Re: Newbie in the Group - Introductory Post

[Guest guest]

Where to start? I am older than " your age " but I was your age once and

have stood where you stand (Big but not sick, up some down some but

little real change). There is a significant risk to the surgery, it is

no joke and the alterations are FOR EVER. With that being said, there

is a significant " up side " to having this done at a younger age. Less

where and tear on the body, faster recovery, fewer complicating

afflictions.

In the end it depends on YOU. Are you ready to make the LIFE CHANGE

necessary to be successful? My best advice is make the lifestyle

changes FIRST, and see what happens. A small pouch does not make a

thin person. If you make the commitment to eating right, exercising,

and journaling, the weight will take care of itself. Then you can make

the choice about the actual mutilation of your organs (Just a little

joke).

I hope this was a little helpful. I will tell you this, I have been in

here for a year, and this is the most helpful supportive place I have

ever visited.

Good luck

[Guest guest]

Hello Jen!

Good luck on your journey.

I don't think it is premature of you to think about the WLS right now. I have been in your situation. I am 37 and at my heaviest was 270. I tried it all as well. I would give up and say whats the use all the time.

Then it happened. My doctor told me I had type 2 diabetes. I know what can happen if you don't take care of that. My aunt is legally blind now. She never was able to deal with her weight.

I hopped on the bandwagon and then got stuck getting on...

I took 3 years to really buckle down and say enough is enough. I started taking more pills to control my sugar and I said to myself that I can't go on like this. I lost the 10% and had my surgery 4-10-2006

It was the best thing I did. I am not sure what is ahead but I am happy and my thighs are stuck together anymore! LOL

It is a good thing that your are active. It really helps to stay motivated.

I would write more on the subject but I have to get my daughter off to school.

Bobbie Jo Colbert

2003 230ish

4-10-2006 1999

today 160

[Guest guest]

Hi Jen!

I'm a bit like you. I'm 33, 310 at orientation in January/273 now,

and in pretty good shape, although I wouldn't have described myself

as " energetic " until the last month or two. My only co-morbidity

was borderline high blood pressure. I decided that now was a good

time, instead of later when I've developed diabetes and some kind of

heart trouble (both run in my family). I just received my surgery

date yesterday!

You've found a great group of folks, all very helpful! I'm actually

pretty quiet on this board, but have been posting a bit more lately.

a

>

> Hello everyone!

>

> I'm Jen and I'm in the process of preparing for the Gastric Bypass

> Surgery in the Northern Virginia area (surgery would be at the

> Washington University Hospital in DC).

>

> I've been researching and trying to come to a decision about this

> surgery for two years now. I'm 35 yrs. old, weighing about

290lbs.

> About 4 years ago, I lost 75lbs through Weight Watchers, hit a

plateau

> that I stuck with for a year and a half (trying everything to

shake it

> and no luck). I've kept half of that weight off and now feel as

> though the surgery is a possibility that I refused to consider in

the

> past.

>

> This is a ridiculous thing to say in a way, but *besides* my

> significant obesity, I'm an energetic, fairly " in-shape " person

> without other complications...yet, anyway! In some ways, I feel

like

> I'm considering this prematurely, but I keep coming back to the

fact

> that I don't WANT to be in a position down the road when I'm

> considering this because I'm in poorer health and *need* it more

> urgently.

>

> I know my body and my history (and my statistics) very well - kind

of

> an academic personality! For many years now, I have not turned a

> blind eye to my weight. Had I not been a weight-loss and fitness

> fanatic for a steady number of years, I would criticize myself for

not

> trying more conventional methods of weight-loss before looking at

a

> bypass. But now, feeling that I've given those methods my best

shot -

> I just don't know.

>

> I'd like some support - particularly in the form of talking with

> people who have been in my age group and can relate to my

history.

> I'm in the last two months of the preparation process with the

Kaiser

> Nutritionist and about halfway to my 10% goal. I've heard many

> stories of the tremendous risks and some successes and I'm looking

> more for the " average " experience - if there is such a thing here!

>

> I also know that I'll need to be very individualistic about how I

cope

> with the post-surgery process and pace. I think I can do that,

but

> I'd like to gather as much practical information as I can at this

> stage.

>

> Apologies for the long post. I appreciate any replies and would

like

> to be active with this group while I'm finalizing my decision and,

of

> course, through the process if I decide to go ahead.

>

> I'm sure I've left out details that would be helpful to know about

> me. I'm happy to answer questions!

>

> Thank you all so much,

> Jen

>