Anyone else out there that isn't enjoying their WLS?

As a newbie here and in research mode, I can say that I do appreciate the truthfulness from everyone. However, I also know that there is complications (possibly) going into these procedures. I have also read that having a number of health issues going into the procedure may enhance complications as well.  I feel I must continue to research my selective process and thank goodness for the six month supervised program per request of the insurance company or I may have never took the time out to see my NUT, have the evaluations completed (which assist me with bad eating habit denials I've progressed to over time) and others.

I think its very important to be honest with myself and also know that I have done all that was agreed upon regarding the wls. This will eliminate the feeling of failure,etc knowing you have done all you could for your health followed by a search to a solution to the current problem.

Again, thank everyone for sharing-good or bad. It helps many of us in many ways :)

I do hope/pray success for all...its never too late.

I'm a newbie (in the research stage) and want to let you folks know out there how invaluable your criticisms of WLS are to me; even more valuable than those singing the praises of WLS.  I am considering the Lap band.  I have a consult date but I'm not exactly certain I will go through with the procedure as of today.  I'm carefully weighing all of my options (pardon the pun).

When considering surgery, all possible complications should be given some thought; and your input is going right to the "horse's mouth", so to speak.  Although I am truely sorry for your suffering, I am thankful that you chose to share your suffering with the rest of us.

I have a good friend who had the RNY about eight years ago.  She and her daughter got it done at about the same time, by the same surgeon.  They both lost over a hundred pounds and they both gained back all the weight, starting at about the five year point.  They had no pre-op care to speak of and zero after-care.  Do you know she recommend her surgeon to me, without hesitation?  Even though, in my eyes, that's a failure rate of 100%, she highly recommends him.  It doesn't matter, he no longer performs weight loss surgery; nor does anyone else in the area except two specialized bariatric centers of excellence which offer ONLY comprehensive care.  The "quick fix" "cut and run" operations are out of business around here.

My reason for relating this is the reason she recommends her surgeon:  She truely believes she failed, not her doctor, she did, end of discussion.  That's how us fatties think; it's our knee-jerk reaction to blame ourselves for everything.  The truth is, the medical profession failed HER!  Now she not only is back to being obese with all the health risks, but has a laundry list of complications that are a direct result of her (failed) WLS.  But because she was briefly thin, she will forever hate herself for re-gaining the weight.  I don't want any of you suffering from WLS side-effects to blame yourselves, it's probably not true, and besides, it's pointless.

I say it was the medical profession that failed so many of you; especially those that had WLS many years ago.  Today, they are a lot more careful about who can have WLS and they have made many improvements to all the different techniques.  Pre-op and post-op care is stressed, and if it isn't, you should find a place where it is.  That being said, someone will land in that 1% of patients who have this or that complication.  Some will not loose any weight, some will gain all their weight back in a few years and, yes, some will actually die (not probable, just possible).

Especially to young folks with a BMI that's not that out-of-whack, and few or no co-morbidities considering WLS, please weigh the risks very carefully (pardon the pun again).

I understand Jo-Anna I had the Gastric bypass five  years ago. I never got to reach my goal weight which was 175lbs. I was 364lbs before the surgery. I had a major set back cause seven months out I learned that I was pregnant with my now 4 year son. I was afraid to go back for my final graduation visit feeling my doctor would see a failure.... I was relieved that he wasn't. He did say that it was common. I was working out @ the gym where I worked daily and was not loosing weight and didn't know why until I started getting morning sickness. I was so upset.  I have stories to share but I'll need to write a ten mile paragraph. The thing I regret the most is that I only got to reach 230lb goal now I am back to 268. I'm scared. I also have no stamina, I stay tired and weak. I haven't worked out in about 1 year I don't know how get motivated again. I can't to join a gym now because I am now unemployed.... and depressed.

I used to always answer I would do it again in a heartbeat when people would ask me if I would ... that was even after emergency surgery at 1 yr post op for an intestional adhesion that caused a bowel obstruction and developing an ulcer

Well after the last year I would give a different answer ... I have been sooooooooo tired and just overall feeling crappy most of the time

I had Dr test my iron and b12 because I thought maybe that was low and that was why I was tired ... those levels were fine and he suggested testing my vitamin D ... which came back at 7.9 ... lowest of any of his patients ever he said ... and ricketts territory

I also suffer with severe hypoglycemic episodes

I had less health problems prior to surgery

I did not think I would ever say something like this but honestly I would put 30-40 or even 50 pounds back on if I believed it would make me feel healthy and have energy again to enjoy life

So if someone asked me today if I would do it again I would have to say no way! ( but that could change tomorrow depending on the day lol ) 

If your tired all the time have they ever checked your Vitamin D level? I went on huge amounts and it does seem to be helping some as it continues to come back up

 I just wonder why these surgeries are promoted as being the answer to all of our weight problems and they never tell you all the health problems they will cause.
I've never been told ANY negative effects!  I'm almost 1 month out and reading these posts is scaring the crap out of me!
I still can't eat any of the good foods and I'm sick of stuff in a can.  I'm already bad at taking my vitamins because they make me SOOOO sick.
I dread getting up every day because it seems like the whole day has to revolve around my surgery...planning and taking my food with me everywhere, remembering to take my meds later in the day cuz now I get sick if I take them in the AM, worrying because I can't drink much or get all the protein in,etc.
It's a complete pain in the ass and it's not a TOOL, it's basically something that will make eating so miserable and complicated that you can't eat normally again.
I hate being fat, but I hate this feeling even more.  I'm hoping it will get better (everyone SWEARS it does), but I feel like I've stopped my life and have to take care of this pain in the ass stomach all day long while everyone else has been going on with life as usual.
I feel really alone with this and I have no friends to talk to and no one seems really interested in hearing my woes.

 You are NOT alone! You've found the best website for support and strength through your weight loss journey. I am on here EVERY single day, learning so much about my surgery. 

Just try to relax and take a deep breath. You've been given a tool that lots of people are literally fighting for. This will work for you if you let it.

It sounds like you are having a rough time right now, but as others have said, this is completely normal at this stage. Every day will get better for you, I promise! With each day that passes, your new life will start seeming more and more normal. Your vites will be easier, food will start tasting better, you'll be able to eat a little bit more.

On the DS board, we have the 30-60-90 rule. Aim for 30 grams of protein for the first 30 days, 60 grams for the next 30 and 90 grams for the next 30. 

Are you taking an acid reducer? That will help a lot with your sick feeling.

Also try to eat yogurt or add a probiotic. Hopefully that will also help you to feel better.

Take care and hang around on the board. Ask lots of questions and know that you are not alone!

Hugs,
Jules

 Thanks for the info.  I have Pepcid that I bought cuz they said we might need it, but I never had any heartburn problems, so I haven't taken any.  I didn't know it would do anything for nausea.  

I'm just having a bad day today too...I've been watching tv and crying everytime someone on tv cries...I'm PMS'ing too, which doesn't help!