I Come From Alabama

[Dragon64 142]

New Guy introduction; My Name is Johnnie, and I hail from North Alabama. I have just begun research into bariatric surgery, specifically Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. First off I will say, that I have support from most family members, friends, some co-workers, and of course the the 3 or 4 who have had some form of bariatric surgery. There are a few, my wife included, who really REALLY want me to seek alternatives to surgery, but they expressed they would support my decision either way.

Instead of giving a list of what ails me, we'll start with recent events since July 2017; Late in July I was diagnosed with multiple pulmonary emboli (blood clots in the lungs). Save to say, I was staring death in the face (at the time, I weighed 298lbs). As a direct result of the blood clot situation, I made lots of new friends last year; a pulmonologist, and cardiologist, and a hematologist to name a few. All of the Dr's said to lose the weight to help elevate further issues. Nevertheless, I will remain on blood thinners for another year (Xeralto to be exact). In November I was cleared of the blood clots that I was hospitalized for back in July, a CT scan confirmed this. I had also gained 7lbs, now sitting at 305. In January of 2018, I met with my hematologist, and this found me at an astonishing weight of 320!! The hematologist told me that had I gained 10lbs in a year, he would have been concerned, but in fact, I had gained 22lbs in 5 months. He also expressed concerns about the edema in my lower legs (swelling). We talked about how there is this little 165lb man deep inside of me who is screaming to get out, and no one can hear him... His next comment set me back, he said; "maybe you should consider weight loss surgery..." After me telling him I did not want to re-arrange my guts, he recommended the lap band... No thank you, my sister has the lap band, and it has made her dangerously anorexic.

So I mull over the idea of some form of weight loss surgery for a couple weeks, including attending a WLS seminar, and talking with friends and co-workers who have had the surgery(s). I decided I would take matters into my own hands, as I decided that surgery was not for me! To start things off on the right foot, I would set up a wellness visit with my family doctor and begin a journey of losing weight the "normal way". Well, this past Monday, Feb 12, 2018 I met with my doctor, but not before I find that I am now tipping the scales at 325lbs!!! I am devastated to say the least, and to add to that, the doctor basically handed me a pamphlet to a weight loss center and said good luck!

All this to say, that I have an appointment with Alabama Bariatrics on the 23rd of this month (Feb 2018), to consult with a surgeon. The surgeon who has performed a gastric by-pass procedure on my mother (10-years ago) and lap band surgery on my sister (8-years ago). Incidentally, I come family line of heavy hitters.

I am scared to death of the surgery, as it is not reversible, but I am more afraid of dying... And worst of all, just writing this I am mourning foods that I may never ever get to eat again... my brain is my own worst enemy.

For what it is worth, I take ownership of everything, there is no one to blame but myself...

Here is my intro pic, I am not sleepy or un-happy... I am un-healthy at 325ilbs

[LaLaDee 519]

Welcome! What an introduction! It sounds like you need to make a change and you need to find the right path.

i too struggled with the fact that the sleeve is non-reversible. But at the end of the day, why would you want to reverse it?

surgery is scary but so is dealing with your diagnosis. Get as much advice as you can and holler out on the forum if you have any questions!

[Dragon64 142]

Thank you for the welcome and comments LaLaDee... the intro was, even though I cut out the usual ailments that I have suffered for years...

Surgery in and of itself does not scare me, just the remoavl of a perfectly good organ scares me. But my high blood pressure; edema of the lower legs; joint pain; mobility issues; and severe sleep apnea tend to scare me more than the sleeve. The blood clotting was straw.

I see Dr Foreman this coming Friday, and if everything falls into place, I could get surgery as soon as August of this year... that is a good kind of scary.

[kakatlady612 1,053]

Johnnie welcome. A very precious name to me as,it was my late husband's. Son, you have been through the mill, haven't you? I share many comorbities with you but then I'm many years older., Old enough to be your granny or even great- granny. I was 72 the 26th of last December, live smack dab in the middle,of Ohio, mother of 3- 2 living, grandma to 2 beautiful young ladies, 22 and 20 1/2. Younger one is a Sophomore at Ohio State studying to become a forensic pathologist , older one had been married for 2 years, came running back home to her parents, tail between her legs and is in the process of getting a divorce. No great grandbabies there, praise the Lord. That would only made the situation worse, wouldn't it?

A little more about me, I should have a RnY early-mid March at Mount Carmel in Columbus Ohio. As the late Tennessee Ernie Ford used to say "Lord willin' and the creek don't rise"! I'm widowed, have been for nigh onto 6 years, will be 6 the 4th of July. My main emotional support is my son, I call him TK or Tomkitten on here but his real 1st name is Bryan. His sister R.D. short for Rotten Daughter lives maybe 7/8 miles away, I see her only when she wants to or when she wants something from me. Not my idea, hers. When she came into this world both grandmothers set out to spoil her,,they competed to see who could shower her with the most gifts. She is now 49 years old feels God asks her permission before the sun comes up,each and every day. So she lives her life and i guess I live mine. Tried to tell her a couple of a months ago i was planning surgery, didn't make no never mind, proceeded to tell me how her left knee hasn't been real right since it was replaced last Fall. Might as well saved my breath.,

I can offer you friendship, emotional support along your weight loss journey, won't be easy but it will be worth it. If it wasn't I wouldn't be able to do it myself. I think you are not gonna get better without surgical help, and at your age a sleeve would probably be best. You're not gonna be the easiest patient Dr Foreman has ever had, will have to get your situation as stable as possible but I bet he can do it. Hey any time you need to crawl upon my virtual lap, I'm always here.

Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

[Dragon64 142]

KaKatlady612, thank you for your reply and support, it will be very much appreciated. I figure that if I am comfortable with my doctor, and he is confident I can handle the surgery, I could get on schedule by August or September, based on insurance requirements.