also employs my primary doctor who was not supportive.

I wish I could have done this years ago, when I knew I needed help. With my new job, I got a better insurance company (Blue Cross Blue Shield, gov) which paid most of my surgery and is very supportive with my aftercare. They are paying for my gym, and host some online coaching programs I use.

Oh, yes, I also found a new primary care provider who is supportive. My diabetes was getting worse, and all my other health issues could be tracked back to my 54 BMI. Once I knew the insurance would cover it, I decided to go forward, and let nothing stand in my way.