Question:
Unhappy with surgery?
Hi anyone. I have a question. AGAIN!!! Sorry!!! This is a two part question. Has anyone ever regretted having WLS? If so, why? Also, for anyone, what has made you choose WLS verses trying "another" diet? Thanks everyone for ALL of your support! The people here are so-so-wonderful! Thanks again! — MissAuntieK (posted on April 18, 2000)
April 18, 2000
Hi Kristin...With every day that passes, I am more and more grateful for
having this surgery. No regrets what-so-ever!! As far as, "why
WLS?".... I was very ignorant to weight loss surgery in the beginning.
After researching it, I discovered there was a surgery with phenominal
success where you didn't have to eat unnaturally small portions of food,
and you didn't get nasea or ulcers and many other benefits, I decided maybe
I should consider WLS after all. And like I said, I am more grateful
everyday... If you would like to read the long version of why I had WLS,
you can read it on my website at: http://www.myWLS.com. It's an essay
titled "Why WLS?"... Good Luck to you!! Take care for now...
— [Deactivated Member]
April 18, 2000
— Victoria B.
April 18, 2000
Hi Kristen: There are people who regret their surgery. We don't have many
here on the site, though. I think that the numbers speak for themselves.
The percentage of people who have serious complications or regret having
the wls is very very small. Now, as to 'why WLS vs. another
diet'......very simple. The diets don't work. If they do, the weight
comes back, probably with more! If it were as simple as another diet, we'd
all be thin, right? Diets don't work for us, plain and simple. For me,
having WLS was one of the best decision I've ever made. Ever! I'd do it
again, complications and all, in a minute! Jaye Carl, RN, open proximal
RNY (divided), 7-29-99, 102 pounds gone forever!
— Jaye C.
April 18, 2000
Hi Kristin, For me, the deciding factor regarding WLS vs. another diet was
being on Phen Fen and losing 75 lbs. Within 3 months after coming off the
drugs, I had regained all the weight plus more. I decided it was time to do
something so that all my hard work losing weight would not be for nothing.
I wanted a solution so that I could KEEP the weight off. Hope this helps!
— Laura P.
April 18, 2000
good question kristin. During the last couple of weeks I have been under a
lot of stress (mom broke her hip, job etc). Last night as I was leaving
her at the hospital, all I could think of was what i was going to
eat...like so many others, food has always been there for me..offering
comfort when things get really tough. I REALLY wanted to eat...and I wanted
to eat more than just a few bites.....I reviewed what i could and couldn't
eat..and since I really don't have too many restrictions, that wasn't a
problem...but I wanted to sit and eat and eat till I felt better and for
just a brief minute....I realized that even if did, I couldn't get too much
food..because of my surgery. I was irritated then remembered how good I've
been looking...how I have the energy to deal with these problems without
being unconcious in a chair by 8:30 every night and I KNEW that this
surgery was the BEST THING that ever happened to me because it stopped me
from doing what I always do...Eat to deal with problems and stress. This
morning I was rewarded with another pound gone...that makes 63 in less than
3 months. Does that help you?
— Shelly G.
April 19, 2000
I don't regret the surgery. I will tell you that most if not
all of us have tried every diet,fad,calorie counting, weight
watchers, jenny craig, nutra system and anything in between
before we finally decided to go with the surgery. In doing
all these "diets" we find we gain more then we lost back. I
have tried all the above to lose weight they work for about
2-50 pounds only to gain back 50-70 pounds. They may work
for those who need to lose less then 50 pounds. But for most
of us who are at least 100 pounds overweight it does not work.
We are still told by will meaning friends and by Dr. that
diet and exercise will work but they just don't for some of
us. We all have reached a point of no return that surgery seemed
the only answer. To some it may seem drastic, to us it is the
last hope to a healthy life. Some of us have been told that
if we don't have the surgery we won't have a life. We all
have a point in which we determine when to have the surgery
in our lifes but it boils down to our life. I hope I answered
your second question.
— chris M.
April 19, 2000
I've never actually regretted having surgery, although there were a few
times immediately post-op that I questioned whether or not it was such a
good idea. From what I understand, that's pretty normal. I'll tell you
what I do regret, though - I regret waiting so long, and regret all the
missed opportunities from weighing 310 lbs., and I regret all the money I
spent on useless diets that either didn't work or only worked temporarily.
THOSE are the things I regret. For me, surgery has been the
"miracle" that I prayed for all my life. It hasn't been
completely easy or effortless, but it's working, and that's what's
important to me.
— Kim H.
April 19, 2000
I regretted surgery BIG TIME!! The first couple weeks afterwards i cried
everyday and thought how happy all the overweight folks that i would see
looked. I felt like crap and had no energy. Well that did not last long!
After week three post op i felt pretty good and i realized that those
feelings were the result of the surgery and anesthesia. At three months i
feel so good now. I would do it again in a minute. I would just prepare
myself to be a shut-in for three weeks this time.
Diana G. from MI
1/13/00 lap RNY
Dr., Champion (Love that man)
54# lost and counting
— Diana G.
April 19, 2000
I have never had a monent of regret, even right after the surgery. I knew
this was my last chance of getting this weight off of me, and as some of
the other postings stated, this has been my miracle. The only regret I
have was waiting so long, but I guess we do these things when we are ready.
I got so tired of waking up every morning thinking to myself, today I will
start a new diet, but in the back of my mind I knew it was bound to fail,
that I was bound to fail, and thus the start of another fail cycle. Oh
the diet's I tried were good ones, like Weight Watchers, I did not go on
any fad diets, but I always failed in my attempts. I always felt I was
just not good enough, was not strong enough, to get "slim." This
has worked, I have lost 104 lbs, from 224 to 120. I had surgery on May 3,
1999 at BTC in Michigan, no problems or complications. Sometimes I could
just sit down and cry tears of joy, I still cannot believe I am a
"normal" size again after 20 years of failed attempts. Life has
regained a lot again for me, and I hope all who have wls have that once
again!
Darlene Engel
— Darlene E.
April 19, 2000
I must say; I have never felt "regret" I am so thankful each day
of my new life that I was able and fortunate to be given this chance to be
the person I have always wanted to be. There were a few moments in the
beginning that I would say were pretty tough... but regret to me is a
strong word and I would not catagorize it as feeling regret. as to the
second part of your question... what made me choose WLS verses other
"diets"? hmmm let me see.... probably because I had already tried
just about everything out there known to "man-kind" and all I did
was figure out what the "yo-yo" dieting ment... sure I would
loose some weight and then I would gain that back plus a few more pounds I
dieted all the way up to 400lbs!!! This surgery (or whatever choice) may
not be for everyone... but it sure was the right one for me) If you have
any further questions please email me! :-)
— Jamie T.
April 20, 2000
Carol what a great answer. I'm so glad you are here to help us all along
with all our steps.
— Theresa B.
April 22, 2000
Kristin,
I've never regretted having surgery. Diets? I'd given up and wouldn't
even try another one. We are all afraid of complications post op and I
know that is one concern that may stop some people from moving ahead with
surgery - I was concerned about it. BUT the deciding factor for me was
realizing that obesity had worse complications/medical issues (diabetes,
high blood pressure, high cholesterol, arthrities, heart disease, shortened
life span, etc.) than most of the potential complications of weight loss
surgery.
I made the decision I would rather risk the complications of weight loss
surgery and deal with those rather than face the guaranteed medical
problems that come along with obesity (especially as we get older).
One final note, I've had some complications from the surgery. At 16 months
post op, I'm doing great. And even during the worst of the complications I
never regretted having the surgery.
— Jennifer L.
Click Here to Return