Any Regrets

Hi, everyone. I am currently researching the idea of have WLS. I have heard so much positive feedback about the surgery, but it's good to hear people talk about the downside as well. Although the thought of WLS is exciting, I keep telling myself that I have no idea what I'm in for as far as the pain and recovery aspect. Goodness, not only have I never had surgery - I've never even broken a bone and I'm quickly approaching 40. I'm curious for those of you who HAVE had other surgeries - how does the recovery compare with gastric bypass? Thanks.

I had my first surgery in 1982, then it was only a stomach stapleing, not the RNY that is so much better!! I lost from 265 lbs to 160 lbs in just under a year, but got PG and gained it ALL back, plus some. My regret is that I DID NOT stay with the plan and keep my meals to small portions, I ate my way thru the pregnancy and right back up to where I came from!! I am now 280 lbs and have complications because of a blockage that formed. I had the stapleing reversed. I had moved to another state by then and I think the new doctor went with too drastic a choice, he was very down on WLS in general and gave me a lecture on it!! I think removing the blockage could have been done!! That has caused one doctor to refuse to do the RNY revision. I am still looking for another doctor to get a second opinion, but want to make sure that if they say they will do it, that it's not about the money, but because it is not totally life threatening. I want someone with lots of experience, because it will have to be an open RNY. I feel that I have learned a whole lot about how the surgery works and that it is vitally important that YOU WORK WITH IT!!!! If you are in the mind set to do it, you can eat right through the surgery and remain in the place that you are before it, but WITH the painful experiences that go with the surgery!! I KNOW that IF I can have it done again, that I WILL follow the doctors orders and eating plan!!! I learned my lesson and I hope it is NOT TOO LATE for me!!!! Patty

when I first opend my eyes right after they woke me up out of surgery... I said "What the hell did I just do??!!" and my only regert is I wated so DANG long to have the surgery ..... ( now that Im recoved ) This is no easy way out as some folks say ..... I know we all know this... WLS 2-3-2003 Dr Siomonwitz 402/210/155ish - I have a dream OPEN RNY 192 Pounds lost and gone

Brenda, I am currently a pre-op patient. I have had numerous surgeries, including a gallbladder removal and removal of endometriosis/adhesions from my gallbladder surgery. My gallbladder surgery was done before they did it laproscopically, so I have a 6 inch long incision across my right upper abdomen. The operation was done as an emergency as my gallbladder had stopped working and had become infected. I was told that I would be out of work 6-8 weeks and the pain would be excrutiating. To be honest, it was cake. I was up and walking the day of surgery. I was discharged 2 days early. I was back to work in two week. The only problem I had was that I had an epidural morphine line that caused my spinal fluid to leak and I vomitted constantly for two days and had the worst headache of my life. Within 5 minutes of removing the epidural, I was fine. I never took any painkillers after I left the hospital. I had my endometriosis/adhesions removed laproscopically. I had 4 incisions. I had outpatient surgery and went back to work in two days. The best thing I can tell you about belly surgery is that a pillow to brace against your incision will be your best friend when you start getting up/down or coughing and that every person is different in how they react to surgery. I was 23 when I had my gallbladder surgery and I will be 37 when I have this surgery. I have wondered often if my reaction will be different because of the years that have gone by. I wish you the best of luck in your research. I researched for a year before I made the decision. I think while you may be able to intellectually know things, only the actual experience will tell how you do. However, I honestly believe the more prepared you are in every aspect, the less scary most things seem.

Lisa, Thank you so much for your response. Maybe I missed it, but when are you scheduled to have your gastric bypass? Will it be done open or laproscopically? You researched for a year before making the decision? I've known about this surgery for quite awhile, but only within the last month or so have I seriously considered going through with it. I always said that I would never willingly expose myself to "surgery," but I've had some change of heart. After worrying about my weight in my teens, battling my weight through my twenties, and being obese for most of my thirties. . . I decided that I don't want to spend my forties and beyond being obese. This is certainly not a quick decision, but I came to a realization that I can't do it on my own. AND that this does not make me a failure. I am successful in most areas of my life, but I have never been successful at maintaining weight loss. I've spent YEARS beating myself up for this failure, but no more. Even if I don't go through with the surgery, I am done beating myself up for something that I cannot control. The definition of insanity is when you keep doing the same thing over and over and over expecting different results. What I've been doing all of my life is obviously NOT working, so. . . here I am researching gastric bypass as a solution. The Good Lord knows that I have tried everything else.

Brenda, A very appropriate definition of insanity. I am very glad to hear that you have a strong level of confidence in yourself. I have have been successful in almost all other areas of my life as well. I have done many things that most others have not had the opportunity to do, and I have a high level self-confidence. My weight has always been my Achilles Heel. While I feel a tremendous amount of frustration at not being able to successfully manage my weight, I have never really felt that it was a barrier to my happiness of living my life until recently. I have Hashimoto's Thyroid disease and Cushing's disease-two conditions which make losing weight for me difficult at best. After countless diets and years of exercise, I decided to look into bariatric surgery. I have read just about every book out there, spoken with 5 different bariatric surgeons and about 20 people who have gone through the surgery. I happen to work for a company that has very liberal healthcare policies and who support the procedure as needed 100%. In the past 6 months, I have been diagnosed with Type II diabetes as well as early on-set degenerative joint disease. 4 of my lumbar discs have completely disintegrated, I have spinal stenosis and 2 herniated discs. My hips and knees are so deteriorated from arthritis that I will need to have full replacements of all in the next 10 years or face confinement to a wheelchair. Pain can break your spirit and being 37, I want the rest of my life to be at least as good as the first part of it! I will admit that I had reservations about the surgery at first. I had to keep researching until I had as many questions answered as I needed. Now, I have no doubt this is the best option for me. I also have no doubts that this will be one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life and it will require total dedication, patience and commitment to suceeding. I am currently waiting for final insurance approval to get my date. If all goes as anticipated, the doctors are expecting May or June. There may be a small stumbling block, and if additional requirements need to be met, then Nov-Dec is the anticpated time frame. Best of luck to you in your journey. This is a great web-site with terrific people and information. Keep asking questions until you get all the information you need to feel comfortable making your decision. Take Care, Lisa

No regrets. Surgery went well. I had a scary moment a couple of days out and ended back in the hospital for 2 days. I'm one year and one month post-op and down to 180lbs from 365. I feel much better now than I had felt in at least 15 years prior. High cholestrol, gone. Sleep apnea, gone. High blood pressure, gone. Waist is 34 inches and I look GOOD. I would however, like to say the same thing that a gentleman I know told me when I was researching having the surgery. He is now 3 1/2 years post-op. He told me that by having the WLS you give up one set of problems for a whole other set of problems and that "you will never be a 'normal' person again." It's true. Think about it. You're letting a person rearrange your innards to work in a way that was obviously never intended. How can you ever expect to be normal after that. You have to learn how to adapt to a whole different way of eating. You have to live with the pouch. You have to pay attention to what you're putting in you mouth. You have to be concerned about nutrition. You have to accept the fact that sometimes and for no apparent reason, you're going to be hanging your head over the toilet. Or dumping. You may develop an ulcer. WLS is not a quick fix and it's not even a permanent fix. You can cheat your pouch. I know of two people who've gained back 1/2 of the body weight they lost. That, to me, is a crime. Why would you let someone give you a tool that works when used right and then intentionally circumvent it? I'm babbling. I went back and read the above and considered editing all that down to just a plain "no regrets." But I think I'll just let it stand. You'll never be normal after the surgery. But you may end up healthy and happy. I have, so far.

Chuck, I couldn't help but to reply to your comment about it should be a crime for anyone to gain weight after this surgery when someone was given a tool that works when used right and then intentionally circumvent it. It just made me think - God gave us miraculous bodies that work when they are used right, yet we learned bad eating habits, or were too lazy to exercise, etc. that got us in the fix we find ourselves. Is there much difference? Just a thought. I'm pre-op - my surgery date for open RNY is 4-21-04. I already messed up one perfect tool given to me by God, I'm going to do my best with the new tool and hope to have as few problems and regrets as possible. Joyce M

Chuck...glad you didn't edit it. As for not feeling normal, I don't feel normal now. Your comment on exchanging one set of problems for another is very thought provoking. Thanks!!

I have no regrets except that I regret not having the surgery sooner! It's the best thing I could have ever done. I only have one extreme side effect, which is I puke constantly. Not like I feel sick before hand,, I just feel like I'm going to burp and up comes dinner lol Even with this extreme side effect,, it's totally worth it. I look and feel better than I've felt in years.