Weight Loss Surgery - Hello I am new here and need your help!!!

Hello I have been struggeling to loose weight for years now and am over 300lbs and am 5' 9" I went to the Dr. today and he suggested BYPASS surgery what do you think about that?

and he said with my health issues my insurance would pay for it.

Thanks
:tread:

it's nice to meet you, minnesotaman... the REAL question about wls is not what WE think about it, but rather what YOU think about it. for some of us, it's the only answer. for others, it's not the right choice. but don't worry... we'll be around to listen and help you work through your decision. whichever way to decide to go.

but remember one really important point: wls is not quick fix. you still have to pay attention to your diet and exercise. and you still ahve to control emotional eating.

there's lots of information around here, including a weight loss surgery forum. so.. let the conversation begin!!!!!!

I'm moving this thread over to Weight loss surgery. You're in Good Hands!

Hey Minnesotaman, welcome.

Jiffy is right, only you can decide something like this. For me it bacame an easy answer. I was always what I kindly considered to be a healthy fat.

Then it started, out of breath, diabetes, liver problems, kidney problems and all of a sudden, I was 417 pounds on a 6'3" frame and very UNhealthy. I had three specialists all recommend surgery the same week.

I just had mine on June 24th and have lost 26 pounds. I have a problem with an infection right now bit otherwise I am having to learn to eat all over again.

Good luck with your quest and I hope you fine the answers you need to help make a decision.

minnesotaman,
I didn't talk to a doctor about WLS when I started my quest. I had explored the option and frankly was reluctant to put something so personal as my life in the hands of someone else. I decided to try my utmost again for the umpteenth time to lose this weight myself without surgery. I was in the hospital with a mini stroke, it was 9/11/01 and my nurse and I watched the towers fall. I turned to her and told her that I had been given a second chance but those people hadn't. I had to do something with mine. I dedicated my effort to those souls who perished that day. As soon as I got the go ahead from my doctors, I joined a gym. My wife figured I would go for a week and lose interest and be back in the garbage lifestyle I had spent my life in. She talked me into just getting a three month membership at the gym. By the end of three months, I had started losing weight and gaining confidence, she joined with me. That was three years ago, I have lost 180 of the 414 lbs I waddled into that gym with in October 2001. I have loose skin on my midsection and chin and arms, we all will! It has cost me a lot of early morning drives to the gym, a lot of new clothes, a lot of sweat, people that have known me for forty years can't recognize me until I speak, the pizza guy had to lay some people off temporarily, and some people get tired of hearing me talk about eating healthy. But I wouldn't change a thing. Not one thing!
Before you make up your mind look closely at your options. Consider your tenacity. Stand in front of your mirror and look deep in your eyes and ask yourself,"Have I done everything I can do to turn myself around"? Ask for a second opinion from another physician about the surgery that you are considering. Remember that the surgery is not all that you will ever have to do to keep your weight where it is supposed to be. You will have to exercise, there will be portion controlling of food...etc These fine people over her can explain that better than I. If you have exhausted all other possibilities, and can handle them, you're a better man than I, we'll be here for support. Good luck my brother! and Godspeed!