Lately, I have been feeling sooo on the fence about wls

[pink pixel 9]

I don't know why, but after researching bariatric surgery for a while now and starting the process of getting a gastric sleeve, I find myself wondering what the heck I'm doing. I don't know why I'm having these doubts. On top of my co morbidities, I am at my highest weight ever, I have constant back pain whether I stand, sit or lay down, and I'm experiencing the worst heartburn that I have ever had in my life. I recently have gone up another pant size which I swore I would never do. Yet, here I am finding myself looking up diets again to see if I can finally stick with one that will help me to lose all of this weight. I'm almost 80 lbs over weight which probably wouldn't be so bad if I wasn't so short. (4'11")

Despite all of that, I've been asking myself why am I considering cutting off a large portion of my stomach, when the problem is not my stomach. The problem is my poor food choices. What if this surgery leads to complications to my health and/or constant revisions? I know in my head that obesity is just as much a threat to my health so why am I on the fence?

Has anyone else felt this way before surgery? Has anyone gone through wls not knowing 100 percent that this is the answer?

[hesterc 5]

I am going through that exact same emotions, and from the people I know that has had the surgery said they went through it too. I know one things for sure for me, I have been over weight far too long, my blood pressure high, back pain and knee pain. I am 100 pounds overweight and I haven't been able to get the weight off let alone keep it off. I am going through with it. Lol I am going to pray and keep pushing

[vbrewer82 11]

I am feeling the same here...... I keep reminding myself just like you that my weight doesn't offer me much of a future. At this point, I am starting to feel like my weight has consumed my life and to me, this is no living life. I constantly remind myself I want to run and play with my kids and enjoy their life with them and not just watch them enjoy life. This is what is keeping me off the fence and the reminder the pros out weight the cons for me. I wish you the best of luck!

[thabenski 14]

You are not alone in feeling this way. I decided less than a month ago to have the surgery and now I am having it performed in April. I keep asking myself if I have rushed into this too quickly. Then I remember that I am doing this for a better future. The thing to remember is that this surgery has the potential to improve your life. Sometimes you just have to take a chance.

[Cindi_Augustine 99]

Studies show that losing weight is far more complicated than we ever thought. I tried for 40 years to lose the extra weight, but only got heavier. WLS was the re-set I needed to have a fresh start at a healthy lifestyle.

Poor food choices IS the main cause of obesity, and yes, if you don't address it you'll undo all the good work the surgery did. My recommendation is to see the surgery as part of the strategy. Education, nutrition, therapy, and setting lifestyle goals are equally important.

Without the surgery you might be able to lose the weight if you employ those other factors but it'll be harder and take longer, meaning there is a better chance you'll give up and fail. You've probably experienced that already. I can't tell you if it's right for you but I can tell you that surgery succeeded for me (and several of my friends) where 40 years of going it alone failed.

It's okay to have second thoughts. It's also okay to talk to a certified person to help you through this. Best of luck!

[GrrlAnn 177]

This video really helped me with the decision. It's from a surgeon in Michigan. It goes into some of the myths about being able to lose the weight yourself vs. bariatric surgery. I hope it helps!

[Berry78 4,259]

As soon as I hear heartburn, I think RNY bypass. Your surgeon will probably say the same thing, or at least bring it up.

While you are researching, take a gander at the bypass.

Even if you go with the sleeve, it is possible you will convert later. Not 100%, but possible.

[pink pixel 9]

Thanks for all of your comments. Each of you made very good points about dieting and convincing arguments regarding the surgery. Most of those points are the reasons why I even considered wls in the first place. I'm just so anxious because this is such a big step and I need to make absolutely sure that the pros outweigh the potential cons and that I can live with my choice without regret.

Berry78, I have researched RNY and ruled it out because of the malabsorptive aspect of the surgery. The terrible heartburn is something that I have only experienced recently in the past week and a half. I just discovered that I'm fine as long as I don't eat or drink anything at least three or four hours before I sleep or else I'm pacing the floor half the night. I will definitely discuss this with the bariatric surgeon if I decide to go forward.

GrrlAnn, thanks for the video. I have seen Dr.Weiner's other videos but somehow missed that one. It is very informative.

You have all given me things to consider and take to prayer. I appreciate your comments and good thoughts. God bless you all.

Edited February 16, 2017 by pink pixel
I tried to figure out why a word in my post came out underlined without clicking the underline button. I still don't know why that happened. LOL