Question:
Told my sister about this surgery, guess what she said...

On my birthday, november 28th, my sisters asked me what my wishes were, one of them included the surgery. I just turned 17 so I know that it will be a hard fight for me to get coverage with Kaiser. Anyway, I told my oldest sister (who knew nothing about me wanting to have this surgery, in contrast to my other sister) She told me about this woman in her church who had this surgery, I think 10 years ago (if it is a different time period I will update my question) and she lost tons of weight, I mean a lot, like 150lbs. or something like that. Anyway, it all lasted for about 5 years and then she gained it all back plus a ton more. I used to go to the church she attends and you would never guess she had this surgery. Should I be scared? I know that it was along time ago, but does that stuff still happen? My sister told me that it is even more tramatizing to gain all of your weight back! I don't want that to happen to me! Please help!    — Ashley T. (posted on December 3, 2002)

December 2, 2002
I think the most important thing everyone has to know going into surgery is this: This surgery is a life style change. I am only 3 months post op but already find myself falling back into old habits. I have to remind myself daily about eating the right things and drinking enough water. I still want to eat when I'm not hungry--so now I make myself go to the gym instead of eating. This surgey is life saving and life changing. Unlike other addictions we have to eat to life, we just can't give up food. It seems everyone of us have people in our lives that like to point out all the negatives to WLS. Email me if you have questions....
   — barbara A.

December 2, 2002
I'm with Amanda on this one. I tell people I'm having wls, and immediately they "know this one person that had the surgery....." and they gained the weight back, or got sick, or died. BLAH BLAH BLAH.... and it always turns out this is either (a)someone that didn't have the same surgery as me (ei a VBG or even liposuction - you'd be amazed at the number of people that think plastic surgery <b>is</b> WLS) (b)they heard about on tv and got the details screwed up or (c)doesn't exist and they just made them up to scare me into not having surgery. You have to learn to tune those people out. AShley, keep in mind that you are young and it's easier to change 17 (or 22 in my case) years of bad habits than it is to change 40. This is something that will help us modify our behavior, and unless that behavior is changed, yes, the weight will come back. Right now is the time for you to say good-bye to your old habits and look on to a new healthier you. Good luck and make sure the "story tellers" have their facts straight!
   — Toni C.

December 2, 2002
I've met a couple ladies in town that had WLS and BOTH gained all the weight back. The one DID have RNY too! So this is'nt a cure. However I feel I at least have a chance to succed this time although I'm probally not going to reach goal. At least I'm better off now. But to those people who say "XXX pounds gone forever"... well they probally have a rude awakening awaiting them.
   — Danmark

December 2, 2002
Ignore the person and do WHAT IS BEST OR YOU! I succesfully lost to goal and my step mom said I shouldnt of had surgery. I live 2200 miles away and was really glaD ITS THAT FAR. Wouldnt of wanted THAT in my life pre op:( WLS is tough enough as is with out negative support. Attend some support group meetings and take a successfukl post op to dinner. It wouldnt cost much for them:) and will help you feel better about your decision.
   — bob-haller

December 2, 2002
Ignore the person and do WHAT IS BEST OR YOU! I succesfully lost to goal and my step mom said I shouldnt of had surgery. I live 2200 miles away and was really glaD ITS THAT FAR. Wouldnt of wanted THAT in my life pre op:( WLS is tough enough as is with out negative support. Attend some support group meetings and take a successfukl post op to dinner. It wouldnt cost much for them:) and will help you feel better about your ecision.
   — bob-haller

December 3, 2002

   — Amber L.

December 3, 2002
Dear Ashley, I am 5 months post-op and my niece is 4 mo. I investigated this in depth also. There are always the ones out there who mean well and tell you the OLD horror stories of OLD surgeries. The old process was done differently then from the way they do it now. The process used now with the Rouex n Y bypass where they only leave a little pouch not just staple and seperate the stomach will only get so big.. about the size of your fist in about 2 years.. the capacity of about a cup and a half. My dr said there is only a 4-5% wt gain after the first 2 years.. so if you loose 100 lbs and only gain 4 or 5 lbs back ever, I like those odds. How about you? I have lost 70 lbs so far and don't regret it at all. My niece is 18 and has lost about the same and there is no looking back... she has gone so far from a sz 28 to an 18 (and shrinking). I was 20/22 and now in a 10! Good luck to you..
   — Breje

December 3, 2002
Ashley, it is possible to gain back the weight after WLS surgery. And I would imagine, as your sister said, it would be even more traumatizing to go thru this surgery and to gain it all back. Have you heard the expression that this surgery is just a tool? That is very true. During the first few years, it is fairly easy to lose and maintain the weight loss after WLS, however, after that, if you fall back into old eating habits, you will gain. It is possible to eat around the tool by eating the wrong things and constantly grazing, no exercise, drinking with meals etc. The goal is that during the first year or two you develop good eating habits, lose lots of weight, EXERCISE, and learn to use the tool properly. If you respect the tool, and yes, you do have to work at it a little, you will keep the weight off. But if you fall back into the old eating habits that got you fat in the first place, then you can defeat it. It is a little scary-I am close to 10 months post-op and still losing and have made up my mind that I will work to keep it off. If you have the same attitude, then it will not happen to you.
   — Cindy R.

December 4, 2002
Ashley, bottom line is, this is a TOOL and yes it can be defeated. You have to make sure you know it's not the magic answer and that you will have to work at it. You have to fix the part of your HEAD that keeps you eating, not just shrink the stomach. Read, read, read, and study, study, study. And, like me and many others, talk to a counselor or psychologist, not just before, but after if you are having problems.
   — cddgo

December 4, 2002
Ashley, It's nice to see you taking charge of your health, but I wanted to mention something. Please don't take this like I am trying to discourage you in any way, but I have thought of this surgery, and how it relates to teenagers. Girl, I know being 285 is hard. I was 280 at pre-op (13 days ago) but being so early to the other side, I know intimately what the recovery is like. This is THE hardest thing I have ever done, and I know I would not have been able to comply with all the restrictions when I was your age. You have to change everything. What you eat, when you eat, when you go to the bathroom, pain, lack of mobility, inability to wash yourself, and the emotional trauma of not being able to eat.... I know you can do it, but I really thought someone should tell you about the things you will go through. I am a big baby at 28 yrs old, and I am doing it, I just want to prepare you for the same. Especially with you being so young... Please prepare yourself for a life altering journey with great results... I wish you the best,,, email me anytime, Love Jennifer
   — Jennifer W.

December 4, 2002
Ashley~ Being 20 and not being that much older than you, I understand where you are comming from. I am a few weeks post op and let me tell you...it is not an easy thing. It is something you definitly take lightly. It takes some serious thinking and commitment. The first week I got out of the hospital I was in a state of shock wondering what I had done to my self. Everyone somewhere has some sort of horror story. My aunt 21 years ago had the stomach stapling and yes she did gain SOME weight back but she looks nothing like she did and she easily lost it again. Her problems from gaining this all back was from grazing! Just remember that the old habbits need to be thrown out the door and new ones need to be started. YOu will start a whole new life for the better. I also wanted to say that being 20 i noticed I had alot less problems recovering all together. LIke they say, The younger the better. Just think positive and everythign will go fine. Best of luck to your decision, what ever it is, it will be the best for you! -Sandra C - 11/15/02...-25lbs
   — sandrac131

December 6, 2002
You cannot compare the procedure done 10 years ago to what is done today. Previously stomach was stapled in the middle, patients could abuse this procedure by overeating. Today's open RNY is performed in the upper most part of the stomach which is not as flexible as the lower stomach. Of course as others have stated surgery is a tool - a successful tool when used correctly. Please educate yourself on all surgery options. Visith www.wlscenter.com and purchase Barbara Thompsons book. I read 3 different books and was able to handle all family and friend questions - knowledge is powerful - good luck.
   — Diane T.

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