Wish I never had this surgery!

I would do it again in a heartbeat.......the recovery time (for me) was a piece of cake.  I've gained weight back recently but I am struggling through some family issues and an addiction problem.  I urge anyone to watch out for Transfer Addiction!  BUT....I'm on the right track and getting my life back together.  Along the way I still have my tool to help me get the weight off.  The confidence I gained with the initial weight loss is still with me......for now....life is good.

Hi Karen,

I am 5 years post-op (RNY) and during the first weeks I asked myself "WHAT THE HELL HAVE YOU DONE"! Well that thought didn't last long, once my weight started dropping. I have gone from about 250 to my current weight of 160. From a size 22-24 to a size 8. For me it was the BEST decision EVER!! Cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, asthma all NORMAL/GONE!!! I LOVE IT!! I still do the protein shakes at least for one meal/day and eat regular foods, just much much smaller portions. When out with friends, I'll have one glass of wine and nurse it all night long and don't fini**** Love it when I run in to old friends that I haven't seen in years and they don't recognize the new me!! :-)

If you embark on this journey, you WILL have your ups and downs, but remember YOU ARE WORTH THE STRUGGLE!! Make sure you follow your doctors orders!! ENJOY LIFE!!

Diana

I had a RNY almost 8 years ago.  It never worked.  I never had a honeymoon period.  I ate 3 oz. of chicken, potatoes and carrots and a protein shake 2 days post op.  2 weeks after surgery I told my surgeon's pre op info group not to worry about the surgery because I didn't feel any different (retrospectively I should have felt different).  I struggle to lose every single pound and gain weight easily and frequently.  It is the worst decision I have made in my entire life.  Dr. Prewitt kept telling me everything was fine.  I went to a GI doctor and was put into the Restore trial which was stopped before it finished.  Humana will only pay for 1 surgery in a lifetime so I am forced to live with this forever.  I am still on diabetes and high blood pressure medicine.  My doctor would like me  on cholesterol medicine too.  Please reconsider.  Tri

it is very tough mentally for the first few weeks but it gets easier. I would imagine the only ones *****gret long term are those with major complications. I have no regrets! I have 4 others close to me with no regrets either.

7 years out here, developed alcoholism, had a 45 pound regain (which I re-lost), divorced a year after surgery, struggled with sexual addiction, found recovery for all my issues (food/alcohol/sex) and I gotta tell you that having WLS was THE BEST THING I ever did for myself.  I would do it again in a heartbeat!!!!! 

I had my surgery in 2004 (Roux N Y) and it was about 3 years before I accepted it. I truly regretted it. I know now that I was grieving my losses for food, my former self, my sense of self. Now 10 years no regrets. I have gained about 40 lbs back (originally lost 100) and its s daily struggle. Hope this helps a little

I feel your pain. I had VSG two years ago and lost approximately 14 pounds!!! And trust me that was through pure starvation and exercise. I am still overweight, have seen countless doctors, specialists, tried all kinds of plans and nothing works. Ive been told I have a genetic issue and "it is what it is." I hope that everyone who has WLS is successful, but sadly there are some of us, for whom it did not work. :(

I have very mixed feelings. I am 4 1/2 years out from RNY surgery.  I certainly have lost my excess weight, and then some! I started at around 277# ( probably was higher but would not get weighed) and now am 109# this morning at 5'4" tall.  I no longer have high cholesterol and can walk farther without getting out of breath and engage in physical activities.  BUT I never have been able to get past soft foods or I am in terrible pain, nausea and feel horrible all over.  I have had unremitting abdominal pain since 2-3 weeks after the surgery and despite many procedures and specialists no one could figure out why until summer 2013 when I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease at age 55!; in fact my surgeon told me he had no idea and recommended I see Pain Management Clinic.  I am glad I did not follow his advice because I could have gotten into grave trouble by ignoring the pain.  I now am eating a very restrictive puréed diet due to food sensitivities, Leaky Gut and the Crohn's and have a poor quality of life.  I am hopeful that by working both with Allopathic Medicine (I am on Remicade) and with a Functional Medicine/Nutrition Practitioner I will get into remission and have a more functional life.  I do believe the RNY was the final trigger for the development of the Crohn's but acknowledge that I likely have genetic/constitutional set-up for autoimmune disease.

I am thrilled that I had this surgery and I am now 9 years out.  My maximum weight loss was 150 pounds (310-160).  I now weigh 185 and have to be more careful, but I am still so much healthier and happier.  The early recovery was not easy, but I trusted my surgeon and followed the regimen.  I couldn't be more satisfied.  If you commit to the program, this surgery will change your life.  The biggest happy surprise for me was that I didn't feel hunger.  I was very tired at first, but I never felt discouraged because I had wonderful people who assured me that I could achieve my goals with this surgery.  I am so grateful!

My simple answer? Nope. Happy I did it. Best thing I ever did for myself.