MEMBERS SPEAK.....If you could, would you?

If you could go back to your decision to have weight loss surgery, would you still have it? 

(Replies may be used by OH for a future article and/or newsletter.)

I would definitely have surgery again. 

I would have done more research as far as RNY or DS.  I would be more informed about regaining weight.  I thought once that I lost it, it would remain lost.  So not true!  The biggest thing that I wish I would have known is just because you lost it, doesn't mean you won't regain. 

It is imperative that we change our lifestyle long-term. 

Never, no how no way, not if you paid me!!!! I had a lap band, it didn't work, at least not in a healthy way. I lost weight because I couldn't eat. Now I still have damage to my stomach from it and have pain every day. So I definately wouldn't have the same surgery again.

I would absolutely have weight loss surgery again!  

I would likely not have the RNY again if I were making the choice now (VSG was not an option for me seven years ago), but my surgery gave me my life back, so there is no question that I would do it again! 

Lora

Lora, would you really have had the VSG.

The only other surgery I contemplated (post-op, nothing else was an option at the time) was the DS.

I totally would have eaten around a VSG.

Yes, I would choose VSG if making the decision now.  I considered the DS originally (my surgeon did both procedures), but I was very concerned about the vitamin malabsorption issue and with what may happen as I get older and my body becomes naturally less efficient at vitamin absorption, and so I opted for the RNY because it had a lesser bypass.  There were some other reasons I rejected the DS (the only DSer I knew at the time had some terrible issues with gas and diarrhea, and I wasn't sure I wanted the remnant stomach removed), but the greater lack of vitamin absorption was the primary reason.  

So if I were choosing again, I would almost certainly NOT trade a somewhat faster rate of weight loss for a lifetime of lack of vitamin absorption.

Lora

Me, too, Karen. RNY was the right surgery for me.

It will be interesting to see the data on the sleeve in 5-10 years now that so many are being done.

Having weight loss surgery was the best gift I ever gave myself. I have no regrets and would have it again in a nano-second. I used to regret not having it earlier in life but now I don't. I needed to come to a place in my life where I was ready to make the commitment to the lifestyle changes needed... I may not have been as resolved years ago.  

~Michelle "Shelly"

 Hello...meet you years ago in Phila at a conference.   As your statement above...me 100% agree with you...I wish at 62 now in November that I had had it years ago but I wasen't ready for it and didn't think I needed it..................now out seven years this past april.....wow, so glad I did have it and that I continue to have support both in meetings and on line.....the battle on keeping it off only started two years ago when I made the big mistake of starting to drink wine....now by the Grace of God I am down 22 pounds of what I put on, five more to my lowest weight ....glad to have a surgeon who didn't jump on the band wagon and do a revision,  I have found allot of surgeons in my area that do this, but it isn't fixing the problem...mine was my mouth and hands .....didn't control them.....thanks for sharing and hope to see you at OH in Orlando this sept....??

Hi Lois, Nice to hear from you! We are on this road for a lifetime and those potholes and curves will face us all. Sending you my best on your renewed commitment to your health! Glad to hear you will be at the OAC event in September. We'll get to say hello and chat in person!

See you in a month,

~Michelle "Shelly"