Any regrets?

Hi Michelle, I would also recommend WLS surgery...I had RNY 18 months ago and it was the best thing that I have ever done for myself.!!   I got my life back, can keep up with my kids, am no longer suffering from depression, can tie my shoes, can cross my legs, and for the first time in my life, I actually am normal and not living life on a "diet".   It sounds like you are doing your homework and will make the right decision! Good luck in your journey!! Jill

Thanks everyone for your answers. I am doing my 6 month diet for insurance now, I pretty excited about it. I have a 5 yr old and an 18 yr old. I want to get healthy for my kids! I also want to feel beautiful again!!

I would have WLS every single month if that's what it took for me to feel as good as I do now. I can definitively tell you I would not say the same thing about PS...that kicked my butt. I recommend that you research until you know that this is the right decision for you. The lifestyle is a big change and requires a lot of planning and forethought. If you can't commit to the diet, exercise and vitamin regimen, then don't do it because you'll be unhappy.

8 years out, would do it again in a second, 1 regret....I did not do it sooner!

Okay, I am not going to sugar coat it because I wish people had told me the whole truth when i was  where you are now.  I had surgery 3 years ago and lost about 100 pounds.  I feel much better than before surgery and I think this was a good decision for me.  I would do it again.  That being said, it has not been without its problems.  I had RNY because I only had about 100 pound to lose and RNY was the "gold standard."  I think some options are available now that I wish had been available when I was making my decision.  I have had some problems.  I have developed hypoglycemia which can get pretty bad.  I have to watch my carbs like they were heroine and I really have to work hard to maintain my weight loss.  This is not magic.  After about a year, I could eat a great deal and I started getting hungry within an hour or two of eating.  I have since found out that I am very carbohydrate sensitive and the hypoglycemia can also cause hunger and cravings.  I go to the gym 5 days per week and walk a couple of miles on the weekends.  Even so, I've experienced some regain, like almost everyone else a few years out.  I have to really watch my calories since if I eat more than about 1200 per day, I seem to gain even with all the working out.  I don't think my experience is unusual.  I have discovered several medical studies that are finding problems with hypoglycemia and hyperinsulinimia in RNY GB post op patients.  There are a growing number of incidents of problems with the pancreas that can be quite serious.  

I am not trying to scare you.  Like I said, I would still make the same decision. My quality of life and self-esteem have improved tremendously since surgery.  I just want you to know that this is not the "easy way out" that you always hear it called out in the non OH world.  To succeed you will need to make a lifetime commitment to a complete overhaul of the way you've been approaching food and exercise.  Sometimes, it is tiring, and I do have days when I wish I could just go back and eat whatever the hell I want for a day.  But that is not most of the time.

This is a really huge step and it can be the best thing you ever did for yourself,... or not.  That's why I think it is important to go in with realistic expectations.  Luckily, these boards are full of really kind and helpful people who will help you through the ups and downs.  I wish you the very best of luck! 

Here's my list on REGRETS: I regret that I didn't do it sooner.  I really REGREAT eating that first piece of candy or first chip. You think one little M&M or chip can't be that bad but then that leads to more and more then you want sweet/carb things all the time.  Make sure you RESEARCH ALL TYPES of WLS.  I knew I didn't want the band, for me way to easy to cheat.  My insurance would pay for either RNY or BPDS. I wish I had RESEARCHED more about the BPDS. Don't get me wrong I'm glad I had RNY but knowing what I know now about the way I eat (downfall of GRAZING, sweets and CARBS.) Maybe I should have looked into BPDS a little more.  SOOOOOOOO RESEARCH, REASEARCH, REASEARCH each TYPE of WLS and really find the right one for YOU. Good Luck,  Robin

Good morning!!!  Great to see someone who loves close to me I live about 40 miles from you as I live right near the Tennessee/ Mississippi line. I chose Nashville for my  weight loss surgery ..I was going to Corinth Med Clinic and had a great young PCP there who looked after me during all my joint replacements(he left this past summer.. got a postion at a clinic close to his hometown near OXford) I was forced then to get a  PCP here in town  although he was born and raised in Ms and practiced in MS he  recommended  surgeons in Nashville  Tn   ..so that is where I went .I have been fat and thin at least 7  different times not counting all the times I  lost 30 40 even 50 pounds but did not reach my goal .. .. and this last time due to many surgeries ... both hips totally replaced left knee totally replaced .. large tumor in my spine removed etc    I gained all my weight back  becuase I had problems walking  and getting around I chose the lapband as it is an easier least invasive surgery and is reversible and also the band can be  deflated if i need an another  surgery also if you become pregant  to properly  nourish the baby I don't have to worry about that one Ha HA .. please  check out  all the weight loss options and go to the other boards  learn  as much as you can on all of  them they have good points and also weak points  it is a very personal decision  and you must make up your own mind as it is your body ..maybe you  have already chosen a surgeon  there who only  does certain kinds of weight loss surgery  and that may limit your options  Congratulations on your decision to change your life whatever you chose you are on your way to a happier healthier you! My regret is I  needrd this help many years ago when I was young insteand of torturing myself all these years of "dieting"

Do I have any regrets?  No, not even as it relates to how long it took me to decide to pursue WLS.  For me to be truly successful, I had to be willing to face the reasons I became super morbidly obese in the first place.  Those were painful demons, difficult to exorcise, and I had to be in the right physical, psychological, and emotional place to deal with them.  If I had had WLS the first time someone suggested it to me, I think I would be have been at significant risk for transfer addiction.  So I encourage you to make sure you are ready to face and exorcise your food-related demons.  It's not easy, but in the end it will lead to a healtier, new you.   Would I do it again?  In a heartbeat.   Do I recommend it to others?  If they are willing to make the commitment to a new lifestyle, eating healthy, taking all the required supplements, exercising regularly, I absolutely recommend it.  If not, then in my opinion it's not the right choice for them at this time.  WLS is not an easy way out or a quick fix; it requires a lot of work and true commitment.  So make sure you are ready to handle those changes, and when you are, go for it! Good luck on your continuing journey - Kellie

Nope, no regrets!  It isn't magic, though....you will have to be diligent the rest of your life and may even gain a bit after your "all time low". But the good news is that the TOOL you are given (your tiny tummy) will continue to work, even 6 years later (I had my six year anniversary in October). Twice now I have gained some weight...but, with "getting back to basics" I have had a relatively easy time of taking those 20 pounds off.  GOOD LUCK TO YOU!