WLS REGRETS?

I've been hearing different conversations about having regrets after your wls.  Some people think it's a given, while others never experience it.

I fall into the latter category.  I was SO ready, so educated and so anxious for my surgery that I don't think it ever occurred to me that I would regret my decision.  I just KNEW that it was the one thing that could possibly save and hopefully, extend my life. Even when I developed gyn issues that were so disgusting and made me feel so bad physically and mentally that I was almost tempted to rip my ovaries out, I STILL didn't regret my surgery. 

This was, without a doubt, the best decision I have ever made!!!  I just wish I'd done it sooner. I don't think it's true that EVERYONE experiences buyer's remorse, but I DO think that if you do, it's as much mental as physical.  Perhaps you weren't as mentally prepared as you could've been, perhaps you started drinking alcohol much too soon, or perhaps you opened the carb door a little too widely. 

Whatever the reason, I'd like to hear your thoughts!

Tia

NONE WHATSOEVER !!!

I never had one regret.  But, like you I could not have been more mentally prepared.

I'm only 3 months out, but I can't imagine ever regretting the decision to do this. I can't lie, I've had moments when I would have killed for a candy bar, but no candy bar could ever be better than feeling like I've more than likely saved my life. At 28 years old and 362 lbs, I was afraid I wouldn't live to see 40. I don't have that fear anymore and for that reason alone, I don't think I could ever regret having WLS.

I'm 3 weeks out now (plus a smidge) and stuck in the dreaded two week stall, but nope...no regrets here.  Not after getting off a ton of medication....I know I will live to see my grandbabies have babies and spend a long life with my husband now.   Before, I wasn't so sure.

I don't know if I'll have regrets in the future or not...I can't imagine it...I've saved my own life.

Tia, I am so glad you posted this. I have this debate going on in my head all the time. I am worried that if I do the wls I will fail or I will have major complications and that will lead to regret. This is such a head game and I will enjoy hearing others experiences and opinions. Thanks again for this eye opening post.

                                                                                                               Julie

Tia,

It's interesting you posting this topic. I like it. In some ways I may be a 'horse of a different color'...just without the body of a horse anymore! LOL I cannot say I regret having WLS....I don't because of everything I am able to do now....so there is no Buyer's Remorse...BUT I'm at the point in my life that I don't particularly want to be associated as a bypass patient all the time. I do not carry my 'before' pictures with me. I do not offer my 'before' story unless someone asks. I do not offer information that I used to be 311 pounds. I do reflect on my past occasionally with people who know me from my 'before' life but all in all that is my past and some place I fight hard to not ever be again so I tend to not want to be reminded of it. I'm not that person anymore so why bring her up and around? Does that make sense? 
I was asked to be a 'before' and 'after' picture for someone's website and I declined. Not because I am ashamed of that or the fact that I had bypass....but because where and who I am in December 2009 is not who I was in October 2006. Life changes and I've moved on and forward. I do not want to live in the past of my former self...so I don't. Older, smaller and wiser I guess. I have my ups and downs just like any other WLSer and my pouch IS a part of me for the rest of my life and I'm good with that. I never pushed the carb monster or the booze and I know I was as mentally prepared as I could be. All post-op's know that things come up years later that we were not 100% prepared for...that's life. That happens with WLS things and with regular stuff too. HMMM at this point I may be rambling.....LOL I'm on hold with a bank so the muzak is in my ear! LOL I guess my bottom line is NO....I do not regret my decision to have RNY but I do not feel the need to have my whole life revolve around my WLS. At one point I think it did.....and now it doesn't. :-) 

Hi Tia,

I researched WLS for 3 years before I made my decision to have the surgery.  I felt I was well informed and educated. I knew that I could possibly have a complication of some sort after surgery.
But you really do not know how it feels after you go through it yourself.  As you know I had a complication after surgery.  It was rough going through it and yes I had buyers remorse for like 5 weeks.  One day I woke up feeling great and that buyers remorse has been gone since.

This was the best decision I have ever made in my life.  I wish I had done it sooner. 

I love my life after my RNY.  If I had to do it again, I would do it in a heartbeat with complication and all!!!

Hugs,

Cira

My only regret is I did't do it sooner.

Have to agree with Cathy Carr:  My only regret is not doing it years sooner!