What are your reasons for WLS?

[Lynn P]

This entry is dated Aug 8, 2008

I am feeling a kind of serendipity feeling as I write this. My huge family is here with me eating and laughing and enjoying being together! Although it is a very sad day, there is more celebration than you can imagine. Our family always sees the "transition" in life as a very joyous one... as death--although difficult and sad holds the ultimate gift. It was a pleasure to be with Dad when he took his Bon Voyage!

And for me and my Anniversary! Well, how Ironic I would be celebrating the exact reason I decided to have WLS afterall.....
Health,
Blood Pressure
Arthritis
Diabetes
and all things related including --
the emotional feelings...

I would not have had the stamina to endure this week or the coping skills to get through this if I had not been blessed 1 year ago today with my new life!

I wrote this at my father's funeral. It was easier to put into words why I had surgery--why I needed it for myself and for my loved ones after I had made the transition from an overweight person to a renewed person.

It is difficult to find the words and the feelings to tell others why we are deciding to take a hold of our futures. Many will not understand, many will say you haven't tried hard enough, or many will try to sabotage your thinking process...all for your own good.

Just remember they are not walking in your shoes and they can never know the feelings, experiences and issues that brought you to this door. Just remember, the journey of WLS helps you find the you in there that has been buried and lost. You will find out so much about yourself as you help you--and others-- as we travel down this path together~~

We all know it isn't a smooth path, and that surgery doesn't cure everything. It is just a tool to help us get started. We actually still have to do the work.

What are your reasons for weight loss surgery? If you are Pre-op, you may find some enlightening thoughts. If you are Post-op, we'd like to hear your enlightened thoughts. Please share them with us.

Diabetes Mellitus A disease that occurs when the body is not able to use blood glucose (sugar). Blood sugar levels are controlled by insulin, a hormone in the body that helps move glucose from the blood to muscles and other tissues. Diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not make enough insulin or the body does not respond to the insulin that is made. There are two main types of diabetes mellitus: Type 1 Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes. All forms of diabetes have been treatable since insulin became medically available in 1921, but there is no cure.

Overweight It is defined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 to 29.9. Body weight comes from fat, muscle, bone, and body water. It is important to remember that although BMI correlates with the amount of body fat, BMI does not directly measure body fat. As a result, some people, such as athletes, may have a BMI that identifies them as over their ideal body weight even though they do not have excess body fat. CLICK HERE TO OPEN THE JOURNEY BMI CALCULATOR!

[MsJacquiiC]

Hey Lynn and again Welcome to The Journey! My condolensces for your Dad's passing. But like you said so eloquently - transition is a way of life. Transition and change is said to be the only constant in life as well...

At anyrate - good question. I have a myriad of reasons I chose to have weight loss surgery. I was 438 pounds - I'd been steadily gaining weight for the past 3 years. I couldn't get it under control. I felt out of control, I felt bloated all the time, I felt as if I could not stop myself from spiraling to... well death. To be perfectly honest - I was eating myself to death. I knew it. But I could not stop it.

My major reason for initially seeking WLS and going through with the surgery is because I wanted to stop eating myself to death. I feel like I'm in control of my eating addiction now. Whereas it would take 2 large pizza hut specialties with extra cheese, and double order of hotwings with extra sauce and a couple orders of cheese sticks for me to even get started on filling some sort of void.... Well now - I'm satiated and happy after a cup of yogurt.

WLS has been an amazing process for me thus far and I'm so grateful for it.

Another reason is because I feel like this is one way that I will ultimately find myself and my soulmate together again. I had surgery because I wanted him to feel like I love him so much as to get my own health back in order again and to be here, ready and willing and improved person spiritually, emotionally AND physically, to begin anew where we left off. 438 pounds I was. And I was quickly on my way to 500 pounds of misery.

For the first time in years I feel optimistic that things will work out well for me.

I had a nervous breakdown several years ago and still trying to put my life back together. This is another reason I had the WLS. I think if I am physically a better, healthier person - that it will help me get my emotional issues on a healthier platform as well.

Theres just so many reasons....

I'm sure I'll post again in this thread LOL - Apologies for the mini-novela I suppose. I ramble sometimes - but you've asked such an intriguing question - which I feel allows for intriguing, heartfelt, truthful answers.

Thanks,

Jacquii.

[JudyGM]

What a thoughtful posting by the both you. It made me think, we all may have some very common reasons for having WLS.

My mom is 30 years older than me and is currently in a nursing home with dementia. While she is perfectly lucid and happy in her own world, I know that's not where I want to be in 30 years. She has been suffering from diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol for so many years. As we all have read, recent studies show these diseases make one much more susceptible to dementia.

Well...I don't want to have dementia when I'm 82 or 102. I want to enjoy my grandchildren, lead an active life and be healthy. The WLS will help me meet that goal.

My journey is not as far as so many. I began at 237 lbs. 6 weeks after surgery I am down to 217 lbs. It's funny, I would have never even considered the surgery had it not been for visiting my local hospital's booth at a Women's Conference in February 2009. One of the nurses who had recently had the surgery was there telling me her story and how I might qualify. I was so moved by her journey that I knew this was the right path for me.

So, here I am 7 months later full of energy, wearing clothes from the back of my closet, and happier than I ever thought possible for this new lease on life. Thanks for letting me share!

Hypertension Also referred to as high blood pressure, HTH, HTN or HPN, hypertension is a medical condition in which the blood pressure is chronically elevated. In current usage, the word "hypertension" without a qualifier normally refers to arterial hypertension. The Mayo Clinic specifies blood pressure is "normal if it's below 120/80".

Cholesterol A fat-like substance that is made by the body and is found naturally in animal foods such as meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy products. Foods high in cholesterol include organ meats, egg yolks, and dairy fats. Cholesterol is needed to carry out functions such as hormone and vitamin production. When cholesterol levels are too high, some of the cholesterol is deposited on the walls of the blood vessels. Over time, the deposits can build up and cause the blood vessels to narrow and blood flow to decrease. Total blood cholesterol levels above 240 mg/dl are considered high. Levels between 200 and 239 mg/dl are considered borderline high. Levels under 200 mg/dl are considered desirable.

Diabetes Mellitus A disease that occurs when the body is not able to use blood glucose (sugar). Blood sugar levels are controlled by insulin, a hormone in the body that helps move glucose from the blood to muscles and other tissues. Diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not make enough insulin or the body does not respond to the insulin that is made. There are two main types of diabetes mellitus: Type 1 Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes. All forms of diabetes have been treatable since insulin became medically available in 1921, but there is no cure.

[Roni]

Hello everyone,

First thanks to everyone for posting their stories. As a pre-op patient, it is very inspiring to read everyones reasons for taking this journey.

My biggest reason for wanting wls is health and quality of life. I have high bp, and diabetes (and I just went on insulin..ugh!!). I have mobility problems because I carry all of my 410 pounds in my stomach area and it causes tremendous back pain.

I feel like I'm sitting on the sidelines every day. I can't do the things I love to do like go to an amusement park or even browse a book store. I need to plan out shopping trips for places that either have a cart I can ride or is small enough that I can run in and get out before my back gives out. I want to be able to go away with my boyfriend and not limit what we can do because of my health and mobility issues. I just want to be healthy and active.

Debbie

Diabetes Mellitus A disease that occurs when the body is not able to use blood glucose (sugar). Blood sugar levels are controlled by insulin, a hormone in the body that helps move glucose from the blood to muscles and other tissues. Diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not make enough insulin or the body does not respond to the insulin that is made. There are two main types of diabetes mellitus: Type 1 Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes. All forms of diabetes have been treatable since insulin became medically available in 1921, but there is no cure.

[MsJacquiiC]

Nice posts - both of you Judy and Debbie. I also had mobility issues as well. I could only spend maximum 20 minutes walking around in Walmart before slowly wobbling up to the checkout counter sweaty and out of breath.

Today I walked to my credit union (voluntarily no less LOL) - it was about a 45 minute walk. I had makeup on - didn't even break a sweat. Then Mama picked me up at the credit union and we went to Walmart where I walked around for another good 30 - 45 minutes, feeling completely good about the whole thing.

I could NEVER had done that at 438 pounds and this is only another reason why I chose WLS. I feel healthy - I feel physically attractive again as well. I'm in a size 24-26 now - I was in a 36, 5XL day of surgery

Jacquii.

[Roni]

Originally Posted by MsJacquiiC I could NEVER had done that at 438 pounds and this is only another reason why I chose WLS. I feel healthy - I feel physically attractive again as well. I'm in a size 24-26 now - I was in a 36, 5XL day of surgery Jacquii.

Jacqui,

We're pretty close in size/weight pre-surgery, so you are a definite inspiration. I'm very happy to hear about your success. I can't wait until I can take my time shopping, and go back to browsing the book store or best buy.

Debbie

[firebob66]

The surgery really saved me from a long horrable death. I was stuck in my chair at home and didn't want to move. I felt rotten all the time. Tired and simply exhausted. I started my road at 440 lbs and am now at 220 lbs. I feel great with a few issues now and then which is part of the learning process. No loose skin (lucky!!) and I look and feel like a million bucks. Now I have a hip replacement to go through sometime soon and possibly a left knee surgery as well. My weight took my body down.

[BuCwiLd]

well for me it was when i had gone in for my latest check up and they put me on pills for diabetes. Then the doc said at this pace i would be on shots in a year or 2. My cholestrol and blood pressure where high too and i was placed on pills for that as well. I began to research the surgery and went through with it. best decision i made. all the sicknesses are now gone and i take 0 medicines

Diabetes Mellitus A disease that occurs when the body is not able to use blood glucose (sugar). Blood sugar levels are controlled by insulin, a hormone in the body that helps move glucose from the blood to muscles and other tissues. Diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not make enough insulin or the body does not respond to the insulin that is made. There are two main types of diabetes mellitus: Type 1 Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes. All forms of diabetes have been treatable since insulin became medically available in 1921, but there is no cure.

[Lynn P]

Hi everyone!!!!!

I am so re-inspired by reading these testimonies. For those of you who can see the difference already in the journey and the everyday things you've been able to accomplish--- to those who are waiting to have surgery ---- <patiently ;-) >------- just think, feel, dream what can be done once you are on your way.

The gift of everyday life and the tasks we accomplish feel so wonderful. Just remember that these thoughts, feelings and dreams are so much more than our families/friends can imagine. These are accomplishes that those who are negative about surgery can never fathom. That is, until they see you experiencing life!

Recapture YOU!

[MsJacquiiC]

Originally Posted by Lynn P The gift of everyday life and the tasks we accomplish feel so wonderful. Just remember that these thoughts, feelings and dreams are so much more than our families/friends can imagine. These are accomplishes that those who are negative about surgery can never fathom. That is, until they see you experiencing life! Recapture YOU!

So true - sometimes people take things for granted... like being able to walk 30 - 60 minutes continuously without having to stop 4-5 times to "catch" your breath or even something as trivial as I posted about the other day, wearing blue jeans. I love the concept of recapturing me - but I suppose I was never lost to begin with... It is nice to have wow moments that you'd never thought you'd ever experience again. Just another reason why I chose to have WLS ==> the fantabulous wow moments

Jacquii.