[momto2bears]

I am so happy for all of you! Had to say that first.

I am new here. Weight has been a constant struggle for me since I hit puberty. I remember my mom saying if you could just lost 10 pounds, then she would say if you could just lose 15 pounds then 20 pounds. Then I had 2 kids and 5 years later its 80 pounds. I know how to eat right, believe me after years of struggling I know it's to eat small portions, lo fat, drink water, exercise. I do all that but still dont lose a pound. My fitness coach says I have dieted myself into fatness.

I contacted a weight loss clinic here in Texas and they contacted my insurance company to see if it was on my benefits and at first they told her no. I got a my health summary book and found the page that said Bariatric Surgery is COVERED and scanned it and emailed it to the WLS clinic. She called them again and finally they said Oh she is covered. Dumb insurance company.

I have insulin resistance if not diabetes yet. I had Gestational Diabetes with each pregancy that got worse and I ended up on insulin towards the 3rd trimester with my daughter. I also am pretty sure I have sleep apnea, never tested. I have frequent wakings, snore lound enough to bring down the house etc. When I had my c-section in May 2004 after surgery they had that thing on my finger that measures the oxygen and every time I would dose off it would start beeping and the nurse would say BREATHE. So......yeah, I am sure I have it. Why didnt I ever get tested??? Fear, I guess. I didnt want to know. Like its not enough I am fat?

ANyway, I meet with Dr. Davenport on Feb 14th and attend his seminar on the 11th.

What scares me is the percentage of death...1 in 200 people??????? That seems like really high odds!

Is that true?

Looking forward to being on the Losers Side sometime this year! I will keep reading all your stories in the meatime.

Caren

[Denise4SanDiego]

Caren, I ain't no expert, but my doctor, Dr. Alan Wittgrove (he is the first in the world to perform laproscopic bypass surgery and he did Carnie Wilson's surgery, it was aired live on the internet in 1999), he has done something like 7,000-8,000 of these surgeries and if my memory serves me correctly, he's had like 1 death. The way it was explained to me, the "average" is just that, taken from all doctors, across whatever it is, etc. In my opinion, it makes it sound worse then what it is. In fact, any and all surgeries, have risks and one of them could be the "D" word. I figure that I had to weigh my options (pardon the pun) and what my doctors have told me is, if I don't have the surgery, I don't have a lot of time left anyway because of all of my co-morbidities. I'm looking forward to the surgery and the journey after as well. Good luck and welcome, the people here are a wealth of information.

[DocSanae]

Welcome to the board, thank you for joining us.
Good luck with your pre op appts and work up towards getting approval.

As for the mortality rates, it's no higher than any other major surgery--for gastric bypass, or whatever type of weight loss surgery, are all major surgerys, just like lung surgeries and heart surgeries. With any medical procedure, there always is a risk, however low. Ask the surgeon of your choice, about her record, they should tell you without hesitation.

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

[momto2bears]

Thanks Denise & Doc. I thought the numbers seemed a bit out there, and that anything can happen with major surgery, as this is. I am sure the Dr. does a complete exam to make sure his patients are healthy enough to withstand surgery.

[momto2bears]

I should add, I guess I have a typical moms fear of not being here to see her children grow up . I homeschool both kids and I know my health for certain is not in anyway benefiting me seeing them grow up.

Why does losing weight get harder and harder as you get older? Is it the yo-yo dieting that causes it? Being insulin resistant? Combination?

[beckamarie]

welcome to the boards. I think we all have those Mom fears, but really if we die from obesity issues at an early age then what? This is a chance to make yourself healthy to live a long life for your kids

[Trulykath]

My surgeon has been doing this for 10 years & he's lost one patient....I thought those were pretty good odds...if you are interested in a 2nd opinion/surgeon and have any interest in going North, my surgeon is Daryl Stewart in Denton Tx!

WELCOME ABOARD!!

[iwant2bethin]

Hi and Welcome,

Those odds are true. My surgeon told me the same thing. Make sure the surgeon you are going to has done alot of cases - experience is important. Also, remember that if you stay at our highest weight we may not see 50 yrs old.

This is a decision you will NEVER regret and now that its done laporascopically its so much safer.

Welcome and I hope you soon get your surgery!

[DocSanae]

Originally Posted by momto2bears

Why does losing weight get harder and harder as you get older? Is it the yo-yo dieting that causes it? Being insulin resistant? Combination?

For one thing, with age, the basal metabolism rate goes down. You need less energy because you aren't growing much, your activity level goes down as your body gets older. With the Harris-Benedict Equation to calculate resting energy level, you subtract 4.7Xage in years from the rest of the equation. In other words, if you are 40, you subtract 4.7x40=188. This is daily, so for one year, that totals 188x365=68620 kcals per year
Kinda boggles your mind

And yes, yo-yo dieting also will affect you, because unless you are exercising to build up your muscles, you lose a lot of muscle with just reduced intake and no exercise, and the next time you gain, you gain most of that in fat, so you have less muscle, and muscle is what burns the cals.

Incidentally, exercise is good for your mind, too, as it elevates your happy hormones.

[trace6417]

Hi Caren,
Welcome to the board, you will see that these people are great and very supportive. I have not had my surgery yet, but I have met with my surgeon. He has done 1500 surgeries and has only had 1 death. So to me, the death rate, really depends on the doctor.

Good luck on your journey, look forward to talking to you more!!!