someone please respond

I am new here and about to have my surgery, all of a sudden I have heard so much " I wouldn't do this if I were you" I am getting a little scared. I need some positive feedback. I am having the RNY but now wondering if the DS is better...please respond, I really wnat to hear from people who have been thru this..Thank you, Julia

Julia, First of all, let me say that you should never ever let anyone tell you that you are making the wrong choice. This surgery is something that is a very personal descision for everyone, and if you feel that it is right for you, then dont listen to what other people think. Second of all, I had the RNY, on 11/20/06, and I would not change a thing. Before my surgery, people asked me why I was doing it, if i understood the risks, and if i was prepared for the lifestyle changes. What most of them did not understand is that I had been researching this operation since 2002. I was very well educated, and fully understood the risks/and most of all benifits of this surgery. You are absoultely making the right choice. I had second thoughts about my surgery, and was very close to canceling, but I didnt, and now that I have made it thru the most difficult part of the surgery, and the recovery, I would not change a thing, and I am still 100% sure that this surgery was the right choice for me. If you ever need to talk, vent, or have any other questions, please let me know. You'll do great, and I am so excited for you!!! Take care, S. P.S. Who is your suregon?

Thank you so much for replying, I already feel better. I think I am just having the normal nervous stuff. I have been looking into this for about 6 months so not as long as you. tell me about your stay, pain experinces...good and bad if you don't mind. I would love to hear about it from someone who has already gone thru it...Thank you very much!! jULIA

i started telling people, i have heard it all and did my research on this surgery and i am ready....i was so sick of so and so knew so and so that had this surgery and this and that happened....i was ready to kick the next persons ass.........who said anything other than good about this....i wore this site out for years before i even took my first step towards the surgery and then had almost 2 year fight with ins...it was right thing for me...

Julia~ I heard alot of negative remarks as well. In fact, my aunt told me that she knows someone who "had their stomach stapled and they are now bigger than a house!". Thats not what you want to hear, but if you buy into it and believe it then you are setting yourself up for failure. Personally, I got to their point where I would have rather died trying to do something about my weight than die from it. I was 365 pounds at age 29, I was not living life, I was merely existing. RNY surgery is a major surgery and you have to accept the fact that you might have complications. It requires a complete lifestyle change and you can gain all of your weight back. But I went into this with the attitude that I am going to use my pouch as a tool and that it is giving me approximately 2 years to get my weight off and to learn how to eat correctly. Yes, I had post op complications but I would jump back on that operating table in a hearbeat. Only you can decide what is best for you, but it is important to hear the positive and negative results. The best patient is an informed patient! Jaimee

Julia, Scott is absolutley correct in saying this is a very personal decision. You have to make it for yourself with the advise of your doctors. Most people haven't done any research and they certainly don't know how you feel. They probably don't know your medical history and really have no idea of the benifits that you stand to "gain" from losing. Like Scott, I researched for 2 years and talked to a lot of poeple that had WLS. I also paid attention to how they succeeded, or not. Those that didn't succeed was because they didn't follow doctor's orders or the program. I had a banded RNY in April. I had some problems and even had to have a second surgery in September but I still feel it was the best thing I have ever done. I've lost 157 pounds in 9 months and I feel great. If you need to talk let me know. Try to make the clothing exchange and I'm sure you will meet lots of people that are extremely happy with their decision too. Please let us know when your surgery is so everyone can say a little prayer for you. Good luck with your surgery. Brenda

Julie, Weight loss surgery is definately something to give thought to before proceding. There are things about your life that you must change in order to be successful. You HAVE to eat as they instruct you. You HAVE to take the vitamins as they instruct you. Do as you are instructed, and you WILL be successful! Another thing to consider is that there are risks of complications. That is a VERY real risk. But you know, most of the post-ops who have had complications would tell you whole-heartedly that they would do it again in a heartbeat. Read my profile. I am one of them. To date, I have lost 170 lbs. I went from a size 26/28 to a 10/12. Growing up, I went from a 14 chubby girls to a 16 women's. I had NEVER wore a 10 or 12 before in my life! So to those negative people...ignore them! This is YOUR life! Live it and live it healthy! Sherri ps...If you'd like to surround yourself with positive people...and people that you can pick their brains, join us for the clothing exchange Saturday in Danville!

My sister is 6 years out from her RNY.. I thought she was crazy.. she had a really icky start.. but I kept researching and had MY RNY 20 months ago.. and I would do it again tomorrow, (to late to think about doing it again today). I have had NO complications except a few bad moments when I swallowed to big of a bite.. remember SMALL and dont forget to sip and stay hydrated.. YOU need the liquids going in! Those who don't need the surgery will question you sometimes horribly but those of us who have had it would do it again... heck some HAVE with revisions..YOU and YOUR Dr make the decision which kind of surgery is best for YOU and the rest of us will support you!! Linda

Where wil you be having your surgery? I had my laproscopic RNY done almost 1 year ago. I'm down 110 pounds from a size 32 to a 16 now. I still have another 40 or 50 I'd like to lose. I was fortunate, I had no complications. I've been carful to follow all the rules set forth by my surgeon and the dieticians at St. Vincent. I also looked into the surgery a couple of years before going for it. My husband was very much against it until he went to a consultation with me and was able to talk to the surgeon and got the answers he wanted. He's been my biggest fan. I didn't tell many before I had surgery because it was my decision and I didn't need their imput. I didn't even tell the rest of my family until after the surgery was scheduled. I also carfully choose where I wanted to have my surgery. I could have had it closer to home but chose to go to Indy because they are more experienced. As for the surgery itself, the day after surgery I felt like I wa**** with a mack truck and backed over a few times. I got up and did my walking hourly after surgery and it got better and better each time I got up. Four days after surery I was walking a mile on my treadmill each day. This has been a most amazing journey for me and I'd do it again in a heart beat. The results can be what you make them. Follow up support is important also. Go to support group meetings and keep active on these boards. There are some awsome people here. Many I have yet to meet and do look forward to meeting some day. If you can go to the exchange Saturday you should go. I wish I could but I won't be able to make this one. Its more about the people than the clothes for me. Good Luck

Jan said: 'Its more about the people than the clothes for me.' I could not agree more!! Sherri