Hello all! I'm new to this so I thought I would join the forum and seek some sound advice from people who can relate. I am 34yrs old, 5'8", 274lbs. This is the biggest I have been in my entire life. I have always been overweight, but never morbidly obese, which I am now classified as. I am currently dealing hypertension, sleep apnea, and joint pain(knees). Things I had never experienced before. I've tried to lose weight in the past, diet, exercise, with some great success in 2006 with a whopping 83lbs loss. But that was a fluke I believe, because I gained it all back and them some. I have recently gone through all the steps necessary for my insurance company to pay in full for my surgery(gastric sleeve). But after some reading, I find myself apprehensive, and extremely nervous. I know nothing in life is without risk, but I truly don't know what to do. Any advice would greatly be appreciated.

I was in the same boat with being apprehensive. I think that's natural. I debated for years about the surgery before I was just too fed up with being overweight. My insurance required 6 months of classes, specialist appointments, nutritionist appts, weight loss, support group meetings, and crazy amounts of blood work before I could even submit to insurance. Luckily I got cleared but the whole process ended up taking 8 months from start to surgery day.

So far, the worst part of the entire process was the classes because the instructor seemed to talk about the worst case scenarios as if they will most definitely happen to ever person in the room. Most of it was to scare away the people who weren't serious about the life change. So I didn't really pay much attention to it other than the important stuff.

I'm 9 days out of sleeve surgery and since the starting day of the process I'm down nearly 20lbs If you've made it as far as you have- stick with it. It'll be worth it. The statistics of complications are super low if you're going to a credible surgeon. Most people won't have any complications.

Edited July 8, 201511 yr by Serendipity517

I appreciate your feedback.

What would you say has been the most difficult part?

Agree with @@Serendipity517, the complication rate is very low. If you are serious about losing and realize that the surgery is just a tool and that you will also have to eat differently and exercise then you will do great. Ask plenty of questions of your team so that you are comfortable with the process and what to expect. Know what the eating plan is for after surgery and what support you will have. Knowledge is power!

Nothing wrong with being a little nervous, it IS surgery and nothing wrong with having a healthy respect for that.

Good luck and keep us posted!!

Good Luck! You can do this and will be happy you did! For me, the hardest part was feeling like I was so knowledgeable and then getting home and feeling like I knew nothing! And sometimes my food creativity is pretty boring making eating not fun. Use this forum and your doctors. They will help you through it al!! ????

Feeling nervous is perfectly normal - this is a huge decision and one you shouldn't take lightly. I think I changed my mind 100 times before surgery and almost backed out on the morning of the surgery.

I'm now 18 months out and here's my honest advice - do not let fear win. If you do your research and you make the decision to go thru with the surgery, commit to it, read everything you can about it, change your habits and go thru with it. It was the best decision of my life and the only regret I have it not doing it sooner.

Since my surgery, I have regained my life back. I have a closer relationship with my husband and son. I'm a better wife, mom, daughter, sister, aunt and employee. I was moved to tears the day my son and I jogged together and he said, "I'm glad you had the surgery so we can do stuff like this". We zip lined, went whitewater rafting and I hiked down the side of a 5000 foot mountain for 8 miles - that was all in the past two weeks. I wouldn't have dreamed of doing that two years ago. I got a promotion at work - I don't think directly because I lost weight, but because I have gained confidence in myself and I carry myself differently. I am not embarrassed for my husband or son to introduce me. I look people in the eye when I speak to them and I really speak to people now - something I wouldn't do at 256 pounds.

Was it all sunshine and lollipops - NO. This is hard work and you will have good days and crappy days. You will be upset when the scale doesn't move as quickly as you want it to. There will be bumps in the road. But you will persevere if you are committed.

Best of luck to you!

Very inspiring McButterpants. I really appreciate you sharing. I can relate to your story on almost every level.

Huskybrotha hello and welcome!

I get where your coming from. I'm nervous myself...BUT...I'm scheduled for surgery next Tuesday.

Read the good and some of the bad too. I enjoy watching YT vids of people who've had the sleeve. Seeing their faces and how they are day out of surgery until a year or so out before they go on about their lives is cool and calming for me.

Good luck with your decision! Keep us posted.