Question:
I have heard many "pros" regarding "WLS" what are some of the "cons"
— Tammy R. (posted on October 30, 2000)
October 30, 2000
one con i found is that all the foods i like i cant eat. do have a hard
time eating at restaurants
— snicklefritz
October 30, 2000
The pros and cons depend on how prepared you are mentally. I consider a con
the fact that I cannot eat some of the same foods I could before surgery. I
consider a con that I no longer enjoy eating out. I consider it a con that
I am losing some of my hair (but that is only temporary), and that none of
my clothes fit(but that too will change, as I go down into smaller sizes).
However, look at what we get in exchange....a new sized body, a healthier
life style, more energy, more clothing choices, renewed self-esteem, and a
new lease on life. I am so excited that I will be around to see my child
grow into an adult. To me the pros far outway the few cons we have to deal
with.
— twenc
October 30, 2000
No, it's not "and they lived happily ever after" here on the
other side, although what's good about it far outweighs what's bad about
it. Like others, I no longer enjoy eating out the way I did; sometimes the
"right choices" simply aren't there, and you can pay for the
wrong ones later. I haven't had anything even remotely resembling bread
since the day before my surgery -- I can't tolerate it at all. The glass
of wine I used to enjoy with my dinner now has to be half an hour before or
an hour afterward. I WILL ALWAYS HAVE TO EAT THIS WAY ... this isn't a
"diet" I'll be able to go off when I hit that magic goal weight
-- and thank the good Lord for that one! So, for living with those
"cons", these are the "pros" I got in exchange ... no
more Type II diabetes, no more high cholesterol, clothes four sizes
smaller, shoes one size smaller, no more pain in my knees, a passing shot
at seeing my sons grow up, a return of my self-confidence, a renewed
appreciation of life, and the pleasure of the company of thousands of
others who have come out on the "other side" and are finally
LIVING their lives. Oh, yeah ... and 108# gone forever! Warm thoughts
whatever your choice,
— Cheryl Denomy
October 30, 2000
I'm almost 22 months post op from open rny. I eat pretty much whatever I
want. I eat out often. Do I wish sometimes that I could eat more...just
one more bite? Sure I do, but I can live with that. I've learned not to
take that extra bite...the price is just too high for me. I'm a gourmet
cook and I am starting a personal chef service. I cook, I eat, I
entertain, I enjoy fine wines. I have become lactose intolerant, and while
I was never a big milk drinker I do miss ice cream. My greatest fear
before surgery was that I wouldn't eat again. I love food and fellowship
and the creativity of cooking and I was afraid that would be something I'd
have to give up. I was wrong, thank goodness!!! Good luck to you.
— Roseann M.
October 30, 2000
Since I do not lose weight quickly like others, I have to work for every
pound. My own list of cons: I must exercise at least 45 minutes a day. I
do not drink anything other than water, with the exception of an occasional
glass of wine and my morning coffee and I must drink at least 80 oz. of
water a day. I can not drink with meals. I get tired of pushing protein
to the point I would rather not eat at all. Convenient food is does not
fit the WLS post-op plan. I do not dump on sugar, and I can eat more than
1/2 c. of food at a time. So, WLS was not my magic bullet, as I have to
discpline myself in order for it to work properly. If I miss any of these
steps (and I have!), my weight loss slows to nary a trickle. As a result,
following all the steps of the plan has proven to be time consuming and at
times, tedious. And I just received a $2500 bill from my doctor. Would I
do again? You bet I would!!! My knees don't hurt anymore, I don't sweat
profusely when I bowl, I can dance without gasping for air, I can walk the
mall for hours with out back, leg and foot pain...the list of little joys
go on and on and on. Yes, there are drawbacks, but most importantly, WLS
removed the emotional bond I had with food and allowed me to walk away with
satisfaction instead of busting a gut full of garbage. I'm healthier
now...and isn't that exactly why I did this? After all, nobody ever got
anywhere without a lot of effort.
— Allie B.
October 30, 2000
The "cons"..hmmmm. I had LGR/DS 5/18/00 and am down 110 pounds as
of today. I can't eat all the whole pecan pie (New Orleans style), I can
only eat one 1 1/2 inch slice. So no matter how GOOD something tastes, I
can't eat all I want. I had to give away all my nice clothes and buy new
ones, and expect to have to do that every season until I stablize at about
170 (starting weight 494). I have to go to support group meetings with
people I normally wouldn't associate with. I will probably have to have a
retirement fund now that I will live that long. I have a big red linear
scar right down the middle of my abdomen and probably will never be able to
wear a bikini, lest I horrify the more sensitive among us. I have to start
saving for the inevitable plastic surgery: belly and butt tuck, boob job,
bat wing removal, thigh droop removal. I may have to dump the boyfriend I
have tolerated because I could do no better and put up with breaking in a
whole new man (and you know how hard they are to train!). I can no longer
eat bagels and cream cheese without getting a tummyache, so I have to
substitute a muffin. I know there are more, but that is all I can think of
right now.
Fondly,
— merri B.
October 30, 2000
I understand your concern over the pros and cons of this surgery. I'd
rather deal with (hopefully) temporary healing issues, rather than a
shortened life with a lot of poor health issues. And Merri, Good luck in
breaking in the new man... That's tougher than healing from surgery, I
would imagine!
— Dhelynn
October 30, 2000
Some of the early "cons" that I have experienced: Unexpected
sugar makes me deathly sick for 90 minutes or more. It is just as hard to
throw up a teaspoon as it is to throw up a quart. My eyes have not
adjusted to the size of my new stomach, so I tend to make or order way more
than is appropriate to eat. Most protien supplements make me PUKE. and
finally...My husband and I already have had one fight about food he bought
"for me" which I couldn't/wouldn't eat.---------But, these are
minor inconveneiences at most. I am only 3 weeks postop, but feel that I
have made the right decision for me. I have lost over 25 lbs, and don't
have the fear of an obesity related death hanging over my head. Good Luck
to you.
— Cara S.
October 30, 2000
CONS??? Not from my stand point.. None to be had any where.. Every day I
thank God for my RNY/Fobi.. I eat what ever I want, and pretty much same
things as I did prior to surgery (except in smaller portion and no sugar
thank goodness) I'm very satisfied and full all the time now. (what a
relief) THAT, is something I never was before surgery... I'm not on
blood pressures meds any longer, I don't have to use a CPAP machine any
longer, I'm no longer in congestive heart failure, the list goes on and
on... Geezh, I'm still looking for a CON here and just can't seem to
find one.. My bowel habits are very normal, no painful gas or diarrhea,
I go out to eat with family and friends and live a VERY NORMAL life...
Let's see I'm still looking for a CON.. Sorry I can't seem to help you
here.. There just isn't any Con's... all PROS's I researched WLS very
well (eight months actually) and I weighed the Pro's & Con's from the
data that was out there and (most of those referred to immediately after
surgery).. And I'm very pleased with my decision.. I have LOST 172 pounds
in little over 10 months.. My beginning weight was 367 I'm now 195 pounds.
Which is pretty close to 80% of my excess weight GONE!!! And it's
still dropping..
<p>
For my whole story (With PICS) visit my Journal at <a
href="http://www.angelfire.com/ok3/vbowen">My Web
Page</a><br>
— Victoria B.
October 30, 2000
Dear Tammy, I am 14 months post-op and my only con is that I can eat too
much now. I count calories and it is easy for me to hold 2100 calories in a
day. I need to stay under 1850 to maintain the goal that I hope to obtain.
I had open RNY. I can tolerate sugar and grease without a problem and eat
anything that I wish. I drink about 2 -4 oz. of water or iced tea with my
meals (I can't stand to not drink with my meal). I have lost 123 lbs. and
have 20 more to go. I was hoping that it would be a magic bullet, but allas
I have found out that I will need to continue watching what I eat. The good
news is that I get full easily and it is much better easier to maintain
willpower. Sincerely, Cheryl [email protected]
— Cheryl H.
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