Would you do it again??

I was just wondering if anyone would decide, Not have the surgery if they could go back in time. It just that the things that I used to find important isn't quite as important now. To many things have changed, Friendships, Family, Wife, Strangers, and just the way that people treat me. I guess I should have thought all of these things through. I guess the whole healther lifestyle thing is better but that's about it. I've lost a total of 161lbs since march. But I just don't think I'd do it again. High Blood Pressure meds have fallen away and now vitaims and protein have taken it's place, Just needed to vent.

Shannon, I'm sorry that things are not exactly as you expected. This is a huge year of readjustment for all of us. I've found that people are reacting to my weight loss in ways that I would never have imagined . I've finally decided that I can't own their issues. I just have to keep plugging away on my own physical and mental health. What I have done is form great friendships with other people who have had the surgery. They can relate to what it feels like when I dump and how excited I get when I loose a pant size. I don't feel like a whiner when I complain about plateaus to them and they are genuinely happy for my success because they've been there also. This doesn't mean that I've given up my old friendships, but I have somewhere else to go to discuss the successes and pitfalls of wls. When I try to explain how frustrating a plateau is to my non-surgery friends, they have little sympathy considering I've lost over 100 pounds. They can't relate. Some of them are seriously jealous that I'm now smaller than them and resentful. Things do change. Look at it as an opportunity to grow. Please come and vent here as often as you need to. This is a group of people who understand exactly what you're going through. Hugs, Connie

no doubt-i would do it again in a heartbeat.

I would do it again. No questions about it. I have had a lot of good support. Met new friends and have kept my old ones. People at church have been a big blessing in making be special during this time of weight loss. When I have something exciting though about my weight loss, I go to my WLS friends and the people who have known me most of my life and know what a stuggle and success this has been. I learned not to go to my size 3 Petite neice who does not understand being overweight and going down a dress size.

I would not change my decision. My obesity had not yet forced me to take daily medications but it limited my enjoyment of life. I would pass on going places and doing things with friends and family because I was concerned about my size or my ability to keep up. Your health is the most important thing you have. Your improved health is going to allow you to be better all-around; a better husband - you will be around longer, friend - you can be included more, and co-worker - you will have more energy and stamina. You don't sound too enthusiastic about the improvement in your health. If you want to put your success in perspective, 161 pounds is roughly 19 gallon sized jugs of water. Think about carrying 19 jugs of water around with you for a day - can you even imagine it now? I've lost 11 jugs and I don't think I could carry more than four... for about 20 minutes. All of our relationships are changing. It is an upheaval when suddenly you're on an equal footing with people. It's a big change in the way we value ourselves and in the way other people judge us. If you are having a lot of trouble, you might want to seek professional counseling, maybe a family counsellor. Or, maybe you can get involved with a support group of other post-ops. My friends from my support groups are a wonderful addition to my life. Hang in there. I wish you the best. Jennifer M 266/172/155?

I do not regret my DS surgery at ALL. I would do it all again.

I would do it over 10 times if I had to. If I had known I would feel this good I would have loved the opportunity years ago. I am a better wife, mother, and friend because I feel so much better and feel much more confident in the things I do. I have always been out going and never tried to let my weight get in the way of the things I wanted to do, but in all honesty now looking back it got in the way more than I realized or wanted to admit. I do notice people having a harder time adjusting to the new me or at least not being sure how to approach the wieght subject with me, but I know that my true friends will be there thru the thick and thin, and my family, well they are just stuck with me! Fatter or less fat (as I am now), and hopefully normal in the future............I like the new me and cant help but shout it to the world! I hope you see things as better for you in the future and can sit back and say, "this has been good, a bumpy ride at times, but good". Take Care, Janelle

Before surgery: 1. I couldn't walk more than a few steps without pain 2. I couldn't Play with my children 3. I couldn't Wear jeans 4. I couldn't Wear shoes with laces 5. I couldn't Sleep laying down (couldn't breathe) 6. I couldn't Bend over 7. I couldn't get in the floor without worrying about how in the world I was going to get up 8. I had high blood pressure -- through the roof 9. My legs ached constantly and were swelled all the time from severe edema 10. I had female problems that were major issues This list could go on and on. Six months later, I can say that I can do all of the things on this list now, and the physical ailments are almost all gone -- I have a little trouble with the edema still, but it is very much improved. Are all these benefits (plus the others that I just didn't take time to type!) worth it? ABSOLUTELY. Would I do it again? IN A HEARTBEAT! I worked for almost two years to get approval for this surgery and my health was deteriorating more and more each day. There is no way I would let that be in vain. I would definitely do it again.

While I can certainly relate to the difficult relationships issue I also realize that these relationships were difficult BEFORE I had surgery and lost 122 lbs. My surger and weight loss has not caused the problem; I am only able to deal with it now rather than coast through it in a cloud of denial. I was dead inside so how could my significant relationships be anything but bad? I had nothing to give. I couldn't walk 10 steps without terrible pain and shortness of breath. All I could think about was laying down so that I could get the burden of my weight off my feet, my knees, my back, my joints. Yes, things are different now; but not worse. Just different. While I celebrate every day the fact that I can move my body through space just like any other normal sized person -- I walk with incredible energy and passion and I've even started to jog! This is a miracle for me. And I celebrate these small victories -- but I struggle with the psychological aspects of my life -- instead of coasting through the head stuff like a zombie, I am wrestling with the real issues and it's painful and difficult. But, Shannon, know that the people *****ally love you for who you are will stick by you and will be there for you when it all settles for you == we're on the other side. Celebrate, my friend. You've been given back your life. I wish you strong and happy thoughts. Best, Maureen

Hey Angelette, I'm here for ya'll, I'm still the same angel you had pre-op. E-mail me any time for a little chat. Betty the Boop