Starting to reconsider!

Hi, My name is Judi. I have been considering RNY for over 5 years and finally thought that I had come to a decision. Now I am reading theGrad posts and it seems that a large # of you after a certain period of time are re-gaining weight and having a very hard time taking it off. This scares me, I feel like maybe I shouldn't put my body through this if I will end up like before. Somebody please tell me if this is very common. I know the whole "surgery is a tool" thing and I believe it, but I obviously have struggled with my weight and will power my entire life, so I guess what I am asking is: is it worth re-routing your insides and risking complications, even death, to be thin for a short period pf time and re-gain all the weight? Pleased don't get mad at me, I am only trying to get a very clear picture of what I can expect short AND longterm. Thanks in advance for input.

Judi

Hello,

I think its normal to have the thoughts you are having. I am two years out and *for me* I have to watch everything that goes into my mouth. If I exercise and eat healthy - I can maintain my weight. If I fall off track and don't follow the rules .... well, my scale will remind me with a gain.

I think the best advice I can give you, if you decide to move forward and have WLS. 1) embrace your new healthy lifestyle 2) make a choice to make changes for the long haul (not just until you lose the weight) 3) follow all of the rules, all of the time 4) get support  / give support  5) make exercise a part of your new life 6) take your measurements pre-op and then each post-op month 6) be DETERMINED

I knew going into this WLS is just a tool. But still never thought I would have to watch everything that I eat - 2 years later. Nope, its not a magic pill. However, I would do it again in a heartbeat ... all of the hard work is worth being able to LIVE life as a participant ... before WLS I felt as if I was watching from the sidelines.

Having WLS has been one of the best decisions for me and my family!

Whatever you decide, I wish you well!

Hugs,
Britt

Thank you Britt, I appreciate your insight.

Judi

2 + years out and I maintain easily, but I know that I can eat more now.  I feel great, look great, can do so much more, and I take no meds for diabetes only vitamins.  If I regain, which I might soon, because I am in the stage to gain back now, I will do my best never to let it get out of hand again.  I do not regret my choice for a minute.  Besides the brief period of hormone depression at the 3 month stage, everything about the surgery has been a positive for me.  By the way, that depreession thing lifted as soon as I started taking b-12 .  Don't be afraid.   D

Thank you, I like hearing some positives!

Judi

Judi, I agree with everything that Britt has said.  The only thing I can add is to work REAL hard losing the weight in the honeymoon period.  It would be nice to even drop below your goal weight, because you will probably have some regain.  

Ruby Rosebud
rny 3/11/2005
262/125/138
HI/LO/TODAY 

Thank you Ruby.
You guys are so kind.

Judi

look at it this way.........Wouldn't you rather lose 100 lbs possible gain back 15 or 20 and still be down 80?  I would....I've lost more than I weigh.  I watch my weight weekly.  I"m 15 months out and still losing very slowly. but it is coming off.  This was one of the best decisions I ever made in my life.  

it seems that a large # of you after a certain period of time are re-gaining weight and having a very hard time taking it off. ... obviously have struggled with my weight and will power my entire life, so I guess what I am asking is: is it worth re-routing your insides and risking complications, even death, to be thin for a short period of time

There is no surgery that will keep you from regaining weight.  How much success you have with the surgery is all up to you.

That said, having surgery is a manifest commitment to a life change.  If you are willing to change your bowels, there is a reasonable expectation you can change the rest of your life as well.  The question is: how committed are you?  Surgery is like getting on a ship to travel to a new country for a chance at a new life and the change is one from which there is no going back.  If you can sign on for all that, then things should work OK.

You can be thin for as long as you want to beand surgery can help.  In the end, there no fate but that which you make.

Hi Judi,

I'm going on 5 years out and do have to watch what I eat.

For the last year I've been up and down with the same 20lbs. I'll get on a snacking/carb binge and then realize what I'm doing and lose the weight. But I have to stop that yo/yo effect.

I've recently gotten back on track and am losing the excess slowly so I can keep it off for good.

I've also had 2 obstructions that needed to be fixed via surgery and 1 extra 'scare' that somehow fixed on it's own.

With all that being said YES I'd do it again!

Best of luck with your decision!