Question:
Does anyone have any regrets after surgery?
I have read several wonderful profiles and most never regreted having surgery, or say they would do it again. Good Thing, However is ther anyone who would not have done the surg and if they had the chance would you have done things differently? Any long term effects? I am planning on having surg soon. Just found out that I was approved, yet so many people are telling me that it is such a drastic change. Work, family etc... My husband's been great and that is all that really matters, yet can't help about feeling nervous. — Erin E. (posted on April 8, 2004)
April 7, 2004
Everyone feels that way, I know on the way to the hospital I wanted to turn
around at least 3 times but something said this is the right thing and it
was for the best gift I could of gave myself.
— Rosemary L.
April 7, 2004
The only thig I would have done different would have een to exercise or
sooner I am trying to do more now I am almost 1yr out will be on the 16th I
think if I had of done more I would not have as much lose skin as I do
cause a lady I know that is alot older than me had hers a few mts b-4 i did
she walked every day the only lose skin she says she has is on her arms I
dont know if that was what heped her or if she was just lucky
Take Care Huggs
Beth
— wildbrat
April 8, 2004
The only regret I have is not doing this sooner.
— Danielle M.
April 8, 2004
Regrets? After losing over 140 pounds? How can I have regrets? I'm a new
person! I know there are some out there who may have had complications and
do have regrets; however, there are more like me that do not have not one
single regret and would do it all over again if necessary. It's a personal
decision you have to make and only you can make it. Do your research, be
comfortable with your doctor and the hospital where you plan to have your
surgery and just do it! You will never have any regrets!
— Cheryl T.
April 8, 2004
No regrets at all, this was the best thing I ever did for myself!
— Angie M.
April 8, 2004
NOT A SINGLE REGRET! I don't even regret not having done it sooner. I
think the time was right for me and I found out about it when I was really
ready for this step. I researched for months and even had to pay for it
myself. I went to Mexico and was willing to take that chance because I
wanted this so badly. By the way, Mexico was wonderful and I'm going back
for plastic surgery in 4 weeks! WLS is truly a gift from God, for me, and
I am grateful every single day that I have this new chance at life.
— [Deactivated Member]
April 8, 2004
Regrets? Not me, I'm 6 months out, lost 72 lbs and never felt better. I
am, however, aware of a few people who I think are regretting what they
have done, the "permanent-ness" of this procedure. I seriously
think that many may approach this surgery like one would approach plastic
surgery--pay your money, get your procedure, look and feel better, and
there will be no more obligations from you. They do not really internalize
the on-going, every day, commitment to health. Then the surgery is done,
no going back, and they wind up regretting what they have done to their
bodies. They never really believed that it would involve the rest of their
lives with supplements, careful eating, clinical blood measurements,
exercise: they perhaps believed that they would be among the lucky ones,
no further obligation required of them to simply lose weight and keep it
off.
— Cisbell
April 8, 2004
I think the more you are suffering from being MO, the less likely you are
to regret having the surgery. People who are experiencing major health
problems pre-op don't mind trading them for a lifetime of supplements,
careful eating, and labs. I do worry about anemia and osteoporosis, and I
do have some problems as a longer-term post-op with odd, periodic
intestinal pain, occasional vomiting and fatigue, but who cares? It's
still 100 times better than I felt weighing over 300 pounds and barely able
to walk.
— mom2jtx3
April 8, 2004
I was cared half to death preop. I truely was not sure if I could live the
right lifestyle post op. How would I ever feel full on tiny portions, etc.
I do have one serious regret. That is that I didn't know I could get this
surgery years ago. I regret all the years spent NOT livivng my life the
way I want to. GOOD LUCK & bless you!
— **willow**
April 8, 2004
I only wish I had done it sooner!! 350/292 lap rny 1/27/04
— Vitabella
April 8, 2004
I am just over 6 mths out and even though I had to have my gall bladder out
last week (I had a hysterecomy also but that was planned before I found out
I had gall stones) I would do it all over again in a second. I eat just
about any food I want to but I choose to eat healthy instead of the way I
used to. I am amazed at the portion that fills me up when that would have
been barely a taste before. I don't miss the bread like I thought I would.
I do still induldge a a bit with sweets but I limit them and find it is
much easier to do since they just don't sit well with my anymore. I have
lost 83 of the 120 pounds I need to lose to be at my ideal weight, which is
calculating losing 100% of my excess weight instead of what most people
consider success with this surgery when they have lost 60%-70%. If I were
to use that percentage I would almost be at goal in only 6 months. I
believe this tool will help me to keep the weight off. Just remember that
this is only a tool and you can regain if you don't watch what you eat. You
will be required to "diet" by following some lifestyle changes to
meet your new nutritional requirements that were not an issue for you
before the surgery. I am fully expecting that I will have to watch myself
for the rest of my life and am very willing to so it. Just please don't go
into this thinking this is the last thing you will ever have to do to lose
weight. I think the ones that regret this surgery the most are the ones
that were under the wrong impression about their follow-up life changes and
didn't want to commit to the regimen needed to make the changes for a
healthier life after. Good luck to you and God bless you on your journey.
Tina Lap RNY 10/6/03 275/192/155.
— tntwildlife77
April 8, 2004
<b>Congrats on your approval, All I am going to say is, DARN SKIPPY,
I'M VERY HAPPY. Thanks to having wls, I loss 200 lbs from 400 lbs in 15
months. I have more to go, but this is a great lead to get closer towards
my goal wt of 160 lbs. Would I'd do it again? Yelp, DARN SKIPPY</b>
— B4real
April 8, 2004
It was the answer to my prayers. I am nine months out and no regrets. I
love my new self and can do so many more things then one year ago.
— Carol H.
April 8, 2004
hi Erin,
well i do know from a lot of responses that alot of people have regrets for
the first few weeks...its really tough adjusting to a new way of
eating..and a new way of learning how to cope with certain feelings..even
now i still suffer from addiction to food...and i wish i had payed more
attention to my self pychologically..its important to have your emotional
problems some what delt with....feel free to read my profile...i do not
regret the surgery...but just wish i had admitted and faced up to my food
addiction..hugs to you Dawn
— sweetdarling_ab
April 8, 2004
I regret not researching the emotional side of this surgery more. It not
only affects you, but ALL of those around you.
— RebeccaP
April 8, 2004
I am nine months PO, and lost 80 pounds, and never had a minute of reqret!
I would shout it from the rooftops if I could, of how happy I am with
everything!! For the first time in my life, I can honesty say that I like
myself and the way that I look!!
— Danette C.
April 9, 2004
Regret is very subjective. I know people who had horrible complications yet
they would have surgery again in a second and I know people who had no
complications who regret the surgery. Why? Probably because they weren't
fully prepared for the permanent lifestyle changes and looked at surgery as
a fix rather than a tool. That being said my advice to you would be
1-assume you dump. Don't test it. 2-follow your surgeon's instructions.
3-exercise as soon as you can and make it a part of your life. Find an
activity you enjoy doing. You won't be able to spend 1 hour in the gym
right off the bat, but work on building up your endurance over time. 4-keep
yourself surrounded by support. Your relationships may change and you will
want someone to share your feelings with. Come here regularly and attend a
support group. Use them as a reminder that you need to make permanent
changes to make this a success for you. Good luck to you!
— Yolanda J.
April 9, 2004
My only regret...........I didn't do it sooner!!!!!! I have lost 102 pounds
and I feel so good I cannot describe it. For instance, today I pressure
washed our house which is a three story house, then I planted a flat of
geraniums, then after I had dinner, I cleaned out and organized our outside
storage room. A year ago, I could only have imagined doing one of those
things in a day and I probably would not have been able to finish it at
that! For me, this was the best things I could ever have done for me and
for my family.
— SCbabe B.
April 11, 2004
No Regrets, I'm 3 yrs. post op yesterday.This is definetly life altering
and yes, you should be prepared. My belief is: you need a support system,
you need to remember why YOU did the surgery(not all of us do it for the
same reasons), are you ready and prepared for criticism, what is your
statement?Research, research, research! This is not the "easy way
out" but what if someone says that to you? Are you prepared for all
the emotions that may or may not come up. ie: I'm now thin but still look
fat,my friend can't handle that I'm now losing weight, etc.... follow your
surgeons advice, if not, why bother going to him/her. Do you need
counseling to help you adjust? If so, set it up now!!!Try changing the
eating habits now and exercise. It helps post op. The most important piece
of advise-enjoy life. It's not important the date of birth or death on a
headstone but the dash in the middle. What have you done with your dash?
— Linda M.
April 12, 2004
I have regrets about having the surgery. I would still recommend having WLS
but would have changed three things... I would have chosen another surgeon,
I would not have let my vegas nerves to be severed and wouldn't have let
them put a scalastic band on the end of my pouch. I have lost more then my
goal weight loss, am getting food from a nutrition pump into the old
stomach, can't eat by mouth and other surgeons aren't willing to see me
because of turf issues and now wanting to follow up on another surgeons
surgery. I agree with the other poster about educating yourself. The one
thing I feel good about is that I chose the surgery. If I did it for
someone else I would feel much angrier. The majority of people do not have
severe complications that I have had so probably you'll do great. I just
wanted to share my story in answering your question. Peace and goodluck to
you!!!
— Jencastle
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