[knm30554]

The surgeon that I'm working with to have gastic bypass just submitted all of my paperwork to my insurance company for approval. I'm so nervous, anxious, excited and scared. I'm not sure if I'll even get approved, I have bcbs of north carolina.
If I do get approved, part of me will be so excited but there is still a part of me that is scared to have it done.
I'm a single mom and have two little girls who depend on me. Some people have told me that they know people that have had the surgery and afterwards they look like they have AIDS or something. They say they are real sick all the time and look really bad. Does anyone know anybody that has had this experience? Some people tell me that they know people that have had it done and have done great.
I'm really confused and apprehensive.
My mom, who is suppose to be my support person, is also not so sure it's a good idea. She thinks that altering your organs like gastric does is not normal and could cause fatal complications down the road.
Anyone's input would be greatly appreciated.

I really want to have it done because I'm tired of being fat and want to be healthy and beautiful.

[Kenyar]

Hey there. I am a single mom too. I had my surgery on 4/19. I know people who have had the surgery and NONE of them have been sickly etc. The key is to do what your dr tells you. A lot of people get sick because they dont take their vitamins and stay ontop of their protien, or they eat things they arent supposed to too soon. When you decide to move forward with it, it will be explained to you that this is a life long commitment, vitamins, calcium, and protein daily. If you dont stick to it, you can expect problems.
As for support, I had none. I am here alone with my duaghter who is 4. When i got out of the hospital i sent her to the babysitter for 3 days. Since then she has been home with me while i have been out of work. there wasnt much pain for me. i didnt have any complications. and i am sure you will do just fine.
I was NERVOUS when i submitted my paperwork as well. But honestly, I have no regrets. If i had it to do all over again, i would in a heartbeat.

Just think, you are going to be so healthy. Its a great step to take and a HUGE change that requires commitment. Good luck on your journey and if you like feel free to private message or email me with any questions you have.

[butterfly73]

Hello and welcome. I am 3.5 months post op and am glad to say that I have not been really sick at all. As long as you follow the post surgical instructions, you should be fine. I think the way someone recovers has alot to do with their overall health prior to surgery. Me personally, I did not have any real health issues other than a Hiatal hernia and GERD. Also keep in mind everyone's body reacts differently. It is hard to say how a single person will fair. In the long run you are improving your health overall. Sometimes things get worse before they get better. You need to make the decision and not let anyone talk you out of it if weight loss surgery is what YOU really want. I will say that this is not an easy journey, there were days in the beginning that I asked myself why I did what I did. The answer I gave myself was, two reasons; and one is 7 yrs old and the other is 2 yrs old! I did it so my children would have their mother till I was old and gray!

Being over the initial hump now, I don't question why I did it. I think to myself that I would do it all over again in a heart beat! Don't let anyone make you think that WLS is an easy fix and that you are taking the easy way out. Because you aren't. This is one of the hardest things I ever had to do, but it was necessary in my eyes. You will find great information and support thru this forum. I hope you continue to join us here regardless if you have the surgery or not. You always have a friend here!

[fr1endly2]

HI! I am going to be two years out this june 1...I dont look like
i am sick with aids and i am completely healty and can actually
enjoy playing with my 3 kids again! YOUR missing out on so much
with your kids being morbidly obesite.

YES this surgery comes with a risk of complications and problems, I have many friends in the weight loss surgery community and do have friends
that have problems but there still happy and dont regret there choice to have had the surgery. COMPLICATIONs happen and we all go into this with the risk we could be one of the 5 percent or less that have them.

FOR me the risks of death from a heart attack or stroke that i faced daily at my highest weight out weighed the chances for me and i had to do this.
I am very happy with my weight loss and glad i have had it done. SURE its scary and everyone hears about the cases with the complications and dont hear about the people that are living happy lives as a "THIN PERSON"!!!
hugs
and i cant wait to here you have your date and insurance approvals!

[mike]

That is very normal for you to feel that way. I don't think their is one person on this board that hasn't had those feelings, including me pre-op. I just thought of all the good things that could happen to me, getting healthier being the main one, and the fact that I have the chance to be around alot longer for my family with having it done. Being overweight puts alot of stress on the body alone....then factor in the health problems that you have. In the end, the decision is not a hard one to make. It is like anything else though, you have to do it for yourself, and noone else. I don't regret it for a minute, and would do it again. About the AIDS thing. I have been told that many many times by coworkers. The main one is thin herself. Being at an ideal weight, and am very happy with, and I think with many people they have gotten the idea in their own minds what the ideal weight of people should be. Society, as we know, is overall, overweight. So that is what they go by, and when they see someone of normal weight, they think they look sickly. Not true at all. I have learned just to ignore the people that make comments about me at work. One guy never leaves it alone though. I have not lost any weight in months, which is good for me, but he still makes comments daily to me. It is getting very old right now. I really don't know what he cares for. He is almost 70 years old. So, in the end knm, when it happens for you, live it up girl, and don't worry about what other people think, and will say. You will be doing it for yourself, and won't regret it for a moment.
mike

[bren]

I think everyone has felt your way. Of course there are risks and potential complications you just need to figure out which are worse the ones that come with surgery or the ones that come from being fat.
I'm so glad I went with the surgery, I feel great and can almost beleve I'm starting to look good too!

[knm30554]

Thanks for everyones support. I do think the good benefits outweigh the risks. I want to have energy and feel good about myself again. I want to know that I am the healthiest I can be for my children and myself.
Thanks again.

[BreeChick]

I wouldn't be alive today if it wasn't for this surgery. This is a fact! between 18-24 mos out my family was concerned about me as they thought I'd gotten 'too thin' friends & acquaintences in our small town in missouri, well when I went back some of the chicks there would say "you've just taken it too far". What's funny is that the pic I have for my 'after' is not even at my lowest weight! It's from early last summer when I had 'regained' 20 lbs!!

Yes I took it a different direction at that 18-24 mos postop time. The surgery had given me a gift and boy I ran with it! I ran, weight trained, had a Professional body builder trainer who worked with me to take the fire dept test which is one tough booger let me tell ya. I was in the best shape of my life!! I also worked VERY hard to get that small and strong. I ate to support that level of intensity & took all my vitamins.

In my transporting of patients in the past 2 years who have had issues post op and the common theme with 'em is they didn't take their vitamins, one! and decided to just stop eating and for some reason a lot of them had anemia issues so all they did all day long was eat ICE and soup. Not good choices.

I guess what I'm saying is this: the surgery is a gift and it's up to YOU what you do with it. What everyone's said so far is "do what your doc says" good advice there! Make a commitment to stay healthy because the surgery won't do it for you, that's up to YOU

and you know what? YOU CAN DO IT!!! It is totally worth it and the changes happen so quickly that you will wonder in 6 mos time after what you were so worried about!

{{hugs}}
-bree

[DocSanae]

You WILL have bumps and falls. That's a fact. BUT, you can make it or break it, it's up to you to make these bumps and falls not at bad as they could have become, or, make them different bumps and falls. So long as you stick to your surgeon's instructions, and never forget that this is a life long commitment, your bumps and falls will be easy to overcome and control and navigate, and you'll have exeprienced hands helping you with these bumps and falls.
I'm sure you'll do well, and am keeping you in my prayers that your approval come through.

(((((((HUGS)))))) May your journey go well.