Can't decide to have surgery or not

Hi everyone, I'm really at a crossroads and am having trouble deciding if I should have weight loss surgery or not.  I'm currently about 200lbs overweight and so ashamed.  I'm currently having severe back pain, and severe fatigue (dr has ruled out any other serious illness) I have difficulty walking and all the other obese problems.  He's diagnosed me with chronic fatigue syndrome but has hinted it's likely because of the weight.  In the search to diagnosis the severe fatigue I've seen an internist, who took one look at me and strongly suggested the gastric sleeve where they remove 85% of your stomach.  I also have a pituitary tumour where I see an endocrinologist, she and her group of residents strongly told me not to consider any kind of weight loss surgery as its too risky and full of problems and they see lots is such surgical patients.  For several years I've been thinking of Lapband surgery, but I'm in Canada where it's not covered by our medical care (or if it is there is a 8-10 yr wait and that's only for a referral you're not garaunteed to be chosen for surgery).  It's also not covered by personal insurance.  In other words if I want it done I have to pay for it myself.  My province just recently began to offer this surgery for paying customers (many provinces do offer it and I've done a price comparison and its cheapest to stay in my province).  After a 250$ consultation which can be scheduled within a month, I was told the surgery could be scheduled for 1-2 mos later.  Quite a difference than 8 years!  Anyway the surgery is 10,000$.  Although I'm strongly considering it, I find my family dr is quite ambilivant about it.  Doesn't offer any advice about have it or don't have it, even after I told him of the differing opinions of the specialists.  He just tells me to eat less and exercise (like I've never heard or tried that before...gee!).  My family is appalled that I would even consider surgery at all and paying for it (it would take most of my savings), well that's just ridulous to them.  Friends try to be supportive but I don't think they really understand, one is obese but doesn't have the health problems I do.  
I'm really at a loss at what to do....any advice or words of wisdom?

[beliteweight]

Hi,

After reading your post, my suggestion to you would be to start off with regular exercises. You must make a proper diet chart, intake of more calorie content should be reduced. However, if this doesn't help you much then i think you should go for the weight loss surgery.

[giggles232000]

Really only you can decide, I am in the prossess of having the sleeve keeping my fingers crossed it will be in Dec,  but you cant listen to your family or friends, it is a personal thing and as long as the dr's clear you and you want to do it to improve your health and your life then do it,  but if you have any doubts in your mind then dont do it,   you have to listen to your self and what do you feel will be best for you,

Make sure you research the Dr's who do the surgery and who would be best for you, good luck.  

[chelan3]

Why did you choose the sleeve over other weight loss surgeries?

[giggles232000]

I didnt want a foriegn object in my body,didnt want to have to keep going back for fills,  and the sleeve tends to have a faster weight lose that I have noticed, I know alot of people that have done the lapband and did great on, it but I just felt the sleeve was better for me

[chelan3]

I wish I could have a choice of drs but there are only 2 in my province that do them and i dont get to choose who does it.  Anything out of province requires me to bring someone with me (as you don't stay in hospital overnight and they won't let you go to a hotel unattended) and if I did that I'd have to pay the travel for a friend to go.  With the travel and hotel costs it works out to a lot more, and subsequent costs for follow-up it would be almost double.  
I understand there is a better long term outlook for the sleeve (I was told its a slower weight loss, but it's easier to keep it off).  I was concerned about the removal and that its not reversible if you have issues.  At least with the Lapband you can have it removed if necessary.  Wow, big decision.  Wen is your surgery?
Thanks for help.  

[giggles232000]

O man, yeah w/my insurance we have a lot to pick from,   well if its the same sleeve as here in the states I have watched people that have had both and the sleeve people lose faster,  

yes that is true but they dont like to remove the band unless they have to,  wow see for the lapband here its not an overnight stay but for the sleeve its a 1 night stay at the hospital so they can make sure everything went ok,.  

all I can say is go w/your gut what do you feel will be the best for you and anytime you need to talk send me a msg I am here to listen and I can tell you how mine goes once I have it done,  I dont know when that is yet I am finishing up on all my testings and they will then send it off to my insurance company then I have to wait 15-30 days for them to approve it,  but it will be mid to end of Dec some time

[jobe581]

Do whatever it takes to feel good about you and yourself, you can keep your money and be unhappy, or be broke but looking good and feeling good, is there really a option for you. Except what others expect of you youll get no where, Embrace what you can be and love yourself more.

[jibi07]

I was comtemplating the same thing a few years ago, I live in Canada, I went ahead with the Gastric Bypass, I have lost 200 pounds, and recently, Dec 13 2012 in fact had another surgery to remove the excess skin of my stomach from the weight loss, i had no problems from any of my surgery, and if you think it's right for you then you should do it, what does your dr think? I know some people can't eat certain things, as for me, i can pretty much eat anything except steak... i cant digest it, and if i eat too fast i'm sick, so you learn new lifelong eating habbits, good ones!!  I'd say keep doing your research, i did for over a year before i decided 100% to go ahead with it.......... good luck on your journey!!

[chelan3]

Did you have your surgery in Canada? If so long did you have to wait? If out of Canada where did you end up going? I've seen prices for gastric bypass in Mexico and its like 12000 compared to the sleeve which is about 6500... Why is bypass so much more?  Glad everything is working well for you!  My doc doesn't understand weight problems and is ambivalent about surgery not supportive at all.

[chelan3]

Thank you...what you said makes sense...