WOULD YOU DO IT AGAIN?

Yes, I wish I could have done it years ago. I had mine done when I was 49. I was 347 pounds with knees so bad I could barely walk down the hallway. My back always hurt. I didn't even like going shopping (and I love to shop!) I could barely get through Meijer without being out of breath. I was on blood pressure meds (two). I didn't sleep well, possibly because of mild sleep apnea. 19 months later, I've been off blood pressure meds for nearly a year. Unfortunately, because all the damage was already done to my joints, I still have back and knee issues. But ... I can walk from one end of the mall to the other without being in pain and out of breath. I have my life back. I look in the mirror and don't recognize this face looking back at me. I had no major complications with the lap rny, just an infection in one of the incisions. The antibiotics caused me some nausea and stomach issues, but once I got off that, I was fine. I take my vitamins and calcium every day and I watch to make sure I get in enough protein. I have more energy, I feel more alert at work. I still have issues with fibromyalgia, which sometimes zaps my energy level. But I can now stand in the kitchen and cook and bake, and I couldn't do that before. As far as eating, I don't have problems with any foods, but if I eat too fast or don't chew well enough, sometimes it's painful. I'm down to 211 pounds now, hoping to lose a bit more. I will never be at "normal" weight, but the journey for me has been well worth it. Eileen

Annette, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!! My insurance cards just came in and I can now get the ball rolling for WLS. I had pretty much decided WLS was what I wanted and then started having the same thoughts and fears as you. Granted, I understand completely that everyone's body is different and therefore the after effects will range. This thread has given me a sense of relief! Thank you to everyone who has answered! Michelle

In a heart beat. Every year if I had to. Without a doubt. My complications are few and minor. My success was huge. Let me tell why,,, I prepared myself for surgery by: Researching my surgeon Studying the program he makes us follow DOING EXACTLY WHAT HE SAID TO DO CALLING MY DOC WHEN I DID HAVE A CONCERN Eating the way a bariatric should eat Taking my water and vites throughout the day. I know what my limits are and I tread lightly because I don't feel hunger or fullness anymore so I eat by volume. One hicup and I am full - three and I will be puking soon. People who have problems generally give them to themselves - they don't want to hear it and usually look for someone else to blame but every time I've gotten my tit in the wringer it's because I did something stupid. My obstruction was because of me. My dumping was because of me. My dizzy spells were because of me. My seroma from the last SX was because of me. I did it. I listen to Dr. Schuhknecht like what he said came from God to him then to me. As a result,,,,, well,,,,,, I am twenty-two years old again. I am healthier than a horse. I rest my case. Fire away kids,,,,,, I'm awaitin!!!!! kp @ goal and full of **** and vinigar!

All I can say is!!!!!! I SECOND THAT MOTION!!!!

Annette, I am one who had complications, 3 strictures in the first couple months made life a bit miserable, but the feeling you get when the weight is coming off is incredible.I would do it again for sure, I love being able to walk without getting winded, fitting into booths at a restaurlant, being able to buckle my belt on the airplane, my "small" jean are getting loose and even though I just lost my boyfriend because I am too skinny for him, I dont regret it and I never want to go back! The only thing that worries me is the plastic surgeries I might need in the future, dont think I realized this would take more than one surgery. Cary

WOW! How can I thank you all for your honesty, concern, and thoughtfulness? I am amazed that so many people in this forum are so incredibly nice! You have given me a part of yourselves in being so honest and I really do appreciate it. You have given me so much to think about! One thing that I do know for certain is that YOU ARE ALL WINNERS in my book. Thanks again, and when I decide, you will all be the first to know.

Hi, Annette. I know you've gotten A LOT of replies, but I thought I would just add my two cents worth. I had LAP RNY in Aug. of 05. I've lost 106 pounds in 5 months. I have had absolutely no problems with my surgery. No strictures, infections, bleeding, leaks, hernias...nothing. I can eat just about anything I want, although I follow the rules...protein first. I measure what I eat. I get my water in. I exercise. Believe it or not, I did all of those things before I had surgery, too. I was able to lose 95 pounds on my own. But I gained it all back in about two years. I knew how and what to eat to lose weight. It worked for me, for a little while anyways. I knew I needed to do something and I decided that surgery would give me what I needed to make those habits I already had work for me! At 335 pounds, I had the surgery. There was some adjustment in the beginning. Figuring out what works and what doesn't. The first three weeks were rough for me because I threw up everytime I had whey protein. I finally switched to soy protein and haven't had any problems since. I can eat the things they tell me I probably will have trouble with...things like red meat and chicken breast. Those are some of the easiest things for me to eat. I don't dump. Some people would be disappointed by that fact, but it's not anything I have control over. I know plenty of people that do dump, but still eat things that they know will cause them to dump. So, I do control what I can in that respect...I don't eat sugar...much! LOL!! I don't keep it in the house, but I know if I go somewhere and have a few bites of something with sugar in it, I'm not going to get sick. I just control myself and eat a few bites and I'm done with it. I don't dwell on it. I don't want to eat those things. I've lost this weight relatively easy, so sometimes I worry that I might get a false sense of security with this surgery. Knowing that, I really try to focus on eating healthy and exercising. I know that this time of "ease" will not last forever and I just want to get the most out of it while I have it! It really is a time to relearn how to eat, change those bad habits and start new ones. You have to be willing to do that. Learn all that you can about the surgery. Learn all that you can about your surgeon. Let me tell you, just about everyone will tell you they have the best surgeon...LOL!!! I didn't have any co-morbidities going into this surgery. I'm sure I wasn't too far away from them, but even the Dr's doing the testing before surgery were a little surprised at how healthy I was...one Dr. even told me that if he didn't know any better, he'd swear he was looking at someone else's test results. Mine were better than any he'd seen for someone my age and weight (35 and 335 lbs. at the time). I exercised, A LOT, and stayed active despite my weight. I NEVER let my weight dictate what I wanted to do (within reason...LOL). I just ate too much of the wrong things and the right things, for that matter! I had the surgery because I wanted to be healthier for the long term. Now that I've lost weight, I feel so much better and know now that I was kidding myself before. As good as I felt before surgery, I feel 1000 times better now. I look back now and realize I wasn't happy as I or anyone else, thought I was. I'm one of those people who now feels that the outside person is starting to match the inside person. I've always said, I feel like a skinny person trapped in a fat person's body. Granted I would like to lose another 80-90 pounds. I can't imagine how much better THAT will feel! Sorry so long! I guess I added a little more than two cents! LOL!! Good luck! Tina

Yes, I would do it all over again, even the hernia surgery. HT

Annette, I know you've had a million responses already, but here's what I have to say for what it is worth.... My sister had this surgery 3 years ago - she had some complications to start with but is doing wonderfully now, down over 150 lbs from a size 28 to a size 8, healthy and happy. My brother in law (her husband) was 2 years out in November, down over 170 lbs also happy and healthy. They started "bugging" me as soon as they both were doing well, they felt I needed to have the surgery too - "for life" was their reasoning. It took me almost 2 years of researching and praying and studying to decide that I did need to have this surgery. I am now just a little over 3 months out, I am down 95 lbs and I actually have a life again. I can tie my own shoes, I'm in a size 22, and the biggest thing for me I can walk down a flight of stairs on my arthritic knee and I don't even have to hold on to the rail and I don't feel like I'm going to plunge down the stairs to my death. Would I do it again? Every week if that was what it took to get healthier and being able to actually have a life Jeani V 347/252/150

Hi Annette. You have had a lot of feedback. I am pretty much a lucker myself these days. But, let me tell you about me. I had the surgery 18 months ago. My pouch has stretched out severely and I had to have surgery and start all over again. I have had an internal hernia, malnutrition, a year of diarhea, vomiting, chest pains when I swallow, continue to suffer from anemia, and at this point (4 weeks since my last surgery), I am gaining weight like crazy and think my pouch has stretched again or the internal hernia is back. When I was in the hospital (for 2 weeks) last month, one of the nurses asked me if it was worth it. I couldn't answer her. I don't know. I was not terribly obese when I had the RNY and I had no major medical problems. I was headed for them though. I know that. All I can tell you is that you need to know ALL of the possibilities. I did not.