If this is what you really want and when you are ready, nothing and no one will stop you from making the choice to commit. It has to be your choice to follow thru no matter what others say. You need no one's permission. This is your life, your body and your choice . Personally this is one of the best things I've ever done for myself. I haven't regretted it for one moment!

Scared. Maybe doubting yourself because of the naysayers around you. You shouldn't be ashamed if you need this surgery to be successful in weight loss. Even the National Institutes of Health have stated that diets don't work in the long term. They say that GBS is the only effective treatment for obesity at this time. That said, you'll need to do some soul searching to discover what yo really want to do. How much do you need to lose and how long would that take you doing it without the GBS tool? It's easy for people who do not suffer from obesity to judge, but they are judging without knowledge. Make the choice that is right for you.

This is your decision. But, this is my fourth attempt at GBS and I am ready this time. I didn't follow through with my other attemps because I wasn't ready. Do some serious soul searching and know that we will support whatever decision you make.

I can totally relate to your feelings. I dragged my feet for 5 years before I finally made the appointment with the surgeon. Now, I weep for the time I lost with my family because I was too heavy/tired/etc to live life with them. I missed taking my son to see colleges, seeing his dorm room, spending time with my grandmother, shopping with my daughter, swimming with the kids, camping trips, vacations.the time is gone and I cant get it back.

My sister insisted I could just lose it on my own. Statistically speaking, that is absolutely false. Less than 5% of morbidly obese people will be able take the weight off and keep it off for 5 years or more through a change in diet and exercise alone. On the other hand, 60% of those who have WLS will lose the weight and keep it off for 5 years or more. I liked the odds better with WLS.

For me, dieting is what got me to 300 lbs in the first place. It screwed up my metabolism and monopolized my life for far too long.

I had surgery on Feb 10, 2010. Before my first appointment I weighed 300 lbs. This morning I weighed 145. Ive lost an entire person! When I think of dragging another one of me around 24/7, it boggles my mind that I could function at all.

With all that said, the others are right; it is your choice. No one else can decide for you.

Wishing you health and happiness however you get there!

JJ

This decision took me 2years and then I totally knew that this is what I wanted. You wil truly know when and if to have it because that will be all you think about. Good luck!

It took me years of trying to "do it myself" and wondered why can't you? I tried diets, no eating, soup diets, fruit diets, Hollywood diets, no carbs, all carbs, zone, weigh watchers, TOPS, shots, cellophane wraps, throwing up, get sick on purpose, diuretics, prayed for Ebola or anything...Listen, you maybe able to do this w/o this...who knows except you. I have only one question for myself...what took you so long to make this decision, Joyce?

Dart what can I say to talk you out of this? Let me know,cause if I can talk you out of it, then maybe you should be having 2nd thoughts...

I learned from losing one friend to this surgery, never to gloss over someone's cold feet, fear, whateve, again.

If you really feel there is an area in your mind that isn't committed to this, then wait until you are firm and soid with your decision...

Otherwise, move on, knowing that 2nd thoughts, the kind that come and go, are normal...

I think it is VERY NORMAL to question having the surgery... We all live or have lived in a moment of denial of some sort along the way couple that with encouraging moments of hope and fleeting and yet unsuccessful moments of weight loss...

This is a HUGE, life altering decision. I probably wouldn't had made it myself if I hadn't had uterine cancer which basically made the decision for me. Why??? Because I was and am deathly afraid of rerouting my guts, because I'm simply afraid....

Oddly enough, fears put aside, I knew that my physician was telling me the truth. No one wants cancer (again) but some of the worst outcomes of cancers are associated with obesity. That's an even larger fear as well as a great motivator :)

Unlike other times, I wasn't in denial about not eating certain foods again. And honestly, it's all good. I would like to be able to eat again without being profoundly nauseasted, etc. But I do have faith that this too will pass. Some people, lucky me, just happen to be one of those who takes longer than others that's all.

Despite the all the mixed feelings, I knew in my heart that I could committ to doing what it takes and for those moments down the road that I may be tempted, I think of you all on this site and who are on this journey and take comfort in knowing that I am not alone :)

If you are ready to committ to yourself and the rules... You're ready!

Only you can make this decision. But please know that somedays will be not so good and others will be really good and well, it just seems that it gets better with time regardless of how you do postoperatively :)

Be well,

Good luck,

Colleen

Encouragement? I encourage you to listen to the voice, the one that you know is true, which gives you the best advice. My thought has always been that I would not let fear make decisions for me, but as I grow, I think that we have to listen to that fear as well.

If I had advice, I would talk to people who canceled and then had the surgery in order to see how valid those emotions are. If that is not you, you have an answer. If it is you, you have an answer.

Good luck to you, seriously. I hope you make the best decision for you and your health that you can.

O

It is perfectly normal to have those thoughts and to wonder "did I try hard enough?" Esp when you have those around you asking those thoughts.

In the end only you can know if it is right for you. I was so tired of being sick and tired. I wanted to be able to live and do things with my kids and family. I wanted to live to see m kids grow up and have my grandkids.

I knew I couldn't do it on my own. I did all of my research on the procedure, my surgeon, and I already work at the hospital and know the procedures and their track record. I did alot of prayer and had a support team who were praying for me as I was deciding.

In the end I decided I couldn't do it on my own. Over 30 years of failed diets and exercise and buying every book out there proved that to me.

I have not regretted it! I had the usual "OMG what did I do to myself" phase, but even after all that 19 months later, I would do it all over again given the chance. I truly feel like I got my life back!

Good Luck with whatever you decide to do,

Laura

Bullshit you couldn't do then and you'll never do it now. Just stop messing with you're mind and get control of obvious mouth, stomach and brain disconect. 10, 20 50 % of your weight would even put you near the normal bmi. Who are you trying to fool?

Lucifer

while i wish you the best I do hope you come to terms with insane thoughts like that before you waste another year of your life as a fat slob.

To brutal? Too bad! This is the reality of the matter. You call me when you've proved me wrong 8184422496 Brett

I have not had the surgery yet my date is Nov 17 but I know I am ready for this mentally. Honestly if you dont think you are ready then wait I would not want to discourge you but it is a total life change and you have to be sure because you cant take back you discision. I am only telling you this because if you do it and then regret it you will have depression problems and no one would want that. You will do it when you are 100% ready Good luck

Thanks your comments have helped even the one signed Lucifer...yeah it was a little harsh but whatever...guess I need to stop being a big baby and step up to the plate...so I can live my life instead of watching it pass me by
Thanks

Lucifer may be brutal but he definitely is honest...he is brutally honest and that's not all bad in my book!!

Dartgirl:

First of all Doubleb "Brett" is completely harmless. He is very passionate and very real about his experiences and about GBS. If you stick around these boards long enough you will actually get to see another side of him- -he's quite the comedian. Im not defending him Im just simply saying that he is raw but he is right.

In my opinion I think it is ok to pursue this with a certain degree of fear as there are several risks to consider w/ this surgery. I am only a month out and can honestly say it is the best decision I have ever made for myself and I wish I would have done it sooner. Like everyone on here has already shared we can not steer you one way or another and our experiences are all different- -no 2 people are the same. If you are uncertain about this decision now I urge you to reflect about the pro's and con's, on what you are missing out, your family, your health (that being a priority), and where you see yourself in the near future. I made a list of back in February when I started this process and keep it on my fridge that details why I wanted to lose weight. I am only 28 years old but having asthma, sleep apnea, borderline diabetic, joint problems was not a way to live but a way to die. I am a mother to a gorgeous 4 yr old and what kind of examples was I setting for him?
At one point or another we have to take a leap of faith. Trust yourself, do research on your medical team, and trust God.

Diets do not work b/c they are restricting. One should not have to diet for the rest of their lives to achieve results but make lifestyle changes that you can adhere to.

I wish you the best. Maybe that call to the psychiatrist would be a good call to make and that way too you can voice your concerns about this surgery.

Best Wishes,

Josie