Question:
As a pre-op with a date Nov.12. Is there anyone who is sorry for having their surgery
I've been reading and reading on this site and others. What is the percentage of WLS patients that have regrets for going through this surgery? Or would you do it again? — Carolyn M. (posted on October 20, 2001)
October 20, 2001
Hi, I am also pre-op, so I cannot tell you from experience.
What I can tell you is that I have been going to support group
meetings since March and the group was over 100 this month.
— Cheri M.
October 20, 2001
Sorry, I accidently hit enter. Anyway, someone asked the group the same
question. There was only one girl that had had complications but said that
she would do it all over again even if she had to travel the exact same
road with the problems that she had. Everyone else said they would do it
again. It was very encouraging for me to hear. I am sure there is a very
small percentage that regrets. Good luck.
— Cheri M.
October 20, 2001
I'll be 5 weeks post-op on Monday. Up until a few days ago I spent every
day regretting the surgery. The way I felt, the things that were
happening; they all just seemed to mount into the single most biggest
mistake I ever made. I couldn't keep food down, I couldn't get enough to
drink, I got a wound infection and I couldn't even think of doing the water
excercises I already paid for because I'm stuck with an open wound
infection that's tended to daily by a nurse. To tell you the truth, I
can't say I'm HAPPY I did this YET, but I can tell you that during that
time I couldn't see the forest through the trees. Now that I'm getting
better I can do more and the regret isn't every second of every day,
although it does linger. I'm sure it will for a while and I am prepared
for it, as most anyone that considers this surgery should be. I do however
hold out hope that I can be one of those people that says "this is the
best thing I've ever done". By the way, on my 4 week anniversary, I
was down 51 lbs.
— Kristin R.
October 20, 2001
I'm 13 weeks post now, and I can tell you that at the five week point, I
was convinced I had made a huge mistake. Sure I was losing weight, but I
was throwing up daily, I was sore all over and I kept wondering why I did
this stupid thing. But don't worry, it gets better each week. I think
after you reach the six week point, in most instances you start to feel
human again. My biggest problem after that was getting my calcium
supplements down and even now, that's improved greatly too. Yes, its tough
at first and at moments you will regret what you did. But it doesn't last
long.
— Dee P.
October 20, 2001
I am 7 weeks post op and I can honestly say I have not had one single day
of regret. Pre-op I didn't have a single moment where I thought I was doing
the wrong thing. I am not loosing as fast as I would like - but I know I'll
get to my goal and for me, slowly must be better. I haven't had any
complications so far and I am truly thankful for that. It has amazed me
that I was so calm and sure before my surgery, and even though I have had
some really rough days when I wanted to eat (in the beginning when I was on
clear liquids) I never wondered if I made the right decision or not. I'm
sure everyone misses the food -the quantity and certain kinds. But NO ONE
misses the life and I think it is a great trade off.
— K T.
October 20, 2001
I have never regretted my surgery. Read my profile for my post op
activities. The percentage of unhappy post ops is extremely small. Eric who
created this site has tried to assemble a list and its very few. Some
regret immediiately post op but then feel better and are happy. Post op is
truly the place to be....
— bob-haller
October 20, 2001
Dear Carolyn: I am now five weeks post and I have to admit that the first
three weeks I kept asking myself "what the heck have you done to
yourself!!" These first weeks are extremely difficult, getting used to
all the changes, the pain, the constant food on TV :) But I also have to
tell you that now that I am feeling human again and can eat pretty much any
food I choose(with the exception of sweets and extreme fats) and my energy
level is back to normal, and the weight is coming off (31 pounds so far)
this is by far the best gift I have ever given myself. And I know its only
going to get better as I travel this road with all my friends here. Best
of luck to you, you are in my thoughts and prayers!!
— Donna S.
October 20, 2001
Hi Carolyn, For the first month (about) I kept saying to myself "what
did I do to myself?" I thought I would get back on this site and tell
everyone NOT to do it. But that was just the hardest part. I got over it.
I made the best decision of my life. I don't regret a thing! Yes, it's
hard to do, it's not easy, but you WILL get through the hard part and
better times to come for the rest of your life!
— Mara K.
October 20, 2001
Hello Carolyn, I am 9 days post-op and I don't regret it at all. I did
have a problem that I didn't know about and that was when they were doing
the lap, they also found a hernia. Now I have had one before and let me
tell you it was extremely painful. Sad that It had to happen again, but at
least he found it. The second day when I went for the fluid test to make
sure that everything was ok, they found a leak and I had to go back into
surgery again. They were all very wonderful, the only problem is that my
butt hurts so much from either sitting on it or laying on my back. I don't
regret anything and if you have any question just feel free to ask. Best
of Luck....
— Laura M.
October 20, 2001
Absolutely no regrets! I was a sweet-o-holic. Only when I get stressed do I
want cookies and/or ice cream, but that passes in 2 seconds. I would do
this operation again with no second thoughts.
— Betty Todd
October 20, 2001
Hi Carolyn, I have no regrets at all. At first, yes, I felt like I had
made a huge mistake. This is a major step, and if you like myself, have
used food in a comforting matter, it's like a part of you died, and you
can't see how your going to get through it. The I was in some discomfort,
and sometimes when your in pain, it's like the end of the world, and it
will never get better, which is totally ridiculous. But now, even though
I still miss some foods, that I have given up, I have no regrets. I have
my life back. There is not one food, that is worth the way I feel today.
My advice to you, is to seek a counselor before surgery. That way you can
discuss you fears, what to expect, and that way you don't come home from
surgery on a bad note. Best of Luck to you!
— [Anonymous]
October 20, 2001
I host a Support Group in Birmingham, Alabama. One thing we tell all
pre-ops is that you will most likely go through a WHAT IN THE WORLD HAVE I
DONE TO MYSELF??? phase. I've seen it last only a day and I've seen it
last as long as 6 weeks - never longer. The funny thing is that the people
who were most vocal about their regrets during that phase are now the ones
who are most vocal about their joy. It seems that sometimes we expect WLS
to be effortless and without complications, side effects or negativity.
Perhaps we feel this way because WLS is still considered
"elective" surgery (even though I always felt is was essential
for me). While losing weight and maintaining the loss is certainly easier
through WLS than any diet method, it is still a very major surgery. I tell
people to ask themselves, "If you'd just had your appendix out would
it make you angry that you're uncomfortable and nauseous for a short
while?" For some reason it's just very common to think WLS should be
a breeze. I think we all go through days of regret early on due to pain
associated with surgery, grief over losing our good friend - food, and
frustration with learning a completely new way to approach eating.
However, after hosting a group of more than 100 people and regularly
communicating with over 350 people via email, I have never heard one single
person who was more than a couple of months post op say that they regretted
it. Approach this wonderful opportunity with enthusiasm and optimism and
success will be yours!! Best of Luck to you!! (Oh - I'm 1 year post op,
down 108 pounds and 16 pounds from goal - I had complications following
surgery and thought at the time they were HUGE. Looking back - they were
no more than annoyances. I'd do it again tomorrow.)Hang in there!!!
— ronascott
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