Still new here

Hi, I was wondering if anyone had any regrets doing the WLS? Also were any of you smokers? If so did you have to stop before the surgery? I have my second appointment in March, I am still not 100% sure of this...mainly becuase I have to go 100 miles away from home to have it done and I am afraid if anything happens I will be too far away. If anyone would like to chat let me know...thanks and Happy Sunday!!! Janice

Hi Janice, I'm pre-op, so I can't answer any of your questions, but please make sure you are 110% sure that you really want WLS. This is not something to be taken lightly. There are going to be major changes in your body and your life. Forever. You really should not go into major surgery "not 100% sure of this". Rachelle

The decision to have this surgery comes from much researching, and learning everything you can about the pre op the surgery itself and most important the follow up. IT is a major surgery yes but the real work comes after the surgery is said and done. It is hard work, it is not and easy lifestyle change but if you are totally commited to changing your life becoming healthy and following the program post op its the best thing in the world. You have to figure out for yourself if the benefits of the surgery will out weigh the risks for you individually. That is the most important. For me this decision came after 4 yrs of researching and talking to many different surgeons until i was satisfied. But here i am one year post op , had my surgery halloween 2005. I am the healthiest i have ever been in my life and feeling great. Best of luck to you. Think hard and welcome to our family here. We will try to help you in any way we can. LisaMarie

Hi, Janice. I have not has WLS yet although I do have a date of March 19th. If you are not sure about it, then step back and think long and hard about if this is for you. Like me and almost everyone here, as I have learned, I guess that there is a normal degree of nervousness. We're human and that goes with the territory. Regarding smoking...my Dr. absolutely refuses to operate if you have nicotine in your system. That's right, he will not even let you use any of the nicotine aids either. We get a blood test to confirm this a few days pe-op. Thank God I stopped a while ago, so I don't have to go through withdrawal again. (although I think of it still from time to time.) NO SMOKING is really a safety measure. During surgery, smokers have to be sunctioned out, which is not pleasant for the hospital staff. Being tobacco free also helps with the post-op healing process. Good Luck To You. Diane