I would say thats your decision entirely. When you reach the point where you have tried about everything, then what else is left? You cant do it alone. Genetically we are not all created equal. Good luck what ever you decide.

I decided on gastric bypass because nothing else worked.
I've been dieting all my life until I decided not to anymore and it got totally out of control. My only regret is that I didn't do it when I was younger. I'm 15 weeks post-op and have lost 91 lbs. Heck yes I'd do it all over again!!

I'm with TJ, I haven't had my surgery yet though.

I didn't really have a 'straw that broke the camels back'. The Idea had kind of been growing on me steadily (about at the same speed as the weight! 0.o)

My only difference with TJ is that I don't regret doing this earlier. I was already approved for surgery in '98' and backed out. I didn't want to do something this risky when my kids still needed me at home. I was fortunate to be healthy enough that this was an option!
God Bless!

Janelle

Everyone has an opinion. Until my family (mom and sister) were educated, they were against this. LIke TJ and Krystalmom, I have struggled forever wtih my weight. It was a personal decision that I have made not only for myself, but for my son too. I want to be active with him.....

I love the "something is bound to work" comment. A suggested response is, "You're right - and for some of us gastric bypass surgery is that 'something'".

For me, it was a progressive decision, but I knew it was the right one. It started when I gained so much weight I couldn't help take care of my young son. He's now 5, but it started when he turned 2 1/2 or so that I really thought it through. I just knew it was right for me, and I didn't care what others said or thought at that point. I mean, I did, but I didn't, if that makes sense. I hit the end of my rope. My pre-surgical weight two weeks ago was 387. I wasn't living life anymore. I was sitting on the side line. My son was bringing me things, lotioning my legs, doing things for me. I just couldn't live with myself knowing my 5 y/o son was taking care of me when he should have been being a kid. You have to look at the decision as something you live with in the long run, something that is right for you. No one knows what you need best other then you. Don't let anyone tell you what to do. Only you can know what you need. If you have reached the end of your rope, and you can't find another alternative that is going to work to help you get healthy. People that haven't been educated in gastric bypass often times seem to have the wrong ideas sometimes and they are opposed it seems, or so it has been in my life. It wasn't until I had a surgery date set in stone that they saw I was truly serious about my decision and was committed to this for the long term. It's hard sometimes when people don't understand. Just do what's right for you and hang on to the people who support you. That's what I've had to do, and I just try to shake those who are negative. I've had a really rough start, or so it feels. I would go back and do it again though. I may only be two weeks out, but I already have more energy and I'm down one t-shirt size already! I'm still have pain issues, but it improves just like they say it will. I didn't believe it at first, but it really did get easier, and still is. I know I rambled on! I hope something I said helps you. Good luck in your journey! It's really worth it in the end! Health is so worth it!

Absolutely KGirl! Absolutely!

How did I know it was right for me? Because I examined my history of dieting and relapsing. I examined my flaws- whole-heartedly took apart my history and examined the patterns of determination and giving up. Understanding that I am capable of losing weight-- but that I am even more capable of gaining it back +more without help.

Once I made the decision, I got great support, and faced great opposition. There were some people who tried to make me change my mind for whatever reason. The truth is, I reached the point where I just knew.

Also, I was a personal care assistant, and I worked one on one with a gal who had the gastric bypass with major complications. Among other things, she had a bowel obstruction that was not caught in time and due to that, she is permanently disabled and unable to move half of her body.

Even suffering through everything, she told me straight up, that she would not take back having the surgery, knowing what she knows now, instead she would have followed her gut and gone to the ER when she started having symptoms instead of staying home and hoping it would pass.

I have not personally met anyone that regretted having the surgery-- I have met a couple of people upset about getting it because they had unrealistic expectations beforehand.. but otherwise were alright.

My experience has been positive so far, though I'm only about 3 weeks post-op.

To think of the happier youth I would have had IF I had had this surgery when I was your age. My life would have been so much different.

This is a life changing surgery and what you do today you may or may not be able to do after.

This decision is yours, and yours alone. Don't let the nay sayers get you down.

I want to wish you good luck, it took me 53 years to know that I am morbidly obese, that was my eye opener, when the doctor said that I knew it was time to do something. I am having the surgery in a little over on month and can't wait. You will know your eye opening when it happens. I also would have had this surgery sooner rather than later.

I understand where you are coming from. I haven't had my surgery yet and have been reluctant to tell a lot of people. For the people that I have told, if they start to get negative I have just told them, politely, that I appreciate their concern but I am not interested in being negative. I don't want to hear what your friends, counins, aunt had go wrong. If they want to research it and find out FACTS for themselves what the complications could be, then I am more than happy to talk to them about it. I also tell them that the risk of me staying this way is even greater. That usually shuts them up. LOL!

I haven't read about or talked to one person that has had the surgery, even with complications, that said they wouldn't do it again. Good luck with your decision!
Heather

I knew it was my only valid choice when the arthritis in my knees became so bad I could hardly walk (and I'm only 43). I was looking at replacement for both knees.

Once I would have my new knees they would last at most 15 years. But with my obesity they weren't likely to last that long. Another knee replacement in my 50s - and those would wear out early as well.

You can't have a third total knee replacement, so I'd be in a wheelchair in my 60s.

No thanks!

I agree with TJ. Nothing else worked for me/ I tried several different diets and I failed at all of them. I need something that will make me sick if I overeat. As long as I know I can cheat I will and as long as i hsave a support sysytem to fall back on when things are ruff I now know I can do it.

I am so glad there is someone out there who understands what I am talking about. My family is not and some of my friends are not so I quit telling others that I am having the surgery. Maybe after I know what the insurance company says I will.

They don't know what it is like to try diet after diet and not only gain weight but then know that "It aint' comin off".

I am glad I found this site, it has helped me a lot and I thank you for your support. I really needed that!

The people who I feared would be that way were not told till after the surgery, and a few (like my Dad) still don't know. I didn't need the bitchin, so I just did it

I am having surgery in less than two weeks and I opted only to share that info with those who would be supportive to me during this time. This is a decison that takes us a lifetime to come to and what we need most at this time is positive and loving support. Those who do not support you need not know until you are ready to tell them. And then when you tell them, you need to gently and firmly let them know that you will choose not to engage in a negative disucussion about this.

And I knew this was right for me because I have a pre-existing medical condition that will only worsen with time and the extra weight. And I decided that I want to live the rest of my life as healthy as possible.

Keep writing in here for support Jon - you will get it her - unconditionally!!!