Question:
Is what I'm feeling normal?
Hi. Well, my doctors office has submitted all of my stuff to my insurance company. I'm excited AND confused. My question is, is it normal to go back and forth regarding having the surgery? I'm so-so-so committed to do this, but there is this "little" voice that tells me "Kristin, just try harder and exercise more". Is what I'm feeling normal? I would appreciate any feedback!! Thanks everyone!!! — MissAuntieK (posted on April 4, 2000)
April 4, 2000
Hi!
I think what you are feeling is normal. I go in for my surgery next week,
and still I pray that I am making the right choice. I am 90% certain it is;
The other 10% of me is just scared of dying.:) But I will go through with
it. I feel like I am dying in this body I have now. Just pray long and hard
about it. These people are so supportive here, and so many success stories,
and information...this is the place to be to help you with your decision.
— Christy B.
April 4, 2000
Of course your feelings are normal. I would worry if you
didn't have these feelings. I am almost 7 weeks post-op and
I can tell you I was scared to death. I asked my doctor in
front of my husband, what the mortality rate was for this
surgery and he told us both, very matter of factly, less than
1%. All I can tell you is I do not regret my decision and
you have a whole community of support here. You can also
back out right up to the very last minute. It is your body and
only you know if diet and exersice have worked or will work
for you. I wish you all the best and will be glad to help
in any way I can. Good luck and God bless. Hope to see you
on the other side soon.
— Jen L.
April 4, 2000
Yes it is very normal to have these feelings. I felt the same
way before my surgery. I had my first app. in Feb and had
the surgery the following Aug. My emotions were like a roller
coaster the whole time. I had people tell me not to go through
it and they made me thing I should try harder to lose. And
I had others who were very supported of the decision I made.
Even immediately after the surgery you will have some of
the same ups and downs. But after the first visit and you
have lost lots of weight you will definitly feel like you
did the right thing. Just remember the reason you are doing
this. For you, You are important enough to do this for.
You want to live a healthy and productive life. This is the
right decision for you. Stick with it and you will win.
Keep going and look at the long term.
— chris M.
April 5, 2000
Hi Kristin,
I had those exact same feelings. I wondered if maybe I just really put my
mind to it and watched what I ate and exercised more I'd lose this excess
weight. Then on the other hand, I'd tell myself, you've done that and it
hasn't worked yet!! Then I would read post about people who were over 300
pounds, who REALY needed the surgery and all those doubts would surface
again. I would tell myself again, "maybe you just need to buckle down
and learn some self control". But I went through with the surgery and
I don't regret one moment of it. For the most part no one tried to talk me
out of it. I would get comments like, "can't you just cut back on
eating?" and unfortunately people like that don't understand the
mechanics behind morbidly obese people. Hope this helps...If you need
anything email me [email protected]. Good Luck,
— Marni
April 5, 2000
Absolutely normal! The "little" voice you hear is the
culturally-ingrained one that says diseases (like morbid obesity,
alcoholism, etc.) aren't really diseases at all, but deep-seated character
defects, and if you could just get hold of yourself you'd be thin, dammit!
Kristin, you're not crazy, the world is. One of my favourite factoids is
that the average model in a fashion magazine is 5'10' and weighs 115
pounds; the average North American woman is 5'4" and weighs 145. No
wonder we're having a body image crisis! I have no doubt that you've tried
dieting and you've tried exercising. To decide to have WLS is not
weakness, it's strength. It's taking back real control, not the illusion
of it. You go, girl!
— Cheryl Denomy
April 5, 2000
Kristin, I was in "limbo" for months. I finally made a
desicion when a dear friend died of a heart attack. In the emergency room,
where I saw his 400lb+ lifeless frame laying on a gurney that he barely fit
on, is when I made my life-altering desicion to go ahead and have the
surgery. I didnt want it to be me in the future. "Don" lived a
miserable lonely existance. Everyone thought that he was
"grosse" and "nasty" because of his weight. Many
failed to look past his exterior and appreciate the goodness he had inside.
I love him dearly and miss him so. (I am crying right now.) Don't have
the surgery so that you look better in a pair of jeans, (thats a bonus!) Do
it for your health. So that your family and friends can have you around
for a long time. We kid ourselves everytime we think that the next diet is
going to work. If you don't put an end to the viscious cycle, 20 years
and 200lbs would have passed the next time you blink. I know that I made
the right choice. I will keep you in my thought and prayers. XOXO's Good
luck! Email me at [email protected] if you would like to chat.
— Lady C.
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