Gastric Bypass Surgery Support Group
Gastric bypass (GBP) is any of a group of similar operative procedures used to treat morbid obesity, a condition which arises from severe accumulation of excess weight in the form of fatty tissue, and the health problems ("co-morbidities") which result. If you are considering gastric bypass or have had it, join the community where we share our experiences and find support.
I am 4 months into the 6 month process to have the RNY surgery. My question for now is did you have family support for your surgery and decision.
I am struggling with this as I said I would never have the surgery, well here I am. I have tried and failed to lose weight many times. I'm sure this is a familiar story to many of you. I watched my father die of obesity-related complications 2 years ago. In fact, I helped do hospice care for him in his last weeks of life. I don't want the same thing to happen to me, hence the surgery decision. My husband is not exactly on board, he thinks I should just be able to lose weight myself. I think he is also scared of just the surgery aspect and the lifestyle change afterwards. I have encouraged him to come to a support group meeting with me, he is willing. I am just curious how the rest of you deal or have dealt with family.
I am struggling with this as I said I would never have the surgery, well here I am. I have tried and failed to lose weight many times. I'm sure this is a familiar story to many of you. I watched my father die of obesity-related complications 2 years ago. In fact, I helped do hospice care for him in his last weeks of life. I don't want the same thing to happen to me, hence the surgery decision. My husband is not exactly on board, he thinks I should just be able to lose weight myself. I think he is also scared of just the surgery aspect and the lifestyle change afterwards. I have encouraged him to come to a support group meeting with me, he is willing. I am just curious how the rest of you deal or have dealt with family.
Is your husband overweight? Sometimes people who are not overweight just don't understand the struggle we go through and how hard it is to lose weight especially is you have a significant amount to lose.
You have found a great place for support!!
Most anyone who has tried all thier life to lose and can't understands why we want this surgery!
My immediate family lives in another country and as my parents are elderly, I decided not to put them thorugh that. I intend to share my surgery when my new skinny healthy me sees tham all this summer.
My husband was supportive but scared. He's loved me fat and thin and was so worried about me dying on the table, but since surgery he has been uber-supportive. I also made sure I had the support of my closest friends and a few work colleagues. I didn't tell too many people before surgery but I have found myself sharing that information more and more. I guess a part of me was ashamed because I couldn't lose the weight by myself but now I'm about ready to shout it from the rooftops!
So glad you are here and we will be with you on your journey!
Diana
welcome to the group. I cant offer much on family support I just have my adoptive mom and a bio sister in another state but they have been great.
I too am still pre op. Will be Aug before I have jumped all the hoops... I didn't think I'd ever have surgery either, but after almost 4 years of working out consistently and following a healthy eating plan, I still could not lose more than a few pounds... So, here I am!
My hubby has gone to the info session and support groups meetings with me, which has helped tons in getting him on board. Hopefully it will help yours as well.
Very few people in my life know I am going to have the surgery. My hubby, daughter in law, and niece, who are all supportive.
I figure when it is closer, or maybe afterwards, I will tell others, but for now, I need only positive support.
This site and proved to be a great resource! Wonderful people and just TONS of information!!
Again... WELCOME!!
I have told my family and my very close friends and they were all shocked at first. I am pre-op, my sx is 3/26/13. My sister is supportive, but jealous because she is struggling for approval. My Dad is supportive, but not very enthusiastic. He is 92 and we lost my mom abou 5 yrs ago. He lives with me and I am his emotional and financial support, so I believe it's mostly fear. Most likely this is what most of our loved ones feel in my opinion, even if it comes across as not supportive. He has finally said he wants me to be healthy and happy and will support me, but is nervous.
I was very hesitant to tell coworkers, but as time gets closer I have sorted to tell more people and get rid of the shame b/c I want to b a supportive outspoken person for bariatric patients!! There should be no shame if we are doing it for right reasons!!!
Good luck and welcome.
I went back and forth about having GBS for 5 years. Hubby wasn't on board at first. By the time I finally decided to go ahead with it, he was very supportive. So were my kids. My parents and siblings were not supportive. I knew they wouldn't be on board so I just told them as an information point once I'd scheduled surgery. I didn't ask for their input.
Tell hubby 95% of all diets fail and the stats are even worse once someone is 100 lbs overweight. Metabolic syndrome sets in and the body fights to keep all the fat. GBS re-wires everything and gives you a fighting chance. It is not the "easy way out" but it is a way out. It requires hard work and dedication. ...but it is worth it!!
JJ
We did our research and 3 weeks after his I had mine. My hubby wasn't real happy about it but is happy for me. He now calls me Slim. I wish I could have had this surgery years ago,
Agree with all the above and glad you found us!!
The one comment once posted really made me know I made the right decision dispite any criticism :
Per a Dr your chances of losing 100 lbs is 2%!!!
Good luck and hope you keep posting
This IS my support system :):)
Anywho, I first became aware of WLS through a 2nd cousin. Her mother was overweight and she was morbidly obese. My uncle was the next one to get the WLS. He had complication but only because of his own fault and not listening to his doc. Had he followed the rules then he would have had no problems. Most recently my cousin, his daughter, had WLS. She is doing wonderfully. Both of them are my family support group.
My BF, just like your husband, doesnt think I need to do this and just need to eat healthier and exercise. Well I have done that route and it didnt work. If dieting worked then I wouldnt be where I am today. As many people have said, only 1 or 2 % of all diets work. I have a few other issues that put me into the range that I need the WLS. My sleep apnea test said that I stopped breathing at least 144 times during the night! I was shocked. I just thought I couldnt sleep. But to stop breathing, that is scarey stuff.
I think it is a personal choice of what you tell family, friends or co-workers. Some have told everyone, others have told a few people, still others lie and say it is something else because they dont want to deal with people trying to scare them and it isnt any of their business.
You have had a long road to get to making the decision to have the WLS. The choice to have the WLS isnt an easy one or one you made lightly. You are doing this to prolong your life and get healthy again.
My insurance required a 6 month supervised diet plus the doctor required a bunch of tests as well. All of the tests are for the surgery. Tonight is my last diet class and I am hoping that I can get the ball rolling.
Always remember you have this group to support you and your choices. You can check with your doc or within your group to see if there is a local support group. This group is the best and there are many people here in different stages of their journey. Remember there is no stupid questions. Ask away! Congrats on the major decision to take a step to a healthier you! Good Luck!