Any previously super duper morbidly obese (400lbs+) and/or hypermobile successes out there? (IDR the clinical term; it might be "severely morbidly obese".) I have to convince myself to go through with this.
TLDR version: Any previously 400+ lb baddies out there with advice and success stories?
Any hypermobile folks have successes/advice to share(even if not over 400)? I am curious if our hypermobility causes any weird complications for bariatric surgeries that I should be aware of/keep in mind?
Longer version: I am a 6'1, 550 lbs lady, under age 40, who has multiple autoimmune diseases (worst being rheumatoid arthritis) and I have have hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD). Unfortunately, I got diagnosed with venous insufficiency yesterday and am forcing myself to seriously consider and pursue bariatric surgery for the first time. I have refused to consider it a valid option (for myself) until now because everyone I know who did it either died, regretted it, or didn't lose as much weight as they wanted. Between the fear, the potential complications and only eating a tablespoon a meal or whatever, I have outright refused to consider surgery an option for myself. Admittedly, some of it was spite/resentment, I mean why is my ENT asking me about bariatric surgery anyway, my fatness does not impact my hearing *rolls eyes. Any way, looks like I really actually can't get the weight off by myself and it's way past time I do something drastic about it.
Btw, I was on Mounjaro for ~8 months and only lost 30 lbs, but now my insurance requires you to HAVE diabetes and prove it with labs with an A1C higher than 6 and despite all my body's shenanigans I don't have the diabetes... yet. I tried to get them to approve the weight loss meds that are approved for sleep apnea but my insurance is refusing that too. I have severe OSA and wear a bi-pap every night so you would think that would qualify. Fricking US and our B.S. health insurance nightmares.
At ~18, I was around 360 lbs. I lost 80 lbs and got down to 280. At the time, I was an incredibly active fat person, riding horses, working 3 physically demanding jobs, did some ballroom dancing, and yoga & walked SO much. I attribute my weight loss to the drastically sharp increase in activity as well as cutting out sugar and eating proper meals more regularly. I got Lyme's disease and got super sick and have just gotten both fatter and sicker over time. Now that I am so sick I can't really exercise much at all. I do binge eat some now which is not helping things at all. I am going to talk to my therapist about addressing the binging. I have reached out to my gastroenterologist to get her opinion about the surgery too and see if she can recommend a decent surgeon.
I would welcome and appreciate any advice and success stories from any previously 400+ lb baddies out there! Did losing the weight actually impact you in a positive way for real? Were the complications or side effects really worth it to you?
Also, would welcome any advice and success stories from any hypermobile folks (even if not over 400). I am curious if our hypermobility causes any complications for bariatric surgeries that I should be aware of or keep in mind?
Lastly, if anyone else made it this far, I could use some genuine hope. If you feel up to sharing about your quality of life post-surgery that would be amazing. If you have any favorite mantras or quotes that helped you during your journey, please share that too.