Just beginning the process....

[KrisFra43232]

Hello everyone! After 25 years of being overweight/obese and letting my weight control my life, I have taken the first step in having bariatric surgery. Yesterday, I met with my surgeon and discussed the in's and out's of the pre-approval process and what is to be expected. I'm a nurse and familiar with the post-op process but have been researching my options to find the best fit for me. Going in to my appointment, I was about 90% sure I wanted the gastric sleeve procedure. After meeting with the surgeon, I'm leaning towards the Roux-en-Y. I'm currently 274 lb and feel as though the bypass will be a better tool in obtaining my weight loss goals. When talking with friends, family members and co-workers about bariatric surgery, I've heard some snarky comments. I do not look at bariatric surgery as an "easy out." I don't think there is anything easy about this process and what it is going to take for me to accomplish my goals. I know that this is going to take changing my whole mentality about food and committing wholeheartedly to the process. I'm 36 years old, married, and have two 9 year-old children. I want to feel better so I can be more active with my family. I want to set a good example to my patients, most more importantly, to my children. I don't want them growing up with the same struggles that I have had. I want this for all the right reasons......including being able to wear "regular" clothes and feeling good about myself. I'm excited for this process and look forward to reading your stories and soaking up as much information as I can. Thanks for having me!

 

[Brenda2010]

Hello everyone! After 25 years of being overweight/obese and letting my weight control my life, I have taken the first step in having bariatric surgery. Yesterday, I met with my surgeon and discussed the in's and out's of the pre-approval process and what is to be expected. I'm a nurse and familiar with the post-op process but have been researching my options to find the best fit for me. Going in to my appointment, I was about 90% sure I wanted the gastric sleeve procedure. After meeting with the surgeon, I'm leaning towards the Roux-en-Y. I'm currently 274 lb and feel as though the bypass will be a better tool in obtaining my weight loss goals. When talking with friends, family members and co-workers about bariatric surgery, I've heard some snarky comments. I do not look at bariatric surgery as an "easy out." I don't think there is anything easy about this process and what it is going to take for me to accomplish my goals. I know that this is going to take changing my whole mentality about food and committing wholeheartedly to the process. I'm 36 years old, married, and have two 9 year-old children. I want to feel better so I can be more active with my family. I want to set a good example to my patients, most more importantly, to my children. I don't want them growing up with the same struggles that I have had. I want this for all the right reasons......including being able to wear "regular" clothes and feeling good about myself. I'm excited for this process and look forward to reading your stories and soaking up as much information as I can. Thanks for having me!

Welcome Kris! It's wonderful to have a nurse join the group. Sounds like you took some great info away from your first appointment. I also felt RNY would be the right tool to help me. My start weight was 290 and I surpassed my initial goal of 168 by 9 months post op. It's an amazing tool!

It's great that you're doing this now and will be able to set a good example for the kids. They're young enough where good habits can really soak in. I totally feel you about wearing "regular" clothes! It's still hard for me to wrap my head around shopping in any store. It's a wonderful non-scale victory for sure. Can't wait until you get to experience it too.

 

[TraceyT]

Hi Kris -

Welcome to the group. I also originally went to my surgeon appointment leaning towards the gastric sleeve. Like you, after talking with the surgeon and understanding what the types of surgery could possibly resolve (medical conditions) and so forth, my surgeon changed my mind. I had the RNY gastric bypass 1/22/2020. It was truly one of the better decisions thus far. I'm looking forward to see where this journey continues to lead me.

I'd suggest reading the forum threads - there is a lot of informative and inspirational information there.

I noticed you mentioned "snarky comments". I'd guess A LOT of people have heard snarky comments regarding this type of surgery. My views on this is really simple - be supportive or be gone. It's simple but it works for me. I had 1 person that made a snarky comment to my husband "Wouldn't it be cheaper to buy her some super glue and duct-tape for her mouth than have to pay for surgery?" My husband told him in no uncertain terms where to stick it and he was not welcomed back in our home, we haven't seen him since last summer - and my husband and I are both OK with that. I don't feel that people should have to explain their choices - such as surgery - to others.

Best of luck to you as you embark on this new journey!

 

[mmitti]

Welcome, Kris.

 

[Roseanne37]

Welcome to the group, Kris. I have told very few people about my decision to have the weight loss surgery because of the fear of hearing remarks about taking "the easy way out". As you have written, this is far from being an easy way out. As many of our members have stated it is a tool that helps us "learn" and teach us to eat smaller amount of the right food. Good luck to you.

 

[Cynthia513]

Welcome to the group, Kris. My view on negative people is to get rid of them. You do not need to be surrounded by anyone who is not positive. This is definitely not an easy out. You still have to do the work. I just had surgery on 1-22-2020. I chose the sleeve. So far, I am doing great and am happy with my choice. Don't let anyone rain on your parade!