[Botzz]

Hi,

First I guess I should start with I am a 33 year old guy and have been overweight as long as I can remember. I was always ok with being overweight as I was healthy (as healthy as an overweight fella could be I guess) and it did not limit me in any way that I could see. I am 6'5'' tall and I lifted weights through my teens into my early 20's so I have a large build on top of being overweight (if that made sense). Here comes the fun part, I got a back injury about 6 years ago which left me in a state that I cannot workout/exercise like I use to and I have gained a lot of weight on top of my already overweight body. getting older in addition to the massive weight gain is catching up to me fast and I have to do something about it. I have dieted to no avail, as without the accompanying exercise the weight just doesn't budge so I have come to the conclusion that a weight loss surgery may be in my future. I don't like talking about it with friends or people that are not overweight as I don't think they can understand the struggles involved with being heavy.

Now for some of my questions and concerns the main one being the side effect of "death" that I read about, am I being foolish for letting that scare me? when they say death do they mean as in any surgery that death is a possibility? or does it mean that the surgery's are risky?

How extreme is the diet that comes with a surgery? meaning is it specialized foods etc? or can meals still be bought in a regular grocery store and prepared normally? will I be if going to a friends for dinner etc bringing my own premade food? or can normal meals be had? and what I mean by normal is not specialized. I do understand vitamins etc and a reasonable diet is part of this.

I guess I can leave it there, this turned into a kind of long post for a first post. I am just tired of not being able to play with my daughter the way I would like to, or telling my wife that I don't feel like doing something or going somewhere because of this weight issue. (which is never the reason I give her)

Just writing that whole thing was hard for me. I am not use to talking to people about this. I look forward to any responses and or help with this.

Thanks for reading

[thumper1]

welcome.there is no place like this site too be abled to say or ask ANYthing u want. I had my surg. six months ago(down85lbs.),and i have been on this site about three months,mostly just reading. I hve learned and listened to many a good piece of advice or encouragement.....again welcome and the best on your journey to the losers bench...............thumper1

[traciflud]

Welcome! Any surgery has a risk of death, anytime you are under anesthesia there is a risk you wont wake up, it is just something they have to warn you of, the science of it is not precise and therefore a risk. This was my personal fear when I decided to have RnY, but I am here typing so I obviously woke up!! As for food, your surgeon will have his own requirements, all are different, but when you are to the stage (usually 2-3 months) of eating regular foods, there shouldnt be any problems with eating at other peoples homes, or other places. You will learn what works for you and you will know what to do! Grocery shopping and cooking are the same, except there is a lot less junk food around here, and more fruits, I have had a hard time cooking less food for dinner though, just used to cooking bigger meals cause we ate more before!

[kimtindall]

Welcome~! Its very natural to be "scared" of the thought of any surgery and the risks that are associated with it. We have all been there and understand fully. I have to say that this was the best decision that I could have ever made for myself. It is rough in the beginning because of the foods that you can NOT have until you are all healed up inside, but now I am eating just about everything that I cook for the family...with the exception of breads, pasta and sweets. I still have a problem with eggs, they are a hit or miss with me. For some reason, my pouch just does not like them anymore. Ask all the questions you may have...everyone here is willing and able to help with insight as we have all been there! Good luck on your journey and all of your decisions.

[lazell]

Hi,Welcome aboard! You should spend a lot of time going back over all the threads. You will really learn alot.I found this place shortly after surgery.It has been a life saver.I'm very happy with WLS prsonally,but everybody has to scope all options before making a decision.Good luck and ask away!!!!

[TamTamW]

Hi and welcome to the site, I had my surgery on Nov 20th so I am almost at one month, The eating is different but you do eat regular foods, like Traci said you just have to get used to cooking less. I am still on the soft protion of the diet, so I can have things like soft boiled eggs, cottage cheese, other cheeses, puddings, jello, chicken ground up or cut real fine, I have a list for my surgeon, in a few weeks then I will be able to eat other things, I have tried other foods already and they have been ok. This is a learning process, and I do not regret any of it. It is scary at times but with the help of others one can get throu this. This site is great read the posts for past tons on good information. Good luck.

[Kenyar]

welcome to the boards!!!!
its only natural to feel like this is a scarey thing. it is. with every surgery there is risk.
in terms of a specialized diet; you dont have to pucrchase "special" foods. you can eat right with stuff from the grocery store prepared at home. the size of the meal will DEFINITELY change, but in the end you will be able to eat regular food once you go thru the stages; liquid to soft moist, to regular.

without overwhelming you lol, read thru some of the "what are you eating" posts to see what some of us eat on a daily basis.

again, welcome. you have stumbled upon a wonderful place; a second family to most of us. and yes, we all understand so pull up a chair and stay a while. and ask whatever you need to. one or more of us will always jump in and explain what we can.

[DocSanae]

Welcome to the board, thank you for joining us.

First off, do a lot of research and reading through this board, and other boards for WLSers as well.

The mortality rate (the medical term for death related to the particular disease or surgery or whatever) isn't much different from any major surgery--cancer, heart, etc. Also the less *healthy* you are, the higher your risks will be, in other words, do you already have illnesses that are not well treated, or are you well of fas far as your basic health is concerned, etc.
The experience of the particular surgeon will also affect the outcome, so be sure to choose surgeons/baratric centers that have a lot of experience.

About food and eating. You will be able to eat anything at all, once your pouch heals completely. The catch is, the amount you can eat will be far less, and you may find some foods won't agree with you on a personal basis--just the same with food allergies, if you want a parallel--which would mean you need to keep certain foods out of your choice. So, yes, you can go out with friends, order from the menu and eat. Just be sure you choose stuff that you do well with, and also, don't clean up the plate--you probably won't be able to, even if you wanted to, actually.

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

[not quite Barbie]

Welcome and best wishes on your journey. I'm 4 months out and able to eat just about anything except the stuff that's bad for you anyway. I have to watch the fat content of some dishes (like lasagna, chilli) and have to stay away from pastries, cakes, cookies - that kind of stuff. But I don't have any problem finding things on the menu that I know I can eat.

You will have to change your style of cooking and menu choices to more healthy methods, which is what we want anyway, right?

My PCP said that the surgery is no more dangerous than having gall bladder surgery which gave me some comfort. Of course, I still thought "wouldn't it be really dumb to die from an elective surgery - something that I didn't HAVE to do?". But really, living with all the weight isn't really living either, is it?

[Lovie]

Welcome... I am two and half months out and can basically eat anything. You will be eating a regulated diet to start with but everything is basically available at your grocery store. The only thing you would have to get special would be a protien drink if you decide to use one.