Would you do it again?

I'm new here and I've just started on my path.  I'm taking this all very slowly and trying to learn everything that I can.  I'm scared of the surgery bu, I think I'm equally afraid of not having surgery.  This question is probably asked regularly on here but I couldn't find it...sorry if I overlooked a previous post.

So, for those of you that have had the RNY... would you do it again?

Thanks
A

Hi A, Yep, I would do it again. I think everyone goes through with being scared but it is so worth it. Do your research and do what your doctor tells you and you will be fine.Good luck to you.

Hi A,

I had open RNY (started as lap but changed to open when it was over half done due to severe scar tissue on my intestines from previous surgery - hysterectomy) on 10/11/04.  I started at 309lbs on surgery day...my highest was 311.  I lost down to 150lbs and my weight stabalized at about 172lbs.  That was a good weight for me.  I did well, followed the doctors orders, ate protein first, didn't eat between meals...did have trouble drinking my 64ozs of water, but eventually worked that out too.

I did eventually started snacking on too many protein bars, and high carb salty snacks and drinking diet coke when I indulged in these things.  Big surprise, I eventually gained back up to 218lbs.  I also had a problem with getting up all during the night and eating.  I sought help.  I told my surgeon what was going on and he gave me the name of a psychologist to got talk to.  He helped me some and then I went to a psychiatrist who prescribed an an antidepressant that helps me to sleep all night long.  I am back down from 218lbs last March to 175-180 now. 

Would I do it again...a resounding YES!! I would definitely do it again because I was on the edge of death and I wasn't living.  I went to work and came home and sat in a recliner.  My husband would drop me at the door of the grocery store and I would wait on the bench until he came in.  I would then lean on the grocery cart for support while pushing it.  When it was checkout time.  I went back to the bench while he paid for the groceries, took them to the car and came back to the door to pick me up.  I had a two year old grandson I could barely hold or enjoy.  He is now 7, almost 8 and has a 5 year old brother and another brother who is 2.  I have a blast with them.  I can take them to the grocery store with me.  I put the 2 yo in the basket and then take off and do a quick sprint or run and he loves it.  I can actually play with the boys and keep up with them.

I know you are scared.  I was really scared and I told my doctor who suggested I have WLS.  He said my numbers are what scared him.  My blood sugars ran in the high 200's on the highest dose of the strongest diabetes meds...insuline was next.  I was on blood pressure medicine, cholesterol lmedicine, I had severe sleep apnea...I stopped breating 52 times a minute, so I had to sleep hooked to a C-PAP machine.  I was on more than $700 worth of medication.  The neuropathy (nerve damage) was so bad in my feet that my toes were numb and they burned and hurt so bad at night.  I couldn't even stand the covers on them.  I am no longer diabetic.  My blood sugar is always 90-92.  I do not take blood pressure medication anymore, it usually runs about 107 over 62.  I no longer have sleep apnea.  My toes are still a little numb but they no longer hurt or burn at night.  I do still fight cholesterol and on meds for that.  The doctor said it is not weight related.  It is hereditary.  My dad died at the age of 44 with a massive heart attach...and so did his dad.  I never knew my dad's dad.  Would I do it again...yes ma'm!  I am so grateful for this surgery.  It literally saved my life!

I know this was long, but I wanted to share the good, the bad and the ugly!!

In a realative sense, I am new here.  My R-N-Y was completed on 4/28/09.  I have lost 177 pounds now--my high weight was 448.  I went from walking on a cane and being house bound , unable to drive etc. to living an active life again.  Yes I would do it again.

Would I do it again?  Y E S!!  I'm like Gary--a newbie--surgery date 05/01/09.  I couldn't do the things I wanted to do anymore due to knee and back pain....I didn't have diabetes or high blood pressure..........YET.......but with the family history, it was inevitable.  I've lost 150 lbs and am 34 from goal.  I am in the best shape of my life.  Now, I do exactly what I'm supposed to.....take my vitamins, eat the way I'm supposed to, and exercise 5 times a week.  My advice is do your research and make sure you are ready to make PERMANENT life changes--you will have to give up a lot to be permanently successful--be sure you are ready!

Kim

You better believe I would do it again.  I was over 300 pounds.  I suffered from high blood pressure, arthritis to the point of almost not being able to walk, many breathing problems and the lack of self confidence was pitiful.  I wasn't the life of the party.  I tried to hide so that people wouldn't look at me with disgust on their face.  I hated to be called names in front of family or friends.  I dreaded being asked why I was so big by children or if I was pregnant.  I lost down to the 190 lb. range and I was a different person.  My self confidence soared.  I became a flower finally blooming instead of a wall flower.  I could hold my grandchildren in my lap.  I could go to the bathroom and wipe - that was a biggie for me!!    Maybe a little TMI for some but all of you who were obese know  what I mean.  I smile now.  I like me.  Oh yes, yes, YES I would do it again. 

To be realistic, I have had some problems.  My bone density is not where it should be.  I have to take a prescription for Vitamin D.  I have to take B-12 shots monthly.  I have to have a yearly injection of Reclas for osteoporosis.  But it's all things I can live with.

Last year I found out I had Stage II breast cancer.  The chemo was horrible and  I truly believe that if I had still been 300 + pounds, I would not have made it through.

I love my life now and I love being able to fish, hike, camp, ride on the back of a motorcycle, play on a 4 wheeler, swing with my grandchildren, and all those other wonderful activities I could not do before.

Blessings,
DebbieDoo

((A))
Yes, I would do it again!! 
I am no longer a diabetic (sometimes being noncomplient) and having to ***** my finger and give myself insulin injections.. I was a diabetic brought on by weight gain.
I am no longer in congestive heart failure! I no longer have sleep apnea and sleep with a machine nor do I snore. I no longer have high blood pressure and take medication several of them to keep it under control. I no longer have asthma and do inhalers nor do I have problems walking up and down the street or up and down a flight or two or even three!! 
I was morbid obese and I was going to die if I stayed the way I was.. and Oh, I dieted. I did Atkins and lost  around 80lbs. I worked out and tried so hard to keep it off but the meant I quiet daily writing down my intake and doing my daily trips to the gym the pounds crept right back on along with even more.
I didn't want to have surgery; for me it was abit more complicated as I had pulmonary embolisms in the past and was on blood thinner. I had to go and have a greenfield filter but in by a thorasic surgeon prior to being able to have weight loss surgery. Surgery was my only option, I know my heart could not have lasted another 2 years in it's condition!
There were so many other factors; the biggest thing is to know your surgeon- know his stats and know his procedures. Make sure that he does check for leaks and find out if they have a support group - prior to have surgery go attend the support group. Be prepared and most of all be educated. This is exactly what this website is for.
I joined in November and had surgery in January... that was 4 years ago. I am now a support group leader and enjoy my group very much. I meet people just beginning their journey, wanting to learn about the possibilities out there and people who had wls already.
I support weight loss; whether you have lap band; rny; or you are serious enough to make a life change without surgery. It all takes that "a life change". It won't be easy. Every one here will tell you that, you are here to see the daily going on's in life.. and to see the support we offer to one another. Talk to your family, your friends, and go to a support group. (you can even take a family member) If you need help finding one in your area then let me know. I can help you with that.
Email me: [email protected]
Also click on people's names and read their profiles.. post and daily diaries are a true testimony to your journey!! 

Thank you so much for all the helpful replies.  From what I have read so far it sounds as though this is really difficultt, not a magic pill and a can cause some other health issues but you each sound so much happier and HEALTHIER.

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your stories.  A lot of my friends that are not morbidly obese keep telling me that the surgery is dangerous and terrible.  They tell me that I'll die from it and ruin my daughter's life by leaving her behind.  They say I just need to push away from the table and exercise more.  I know they are merely concerned for me and afraid for me- they mean well.  They really don't understand that I have been dieting for about 25 years now and i just keep getting fatter.  I lose 60 and the I gain it back plus I gain 20.  They also don't understand that the following is a truly lethal combination... my dad had his first heart attack at 40, died at 59 of heart disease related illnesses, I have fasting blood sugars of 250, severe sleep apnea, high blood pressure, high chloresterol, all I want to do is sleep, I'm miserable and I think I am developing that problem that some people have where they don't want to leave their house.  This isn't the best way to live.  I'm 38.

I have 4 more months until I can possibly get approved by my insurance company.  I'm going to keep reading the stories and info on this site.  Plus, I'm trying to read some horror stories too. Basically, I want to learn everything I can learn.  I really want to be sure I understand what I'm getting in to.   I'm going to find a way to do it because I feel pretty darn confident that this is the right thing for me. 

Thanks again!
A

Many people told me not to read the horror stories but I did. I wanted to know exactly what could happen. My family doctor was instrumental in me getting the surgery. The rate I was gaining was dangerous. My father died from emphyzema and heart complications. My maternal grandmother died from diabetes and my maternal grandfather had a stroke that killed him. Even on medication my blood pressure often got up in the dangerous range. There is one site on OH that I didn't want to go to but I did. I realized there is danger involved with this surgery but I can think of only 1 person who had regretted having the surgery and they had some very serious health problems going into it. No, this is not an easy fix. There is a period of time where you lose weight quickly - we call it the honeymoon stage. But, when that is over you have to work at keeping the weight off. You cannot go back to old habits or you will gain weight. My mother and daughter was not sure about me having the surgery. I told very few people outside my family. Some of my co-workers didn't even know about it until later. This is a decision you need to make. They don't know what you go through every day. I was like you - getting to the point where I didn't even want to go outside of the house. I was withdrawn, detached, sad, so very unhappy and so alone. My first husband died when he was only 45 and here I was this beached whale trying to survive. I didn't want to be alone. I didn't want to stay unhappy. I didn't want to die before my time. I took almost 2 years to come to my decision. I would sit for hours reading the profiles of people on OH. I would laugh and cry and realized these people knew what I was going through. Yes, complications are a very real possibility but being fat and getting fatter brings on complications just as serious and sometimes fatal. If I can help you at all, please contact me. I spoke by phone to several losers while I was doing my research. You may decide it's not the solution for you and nobody will make you feel quilty about that. You have to do what you feel comfortable and good about. I sincerely wish you the best and I'm here if you want to ask questions. Many of the people here feel the same way and will help you however they can.

Blessings,
DebbieDoo

NO DOUBT!!!  I WOULD DO IT AGAIN IN 10 SECONDS FLAT!

IT WAS THE BEST THING I EVER DID FOR ME!  YES I AM SHOUTING....SHOUTING FOR JOY!

LISA