I had been advised by my doctor multiple times to consider surgery, but I had always seen it as a failure option. I was fooling myself as I was capable of losing for a few months, but would always have a time where the motivation ran out and I would regain plus. As I hit my mid-40s, my hips started becoming arthritic and the pain and lack of mobility was starting to keep me from being able to play all of the sports I loved. I was no longer able to walk the golf course, when I played basketball, it would be two or three days of hobbling in pain afterwards, and i realized that the weight was unlikely to come off again.

I hit the pre-surgery plan hard and had surgery in September of 2014. Aside from the fatigue immediately post-surgery, I had very little pain or discomfort, resolved most of my other health issues, and while my hips won't necessarily regain their previous flexibility, the pain is mostly gone.

The second year post surgery has been a real challenge, but I have no regrets about the path I chose.

Realizing that my personality is one of "Just Do It!"... but I am telling you... Just Do IT!
*smiling*

Maybe it is just that I wasn't terribly unhealthy prior to the surgery. I was pre-diabetic, with high BP, BMI 42. Had my surgery May 2015 at age 50 with two bad knees. I was eating a lot of Advil every day to compensate, and then learned that Advil will be a no no post-op, I thought maybe I shouldn't do this. What will I do for the pain? I went forth with the surgery.

Believe me, after the first month and the loss of 20 pounds, my knees started to feel better already. Oddly enough it wasn't my knees but my back which basically collapsed and herniated in July 2015. From there, never even thought about my knees. Due to the RYN I couldn't take pills for the pain and they put me on liquid Oxy and Lyrica with strict orders from the neurosurgeon to continue loosing more weight, it was the only solution beyond more surgery. Within the six months post-op, my weight dropped 80+ pounds and I was feeling good. I was off the pain medication. My back is still herniated, but I have learned to move and lift correctly as to not aggravate it. My right knee is now starting to bother me again. Time will do that when you have lost all cartilage. I stay active to keep my muscles strong which helps a little with the bone on bone knee pain, but replacement is inevitable.

My body took a large toll carrying all that extra weight, and through WLS I was able to post pone and maybe even erase the need for other surgeries, and my quality of life has improved ten fold.

WLS may not elimnate all your health issues, but it may make the next few years of dealing with them much easier. I only see positive for anyone that has had the surgery. So what are you waiting for?? Just do IT! ha ha ha ... ok... I am done now..