[knm30554]

I can not believe I got approved. Got a call from the place doing my surgery saying I had been approved. But now I'm scared to death to have it done. I am a single mom and am terrified something will happen. I have only had surgery twice (c-sections) and was awake for both of those. What if something happens? I keep asking people their opinion and I keep getting these horror stories of someone they knew that had it done and either died or got really sick and had complications for a year or so afterwards.
I'm not really good at making decisions and this is a big one. I guess I really didn't think I would get approved and that I wouldn't have to make this decision............but I did!!!
Everyone tells me that I don't weigh enough to have it done. Has anyone out there seemed to not "weigh enough" and had the surgery. I weight 240 which I know is not 300 or more but I do have high blood pressure that is treated with meds and had gestational diabetes with my second pregnancy and am scared of getting diabetes if I don't get the weight off.
I really need everyones input, I know it's my decision but I need to hear from people who have had it done.

[DocSanae]

Congratulations on your approval. The roller coaster emotions you are having right now is quite common, as a matter of fact, it's part of the ride.
That said.
What do you want to accomplish as a result of your surgery. What improvements in your life do you need. You are considering this surgery because it is a chance for you to regain your physical health so you'll be able to stick around with your kids for a long time, right? At least, that's what I gathered.
Yes, the decision is yours and yours only to make.
So, make a list of what you want to do once you are able to lose the excess weight.
Make a list of what in life right now that you don't feel good about.
Compare that list.
You'll probably find that you've written the answer to your question there, yourself.

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

[fr1endly2]

ITs so normal to be scared but only you can decide if this is right for you.
ITs all your choice. I was morbidly obesite with a over 50 BMI so for me the risks at that size out did the risks and dangers from the surgery. FOR me i was a heart attack or stroke waiting to happen......so i had to go for the risk.
I am sure if you write out your pros and cons for surgery
you can come to the right decision for you and your good health.
GOOD LUCK
hugs

[BreeChick]

I'm a big list maker. It helps for me so see things in 'black & white'.

It might be helpful to site down and write down for yourself all the reasons you are scared. THEN write down all the things you want from having the surgery. The pros & cons. Go over the thread where everyone who has had the surgery is happy to be able to do now.

Sometimes it's the simplest things---being able to cross your legs & look sexy!

Plus look over all the before & afters. They are very inspiring! I had a long near 9 mos wait for surgery day to come & looking at before / afters kept me inspired to stick with it and be patient.

Feeling scared is normal! {{{hugs}}}}

-bree

[Kenyar]

congrats on your approval. I am a single mom too and went thru second guessing myself all the way til the morning of the surgery. i have to be honest with you. It's something you have to think about and decide for yourself. all the other people that you have asked are not left living your life when its all said and done. Its for you to think thru. My family said the SAME thing "you're not heavy enough etc." but I made the decision and it was one of the BEST i have made in my life so far...

Being afraid at this point is VERY VERY normal.
Every one here is so supportive so whenever you need to talk or vent or whatever type away.

[cindylouwho]

KMM,

I know how you feel. I'm a lot bigger than you (flopping around 320 these days), but my approval went through way faster than I thought it would, too. I didn't decide to have the surgery until mid April. From the time I saw the surgeon two weeks later I ran around getting the rest of my checklist of things done, thinking it would take FOREVER to get my approval, which would give me plenty of time to get things squared away at work, at home, and IN MY MIND.... Nope... two business days later, the nurse called me and said I was approved. ACK! Best thing was the authorization ran out right on the very week (4th of July week) that I wanted to make it through for work. So, instead, I decided to move my surgery date to June 14. So I really feel like time is crunching in on me. I figured I'd have most of the summer to get used to the idea....

The person you have to think about is you. As far as the surgery sucess goes, if your surgeons are good your surgery should go well. I would find the support group (hopefully there is one) for your area and ask those folks about their experiences. Talk to real people who have used your surgeons! Don't rely on people off the street, they'll have heard the worst, and maybe about people miles and miles away. You need to concentrate on whether your surgeons are good. My surgeon told me that the better shape you are in going in the better success rate there is. He told me that the best thing I can do is walk and watch my diet before surgery. Also, a prereq of our program is to attend at least one support meeting to talk with other people to find out their experiences with the surgery. I've been to one. It's not all good stuff you'll hear, althoughthe stuff I heard wasn't about problems with the surgery, it was nutritional problems, often caused because they weren't following directions. I had a meeting with the nutritionist the next day and she was hoping I wasn't put off. Actually, I was happy to get an idea of what I could do to screw things up, so I (hopefully) won't do it.

I'm like the supreme worrywart too, so I went and got a Cardiac Clearance yesterday, even though it wasn't necessary.

You also have to think about your kids, too. I wish I'd done this years ago. I went on a field trip with my little girl last Friday and sat with my back to everyone at the picnic bench eating lunch because it was just too hard to squeeze myself in. I haven't been on a rollercoaster with my kids in years. I feel like I'm letting my kids down because of my weight, and worse, I feel like if I don't do something, I might not be there to see them grow up. I can still get around pretty well, I can walk anywhere, but it's starting to become apparent that if I don't do something soon, I won't be able to.

It's your decision, yours alone, I wish you the best. I'm still terrified and will be until they put me under on the 14th. (I'm scared about going under too, I honked like a wild woman from the anesthesia with my first C-section! ) I feel like I've made the best choice I can at this point, though.



Best of luck!
Cindy

[MsVickie]

Knm,

Well its gonna be pretty simple honey, Its your choice, its your body, its your life. When the time comes you will do what you need to. Follow your gut. I myself am approved... Surgery comming in September and cant wait.

I suppose I might be different. I finally got to the final straw with myself. My choice is having it done to live, because i surely dont want to die from my weight, which eventually I will if I dont go through with it.

I personally have been put to sleep many times for many surgerys. I will say the first one which was a gall bladder surgery scared the living s&)*& outta me. But guess what......I woke up. LOL.
I will say they are so skilled at this now. Putting you to sleep and waking you up. Its nothing like the Ether mask you used to see on TV. They just put it in your IV. No stick no nothing.

You have time to decide. It has to be YOUR choice.

And as for people telling you that your not big enough to have this done....they have no idea how you feel now or suffer with your own self.
Keep that in mind when making your decision. Good luck girl. You will make the right decision for you.

Welcome Cindylouwho ! LOL I love the name and the pic. Its good to have you aboard.