Question:
Why is this surgery worth it?
PLEASE I KNOW EVERYONE WILL POST BUT SOME TIMES I THINK IS IT WORTH HAVING IT WHEN I READ SOME OF THE PROBLEMS THAT YOU ALL ARE HAVING I AM WORRIED SHOULD I HAVE IT DONE I KNOW YOU ALL SAY WELL I WOULD BE DEATH IF I DID NOT HAVE IT THEN I SEE WHERE PEOPLE HURT IN THERE BACK ,STOMACH,ARM,CHEST FEELS HEAVY,SKIN IS DRY,LOSSING HAIR,MORE AND MORE I COULD GO ON AND ON I CRY AND CRY SHOULD I DO IT, DO I WANT THE SAME AS THESE PEOPLE DO FEEL THIS WAY WHAT A WAY TO GO WE THANK IF WE EAT THAT WE WILL BE HAPPY AND THEN GAIN SO MUCH BECAUSE OF SO MANY PROBLEMS IN OUR LIFES THAT WE CAN NOT CONTROL ARE EATING HABITS I AM ONE THAT EATS JUST TO BE EATING DONT GET ME WRONG I KNOW YOU THINK WELL THIS IS THE LAST CHANGE BUT SOME TIMES IS IS WORTH IT PLEASE BE KIND I AM GOING TO HAVE IT CRAZY AS IT SEEM I AM GOING THUR WITH IT I KNOW I NEED TO HAVE IT I JUST PRAY I WILL HAVE A SMOOTH SAILING THUR THE SURGERY AND I DO ALL THAT THE DOCTOR TELLS ME TO DO I GUESS JUST ABOUT ALL YOU DO TO ,BUT THINGS JUST HAPPEN I AM JUST GETTING THIS OFF MY CHEST I GUESS BUT I AM GLAD FOR ALL THAT HAS HAD THE SURGERY AND IS DOING GOOD SOME TIMES YOU JUST NEED TO TALK IT OUT EVEN IF IT IS OVER THE COMP. SO BYE FOR NOW AND DONT BEAT ME UP TO MUCH PLEASE I AM GETTING TO THE DATE TO CLOSE IT WELL NOT BE LONG FOR SURE — [Anonymous] (posted on December 28, 2001)
December 27, 2001
Hello -- My surgery is scheduled for 1/9 so I do know what you're going
through. I'm doing this because I want to be healthy, I want to be happy,
I want to live life to the fullest. I, too, see the problems some are
experiencing, but I understand that each situation is unique and I can just
hope that my recovery will be problem-free. Good luck to you and I hope
you can reach a resolution to your emotional conflict about this surgery.
Remember, we're all in this together!
— Linda W.
December 27, 2001
I'm just a little over 3 months post-op. I've been admitted into the
hospital 4 seperate times. I've had strictures, open wound infection,
bladder/yeast infections, allergies to protein supplements, REGRET, mystery
problems and now a plateau. I've lost between 90 and 94 lbs and even now
I'm frustrated! But, I feel so good now! Yes, I regreted every second for
the first 2 months...but then I slowly started to get my life back. I
noticed I can shop the entire mall without sweating like a pig and I can
RUN up stairs witout being out of breath! I can fit in size 20's where
28's were getting too tight and cutting my waist. I can fit behind my
steering wheel and shift gears without hitting my legs! I can go in the
back yard and play with my 4 year old daughter and every day since Xmas
I've been running down the street with her while she's learning to ride a
bike! That alone was worth every single second of misery I've had! I'd
do it again in a heartbeat even if you told me I'd have to endure every
single second of misery just to have the life I do now. This surgery has
better results than most surgeries out there--but it's still surgery. Time
is really your only cure. It will come. Best of Luck!
— Kristin R.
December 27, 2001
Hi! For me, the answer is YES YES YES. It's definitely worth it. I had
complications along the way - had to be converted from LAP to OPEN due to
an enlarged liver, wound infection, staph infection and very substantial
hair loss. I can easily imagine how a pre-op could ask "Is it worth
it?" I know it sounds cliche but it's true that nothing worth doing
comes without a price. Ultimately it took me 6 weeks to recover instead of
2, for 2 months I battled the infections and for 4 months I wore a hair
piece. But, during this journey I discovered many things about myself. I
discovered I have many wonderful friends who lent a hand when I was newly
post op, I have the best husband in the world who cared for me and treated
me like a queen, I met wonderful folks in my search for the perfect hair
piece and was able to share with them about WLS. Now, 14 months later, the
complications seem like a distant memory. Oh, I have dry skin and some
saggy body parts but baby oil and lotion take care of the skin and I don't
spend alot of time nude so I don't really worry about the sagging. It's
kind of like having a baby without pain medication. When you're in the
middle of it and it hurts so bad you want to kill your husband and all you
want is for them to GET THAT BABY OUT!! But once they lay that little baby
in your arms all the pain and misery is gone. When I get dressed in the
morning and put on a size 8 or put on a pair of boots that zip to the knee,
I like the person I see in the mirror. I like the transformation WLS has
brought about in my body but I also like the transformation in my spirit.
I'm more patient, more tolerant and more giving. Every day I thank God for
my new life and my new health. My dream is to help people in the way WLS
has helped me. I was so happy before surgery with my husband and my
children that I didn't imagine it was possible to be happier BUT IT IS!!
It was worth every ache and pain. All the negative things are just a
distant memory now. It's not perfect and it's not always easy but it's
absolutely worth it. You'll see. I think you're just having last minute
jitters and that's completely normal. Try and find a support group if
possible. I think you're going to fine and I'm proud of you for taking
this courageous step! BEST WISHES!!!
— ronascott
December 28, 2001
I can speak only for my own experiences, but would I have this surgery
again? YOU BET!!! I've had my moments when I wonder, mostly when I've
been nauseous after eating too fast or too much or when I had an insulin
dump, but by and large, my experience post-surgery has been positive. I
just FEEL better, physically, emotionally, and mentally, almost all the
time. I can do things I couldn't do before the surgery. I sleep better.
I move better. I can fit into smaller clothes. I can cross my legs at the
knee instead of the ankle. I am wearing a very comfortable 22 instead of a
tight 28. But not every moment of every day is rosy, that is not what real
life is like. We all know what real life is like. Even after the surgery,
life continues, and so do I, but so much more easily than before. And so
it will be for you. Chin up, and Keep smilin', Margie B
— Marjorie B.
December 28, 2001
You are the only person who can decide if it's worth it to you. There are
also a lot of people who have no problems, or very few problems. Hair might
fall it, it comes back. Saggy skin hides in clothes better than being a
size 5x. As in everything in life there are pros and there are cons, very
few things are perfect. Was it worth it to me? Yes! will it be worth it to
you, that's really up to you. Good luck
— Becky K.
December 28, 2001
I'm the first one to admitt that there are complications post op, I had
and still have some afer a year out. But, they all don't happen to the
same person at one time. I feel I am alive and my chances of living longer
are increased. Stuff happens even to people who don't have the surgery. I
would do it all over again if needed. Neci
— Nynese W.
December 28, 2001
Is it worth it? My surgery was 7 yrs ago. I was dying, no breath in my
lungs, diabetes lurking around the corner, high BP, cholesterol, the usual.
I was 44 & not expecting to see 46. I figured within another year, my
family was going to be trying to keep me alive on some sort of breathing
device and THAT scared me more than dying. I had a few problems, life was
not perfect after WLS. My husband had major problems after his. BUT the
fact remains, we would not be here to complain about it had we not
proceeded. I lived to be 52. Do I have some saggy skin? Yep, I do. Do I
have dry skin? Yep, always did. But it's better now, because I eat a more
normal diet and supplement what was missing before. I lost hair after my
original surgery, after my TT & after my revision. So? Better to lose
some hair than to lose my lung function. It came back, and much shinier.
My morbid obesity is a fatal disease. It may manifest itself as a character
flaw at times, but I've never met a skinny person who didn't let their
eating get out of control at times, too. Working in large offices over the
years, it seemed at times that I was the ONLY one with reasonable eating
habits, but *I* was the one wearing my food intake on my belly & hips.
Not fair! We're not stupid or weak willed or fatally character flawed. We
have a mechanical disease and it is GOING to take us out, directly or
indirectly. It would be great if we could choose ot have the disease or
not have the disease & therefore not have to consider treatments. BUT
that is not the menu we were issued. We have the disease, look at your
parents/siblings/greandparents/children. There it is. My grandson was
already heavy at 4 months and you know he was on a standard pediatrician
diet, no junk food or lousy choices. The only CHOICE we have is to live
with the effects of our disease, trying to use treatments that don't work
(diet & exercise are like using leeches & bleeding for us!) OR
using a treatment that DOES work. We are never finished with the disease.
It's always there. All we can do is elect how to treat the disease and take
the one that offers the best relief from it. You have to ponder that in
your own heart. Is it worth it to diet, suffer the nutritional deficits
imposed by dieting? It is better to do the surgery, inform yourself
nutritionally and do frequent labs? Is it better to try "nothing"
because it seems safer? Nothing I say will give you the peace you need, I
think, but sometimes just clarifying your situation is what you need to
firm up your resolve to participate fully in your treatment for life.
— vitalady
December 28, 2001
Weighing the pros and cons.. Cons: Viciously painful occasional gas,
vitamin supplements, having 10 viles of blood taken every three months or
so, occasional constipation. Pros: low trigyclerides, low cholestrol, low
blood pressure, walking up 3 flights of stairs daily without losing my
breath, walking faster than my hubby, the speed runner, not needing that
afternoon nap, crossing my legs, being told I am too small for the cuff in
the doctor's office, getting the small horse when horseback riding,
horseback riding, going on all the rides without worrying if the belt will
fit, returning a Christmas gift because it's too big and it's a medium,
getting the bargains in the mall, wearing a size 4-6, having men
continually stare, (the men that constantly snubbed me and every other
chubby chick out there. Now I snub them!) This list could probably go on
and on... Bottom line is this: It's not a perfect life we lead, but it is
a helluva lot better than it was 110 pounds ago. For anything in life that
is worth having, you must make some sacrifices.
— Jeannet
December 28, 2001
Everyone of us will have to look in the mirror and answer that question for
ourselves. I have been hospitalized twice since my surgery. Once for 10
days due to multiple pulmmonary embolisms (blood clots) in my right lung
and my left lung is slightly damanged but I am on blood thinners for six
month and maybe possible for life. My blood must be drawn weeked and test.
If I hadnt come into the hospital when I did, I would have died. Then I was
hospitalized just a recently as xmas eve for 5 days with a sereve reaction
to the new medications and some of my old ones. Where my tongue swelled up
so large it was blocking my airway when I staggered into ER and I had
pneumonia (sp?). Once again faced the possibility of death. My
pulmmonolgist took me off everyting old and only prescribed what I was
taking in the hospital. Through the pain, fear, uncertainity, the "why
me" I did everything I was told to do and look what happened? I am
alive. Now I could be bitter and I did think on a few occassion "what
have I done to myself with this surgery?" Then I remember the weight
loss, the energy, the return of self-esteem, no more sleep apena, my blood
pressure stablizing, my osteo-arthritis gone. I've found an inner peace and
a self-assurrance and hope that I only had once when I was 130lbs and even
then, I never felt so focused and accomplished with myself then I do now.
Was it worht it? YES YES whatever I've been through or will go through can
never replace what I have gain. I pray you find the answer to your question
but it lies within you.
— Gwen M.
December 28, 2001
Before I had the surgery, my morbid obesity took a hell of a mental toll on
me. Almost house bound, some pretty major depression and oh! the awful
daily aches and pains. I can honestly say I was waiting to die because I
knew it was coming. Couldn't breath, couldn't sleep, cranking all the time
because I never felt good. It took all my energy just to get up my stairs
to use the restroom - so I held it for as long as I could so I'd only have
to make a couple of trips. My poor son was being cheated out of his child
hood because he had to run all the errands that his mommy couldn't do. Like
answer the phone because I couldn't move fast enough before the machine
picked up. He would have to bring me my nightgown when I got home from work
so I wouldn't have to walk up those wretched stairs. And I would dress in
front of the washing machine so I could drop my clothes in the washer and
wash them. Never bought new clothes because I couldn't bare to change in
the change room (that would take a day of stored energy). It took me 3 days
to recover from a 5 day work week so I never got to do anything on the
weekends, and I finally couldn't even work anymore. My breathing was so bad
- I couldn't get away from all that wheezing and I was close to having to
wear my cpap 24/7. Now, I'm down 70 pounds. I haven't used my cpap for 3
months. I haven't had an asthma attack in 4 months. I no longer have
urinary incontinence. I can get my own nightgown, answer the phone, catch
my son when he runs from me,I have bounce in my walk from self esteem and
feeling good - not from labored moving. My blood pressure is perfect. My
back still aches from time to time - but it definately isn't the awful ache
that it was before. Sure I have to take vitamins every day, focus on
protein and get in all my water(which I hate doing that but I know I have
to in order to feel good), and I have to take prilosec for stomach ulcers
where as before I had to take it for reflux. But I have never once
regretted having this surgery. Even though I'm loosing weight slower it is
still worth it. I wouldn't have been able to loose this weight without the
surgery. Most of us wouldn't have. These little adjustments and little
aches and pains are minor compared to the misery most of us are in before
the surgery. Well worth it trust me. And I self paid - I could be driving a
brand new car instead of the piece of shit I'm stuck with now. But I have
absolutely no regrets and I don't think you will either.
— [Anonymous]
December 28, 2001
The decision to have this surgery is a very personal one - only you can
decide if it's right for you. <BR> <br> I made the decision to
have the surgery because I was tired of living my life as a spectator
sport. We took our daughter and grandchildren on vaction last summer. I
watched them have fun. Next summer I intend to be included in the
activities, not be a spectator. <br> <br> Your life, your
choice. Good luck!
— Sami S.
December 28, 2001
Hi! I am a 51 yr old pre-op, waiting on insurance approval. In the past
year as I began researching WLS, I asked myself those questions many times
and even more after I began to hear of the myriad of complications that
could arise. But I also keep in mind why I am doing this and it balances
it all in perspective. I have just about every co-morbidity available
except diabetes (and most of my family have that). I am in a professional
position, I dress well, am articulate and get along with just about
everyone. But physically it is at a price. My knees are shot and I'm
facing a bilateral knee replacement if I don't do something; I can walk
through half a grocery store before my legs freeze and I cannot walk; I am
out of breath on a half flight of stairs; I have heart disease and had a
minor heart attack a few years ago; We are raising my husband's 9 yr old
granddaughter and I don't have the energy to do more than sedentary things
with her; I can no longer do amusement parks and if I could, I would get
stuck in the rides (I did that at Hershey Park and went around on RC three
times); I need a nap when I get home from work; Involved and wonderful sex
now is replaced by an occasional quickie; I can count the days on one hand
I feel good a month. I will die! That is a certainty if I do not do
something now. I lost my father in August, my brother had a hip
replacement that almost killed him from infections (he is larger than I)
and my Mother is now in a nursing home -- all have been obese our whole
lives. My sons are grown and one day will present me with grandchildren to
spoil but I won't be here to see them. These are the facts. The
uncertainties are that I COULD have complications, I could have an
embolism, I could vomit, I could lose my hair, have gas or abdominal pain,
I could have a leak....lots of coulds. But no certainties other than the
fact that I will lose this weight. So I guess to help alleviate some of
your fears, its a game of weighing the certainties of today versus the
possibilities of tomorrow -- the unknowns. I also live in a world where
God plans my life with or without my own intervention and wherever I end up
with this, he is in control anyhow. So my feeling is I still have a lot to
do in my life, places to go, people to know and love and God has presented
this option to me and surrounded me with peace as I work toward it. It is
that peace -- the peace that comes with knowledge (pro and con), expertise
(from those you are counting on to do this)and with faith that promise
prevails that helps me to push away the fears. So never feel embarrassed
or apologetic for having fears. You are right to question and then find
your comfort level. You'll know when the decision is a right one for you.
I wish you much success whatever you decide.
— AJC750
December 28, 2001
I personally think the surgery is worth it. But it is a decision only you
can come to. After gaining 120 lbs with my first child, I was never able
to get the weight off without starving and almost passing out. I never got
below 250 lbs over the course of 11 years after his birth. Finally at 341,
I'm 5'4, I was borderline diabetic, had high blood pressure, and was
worried that I would wind up like my father who at 52 has one artery open,
keeping him slightly alive. I was destined to die a young person. I never
enjoyed going out with my family, I never enjoyed my kids sporting events,
and I never enjoyed taking my kids to an amusement park, or to an outing, I
made my husband do it. I would always be depressed, I was irritable, and I
hated everyone. Dec. 31st I will be 5 months post op, have lost 115 lbs,
with 80 more to go. I go out, I enjoy my kids. Heck for the first time in
years I actually took my kids out to a restaruant, spelled that wrong, and
not a drive through burger joint. I'm nicer, friendlier, and I look
forward to being alive. I guess that yes I was scared to die from the
surgery or complications after the fact, but I had to ask myself, live a
life of hate, or take that little risk and come out happy. So I leaped and
took the chance. Yes I almost backed out too. On the way to the hosptial,
I told my mom three times to turn around, I would try yet another diet.
But obviously she didn't. The best advice I can give you is to get to a
support group, talk with others who have gone through WLS. Hair loss can
happen, other things can happen, the word here is CAN. Doesn't mean does
or will. You can also die of a massive heart attack too. There are no
guarantees in this precious thing we call life. I wish you the best in
whatever you decide :)
— [Anonymous]
December 28, 2001
19 months ago, I was unable to go to a movie, walk to the end of my
driveway to set out the trash without having to stop for a rest, couldn't
stand or walk in the plant I worked at, couldn't sit in a booth at a
restaurant and small children would become frightened of me (no kidding).
I could no longer fly and was an RCH away from being on a morning talkshow
with Richard Simmons rubbing my feet and crying over me. Today I have lost
a total of 200 pounds (I now weigh 294 pounds), ride 10 miles on my bike
daily and am leaving tomorrow to fly to Maine to spend New Year's with my
new sweetie, a man who only started dating me when I was 350 pounds and
loves to touch my "super, soft body". I wouldn't have been
willing to share my body with him when I was 500 pounds. So, yeah, my
having had this surgery, after years of dieting that never succeeded beyond
losing 75 pounds has DEFINETLY been worth it. Good Luck to you. PS,
cyber-protocol: only use all caps for emphasis or to symbolize shouting in
email.
— merri B.
December 28, 2001
I never-ever thought of all the problems that could happen.
I was just so excited that I was approved for the surgery and could hardly
wait to get on the table and get it going.
I'm 11 mos. post-op, RNY open, down 98 lbs, I have 40 more to go. Yes, I
have thrown up and had diarrhea but that was my own doing -- not chewing
food to mush and too much intake of sugar. I'll be 55 yrs. old next month
and I feel great!!! I would do the operation again in a split second if I
had to.
— Betty Todd
December 28, 2001
Andrea Hamilton, what a beautiful, touching response to this question!
Thank you!
— Marilyn C.
December 29, 2001
This has been a blessing!!! Last week when my 3yr. old daughter asked
me to skip with her, I did...no hesitation! When my 14yr. old son
challenged
to a game of horse, I played...no hesitation (I whipped his butt)!
My DH and I have 7 children, this Christmas I fully enjoyed, the baking
(yes I
enjoyed a few cookies),shopping, fun, walking in the snow and sledding.
I started last March at 309lb., in July my surgery date weight
was at 266lb., Now at 5 months out I'm at 184lb. and in a size 12!
The hope of the surgery was my motivation that helped me to lose my pre-op
weight, knowing that I would not see those pounds ever again!
The decision is yours alone, be informed, be prepared and be blessed!
— Peggy N.
December 30, 2001
I had openVBG six months ago, have not had any complications or
problems.....I have lost 115 lbs, no longer need my blood pressure meds, my
blood sugar has returned to normal, and I look and feel GREAT! Worth it??
Of course....
— Cathy J.
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