here it comes!

[zenful]

Hi! I was recently approved for gastric sleeve by my insurance with a condition that it be done before the end of the year even after they made me jump through all kinds of hoops the rest of the year lol. My surgery date is December 21. I am scared. I am wondering if I can really do this. I am wondering if I am crazy for being willing to have part of my body cut off. But I am a 344 pound 39 year old who is completely miserable in her body. I am in a life with a wonderful hubby and 5 year old daughter, but in a body that can't quite keep up with them and all the things I want to and need to do. I also am one of those people who resents having to take medication and be "dependent" on it. I am having issues with the idea of having to take vitamins the rest of my life, but have pretty much accepted that. I am bothered that I was just told yesterday that I also am suppossed to take prilosec every day for the rest of my life. I also suffer from depression and am on Pristiq and worried about how it is going to work post-surgery.

[ACE]

I am glad you are here it sounds like you are terrified and that is absolutly normal. I was afraid of so many things vanity issues health issues heck i even thought what if i die but I didnt and I can say this was the scariest thing I have ever chosen to do but it was the best thing in the world. I can now run and play with my toddlers I can move and walk and breathe without effort and I know I have a future and so do my children. i know now I will not pass my bad habits onto them and that is a huge blessing in my opinion. You are going to be ok and as for the vitamins i hate taking them but they do make a difference in your energy levels and in the long run they arent that bad I get many of mine through my diet and the only ones i need to take are calcium and vitamin d. This surgery is a great tool to get you out of the dark place you seem to be in. The surgery is a scary thing but so is facing the same thing day after day hoping for a different result. This is a way to take charge of your life and make the changes that make you healthy and be there to play and run with your little one. Best wishes and I know you will do great!

[TonyaSitler]

You will probably always need to take a multi vitamin. I would think eventually you could come off the acid reducer when your stomach is completely healed. As for antidepressants, I take cymbalta and have no issues with it, and have been taking capsule from day 5 post op. Very good luck to you!

[AngelNP]

You are blessed to have insurance to cover your surgery. I hope you do this to save your life so you can see your children grow up. I have two great documents that can help you with information. Information will decrease your fear. It is normal to feel nervous. I was more excited than nervous...but there is a fine line between both. PM me with your email addy if you are interested in the documents (one has 6 video clips that answers common questions and 2012 research regarding the VGS.

[marilynlw]

Welcome to the forum. I know this sounds like a very drastic step to take but you can do it. You are not crazy for doing whatever it takes give yourself the best chance at a happier healthier life. I don't like taking medicine either, but I am switching vitamins and minerals in place of the high blood pressure and cholesterol medicine. You are only 39 and you say you are miserable in your body now. If will only get worse in years to come if you don't make the change. The sleeve is a very good permanent option. Best wishes on your journey.

[teresaloves2trvl]

You're not crazy. You are wise to be doing this now because over the years your body will begin to suffer more and more. I am doing it because of severe arthritis in my knees. If I had done it sooner I wouldn't be in such bad shape now.

[niamh]

You've described the same fears that I had, that many people here have expressed before. Surgery sounds so drastic, so final! BUT at the moment you are destined for a life of obesity, and surgery is the most reliable option for helping to fix that long term. It only *feels* scarey, when you look at the odds on paper it's a complete no-brainer. Good luck - we'll be here for you

[cowgirljane]

I was in a similiar situation. My company changed insurance as of January 2012 and would no longer cover the sleeve - so I was preapproved with the old company and basically had to "go for it" if I wanted insurance coverage.

I thank fate everyday that I finally got that push to just DO IT.

I don't feel this way about everyone - lets me honest younger, smaller people are in less of a "do or die" situation. My BMI was 52, my life was very negatively impacted by the weight. A year later and I have friends telling me not only do I look healthier, happier and have more fun, I am now a "hot mama"... hahha. It has exceeded my wildest expectations.

I am assuming you have tried a million things and just get fatter - that was me anyway. At some point, you have to decide if the risk and misery of being so large is really worse then living with the risks and concerns of the surgery. Trust me, you need to be prepared for HUGE changes in your lifestyle too... so you do need to wrestle with that question for sure. Even so, for high BMI people, I feel that surgery is the only way out. Nothing else begins to work.

[Secrettolife]

The number one thing I hear on this site is that people wish they had done it sooner! Me included!

[AngelNP]

Ditto!

[hope4me]

I'm in agreement with what everyone has told you.