Expect regrets? What SHOULD I expect?

I know that everyone goes through SOME regrets after getting the surgery.. Some because of pain, depression, not being able to eat the same foods, complications, etc. I'm pre-op and am having the surgery soon (as soon as next month, maybe) and I wanted to ask all of you post-ops out there if there is anything that is normal to regret and how I should handle it. I just turned 18 years old, I have a pretty high threshold for pain (having polycystic ovarian syndrome, I've had my fair share of nearly-unbearable pains), and I'm excited but terrified of getting this surgery. I'm sick and tired of being overweight and having horrible back/knee problems..so I'm definitely going through with the surgery, but I need to be realistic about this so I came to this forum for advice. Thanks in advance.

First off - I have to say that you are such a beautiful girl! I am still waiting for surgery myself, but I wanted to ask if you had researched all of the different weight loss surgeries that are available? Being so young, and being 100 lbs overweight, you may want to consider Lap-Band surgery instead of GB. It is less invasive and has a quicker recovery time -- and is also reversable. In most cases it is a same-day surgery, and at most a one night hospital stay. You would experience a slower weight loss, but in time it would even out with the loss you would experience with GB. I am not saying GB/RNY is bad at all -- I am just saying that there are other options that you might want to discuss with your doctor, especially considering your age and how much you want to lose. Good luck -- find peace in your heart with your decision and you will be fine no matter what you chose!

Hi Brandy, I must first comment on how beautiful you are. You really are! You sort of remind me of myself at 18. come now, I am not that old just 30! Anyway, I have to applaud how mature you are. The fact that you are thinking of and preparing yourself for every aspect of this surgery shows that you have wonderful character. I wish you all the luck in the world! Unfortunately, I do not have an answer for you. I too am pre-op. My surgery is October 12th. I can imagine some of the regrets, but I am with you, I would like to hear some actual regrets from post ops. I would like to remind you and myself of something. We all are unique and just because one person feels something it does not mean you or I will. But, you knew that anyway! Have a great day! I would love for you to keep me posted with information about your pending surgery! Maybe we could compare notes! Amber

Brandy, The reason you are getting replys from all pre-ops is because they normally do not come to this site. If I were you I would post this question on the main message board where everybody on obesity help can have a chance to answer, pre-ops & post-ops. It is a very good question I may self would like to read the answers because I am a pre-op also. By the way I agree with everyone else, you are very beautiful. My surgery is set for Sept.30 & I also have been having people tell me I need to consider the lapband unstead of RNY because my BMI is only 40 but I there is only 1 surgeon in Alabama that will even perform this so that bothers me. Anyway, hope to see you on the main message board. Love, Brandy Hyche

Brandy, I am 5 1/2 months post-op. If you go to my profile page, you will get a glimpse of some of the things I went through, in the beginning, with the surgery. In spite of going through those things, I have no regrets. I will tell you, though, to listen to what your doctor's tell you. Eat well (but don't get hung up if you fall off the wagon at times), EXERCISE REGUARLY (you will not get the most out of this procedure if you are not willing to sweat and set the calories on fire), take your vitamins and keep in contact with your doctor. Make all of your appointments on time and keep them. Expect that you might have some hair loss. Expect that you may feel VERY fatigued. Expect that people WILL change in how they treat you. Expect to SUDDENLY become VISIBLE to others. Expect old friends to re-sruface in your life. Expect your attitude to change towards your self. Expect to shop for more clothes. Expect that it will get some what expensive. Expect to have to purchase some belts. Expect to have to actually try clothes on before you leave the store. Expect not to spend too much money on clothes as you may not be wearing them long. Expect to make new friends. Expect to lose a few old ones. Expect lots of compliments. Expects some insults. Expect some HIDDEN insults. Expect people to say that you think you're better than others once your body changes and you begin to feel better about yourself. Expect to be lonely sometimes because it seems like no one can relate. Expect to make UNEXPECTED phone calls to your doctor when your body begins to feel ways you never used to feel. Expect to eat ALOT less. Expect to enjoy the NEW YOU!!! Well, I hope this list of expectations helps! I just turned 26 and am enjoying all of the ends and outs of this surgery. If you do one thing your doctor has told you to do (besides taking your vitamins), you need to exercise. Good Luck!

What a great response! I guess this is what you can expect with any form of weight loss -- but so true. Nicely put - thanks!

Thanks so much JaVonya, That response to Brandy's question really helped me to understand some stuff I have been worrying about. Thank you very much! Amber

Hi Brandy, Like everyone else that looked at your profile, the first thing i was struck with was have beautiful you are. I know you really want to loose weight, but it will be ashame to loose one of the truley big beautiful women. Someone else mentioned this and I wanted to restate it, if possible go for the Lap Band. I say this because you are so young. It will help with your problem now, but you will still have options open to you if they ever do come up with the perminate fix for weight loss. As far as regrets, we all have them, at some times worse than others. It is missing the way that you did things before. If is feeling that you do not want to go out to eat with friends because your style of eating is very different now. For me, it is not being able to go drink beer with the guys. But everything is a trade off, and you have to feel that what you are giving up is worth what you are getting in return. In the end, will it be worth it ... that will depend on the outcome. If I can feel good about myself, feel like I am no longer invesible, then i guess it will be worth what I gave up along the way. Only time will tell. Good luck, Elizabeth

I needed to read this. Thank you for posting it (even if it wasn't intended for me).

I don't think that you should expect any complications or regrets. Go into this KNOWING that you will come out of this with flying colors! The only thing that you can do is make sure that you have done as much research as possible, so just in case something comes up, you can't say you didn't know that, that may have been a possibility. I regret my decision everyday. This has ruined my life. But I am in the minority BY FAR! Please go into this believing that all will be well for you!!! Just know that some of us DO NOT come out ok after surgery. I am not trying to scare you, just give you the reality of this WONDERFUL, yet sometimes harsh surgery. I wish you luck on your journey!