I've talked to a lot of people who feel like WLS was the best decision they have ever made but I'm wondering if anyone here has any regrets? Maybe not regrets over having SX but in looking back is there anything you would have done differently? Chosen a different surgery option? Handled things differently? Anything?

~M

My only regret is not doing it a lot sooner! Life has been great post op!

I am with Neal!

I agree with both Neal and Christopher!

Do you all think it is worth 18,000 seeing I will be self pay?

(please read the entire response.  It may sound harsh but isn't meant to be.) 

We can't answer that.  I doubt it will be worth it for you at this point in time.  It takes a rigorous commitment to follow the post-op plan.  It is NOT a magic bullet.  It does not fix issues such as food addiction.  This is something you will have to do by yourself.  Your family and friends shouldn't have to change what they eat in order to support you.  Obesity is our issue, not theirs.  So, if you are already asking us if it would be worth it for YOU to have surgery, then I would have to say "not at this time." 

When you know the answer YOURSELF, then you'll be ready.  Many people have WLS, and continue to live in denial about what they eat and then wonder why they never reached goal.  Or, they do not have enough courage and conviction to do this on their own.  I would definitely recommend counseling and support group to anyone before WLS.  While it may not be needed, it won't hurt. 

Wishing you peace on your journey. 

I doubt it will be worth it for you at this point in time.


Christopher I think you are putting to much into your thoughts and answers on this.  I honestly believe the poster is wondering if anyone has regrets spending such a large sum of money; which IMO is a legit question.

 I totally agree!  How does Christopher know how committed ronniesnana is?  If for some reason there's a little ageism thrown in (and I have no idea what it is), there have successful people at all ages.

ronniesnana, if you can affort it, and it will improve your life, and you are ready,,  with your Doctor's blessing, go for it!

Thank You. That was my whole point. that is a lot of money and going through a divorce it is gonna be tough. I am ready but not sure my pocket book was. Im not sure he knew what he was talking about. I never brought up my family. People can be very rude.

Is that response for my simple question about paying out of pocket because your answer went way off the subject. You have no idea how commited I am and you have no business telling me "not at this time". Not sure you understood my question. it was harsh and uncalled for..

(First of all... read my original disclaimer AGAIN and apply it here as well).  Now for my response....

Then how could ANY of us tell you it is worth it!?  There are many on here that fail at this and many succeed with only some maintaining at goal weight.  Only you can know, based on your understanding of your food challenges, medical history, etc. if the amount of money is worth it for YOU.  When I see people getting 2-3 surgeries and still struggling, I know that the real issue was that they didn't seek assistance for food issues prior to getting surgery.  There are even those with DS that have never reached goal. 

For example, why would I come on here and ask if I should get coronary bypass surgery?  Only I know if I will be committed to following dietary restrictions, cholesterol reduction protocols, etc. Otherwise, what is the point in having it?   The nature of your post placed an $18,000 price on your life and then you asked us if it is worth it?!  How could we possibly answer that!  For me, it was absolutely worth it!  It paid for itself in one year based on the elimination of all of my co-morbidities.  Yet, you can ask a poster on here (who had 7 coronary stents) and she would tell you she regrets getting weight loss surgery.  Yet, with her history, she probably wouldn't be here today if she didn't have it.  Yet, she still regrets it. 

So, while my response may have sounded harsh (and re-read the disclaimer before I started), how could we possibly advise you on the value of your life?!  Did I tell you never to get surgery?  No!  I made a recommendation, that I clearly stated should probably be followed by all seeking WLS, to have counseling and support group FIRST. 

Sincerely,

Sorry for the lashing out. Yes it is worth it and I am going to counseling. I am just very frustrated that my insurance covers lap band and gastric but not sleeve. But my life is more important. again sorry for lashing out.

That's OK!  Proud of you for going to counseling and being here.  I understand your disappointment over the sleeve.  I happen to love my RNY. 

wishing you the best,

I was self-pay also!  My surgery cost $25,000 in 2005 it's some of the BEST money I've ever spent.  Regret wise.....if I were choosing today I'd probably choose the DS over the RNY, statically it's the best option to cure or put comorbidites in remission and the long-term success rate is higher.

Saying this, I've been successful with the RNY so it isn't due to regain that I would chose a different surgery.....it's not knowing in 3-5 years if I'll experience regain I struggle to keep from re-occurring.


All this to stay, know all the surgery options available out there and choose the one you feel will help you in the long run.

I am going for the sleeve. thanks for your imput

Ronnisenana,

I can tell you that I am 3 months post op and I am very happy.  Do I have regrets, yes I do.  My regrets are more about how I got to the point I did.  Those are things I'm working on so that I don't regain.

The sad part for me is that about 4 months before my surgery I told a close coworker that I was going to thave the sleeve.  Her response was " So am I, but your not ready, you don't weigh enough and your just not ready".

Well, thoughts in my mind were "How do you know if I'm ready or not".  The interesting part is she had her surgery over a month before, has lost the same amount as me, but is in the high 200's still.  I have stayed commited to my plan and she has commited to not.  No more lunch or breaks together.  And I'm fine with that.  I have the confidence in myself to do this.

If you have the confidence in yourself to make a change, it will happen!  The sleeve is great, just know you will have your bumps in the road..

Good luck!

Thank you very much for that. I am also not telling anyone at work because I dont want their opionions.

I was self-pay, also $18K.  I am very pleased with my VSG and would happily shell out the money again. Being self-pay is a sort of motivation in itself. 

I totally agree.  One change would be DS vs RNY, otherwise, I would do it all over again.  I've experienced some weight regain but very happy to say, I went back to basics and I'm currently 10 pounds under goal.

Cpcampbell
HW: 206 SW: 185.6 GW: 130 CW: 120

For me, and the procedure I chose? A resounding YES! I could have had an RNY for less than $200 out-of-pocket, nearly next door. Instead, I chose to pay my surgeon's fee and travel 2.5 hours each way in order to have the DS instead.

I'm 8+ years out, and effortlessly maintaining a 170+ pound loss. Was it worth what I paid? YES. Would it have been worth paying twice, even three times as much? YES!!!