Would you do it again??

Hey there stranger! How in the world are you?? I'm glad to see you come out of lurkdom! I hope things are great for you! Joy

Hey Joy, Angel/Angelette I'm doing great!! Can you believe I am 'nomal', BMI that is, I don't think I'll ever qualify as 'normal, normal!!! We have been foster parents for the county for 28 years, we are now running a treatment foster home, and have 4 very active boys, 3 teens and 1 ten year old. And I am still working for the state full-time. So I am very busy to say the least. But with all this weight gone I have a lot of energy, and I can do things with these boys and keep up with them (well almost keep up with them.) I thank God for His Blessings everyday. Love to all, Boop

You know Shannon, God doesn't make mistakes. He has preplanned our journey. You need to analize were you are right now. Look at the simple things of life that you couldn't do before and now you can. When you first thought about the surgery, your where thinking about yourself. And that is all that matters. There is someone who loves you no matter how you look, smell or act. His name is Jesus. He knows when you have good and bad days and continues to love anyway. We have made it to the otherside and we are truely blessed, he is waiting for us to act like it. I will pray for you. Janet N

We each came into this with a set of expectations. We were mostly concerned about surgery complications and, for those of us who avoided them, were very relieved. We saw only upside to losing weight--both in health and appearance. The reality is that we each learned new things about ourselves and our loved ones. We are the same people, but we have grown through this experience. None of us are unhappy about wearing smaller sizes or being more physically fit. The struggles are from what we have learned about ourselves and our relationships. Some of us have discovered that our relationships were shallow and unhealthy. The surgury did not make them that way--it just revealed them for what they were. We are disappointed and disillusioned. Some of us have learned that our self image is negative, even after losing the weight that we thought was responsible for that. We thought our weight was causing all of our unhappiness, but it wasn't. The surgery was on our stomachs, our heads are still messed up. Some of us have been so starved for positive attention that we have used our "new external look" to form new shallow relationships, which we are beginning to discover do not have true meaning. Adjustment to change is painful, but if we are gentle and kind to ourselves and our loved ones, we will emerge from this process stronger, better people. We need to adjust our expectations about this journey to include an internal transformation that takes longer to achieve than the external changes. So, in answer to your question--yes, I would remake the same decision about WLS. I have had many surprises and some painful lessons, but I have no regrets about the decision. I am a better person than I was before the experience, but not as mature as I will be when I am further along in this journey. Joy -70 lbs

Joy, I thank God for your wisdom and for your willingness to share it with us. Maureen

In a moment. For the change I've had, I'd go through everything I did again. I spent two weeks in the hospital in, literally, the worst pain I've ever had. I have what may be permanent nerve damage (all complications unrelated to the TYPE of surgery...it would have happened in any surgery for me). I had to relearn how to walk. And I'd do it again. I've lost 207 pounds since March and now feel entirely healthy. I look normal (a minor benefit since I did this for health), and I'm much more active than I used to be. I nearly dread eating these days...I get zero pleasure and a lot of tedium out of it. But that's a good thing to me. Yep, I have to drink 3 glasses of protein supplement a day, but for the ability to walk more than 50 yards, I gladly do it. EC

Shannon, Sorry you are having a rough time. I hope things work out for you. I would do this surgery again in a heartbeat. It has saved my life. You bet the health benefits are important! You have done so well and sometimes our friends, relatives, significant other aren't as supportive as we first thought. Also you begin to realize who was a leech friend (as I like to call them) and who is a true friend. My definition of a leech friend is someone who you THINK is your friend but learn that they were only your friend because they felt better about themselves around you. SO when you lost the weight they begin to feel you are competition and they dont look as good as they use to and turn REAL nasty towards you. I say "good bye!" nice knowing you... no wait maybe not! Unfortunately there are very shallow people out there and like happy girl mentioned... we cant be worried about other peoples insecurities. Your true friends are the ones that are truly happy for you and excited to see you are doing well and getting healthier. You are doing awesome! Some people WANT you to feel down about yourself because you had surgery, please dont let them affect you, be proud of yourself and screw what they think! Alot of people don't know how to deal with the new confidence that we have. Its hard to adjust to the new situations and new personalities that we encounter within others and ourselves. But when we finally see through the fog we realize how healthy we are and who was hiding under the fat! I wish you the best and you hang in there! You are awesome and have done soooo well!!! be proud Elizabeth M

I'd do it again in a nanosecond. I am SOOO glad to finally have my life back! Even though I still have just under 50 pounds to reach my goal, I'm healthier, feel better and have more energy than I've had in over 15 years -- looking better is just a big ol' plus! HTH, and best wishes to you as you deal with all the changes that go along with wls. Take care, -Marcie lap rny, 3/29/04 Dr. Christine Gupta St. Vincent Carmel Hospital Carmel, Indiana 281/197/150 BMI: 49.8/34.9

I didn't even have to read your post before I knew the answer to the question. Yes, I wouldn't even think about not doing it all over again.

Dear Shannon, I would also do it again in a New York Minute., but it sounds to me like you need ot be on Anti-depresants like most of us are. With all the changes we have gone through and are still coming up against. It can be depressing even though we are happy with the weight loss. there are a lot of issues we don't deal with very well. Talk to you regular doc about anti-depressants they will make you feel much better about every- thing in general. Its worth a try. Smile and no you are not alone and we all love you and are going thru the same things you are. Hang in There!! Marilyn, the Bearlady Bullhead City, AZ