New and cray-cray

[lorrietime]

Hi all! New to these forums and this is my first post. I’m so thankful to have found these forums as they have removed my anxiety for the most part; however, I still find myself about every 10 days thinking ‘what am I doing, it’s so extreme, I should be able to do this on my own, etc.’ Nevertheless I keep moving forward because at the end of the day nothing has worked long-term for me - I’m 60 years young and if I keep trying to do it on my own, soon i’ll be 65 and still heavy, 70 and still heavy, and so on - sound familiar? Going for my endoscopy soon and I honestly fear that procedure more than the surgery! Any help and reassurance y’all can give me will be greatly appreciated.

[Dutchie]

Hi, welcome here to this great forum.
What you are feeling right now is totally normal, a lot of us felt that way.
But I have to tell you, it was the best thing I did for myself and I should have done it many, many years ago.
Don't waste any more time, is my advice.
I was sleeved at 63, that was almost 2,5 years ago.
I feel like I have my life back and I am a totally different person, both physically and mentally.
Ask us any questions you have, there is always someone, who can give you an answer.

[WANAGL]

Welcome!

You’re at the best site for information, encouragement and support. It’s perfectly normal to feel apprehensive I had a very short window from decision to surgery and I’m grateful that was part of my experience. I also have a Super Hero husband who encouraged and supported me every step of the way and still does.

I was 63 when I had VSG and it’s one of the best decisions I ever made for myself. My only regret is that I waited so long. I have a new lease on life and I’m loving it!

Best of luck as you embark on this amazing journey ;-)

[EllisM80]

The endoscopy was a breeze for me. Really, my surgery was too. Had a little bit of pain with my sleeve surgery but only because I did too much too soon. It was the best decision I ever made. I was more nervous making the decision to have surgery than I was actually going for surgery. On the 11th, I will be 8 months post-op. I am down 95 lbs and went from a size 20 jeans to an 8/10. I FEEL much better than I did. My back pain is so much better than it was. I am 38 but have lots of health problems. I have MS, Fibromyalgia, degenerative disc disease and I've had 2 back surgeries. I definitely feel like I could feel 38 if I'm in remission from my MS. I'm currently in a flare up so I'm not feeling it right now but will. I'm working towards that goal. I hope you become more comfortable with your decision as you read more from this site. It is an excellent resource.

[elllie]

HI! welcome to the forum. It is a great forum with lots of good advice and support. I too felt like you when I was about to go for surgery and thought as I was losing weight on the pre op diet , maybe I don't need to go to this extreme. I did come to relaise pretty quickly though, that yes short term I was losing the weight quickly but that was because I had a goal. I knew if i wasn't going to have the operation, I would not stick to the diet and I would gain everything back I had lost and more. The cycle I was in for many years. Like allot of the others have said on the forum, I have no regrets except for the fact that I should have done it years ago. I now have my old life back, as I was thin many years ago. I feel and look like myself and everything is easier and I love shopping again. Good luck and see you on the forum.

[Lolly]

Hi! I'm in the thinking process of having the sleeve myself. I'm 45, 5"4" and 280. I have no energy whatsoever. May I ask why you have to get the endoscopy done. I have an appointment to go for a consult but trying to find out as much info as possible. I am assuming I will need a sleep study done prior to the surgery. I plan to have that done before I go for my consult. Does anyone know why you have to have a sleep study done prior to surgery?

[lorrietime]

Hi Lolly; an endoscopy is the surgeon’s requirement to check for hernias, tumors etc. Making a decision is tough - good luck to you!

[KiwiGal]

Hi there

Totally normal thoughts that I bet almost all of have had. The reason we have this surgery is because we have tried every "diet" known to mankind for most of our lives and none of them have been sustainable. Bariatric surgery is a great tool. Yes, you have to work at it, yes, you have to change your lifestyle, but being sleeved is a huge help and as long as you are prepared to make some changes in your lifestyle then you will have huge success.

I wish that I had been able to have the surgery years ago (I was 54). My life today is so different (read better!) then before.

Please ask any questions that you may have, or just come on here and vent. We have all been through the same stuff and understand :-)

[lorrietime]

Thanks so much for all your information and reassurances - feeling much better about it!