I am 30 with 3 kids Im 5'6 and 260. I have lost weight down to 180- and it comes back. I live in virginia so my insurance has to cover it. My mother is diabetic, i have scroliosis (sp)? and Hip problems. My blood pressure is also borderline. But most of all, I want to before I die be able to cross my legs and tie my shoes without straining.
Thanks

Dear formygirls3
I would think long and hard before you decide on surgery. You stated that you weigh 260lbs and that you've gotten down to 180lbs, how did you do it before? I had surgery 11 weeks ago but I also weighed 420lbs and it was a matter of life or death within ten years. I dont regret my decision but I wish I could have done it the natural way. My diet has completely changed I no longer eat fats or sugars because if I do then I get dumping syndrome. Had I just been able to stop eating those things before than I could have lost weight. I think that it is important for you to lose weight due to health reasons and for your kids. I have two of my own and it has made a difference to them. Have you tried sensible healthy eating three small meals a day, and exercise? I certainly dont mean to preach, believe me I tried everything before I opted for surgery, I researched for an entire year. I think posting on this site was a good idea, there are alot of people with good advice who access this message board. What ever your decision I wish you the best of luck! and stay in touch and let us know how you are doing. I have faith in you http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/angel.gif
Renee

Hi we sound alot alike. I am 27 and am pg with my third child now. I weight around 265.I want this surgery so bad. after I have baby of course.
I eat for all reasons. happy,sad,upset it doesnt matter. I try to quit but Its like I cant no matter how hard I try.its even emotional to talk about now. I think how can my family love me and how can I love them when I HATE myself so much. Im not sucidal or snything but I do get depressed alot. I cant hardly pass a mirror without thinking horrible things about myself.Its hard for me to go to the gym working full time and 2 children one is a baby and now pg with another one. theres just no time.
It feels so good to vent thanks for listining

Hello formygirls3
I too have considered gastric bypass surgery. I have been scheduled twice, yet by the time the second surgery date was approaching I had already lost 40 pounds from my high of 306 (I am 6').
Keep in mind that surgery is just a tool and not a guarantee of weight loss. According to the surgeon that would of performed my surgery, 10% of patients who have the surgery have to have it done a second time due to regaining their weight after initially losing it.
You may to ask your physician if they have support groups for the bariatric patients. They can be very helpful and encouraging. You may want to apply many of the diet guidelines that they follow right away. Such as eat several small meals per day, eat protein first, limit fat, take vitmanin supplements and drink lots of water.
Since you are young and have lost weight in the past you should be able to do it again. Most of all you will want adopt an eating program which you can live with for life. Too many people view a diet as a temporary patern of eating until they lose their excess weight and then they return to their former eating habits and regain all the weight back plus more. Let us know what you decide. BigTex

Two of my friends have had this surgery. One is happy about it, the other somewhat disappointed.

All places that do these types of surgery have group meetings. They usually consist of people who've had the surgery and people thinking about it. I'd suggest you go to several of these meetings to get some realtime info from people who have been there.

A couple things to consider are that this surgery is successful 60% of the time but the other 40% of people gain it back. There is a show on the Discovery channel about some woman who have gained it back, try and catch it.

My friend said something to me very telling. Her take on the surgery is that now she has to eat between 800-1200 calories a day. She said she could have done this and just skipped the surgery part. She never threw up as promised and can eat cookies and fat. In other words, it's still not a magic pill. YOu still have count calories, weigh yourself and every part of the day is overtaken with thoughts and preparations of food. You still have to have the willpower not to stuff your face and to choose foods low in calories.

My friend also had surgery complications that landed her back in the hospital 4 times after the surgery for a total cost of over $75,000.

Good luck to you. I know it's a very tough journey.