I had the gastric bypass in 2001 when I was 21 years old. It was the hardest but the most important decision I have ever made in my life. Obesity runs in my family. I grew up watching my mother struggle to loose weight on crash diets, weight watchers, Jenny Craig, Physicians Weight Loss, Atkins, Water diets. You name it, and she tried it. I was really thin when I was young. I hit puberty and my life changed. From the age of 12 I started to follow my moms foot steps. I joined weight watchers, a gym, I even starved myself. I did whatever, I thought could work and I lost weight. Never for long though, because I always gained it back. Finally, one day I looked in the mirror and I realized that I had to do something or I was going to live a very short life. I was sick all the time, I was in constant body pain, and I never had any energy. Worst of all, I was told that I would have a very low chance of being able to have children because of my weight. I researched the surgery for two years and I read all the pros and cons on all types of websites dealing with the surgery and websites for individuals who had the surgery. The ultimate decision came when I asked myself if the risk was worth a new and longer lease on life.
I weighed 250 lbs and I lost 120 lbs. Someone told me before I had the surgery that I was taking the easy way out. I can tell you that there was nothing easy about the choice to have the surgery, going through the series of pre-op exams and tests, the surgery itself, the recovery and the ongoing side effects. Effects commonly referred to as dumping, gas, or not being able to eat an entire meal and there are some others.
I may have to use the restroom at the most inopportune times and have some discomfort. I may have to share a meal, order from the kids meal, or always walk out of a restaurant with a carry out box but those things are nothing in the scope of what I have gained.
I am healthy now and that alone is worth it, not having to see doctors all the time or take meds is a blessing. Being thinner and wearing certain clothing, that is just a perk to me. Most wonderful of all, I have a beautiful 19 month old daughter who is my gift from up above.
Now, I can say that losing weight only changes your physical aspect. It does not fix any phychological issues that one may have. The insecurities that come with being overweight do not go away, the source of insecurity just changes or new ones develop. How we cope with these determines a great deal. It is important to get help if you feel that you are causing harm to yourself in any way. I found that you could very easily begin other habits that can be very dangerous to your own life. I have had to see a therapist and get help to deal with some of the psychological issues that came from having the surgery.
Ultimately, the decision is a personal decision. When people ask me if I recommend it, all I can say is If I was given the chance to do it differently, I wouldn't change a thing.
