So, as many of you know, I’ve been in a bariatric surgery program since May. Thus far, the program has consisted of workouts, consultations with a psychologist and dietitian, and regular visits with my primary care provider. I’ve attended support group sessions, information sessions and classroom sessions. I’ve researched the various surgical options available to me. I’ve weighed the risks and rewards, I’ve waffled, I’ve gone from one camp to the other.
In short, I’m really not any closer to a decision than I was.
It boils down to one thing… do the risks frighten me enough to overcome the desire to have my diabetes go into remission?
The short answer? I don’t know.
On one hand, 70-80% of the gastric bypass surgeries result in complete remission. As in no more meds. No more injections. No more having to carry around a load of vials and enough needles to make a hardened junkie jealous. The other hand? Bowel obstructions, leaky staple sites, infections, problems with urination, basically any of the same risks with any abdominal surgery.
As you can see, this is not an easy decision to make. I read of the complications, but the people I know who have had a successful surgery all swear by it.
Either way I decide, the earliest we would be doing it would be in January. In the meantime, I’ll keep up with the workouts and keep weighing the risks/rewards.
It’s my life, after all.
Memoirs of a Soon-to-Be Former Fat Guy 
Not to sound like a shill for what I’m doing – but a plant based whole foods diet has been able to eliminate Type II diabetes from people who stay on the diet. Complete remission and/or reversal. If you’d like to read up on some of it (no pressure, I promise!) let me know. I’ll tell you about some books and sites you should read. It might be an alternative to straight up surgery.
Not an easy decision at all. I personally know only one person who has gone through the surgery, and it was greatly successful for him. It was also about more than the diabetes. He was seriously going to die *soon* if he didn’t drop weight.
Prayers and happy thoughts for wisdom and decision-making.
I know someone that did lapband and they didn’t seem to have any complications… but they are starting to pack on pounds again because they didn’t have/or do all the rest (diet, workouts, support groups, etc) so it’s defiantly not a cure all. Tough choice. I wish there was a magic answer. My dad has Type 2 and takes some pills for it. That’s all he does, but he also doesn’t have the blister issues you’ve been plagued with. I would love to see everything work out for you with just diet and exercise, because the thought of you having surgery scares me!