I have 2 questions???

Hello everyone.. I have yet another question I am pre-op and I have had most of my test done and I am now waiting on second appt with surgeon to get surgery date so getting this close I have more and more questions, you know those nagging doubting questions, 1st one is: How do we know that this is not a fad. I have been on so many diets and seen them come and go and it seems like this is the right answer but I also thought nutri system and wiegh****chers and good ol dr. phil had the right answer.. I remember going to my family dr. when phen phen came out and asked him about it and he told me then that not enough research had been done and reccomended that I did not take it, now I am glad I didnt. I want to have this surgery and get my health and life back I am so tired of sitting on the sidelines,,,, any help with this will be greatly appreciated.. 2nd question: does anyone know how long ago the first surgery was done and how the long term effects are? Thanks again...Teresa

I dont know when the first surgery was but I have a friends I work with who had hers 10 years ago she has lost about 200 lbs and is doing great. She is the one who encouraged me to go for it. She now does eat the bite size cany bars. But still only eats small amounts. She says as more time goes on your life becomes normal because it is what you are now used to. Good Luck on your Journey... Kristina

There are many websites that are run by gastric bypass patients that cite the negative aspects of the operation, and the ill effects that have befallen GBS patients. There are also several books by physicians and surgeons that cover some of the short-term and long-term effects. Ultimately your current health situation can be the primary factor. The answer to your first question is that this is a surgical operation that physically changes your internals. This operation is serious. It should be the last step someone takes after trying everything else. One out of two hundred die from complications from the surgical procedure, see USA Today articles this week. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. This does not work by itself. You need to wake up every morning and plan your life, your meals, your whole exercise regimen. The answer to your second question. Malnutrition! Malabsorption! Gas! My PCP has me get blood tests 4 times a year since the vitamin and mineral counts in your blood stream can change so rapidly during the year and if you don't stay on top of it, there are serious consequences. Don't mean to burst your bubble, but it worries me when people post about "the fad". Learn all you can, make sure that this is the right decision for you and then commit for yourself. Not because someone else was successful. Rob

Teresa, Rob's post hit it on the head...I would like to add that the committment you make to this surgery is a lifetime one! You cannot base your decision on someone else. Because in the end it affects only you. I did all those diets you mentioned plus a few more. But they were diets. This is a lifetime committment of change in your eating habits and excerise. Its a big committment and I believe should not be taken lightly. Good luck on your journey. Debbie

Teresa, Everyone is so very right ... research, research then research some more. The more you know the better off you will be, regardless of your final decision. Remember, in the end, truly you will be your own best advocate. No one will have the same vested interest in your health that you do. Our docs are truly wonderful ... could not give them any higher praises ... but even they don't have the exact same interest in our health that we have personally. Nor do they live with us and thus they are not capable of "making" us do what is best for us when we become post-op. So you really have to know as much as you possibly can to help ensure your long time good health. Our docs have a good program, trying to do all they can to help get us educated on WLS and the after effects. You coming to a support group is another great way to find out even more. I do understand your feelings of uncertaintanty ... I think a lot of us have those feelings ... I know I spent a bit of time wondering if I REALLY did do all I could do to lose the weight. (I did BTW) But it is funny how those doubts can plague us when we are facing such a serious life altering surgery. And that is what this is ... it is not a panacea ... easy way to get the weight off painlessly for everyone. I have had to work for every single pound I have lost. Could I have done it without the surgery? Who knows ... I doubt it even knowing what I know now, because likely I would have hit one of these plateaus and gave in ... now giving up is simply not an option. I have to continue on and truly sometimes it is hard. But the fact that I am off my BP meds, my vitals are all within healthy normal range. I am moving around, was almost bed bound before surgery some days. I am full of joy and able to play with my children. These are all things I simply can not put a price on ... even if that price is eating "normal". I will gladly give up what I need to give up in order to truly live again. Food is no longer at the top of my priority list and yes that can be hard at times, but more often than not, it is a wonderful blessing. Teresa, I truly wish you the very best in your journey, regardless of the path you eventually decide to take. Know that you have to weigh the checks and balances to see what is right for you. Here are a couple more web based groups that have some "seasoned posties" that may help you see another side that you are seeking and get a better idea for yourself. Both pretty good places to lurk around. http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/GastricBypass-InfoCentral/ http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG/ Remember though, these groups are just regular people, so if you have specific questions, check with your doc ... only he/she knows your complete medical history and the exact procedure that are planning. Again, I wish you the very best ... truly this decision is one of the very hardest decisions I ever had to make ... so I do understand. Hugs, Tammy

Teresa - Rob and TT both have great replies! Please, as I encouraged you in my email the other day, attending support group meetings for me, was important. They answered questions and brought some to me, that I otherwise might not have thought about. This is YOUR decision and your life. No one else is living it nor can they give you the answers. We will all be here to support you in any way we can. Believe in yourself, obviously, if you had no doubts and went into this decision easily and blindly, everyone would be concerned. You are doing the right things by questioning and continuing to research WLS. Best of luck! Valerie