DO YOU REGRET YOUR WLS??????

Thanks everyone!!!!! I think I know this is the best thing for me. I just had a little scare right then. I think its normal to be scared. But trust me...I am sure this feels right.

I'll let everyone know how it goes next week!!!

There are severe cases of issues postop.

Before surgery, I had *no* comorbidities.  None, nada, zip.  I was a healthy fat person.  I honestly wanted WLS for vanity, but also knew that I'd be in trouble down the road (hey, it's 4 yrs later, I can be honest with the vanity part).

Now, I have low BP (it was 94/64 the other day).
I have reactive hypoglycemia (dropped to the 50's today, even after eating "properly")
I have vasovagal syndrome (causes sudden drop in BP, will pass out)
I am anemic as all hell (and am scheduled to see a hematologist.. I'm sure for blood transfusions)
I am vitamin D deficient (from only taking children's vitamins for several years).
I have worse migraines now than preop.
I get daily headaches due to hormones that I must treat with shots.


Now, do I regret my bypass?  Not really.  I would have never had my children without it, and yes, I would be pretty sick with comorbs.. but this is my reality post-op 4 years.

You need to be aware that things can and do happen.  Some of the things that are happening to people (like seizures and *severe* intolerance to any carbs, like Beth has) are just now being seen and recognized as a possible side effect of RNY.

As long as you are truly informed to make this decision, then let nothing sway you.  But you should honestly be informed before you go in.. no coming back out in 3 years saying "I wish I'd known!"

Is it scary?  You bet.  But that's life, unfortunately.

I had not seen Beth's video before. I followed the link in your post and viewed her videos. I applaud her candor, but I have to say that I didn't have my RNY for the same reasons that she did and if her reasons are your reasons, you might want to look at what she had to say very carefully. I am an 'old lady' relative to Beth; I'm 50. I had Type 2 Diabetes, high cholesteral, high blood pressure and sleep apnea. My health was at risk, at greater risk than the risk of surgery itself or the possible negative health impacts that might ensue as a result of the surgery I had. I am only about 17 months post op, but I absolutely would do it again and am 100% supportive of my husband's decision to do the same.

Please know that her contention that anyone can outeat their surgery is true, that is why there is about an 80% success rate with the surgury 10 years out, instead of a 100% success rate. Statistically, about 10% of the people that have RNY will regain 100% of their excess weight lost within 10 years. Another 10% will regain to a point that they exceed the 60% weight loss threshold that is the mark where a person is considered a WLS success; they may not regain all of their excess weight lost, but exceed the 60% mark. With this said, there is nothing else (WLS) that has an 80% success rate at 10 years after weightloss.

I can tell by your post that you are not entering into this lightly, as is appropriate. Consider your options. Consider your current and future quality of life with and without this surgery. Please call your Dr's office and talk with them about your concerns. They are valid and need to be addressed.

Wishing you every success as you make your decision and your journey to a healthier you.

Warmly,

Barb

OK....  First off...  NO NO NO NO NO I don't regret my RNY!  I'm over 6 years post op.  I take my vitamins and try to eat right.  I haven't had any problem with my levels or any weight loss related problems.  I now have a life worth living and a future I can look forward to.  I do the things I never thought I was ever going to be able to do and I love it.  I don't think I can't do something because I weigh too much.  I can keep up with my Nephews.  When I fly I don't feel bad for the person sitting next to me and having to try and squish into the seat, or ask for a seatbelt extention or 2.  I love that I can go into any store and buy clothing.  I am very thankful that I no longer have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholestrol, sleep apnea, heart troubles, back and knee pain and that my asthma is better.  I know I have a life worth living! 

I'm glad you're getting information from both people who are satisfied and those who have had a hard time and regret it... but NO I'm not sorry I had my RNY!!!  I have said this before and I'll say it again...  If I had to do it all over again I would crawl back to Dr. MacDonald and do it all over!

I do not regret my RNY whatsoever.  I'm eight months out and am not finished by any means.  The only thing that has made me sad is not being able to eat the quantities of food that I used to.  However, that is the exact problem that got me to the point where I needed the RNY.  Like many others, I'm sure, I ate to celebrate, to mourn, when sad, bored, lonely and for general comfort.  I am learning how to handle all these feelings without food, as I should have been doing all along.  The benefits so outweigh all of this for me.  I can fly in an airplane and have room to cross my legs and not encroach on my seatmate.  I find that I'm much more outgoing now, like I was in high school and college before the weight gain.  I'm more assertive at work now; I guess overall I'm just more comfortable in my own skin.  I still want and need to lose more, but if it stopped today my surgery was totally worth it.  For me the results have been PRICELESS!

Before my surgery i was on meds for high bp and with meds it was 140/90.  Now, no meds and about 111/66 at my last doc visit.   My cholesterol for the past years was 240 or so.  Now 175.   Before surgery, i had GERD and now it is gone.   My knees and hips were killing me and i never would have tried to walk a mile....now walk in 18 to 20 minutes, depending on if my dog slows me down and i have a hilly neighborhood.   My energy level has increased tremendously.   I am not happy to sit home anymore and want to live life.  

I am 7 months post op and take my vitamins 2x per day along with B12 and calcium citrate w/D.   I will do everything i can to live a healthier life style and actual live life! 

Can future problems arise....of course they can, but I will deal with them as they come.    My severe comorbidities are gone and I plan on reaching goal and doing what i have to do to get there and stay there.  

Just make sure you are informed before your surgery and decide if it is the right thing for you.   Was it the right thing for me...YES.

Take care and God Bless,

Pam

For me the answer is No, I do not regret it at all. Of course I did have a few moments where I thought what have I done. They pass. I have also thought I wish I could eat more, they pass as well. I don't know what the future holds but I hope it will hold many years of good health. I made bad decisions in my early years related to my health.....lack of vitamins, good and healthy eating. Now I am trying to correct those things. I wish I had done things differently. I hope that the next years of my life will be healthier. I want to make healthier choices and this bypass will allow me that opportunity, I believe that!

Lisa

I had my surgery RNY with DR. Mitchel 2 1/2 years ago. I have lost 120 pounds. Within one month of surgery I was off all meds for diabetes and high blood pressure.

I do have issues with anemia that showed up at 2 years post op. Brett promptly sent me to a hemotologists. The anemia issues can show up even being compliant with taking the vitamins. I now take triple the iron I took previously and up it more during that time of the month.

I guess techniquely the anemia is a complication, but I would keep that any day over diabetes and high blood pressure.

This has been the best thing I have done for myself.

If your feeling up to it after surgery I would highly recommend the support group. In Pinehurst it is the first Thursday of the month. In Raleigh I beleive it's the second Monday. If you need more info let me know.

Belinda

I am almost 3 months out and the first day after surgery yes i wondered what have I done but since that day I have felt better and better. I am off cholesterol meds. my blood pressure is normal my blood sugar is normal. I feel the best I have felt in many years and I have only lost 48 lbs so far. Just think how great I will feel when I get all this excess fat off.

I fo not get breathless when exervising like I have in the past. My clothes fit better and I look better all ready. Do I regret the surgery NO way!!!  I only regret I waited so long to do it.

My mother died October 1, 2007 because she did not take care of herself. My mother-in-law died September 8<2008 because she refused to quit smoking and exercise and also eat better. I want to live as long as possible without this sugery I would have died too young also. My children lost both their grandmothers in less than a year. I did not want them to lose their mother if I could do anything about it. My reason for surgery. I wnated to live as long as God would allow and be as healthy as possible and enjoy life.

Take it from a old timer. I am 3 years and 2 months of gastric. Sure I had lots of problems. But the first one was NOT my gastricpass fault. I lied on my phych test. Sure I had a eating disorder. I was 276 lbs. I used food as my way of not thinking of something, I had no control anyway. Then I had gastric thought I would  be all skinny and meet me a rich man to take care of me. ( I had been divorced for a long time) But I think that was just a fairytaal. It did not happen. But it sure does feel good to have someone to take a second look at you. If feels good someone saying you are the sexyesd person in your county. And I am no spring chicken and I have men as young as 20 to ask me out. lol my son is 22. I couldn't do that to my kids. It is nice if you can be healthy and have that feeling that someone is looking because you are beautiful. I still yell out my car window and ask them what the fu@k you are looking at. I forget I am not that fat ass that they are wondering, How did she fit in that car. lol...I don't know what they was thinking. Once you see the weight and health you will never look back and wonder wtf was I thinking. Good luck....keep in touch and let us know how you are doing?
Amy