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

That is a question I get a lot.  My answer is, yes I would, because if you ask an obese person "would you like to be thinner?"  I believe regardless of the warnings of some of the dangers of the surgery, we still would all take that chance.  After my surgery I lost about 70 lbs.  It has been 4 years now since my surgery.  I have gained back 10 lbs.  I still needed an additional 12 lbs to take off after the surgery stopped working, but I never got that far. 

Six months after the Rouxen Y surgery I had a hernia from a bowel obstruction.  I was a couple of hours away from dying.  After spending a week in the hospital and a drain tube stuck out of my stomach for 6 weeks, I ended up having another hernia because the first one was not fixed correctly, another 4 weeks of recovery. To top it all off, I became an alcoholic, full blown!!  Binge drinking for days, almost lost my job, was on the verge of divorce, and my kids didn't want to be around me, and who can blame them.  After all these unfortunate situations, when I look back I would still say that I would have had the surgery.  Today I am on the road, a very long road to recovery.  It's not easy but I need my life back and I didn't have this surgery just so I could die from complications of it.  I do believe that there is great education prior to having it done, but I was so desperate to be thinner, I didn't think any of them could happen to me.  I am the small percentage of people who have hernia problems.  My biggest regret was not having it done in my home town; I had to travel 6 hours from home because that was the closest place my insurance would cover it.  I never connected with a bariatric doctor since the surgery, that has been difficult too.   Good luck people and keep the faith!!

I would definitely do it again.  And I would take advantage of that first year when it is easier to shed the pounds.  I'm two years out and struggling, but never going back to where I was!

I'm expecting my RNY around mid=November.  Can you talk more about what you mean when you say you'd take advantage of the first year?  I know they call it the "honeymoon period" around here, but can you tell me what you'd do to make the most of it?  Thanks!

I am 7 weeks out from my RNY and when asked if I would do this again at this time I say no. I know the reason is because of my personal experience to this point in my journey. Sure I signed a paper stating there may be some complications...I just didn't imagine I would have them. I have been in and out of the hospital for a total of being in the hospital for a month since my surgery. I nearly died twice from infection caused by abscesses and from kidney failure (I never had a problem with my kidneys before this surgery). The drain they put in slipped..punctured my lung and I got pneumonia. I am finally home and can not tolerate more than 2 oz of soft foods every 2 hours. I am prescribed anti nausea medication every 8 hours to help me eat and another anti nausea medication to take for break through symptoms to keep food down. I have no energy at all. Sure the weight is just dropping off like crazy but at what cost? It certainly isn't the quality of life I want. I keep waiting to "get over the hump" and see what a "normal RNY" might be. Maybe my opinion would change. 

I've had some serious issues postop, but I would have the surgery again in a heartbeat.  A previous poster had mentioned that in retrospect she would not have the surgery because of all the new technologies and methods for losing weight.  I lost over a hundred pounds pre-op more than once and always put it right back on.  Even though I had some regain post-op I've been able to take and keep that weight (plus a few extra pounds) back off with just a little common sense and effort. That probably wouldn't have been possible without having had the surgery.

I believe I would not be alive today if I had not gotten it done.  My  biggest regret is not doing it sooner.

Yes I would. I have been asked that a lot in the last few weeks even facing a complete gastrectomy and removal of a blind limb in 10'days.  I had a rare late term complication and that 7yrs ago wasn't on anyone's radar.  I have a very very bad gastrogastric fistula (where you pouch and remnant stomach grow attached and develop a hole leading from one to the other.  I am still down 100+ lbs and if I hadn't had it done I would probably be dead by now.  So yes I would.  Also, if you wouldn't mind, say a prayer for me. 

I wouldn't change a thing. Wish I could have done it 15 years ago.

In a heartbeat! It was one of the best decisions I have made for my health (physical, emotional, spiritual). Although I am only 6 months out, I feel and look like a new person. My attitude toward life has changed and I am now a "part of." I feel free from the inside out. I love how I am looking but that is just a bonus. I went into this so that I could get healthy and live longer. 

To anyone thinking about or starting the WLS process, I wish you the best!

Mo Bailey

Absolutely!  It was the best decision of my life!  My main regret is that I didn't have it sooner.  

No thanks anyway....people ask all the time if I would do it again and I say "Yes I am glad I had it done (down 98lbs) but would I do it again ....No.. I had lap band twice and finally revision to sleeve (VSG).  So Many problems , gall bladder removal which has left me with daily diaherra .  But I wish you all well and prayers for good health.