Any Regrets on Having WLS? I'm Getting Cold Feet....

Ok.  I asked this on the RNY forum and some recommended I ask it here to.  Have you any regrets that you have WLS?  I am on schedule for approval (I hope) soon and then surgery in December if all goes well.  I'm just getting cold feet and I guess that is a typical response. Any input?  Also here is my personal page... http://www.juicetango.com/GB/GB.htm about my journey

Do it, you will never regret it (except the first couple of hours).   Will you have problems? Could be, maybe not.  I'm over 2 1/2 year out., down 150 pounds from 340 (was 170, working on that) and no problems,  I'm still careful about what I eat,  Is it worth it to be able to tie your shoes, walk three miles and not break a sweat, buy a large instead of a XXXlarge, have srangers treat you completely different, use a booth instead of a table.  You get the idea, the list goes on and on.  The road may not be easy at times, but well worth it. Dennis

I have a few.  While I lost 100, I've never broken 200.  I've only dumped once and tested my limits too soon.  I learned that sugar and carbs in general didn't have any great effect on me.  My regret is that I didn't take advantage of the "honeymoon" phase as I should. I got approved very quickly and easily.  I regret not doing more research.  I wouldn't have changed my mind, but might have done things differently. On occasion, I really wish to be a normie again.  I'd like a few days a year (like Thanksgiving) where I could eat whatever and as much as I wanted. That said, would I do it again?  Absolutely!  While I didn't have any co-morbidities, it was only a matter of time.  I could do very little without getting out of breath.  Today, I (and my dog-- he's in better shape too ) walk every day, go to the gym (although it's still not my favorite thing), play with the kids, wear cute clothes, fly (no extender, armrest and tray table all the way down) and enjoy my life!  All of that totally overcomes the downsides. Michele

I would do it over and over again... its been an amazing experience. I took full advantage of my tool and its done the job and then some for me. You will def. wonder a few times what the hell you did to yourself but regrets?  I doubt it.... Its hard though... just tell yourself this too shall pass and know your normal. Good luck

I haven't ever had any regrets at all. I took it seriously when I decided and chose my doctor. I took the diet seriously and the schedule of the "upgrades" seriously. This is my last and final attempt to live a normal and healthy life...I take it very seriously. I researched. I stressed. I prayed over it and weighed all my options.. Yes. I would do it again in a heartbeat. I would have done it sooner but the timing for me was correct. My dad had a heart attack at 49. I was 47. He's diabetic. I was diabetic. He had high cholesterol. I had high cholesterol. I had just found out that I had bad high blood pressure and he already had it. I asked him: If he could have possibly had a surgery at 47 and missed all those diagnosis' would he? Yup, he would. I feel in my heart of heart that being/remaining morbidly obese was more of a danger than the surgery or any of the possible complications. I also feel in my heart of hearts that I tried my absolute best to lose the weight on my own and COULD not, so I needed help.  This is my last best hope to live a good long life for myself and my children and grandchildren...I took that chance.

Absolutely no regrets whatsoever. None, nada, zilch. I've lost over 130 lbs., my diabetes is gone, my blood pressure is normal, my arthritis in my knees is managable without any medication. My entire life has changed. Go for it.

Most of the people *****gret this surgery don't come to surgery sites as they are angry they had the surgery and don't want anything to do with these kind of sites.  You can find those people on yahoo groups.  One of them is titled 'WLS Gone Wrong' if I remember it correctly. 

I personally had surgery six years ago and I never know from one day to the next, whether it will be a good day or bad one.  I've had anemia, bowel obstruction (almost died), dehydration, neuropathy and hypoglycemia.  For some reason, all the 'newbies' seem to think they won't have problems, but most of the older post ops can give you a list of them for the most part.

Suffice it to say that yes you will lose weight, but you will regain weight if you don't diet after two years post op.  You have to diet as though you never had surgery in the first place, PLUS you have the long term problems that are associated with this surgery.  You've basically traded one set of problems for another set of problems.  If I were you, I'd go and find the groups on Yahoo where people have gotten off track or have problems.  The more informed you are of what could happen, the better off you are. 

Good luck and God bless your journey,

Robin

I don't know if I would or not.  I developed nesidioblastosis ( post RNY hypoglycemia) and had 60% of my pancreas and my spleen removed.  Now I have iron deficiency anemia and am getting iron infusions.  I have always taken my vitamins and iron.  If I had know before that this could happen, (the nesidioblastosis) I'm not sure I would have done it.   Don't get me wrong, I am happy with my wt loss.   And maybe once I get my iron levels back up and I feel better, I'll be happier about my decision. 

I am 15 months out.  I have lost over 130 lbs and exercise daily.  I have no regrets about having the surgery.  BUT, it's important to remember that the surgery is a tool.  Your success (or lack thereof) is very dependent on how you work the tool.  i feel the experience is more of a head game.  You need to get your head around the changes you need to make in your life post-op and commit yourself to those changes.  Some of those changes include life-long vitamin supplementation, getting labs done regularly to try to detect deficiencies before they get out of hand, maintaining a low carb, low fat, high protein diet, and exercise.  Some people feel they never have to diet after the surgery.  After the surgery, you need to diet for the rest of your life.  The surgery just makes it easier (especially the first year or so) in that you feel full faster.  Some people have sugar/fat intolerance, some don't.  For me, I haven't tested my pouch to see if it can tolerate sugar--I don't want to know-I just don't eat it.  I also haven't had caffeine or sodas at all post-op.  To me, it's all part of my commitment to myself. I strongly suggest you use this time pre-op to wean yourself off of things you can't (or shouldn't) eat post-op.  Personally, I weaned myself off sugar and Diet Pepsi over two months before my surgery.  i figured I was going to have enough to adjust to post-op and didn't want to be going through caffeine or sugar withdrawal at the same time I was going through the emotional roller coaster so common post-op. Good luck to you. Cheryl

I am 18 months post op and I have no regrets.. for me it was the best decision that I could have made.  I have  lots of energy, and the quality of my life has improve a lot.  I exercise on a dialy basis... I had a Tummy Tuck on Sept 4.  If I had any regrets it would be why did I wait so long to do something about my health.