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

I would absolutely have the surgery again!  For the first few months after the surgery, I regretted it completely and felt it had ruined my life.  I was in pain, vomiting, sick all the time and in and out of the doctor's office with various ailments.  After that, I had three years of honeymoon where I lost all the weight I needed to (and more), and could literally eat without being concerned about anything.  I had a few blockages and an internal hernia, all common and easily repaired.  Then, very recently I started to gain weight (after a twelve day vacation where I didn't weigh myself and enjoyed several supposedly "low carb" ****tails that ended up not being low carb at all).  At first, I was mystified because I wasn't eating anything I wasn't supposed to, or so I thought.  Then I looked very closely at some of the changes I'd made through time: using a straw, drinking with meals, carbonated diet drinks, eating after dinner, not exercising, adding low carb/low calorie alcohol, etc.  Regardless of remaining sugar free and very low carb to this day, I was self sabotaging and the scale told me so.

I've since identified the issues and returned to protein first, not eating between meals (SO much harder than I remember), not using a straw, not drinking anything carbonated, not drinking with meals, no alcohol, no carby vegies like corn, peas, etc.  The weight is coming back off (I only gained fifteen pounds before I recognized the problem and I've lost five of those so far), but very, very slowly and for the first time in many years, I'm HUNGRY!  Would I do this again?  In a second!  But I have to remind myself, it's not magic.  It feels like magic when the pounds drop off regardless of what and when you're eating (and I follow a strict low carb diet and have the entire time), but when the honeymoon ends, you are just like everyone else: you have to follow your food plan, watch your portions, exercise and stick to the guidelines of the pouch.

I thought I had a "get out of jail free" card for three and a half years, and I found out the hard way it's still all about my commitment to my health.  Without the tool of the RNY surgery, I would never be able to sustain the food plan and exercise routine necessary to maintain my weight loss, and I am forever grateful.  It's not easy, but it's worth it.  I lost 140 pounds, and I could never have accomplished that without the surgery, God knows I tried!  I have recommended the surgery to anyone who asks me.  Get a good doctor, a good hospital, a good support team, and reconfigure your entire life around low carb eating.  There are many, many helpful websites with great recipes, and lots of sources for any special ingredients (which, with the Paleo fad, are cropping up at the local grocery store).  This is for the rest of your life, make an investment in your health and get the surgery.  Yes, you'll have good days and bad days, just like you do now.  But you'll be healthier, happier and you'll be around a lot longer!

Good luck!

Well said. Particularly the part about a good support team and the rules:" protein first, not eating between meals .... not using a straw, not drinking anything carbonated, not drinking with meals, no alcohol, no carby vegies like corn, peas, etc ". I get into trouble when I forget them, too with gastric distress but thankfully no weight gain.

I had an excellent support system, too. It makes a big difference.

Thank you so much for telling it how it is!  I am about to head to orientation next week and am scared ****less. 

Yes, I would have the surgery again. Immobility would have been a certainty if I had kept on the same path. I am 3 years out with my lowest weight at 197. Currently, I am 225 and while I need to lose about 10 pounds, I am very happy with my results. It is still very, very hard work and I find myself looking at the scale everyday. Still very worth it to me.

At first I regretted having the surgery because I spent almost six months in the hospital. Once my body healed from the leak and I realized I lost most of my weight in six months and I was starting to have a better quality of life, I found it was the best decision. I am almost four years out and I have maintained my weightless. I only gain five to six pounds a month due to being a woman, but then it comes off when the week is off. Do your research and find out what's best for you.

I would!!! I had some complications due to a hernia they also repaired when they did my sleeve but i love my sleeve...i lost 120 pounds and then met a man who loves to eat as much as i do---and i quit paying attention to when i was full so i started gaining. i gained 30 pounds and have started trying to lose at least 20 of that...my sleeve allows me to eat whatever i want and not to have to crush any pills. i love it. My liver and thyroid would not allow me to lose weight any other way than a WLS...Once i got completely healed, i have had no issues with my sleeve...i would recommend it to anyone who was over 100 pounds over weight BUT i'd tell them to do their research on their doctor, first. i had a GREAT surgeon. His bedside manner lacked luster but he was an excellent doctor. THAT makes a big difference!

Hi all,   I'm 10 years out and had RNY surgery.  You bet I would have had it again.  I go along with the previous comment.  I also thought that once you lost the weight it was gone.  NOT TRUE.  I would have had more information regarding nutritional supplements.  My surgeon who was good, retired soon after I was released from his care.  I would have liked to have had another doctor to do my follow up.  I do not like my on again/off again diarrhea.  

I think the greatest lesson I got from the WLS is that ultimately I am responsible for me weight AND that I can control it.  

I had my RNY November 18, 2008. I had originally lost a total of 210 pounds. I have now gained back aprox 70 pounds. Yes I would do it again, I am so glad I did it in the first place. I like most kinda wish I had done it much sooner, but I probably would not have done as well as I have. I am so mad at myself for letting the pounds come back but between medications, loss of some of my mobility/being able to exercise has not helped, but the rest is on me for eating like I used to. I lent my copy of the diet book that told me what and how much to eat to someone,and she lost it and I have no way to get another copy. I would really appreciate it if anyone has the general meal plan could let me know what we should and how much we should eat at 6 years post op. Can you please help. Thank you.

I would definitely do it again. I wish I had it sooner. Took me almost 10 years to make the decision to have RNY. I'm almost 5 years post-op and still learning what works and doesn't but it has been a great decision for me. Gave me my life back. I'm so much more active and comfortable in my own skin. I've had no complications other than dumping, but that's what keeps me making better food choices. I agree with a previous poster that I would've eaten around the VSG.

In a heartbeat....one difference is that I would NOT have listened when nutritionist insisted that I begin eating more and more food groups.  Wtaching posts here I see long term success stories most often include forever use of protein shakes...also a good way to restrict calorie intake.  Although I have regained 50 pounds, my original weight loss allowed for early diagnosis of kidney cancer.  I'm feeling great now after going through 2 partial Nephrectomies over the past 2 years.  Both were renal cell carcinoma at stage 1 and totally removed leaving me healthy now.  I am back on track and have lost 10+ and working my way toward a smaller body once again.  My sleeve still works but what I choose to put in my mouth is an ongoing battle.