Question:
Does anyone regret having the surgery?

For the past few days I have been very nervous! I'm sure that is just normal, but I was looking through some of the profiles and I found several that said that they would never do it again. These people were just out, maybe 1 month or so and then there was nothing else posted. Should I look at this as depression and just a phase. One guy even suggested that this site tries to talk people into doing this and that more people out there regret having the surgery than are happy about doing it. I have done alot of soul searching and I realize that this surgery is what I need. (Open rouz-en-y - 2-12-01) Any comments? By the way, I love this site! It has helped me alot! I look over it several times a day!    — Trisch B. (posted on January 21, 2001)

January 21, 2001
I am almost 5 months post-op and I do not regret this surgery for one moment. I admit that the first 2 weeks were rough and my first day home from the hospital I felt like crap. I may have regretted it then, But, I went back to work on post-op day #9 and it has been no problem since then. My only problems have to deal with my long plateau. However, I have lost 60 pounds and I could never have done that without this surgery. I am also no longer a diabetic. I have had normal blood sugars since about one month after surgery. I have not met a single person who regrets this surgery. Even the few people I have met that have had complications do not regret their decision. Good luck.
   — Brenda B.

January 21, 2001
I had surgery ( Open RNY distal) on 11-1-00 and have lost 48 lbs my BMI was a little under 42 When I woke up it was miserable but over the next few days things started to get better every hour was a little bit better it wasn't the pain it was how uncomfortable I was ..having to lay on your back sucks big time but the pain meds helped after 3 weeks home I could sleep in my bed comfortably and it was at this time I knew I had made the right decision.. so regrets I had a few but then again too few to mention..lol sorry Frank had to steal that line from ya.. life is grand now loving every minute of it as for being hungry yes some times I am but I get full so fast I eat every 2-3 hours nibble on something..a cracker or something I think it is the people who are newly post-op and ones who experienced complications that have the regrets as for me NO REGRETS
   — Kathleen M.

January 21, 2001
I tried to find someone who regretted this surgery but found only "one" disgruntled man! I too was probably looking for reasons not to! But I had it anyway and the next day I was feeling sorry for myself and wondered what I had just done to myself. Well, that feeling went away by the end of the day. I am now 16 weeks out and 71 lbs. gone that I will never see agian. Yes, I thought I would regret it but now I am glad I did it!!!
   — Dennis J. B.

January 21, 2001
I've met people who rethink their decision at about 4 weeks out, but then are OK with it usually. The only other ones I've met who regret the surgery are the ones who've had inadequate post-op nutrition info and have had bone or organ loss. I'm 6+ yrs and would do it again in a SECOND if I had a car accident or some other mechanical failure. My husband nearly died of a post-op leak, yet he also would do it again. You don't have time to read of all the co-morbs we lost with our weight, but let me say that along with forfeiting milk & sugar, we also gave up 250# between us and enough medical problems and meds to keep a small clinic going!
   — vitalady

January 22, 2001
When I researched for my surgery, I too tried to find those who regretted it and I came up empty! I have no regrets at all about my surgery - only that I did not do it sooner. Like any other life changing experiences - marriage, divorce, having children, starting your first real job, etc, you have to go into it with your eyes wide open. Research all you can, including the bad stuff (what you can find). Some people may have false expectations that the day they come out of surgery, the miracles just fall out of the sky. This is a process, and for some people, it can be emotionally painful. Obesity is a medical disease that gives us a whole host of medical problems that only worsen with time. In our society it is also a social disease, and some people handle this better than others. Some of us become social hermits because we don't want to deal with how other people react to obesity. Some of us just keep trudging along, even though it's occassionally painful. The bottom line is that you need to make the best decision for YOU!!!! What are the pros and cons of doing it vs not doing it? And if you choose to do so, remember that this is a tool, not an overnight medical cure. I couldn't be happier, and I am enjoying my healthier and happier new lifestyle. In fact, I am leaving Friday for a 4 days ski trip, and I will be 100 pounds lighter than the last time I went (a few years ago). I am looking forward to getting on the ski lift WITH someone instead of riding by myself all the time because no one wanted to sit with the "fat woman", and I am looking forward to wizzing down that mountain! I wish you the best of luck in your decision.
   — Paula G.