Question:
Can you help with these concerns regardling WLS?

One concern I have is whether your energy level will go up or down. Will I feel tired because I am eating so much less food than before? What are the long term health risks with RYN Surgery? I hope to have LAP RYN but I have not really read of others who have had the RYN surgery for a very long period of time(please comment here). Will your stomach stretch so that eventually you will be able to eat as you once did? Will you get depressed because you are not going to be able to eat on special occasions as you once did? I seem to be addicted to food & it is a big concern of mine for me whether I will be able to deal with this when I have not been able to do so before. Will this surgery really work for me? I had almost given up hope in myself because I felt there was nothing I could do about my being overweight because I did not have faith/determination in myself. My parents had begged me to try & lose weight & I would try to do anything for them but I simply could not do this & therefore I felt of myself as being a failure although I had been successful in many areas of my life. Is    — Vickie K. (posted on April 27, 2000)

April 27, 2000
howdy, hey listen if ya wanna chat call me. I have done 4 months of research and would to share my findings with you. 818-716-3180 hope to hear from you soon.
   — TJ J.

April 27, 2000
Hi Vickie: I know that desperate feeling well. It's the same one I had before I found WLS. I felt like I was going to just keep gaining weight until I would eventually explode. Then, I found the answer I had been praying for! With the RNY, you will never be able to eat as you once did. The pouch does stretch somewhat, but never back to it's old capacity. My RNY was 'divided', that is, my old stomach was completely detached from the pouch (vs. a staple line, so no staple line to disrupt). As for becoming depressed over losing our old friend, food, the answer for me was yes, for a short time. I was angry and sad because I wasn't able to eat, and everyone else could! However, that quickly passed. I think that many doctors will prescribe something to get you through that if you really need it. After a short time, food became a non-issue for me. I eat when I should, but if for some reason I can't, or have to put it off, it's no big deal. I went to my doctor for a work physical last week, and I wanted her to check my labs while I was there. My appointment was for 1:30, and I decided to fast so she could do the labs. Nothing but water since the evening before....it was no big deal! Not even a hunger pang! As for special occasions, you eat what you can eat. It's really not a big deal, either. I love going to restaurants, and order whatever will make good leftovers. That way I get to enjoy fabulous food an extra one or two times! So, I guess what I'm trying to say is this: it's an adjustment, but not a terrible one to make. For me, it was worth it! Good luck with your decision. Jaye Carl, RN, open proximal RNY 7-29-99, 104 pounds gone forever!
   — Jaye C.