I wish I had a dollar for every time I have heard the following questions: Have you really researched this surgery? Do you really know the risks involved? Are you sure you want to put yourself through surgery to lose weight? Will you promise me that you will think about this long and hard before you make a decision? Do you really know what you are giving up by having this surgery? Why did you lose so much weight to have 'weight loss' surgery? You have lost so much weight without the surgery, why don't you just keep doing what you are doing and forget about the surgery?
I began seriously researching RNY, gastric bypass surgery, in 2007. I read everything on the internet that I could find. I watched thousands of videos on youtube. I watched the "Big Medicine" show on tv, as well as every other program that dealt with super morbid obesity. One of the prerequisites of the surgery was to be smoke free for 6 months before surgery. August 12, 2008, I quit smoking in order to meet that prerequisite. I began calling surgeons in February of 2009 to get information about the different programs in my area. I was completely devastated to find out that not one doctor in east Tennessee accepted my insurance. I cried for weeks.
A series of events late last summer, that can only be explained as 'sent from God' shed new hope for me. Darin was dating a sweet girl who worked at the University of Tennessee Medical Center. She had inside information that eventually led to me being referred to the UT Weight Loss and Surgery Center. Sadly Darin and this lady didn't work out, but we all agree that their meeting was not for themselves, but rather for me. That's how the Lord works sometimes.
Do I understand the risks? You bet I do. When one researches to the depths that I did, one sees all angles: the good, bad, and the ugly. Yes, I saw it all. I saw pictures of surgeries gone wrong, where people were disfigured for life. I saw emaciated people because 'something just didn't go right.' I read obituaries of people who died due to complications from the surgery. Did this alarm me? Sure it did! But you know what alarmed me even more? Having chest pains for no apparent reason. Becoming out of breath from only walking a few steps. Being afraid to go to a restaurant because I may not fit in the booth, or the chair may break out from under me. Going to a store and having people yell hurtful things to me from across the parking lot. Personal hygiene becoming difficult. Not being able to stretch the seat belt around me in the car. I could go on and on!
Do I really want to put myself through this major surgery? I've considered all aspects of this procedure, and yes, I want to proceed with it. Let me be very clear! I have been on every diet known to man! I have lost probably thousands of pounds only to regain it. NOTHING that I have tried gave me long term results. I understand that this surgery isn't a miracle cure! I understand, and I want you to understand, that this is not the easy way out! I understand that I will still have to work very hard to reach my goal. I am a chocoholic. I could live on chocolate candy, and anything sweet. I understand that this surgery can assist me to resist sweets that are my ultimate downfall! Sweets will make me deathly sick, and just won't be worth the effort.
Will I promise that I will think long and hard before deciding to have the surgery? Done. Let's see, I began seriously researching in 2007. It is currently 2011. Would you agree that 4 years is 'long?' 'Nuff said!
Do I really know what I am giving up by having this surgery? Yes, I know that I will never be able to sit down to a Thanksgiving meal and pig out with the rest of the family or with others at public functions. But that doesn't mean that others can't! This surgery only effects MY eating habits. No one else need be concerned that Wanda can only eat a couple of ounces. A couple of ounces will have Wanda FULL and satisfied! This is Wanda's choice! It is not a terrible condition or affliction that causes me to be miserable and unable to eat like others. It is MY choice!
Why did I lose so much weight if I am going to have the surgery to lose weight? I know it sounds like a contradiction. My insurance requires me to lose 1/2 to 3 pounds per month for six months. The program that I am utilizing requires every weight loss surgery patient a 6 month waiting period. I don't know about anyone else, but I don't know how to diet just a little. How do you know each month that you have met that 1/2 pound loss? Do you diet just a couple of days out of the month to reach that amount? Really! If I have to diet, then I'm going all out and DIET! And why the heck not? I have to wait 6 months anyway, why not diet and just have that much out of the way before surgery? It will make it easier on me, the surgeon, and the recovery will be much more pleasant. This gives me an opportunity to get the necessary self-discipline in place. It's a win-win, no matter how you look at it! Why can't people get this? It sure beats spending that 6 months where every single day is looked upon as 'the last meal' that only leads to further weight gain that could have been avoided had folks just used their brains! What may have been 150 pounds to lose could become 200 pounds or more! Can anyone convince me that is OK?
Why don't I just continue to diet and not put myself through the surgery? OK, this is the Big One! I have lost this much weight and even more, several times but have always gained it back. It doesn't last! I have a history of bulimia. It hasn't reared it's ugly head, yet, but it would be certain to do so if I continue losing on my own. There would be a time when I would begin to want that candy bar, or that chocolate chip cookie, or anything sinfully sweet and with nothing preventing me from binging and purging, I would find myself in serious trouble again. The characteristics of a food-aholic are very similar to an alcoholic. When I start eating sweets, I can't stop! Then, after I have consumed enough calories in one sitting that could have lasted me 3 weeks, I panic. I have to get rid of it! It will make me gain weight! So, I'll make myself vomit, and/or take a handful of laxatives to 'get rid' of it. Now, after having gastric bypass surgery, my stomach (pouch) will only be able to hold a couple of ounces. If I try to to binge, I will rupture my pouch. If I rupture my pouch, I will die! Sound like a good motivation not to start practicing bulimia again? Yeah, I thought you would agree! This is for good measure: You wouldn't tell an alcoholic, "Go ahead! A little won't hurt you!" Why would you tell a foodaholic to go ahead and have a little? Honestly! Don't encourage us to cheat! It is senseless! Honestly!
Yes, I wish I had a dollar for every time I have been asked these questions! I would be driving a Cadillac! No one can possibly know that I would love to respond in this manner: Yes, I have! Have you done your research? Spend your time researching instead of questioning, and then those of us who are taking the giant step toward taking our lives back will have more support and less criticism!
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