Question:
My surgery date is August 17th but....

My surgery date is August 17. I am getting so nervous. I have been on some websites where some people who have had the surgery is saying that they feel 200 times worse 4 years after the surgery then they did when they were over 400 pounds. They said they now have fibromy something now and its painful. Another person said that they are in constant pain. Right now I dont have medical problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, or whatever. My bmi is 59 and I have some back, joint, and hip pain. I just dont want to make things worse by trying to fix something that is not 100% broke. I don't mean to sound selfish or crazy but my feelings right now are real. Can somebody help me?    — [Deactivated Member] (posted on July 23, 2009)

July 23, 2009
Hi DP, sorry to say but with a BMI of 59, something is really broken. The surgery could stop it from being 100% broken. I don't know what sites you were on but stay around and ask questions here and read and chat with the people on this site you may get different answers. My BMI was 40 when I had the surgery (2 months ago). The girl I work with that had the surgery before I knew her had a hard road but was not discouraged and now she is doing great and has lost over 100 pounds, she was honest with me and I opted to have the surgery anyway. Right on this Q & A site there was a question along the lines of your concerns and the qnswers were very encourging and enlightening, you should look the mp. You might not be 100% broken but something has made you seek this avenue. If your friend has fibromyalgia, which is a painful condition, it is in no way associated with WLS. Just think and pray about it you will make the right choice. You are getting cold feet (smile). Good luck in whatever you choose to do.My knees used to hurt and it was hard to get up from a chair or go up stairs and I am a fairly young woman. Now only 40 pounds down, I am so much less in pain.
   — sallie H.

July 23, 2009
Hi, don't be nervous, you're thinking about everthing, and that is a good sign. I can tell you that I had sugery almost 5 yrs ago and I have a lot of problems I never had before. The fibromyalgia people talk about is most likely an umbrella term, for aches, and pains due to muscle deterioration. Nutrition and vitamins are EXTREMELY IMPORTANT after this surgery. Most doctors never tell you all the complication that can come from this. I thought I would just need a multivitamin and some calcium. As it turns out, I now take that plus; a B-12 injection once a week, Iron 3x a day because of the anemia I developed. I take a B-complex, folic acid, Vitamin C. All of this and I am still tired and achy most of the time. I have neurolgical issues I never had before this,also due to improper nutrition. Now don't get me wrong most of this is my fault. I don't eat enough, and when I do eat I don't eat enough protein. Here is the thing: losing weight is never a bad thing when you're obese but, you better be dedicated to your own well being or you will suffer unnecessarily. Keep in mind also this surgery has only been around for like 20-25 years, and it has increased in the last 10-15 years. The medical community really doesn't have statistics on people who are 10-20-30 years post-op. I felt great the 1st year and the 2nd, but then the trouble started and it hasn't stopped. Of the 140 lbs I lost I have gained 35 lbs back. This is a lifetime commitment you are never "out of the woods". I'm not trying to discourage you, just know what your getting into. Best of luck to you, whatever you decide. Nicole T.
   — Nicole W.

July 23, 2009
I have one question for you. "Where would you be if you don't have surgery?" Just one quick note, for every person that complains about after surgery, there are many more that say it's the best thing that they have ever done. To those who complain, yes, some have a legitimate complaint. There are some people who don't follow the rules like getting in the vitimins, get enough protein, drink the water,etc. PS-my surgery is scheduled for August 26.
   — Kathleen W.

July 24, 2009
Who's to say the woman wouldn't have gotten firomyalgia even if she didn't have WLS? She may have gotten it anyway and be in worse pain than she is now. I don't know how old you are but you may get the comorbidities as you age. I'm 62 and had LAP/RNY over two years ago. Since then I'm off diabetes meds, B/P is 112/64 and cholesterol is under control. I made the right decision.
   — Muggs

July 24, 2009
After you have wls your body goes through a lot of changes. I go to an herbalist to help me adjust what I need to take to help me feel my best. I also just went and got a massage where they do reflexology and she pushes on your pressure points. I feel better today. I had some mild arthritis pain in my knee and high blood pressure and sleep apnea. I am only 4 months out have lost 72 lbs and I am off of my sleep apnea machine I have very little pain in my knee and my blood pressure and swelling are doing much better. My back is feeling better and all around I feel healthier. All people are different and respond differently. I went into this with the goal that I am going to get healthier. I exercise, (I need to pick this up some) I eat healthy and I take my supplements especially a whole food supplement that is an even more complete vitamin than most. Some people might have a different attitude or just have different reactions to some things but that doesn't mean that you will. Since you are not having additional problems you should be that much better off losing weight. I had the VSG and not the RNY and I am happy I did because it has worked out great for me and there are very few complications. What made me dicide to have this surgery was when I was reasearching I found that more people died of being overweight than those that had the surgery. Over a 13 year period the death rate of the obease was greatly higher than those that had lost the weight. That was an eye opener for me. I hope you have great success and you get very healthy.
   — Lisa von Wallmenich

July 24, 2009
Some of the pain post op patients feel is now that we carry our bodies differently, the joints that took all the weight are now relieved, which in turn now they can breathe so to speak and the pain is then revealed. Also, people, mostly women get Fibromyaligia. I had my wls 3.5 yrs ago, and I was just diagnosed 1.5 yrs ago with Fibro. So with the wls it isn't what has been changed in the inside of your abdomen the cause of fibro. It can on the other hand, cause and bring out the Fibro to full blown symptoms, due to a trauma, such as an accident, a death in family, a surgery (not necessarily the wls) the way you handled stress years ago. Mine actually became active when I had a uterine tumors removed last year and after my mother in law and my stepfather died two months apart. So we all might be broken we just don't know it yet. There is a big difference between the pain from fibro and the pain from carrying yourself different. Little symptoms thinking back years ago, I think I was in the early stages of fibro. So it really isn't wls that causes pain per se. So the best decision you could ever make is to have the wls. The only thing you have to loose is your weight. I on the other hand, lost 90 lbs, thinking I was going to be able to do anything. But after a few years later, I got the fibro and I now take medication for it, but I still go boating, I went on a 2,000 motorcycle ride with my husband for a week. I had no problems. So you have a 50/50 chance for everything in life. Live it to the fullest, you only have one you.
   — Kristy

July 24, 2009
I am 13 months out and have never regreted doing this for myself. I feel 100% better than I did before. I have lost 120 lbs and my knees, feet and groin area of the pelvis bone hurt all the time. Now I have no pain except from gas every now and then. Don't let one persons negative story, or even 20 , be what keeps you from making a positive life change for yourself. I was nervous too. The unexpected is always scary, but think of all the good that will come of it!You wouldn't be normal if you weren't a bit scared. But overcome it and come on over to the losing side of life! There is plenty of room for more! Best of luck to you! hugs,kim
   — gpcmist