WOULD YOU DO IT AGAIN?

I hope I don't upset anyone here with this question. I have been reading and have read your profiles for almost a year now. I mean I have spent hours and hours reading all I can on this site about WLS. I am very seriously considering the surgery for myself. Of course, I may have to get another doctor,, as my own physician has filled me with absolute horror stories of post surgery problems. He tells me that the maintanence afterwards, and the emergency surgeries, and the malabsortion problems are life-long and debilitating,, and could actually make my life a living hell if I were to decide on the surgery....Now, one thing I have noticed,, is that ALOT of you have had to have emergency procedures done, and other unexpected surgeries. i.e. hernias,, stricture problems,, bleeding,, infections,, leaks,, etc. What I want to know is,, IS YOUR LIFE BETTER NOW? Even with all the issues you have to possibly deal with post-op? Are you able to lead a "normal" life again ever? Or is nausea,, hernias,, swallowing problems always an issue? Granted,, being obese garners its own lifelong agonies,, is this surgery a trade off from the obese problems,, to the post-op problems? I am so desperate to just be "normal" and healthy! I think it takes great courage to do what you all have done,, and I soooo want to be sure. To the ones that are about 6 months or more post-op...WOULD YOU DO IT AGAIN? Was it worth it? IS YOUR LIFE BETTER NOW? Sorry this is so long,, but its so dang hard to have these fears,, esp when my own doctor isn't supportive,, and gives me all these statistics from hell.

Yes, I would do it again. My PCP recommended I have this surgery and I researched for two years before I had surgery. I had high cholestrol, high blood pressure and a diabetic and on medication for all of these problems. I had surgery on May 7, 2004 and I took my last pills for these problem the night before I had surgery. I had a checkup in December with PCP and every test he ran was normal. My goal when I started this was to be healthy and I am. Am I at my goal weight? No, I would like to get to 150, which by the way I will still be overweight I am only 5'3". But, I went into this with the idea of being healthy and not a super thin model. Finally, I would suggest you or anyone to find a surgeon who has done 1000's of surgeries. I wish you only the best. Love and Prayers Patsy

Hi Annette You ask some very good questions. Questions that need to be addressed by anybody considering WLS. My answer is YES, I would do it again. My life is 100% better since my surgery. Not everybody has a hard time after surgery and I have been blessed with almost none of the complications that you hear so much about. The only thing I can't do is eat solid pieces of meat. And even then it just makes me But as compared to the many more things I CAN now do it is a tradeoff I would make without hesitation. It is very possible that you might need to get a new doctor, especially if your insurance denies coverage for WLS. A supportive doctor is essential to any appeals process. My doctor encouraged/bugged me for 2 years to HAVE the surgery. I wish I had listened to him way back then. It is a good thing that you are considering all the good and bad things that can result from WLS as in the end the decision is yours alone to make. Good luck with your decision and God Bless...... Tim

I would do it again every year if I had to. Not everyone has problems. In my family alone me, my husband, 2 aunts, 3 cousins, my brother in law AND his brother(consider him family) all had WLS. I had one cousin who got a minor infection. Other than that we all flew through it with no problems. My one aunt was well into her 50's when she had it, and one cousin was 17. One cousin was 550 pounds and sailed through it with only small wound complications. She has gone on to lose over 300 pounds. There are certainly issues to deal with for life. The chewing and being careful of not swallowing tough meat is a lifelong thing. You get so used to it though that is just becomes normal. Everything I have to watch out just feels normal for me now. It is like having an allergy. You just have to be mindful always. Major complications are not the norm. It is a shame your doctor is so negative about WLS. Shame on him intentionally scaring you. That is unprofessional and insensitive. In the end only you can make the decision. I refused to let fear deter me from my journey. It is the best thing I have done for myself(besides quitting smoking). I am not the same person I was 2 years ago inside and out. Let us know what you decide and keep us updated. Terri

My two cents... ABSOLUTELY would do it again in a heartbeat. I wish I would have done it ten years ago. I had no complications, lost about 125 lbs., on no meds other than thyroid, which weight loss doesn't alleviate. I've regained my self-confidence and can keep up with my family now. I always seemed to sit on the sidelines watching, because it was too hard to join in. Now I'm in full swing! Best of luck on your journey! Theresa

And you're babe! kp @ goal

Thanks Kevin!!! You sure know how to boost a girl's spirits! Theresa

I just say it like it is. kp @ goal

Annette, Even though I'm only one month post-op, I would definately have it again. My surgery (LAP RNY) was complication free and to date, I have not had any problems, except a few bouts of nausea on bad days and the normal incisional pains that come with the surgery. I entered into this with diagnoses of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, asthma and rheumatoid arthritis. The only medications I now take are one daily asthma inhaler, my antidepressant (for panic attacks) and occasionally my rescue inhaler. I've been told that my asthma will improve as I lose weight and fat around my upper abdomen, allowing my lungs more room to expand. Not being on a long list of meds is the biggest benefit I have received from WLS, and I couldn't be happier! I've also been able to walk 1 mile without wheezing, gasping and having to rest every few hundred feet - something I've not done since I was a teenager. My PCP immediately wrote a letter of support for me once I told him I was considering WLS. He knows I've been struggling for over 20 years to lose weight and is behind me 100%. When I had my first post-op appointment with him, he was very pleased! Continue to research, and yes, get a new PCP who is supportive of WLS if you need to. You're doing this for yourself, for a better life for yourself, and for a healthier you. Best of luck! Beth

In a heartbeat,I just wish I had done it sooner.I've had no complications.I haven't gotten to my doctors goal weight but I'm happy where I am.I've gone from a size 18/20 jeans to a 10/12.I was 56 years old when I had the surgery,if I lost any more weight I would begin to sag.I can still turn a few heads and I love it!