New- Do you regret gastric bypass surgery?

shedo
on 6/29/12 12:45 pm

Hi, I am new and considering gastric bypass. Initally I thought about the lap band, but I worry too much about having something inside my body. I had my consultation and I seem to be concerned about the people who judge me for getting it. What if I gain the weight back? How do I deal with addiction of food? What if it turns into alcohol.

I only think that this will improve my life and help me to spend my life focusing on my very very two active boys instead of my weight and how many diets I can go on. Anyway, just wondering if any of you have regretted it?

Thanks. Wishing everyone well.
Sheri

MyLady Heidi
on 6/29/12 1:03 pm, edited 6/29/12 1:03 pm

RNY on 04/05/05 with

No regrets other then needing surgery in the first place.

REININGCHICK
on 6/29/12 1:13 pm - AZ

RNY on 08/24/09 with

never a regret!

clpeltz
on 6/29/12 1:31 pm

Revision on 04/26/11 with

I regret not having done my due diligence and researched ALL FOUR options. I regret having the RNY--it failed me big time. I wish I would have known about the DS before I had the RNY--would have gone straight to the DS. I regret having to have a revision...it is hard on you. If you haven't researched ALL Four WLS options: DS, VSG, RNY and Lapband...then you are not ready to make an informed decision. Think twice, cut once!

RNY to DS Revision 4/29/2011
Dr. Henry Buchwald

"Think twice.....Cut ONCE"

Alvina300
on 6/29/12 1:42 pm - Canada

Why would the DS be better than the RNY? I am scheduled to have RNY on Aug 27th and had originally wanted the VSG but my surgeon suggested the RNY instead.

Thanks
Alvina

He who can't be Named
on 6/29/12 6:05 pm

Have you researched it? You can take NSAIDs for pain with the DS (or sleeve) but never again with RNY. The DS has the best percentage of excess weight lost, maintenance of weight loss, and resolution of co-morbidities. It doesn't have the risk of dumping and reactive hypoglycemia that RNY does. There are real benefits to keeping your own pyloric valve and not dealing with a man made stoma.

If you are set you get cut, you owe it to yourself to know the options.

Some times dingle berries are the lowest hanging fruit.

Lady Lithia
on 6/29/12 1:32 pm, edited 6/29/12 7:12 pm

RNY on 03/18/08 with

It's been four years plus since surgery. I regretted HAVING to have it. I regret ever BEING OBESE, but I don't regret taking my health like a bull by the horns and making it a huge priority for me.

I regret that I had to sacrifice my healthy and well-functioning digestive system in order to curb an issue with obesity.

I enjoy the lack of pain associated with obesity, I had no idea how much my body was screaming out in pain at having to cart around 200 extra pounds of flesh. I enjoy looking like a "normal person" and being treated like one. my feet love me to stand on them for hours.

I'm not so keen on dumping (it only happens with approximately 3 out of 10 people)
I'm pretty much hating Reactive Hypoglycemia (I don't know how common that is)
Losing weight (no matter how I would have lost it) resulted in my needing to have my tailbone removed.

correction in red.

~Lady Lithia~ 200 lbs lost!
March 9, 2011 - Coccygectomy!
I chased my dreams, and my dreams, they caught me!

nieba
on 6/29/12 1:53 pm - Rialto, CA

VSG on 09/04/12 with

I agree that you really need to research, research, research! I have been starting and stoping the process for surgery twice now. I am on my third round and we are submitting to insurance next week. I sometimes have some of those same thoughts run through. But then I think of my Dad who is well over 120 lbs overweight, has diabetes, high blood pressure, and other things I am sure I am not aware of yet. I see how he cannot walk through the mall anymore, he has to sit down constantly. He has to have help getting on the ground and then even more help to try to get him up.

I am 35 and I don't want to live like that. My doctor has already told me that if I don't do something soon, I will end up there. I want to have a family and I know that with my Gerd and High Blood pressure, I will be in better shape to care for myself and the baby after the surgery.

So, if you really want to, start reading everything! All that you can get your hands on. Talk to multiple doctors and go to seminars. Good Luck!

Jennifer B.
(Can't wait to meet the new me!)
HW: 288 SW: 270.2 CW: 199.8 GW: 170-180 Hgt: 5'10"

poet_kelly
on 6/29/12 2:12 pm - OH

RNY on 11/04/08 with

Nope, don't regret it at all.

As far as your questions, you deal with the addiction to food by seeking treatment for that, if you are addicted. If you seek treatment for addiction, it's not likely to turn into an alcohol addiction or any other kind of addiction.

Kelly

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and do not play one on TV. I've done a lot of research on vitamins but am not qualified to give medical advice. I'm happy to share my research with you, but you should see a health care professional if you want medical advice.

Check out my blog at: storyofmyservicedog.blogspot.com/

Dave Chambers
on 6/29/12 2:13 pm - Mira Loma, CA

RNY on 05/10/06 with

Only regret is I didn't get it done sooner. You need to be aware of the fact that any wt loss surgery does require behavior modification by the patient. Compliance with supplements, blood tests to monitor you vitamins, etc., drinking a lot of fluids, eating slow, eating smaller amounts, avoiding some foods, some form of routine exercise, etc. The surgery alone will likely cause some wt loss initally without much physical effort or making poor food choices. BUT, as you get near 6 months post op, you need to adhere to the behavior modifications needed. It's at this time your wt loss slows down from surgery as your body "adjusts". So you really need to make these behavior modifications during the first few months. This is usually referred to as a lifestyle change. Without changing, any wt loss surgery results will not be maximized. DAVE

Dave Chambers, 6'3" tall, 365 before RNY, 185 low, 200 currently. My profile page: product reviews, tips for your journey, hi protein snacks, hi potency delicious green tea, and personal web site.

tinamarie_125
on 6/29/12 2:19 pm

RNY on 08/17/09 with

I hate to be the Debbie downer....but these days I do regret having Rny. I think I should have been strong enough to do it without surgery. I have in essence traded one set of medical issues for another. I now have anemia, have had to have 12 procedures for strictures and am facing a possible very risky revision surgery. I also have this feeling like I have been run over by a truck. I can't explain it to my doctor. I am having a hard time finding someone who knows what to check for and why I feel this way. I have thrown up so much my esophagus is damaged and my therapist thinks it has now developed into bulimia. My advice to you is don't give up on seeking other weight loss help. Please let surgery be your very last option.

meeow2
on 6/29/12 3:28 pm, edited 6/29/12 3:28 pm

aww Tina ((((()))))) huge hugs and i'm SO SORRY this happened to you ! Can you please take the time to post ALL your issues , labs , etc on the liteweights board ( promise we will NEVER blame U or (god forbid

) flame U there and there are wonderful experts who hang around ...)

its also just an amazing nonjudmental , noncritical place for daily post op support ....

lets get this FIXED Grrl ...

U DON"t need to feel this horrible way ...

poet_kelly
on 6/29/12 4:12 pm - OH

RNY on 11/04/08 with

In your other thread, I thought you said your doctor said all your labs were normal except your thyroid. But now you are saying you are anemic. If you are anemic, that could explain why you feel like you have been run over by a truck. How much iron are you taking now, and what kind, to treat the anemia? What other vitamin or mineral levels are low?

Kelly

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and do not play one on TV. I've done a lot of research on vitamins but am not qualified to give medical advice. I'm happy to share my research with you, but you should see a health care professional if you want medical advice.

Check out my blog at: storyofmyservicedog.blogspot.com/

tinamarie_125
on 6/29/12 5:30 pm

RNY on 08/17/09 with

Sorry... I meant to say I have battled anemia. My last labs showed it was ok. I have been very close to needing a transfusion, but was able to get it right with just changing iron pills.

Eggface
on 6/29/12 2:31 pm - Sunny Southern, CA

RNY on 06/20/06 with

Not one.
Would do it again in a nanosecond.
No complications. Resolved my severe GERD, Sleep Apnea, High BP.
Off all 8 medications I was on pre-op.
From size 28 to 4 (I'm a shortie)

You are welcome to hit my blog link below I've been blogging the last 6 years of my weight loss surgery journey, stuff I eat, life after issues.

Best wishes in your research,
~Michelle "Shelly"

Weight Loss Surgery Friendly Recipes & Rambling
www.theworldaccordingtoeggface.com

chris_ruff
on 6/29/12 2:36 pm - Staten Island, NY

RNY on 04/07/09 with

i wish i had done more research and gotten a DS. that being said, the rny has been great for me so far. i'm healthier and happier than i was before.

--Christina

meeow2
on 6/29/12 3:30 pm

I LOVE the fact that I had bariatric surgery . For me the RNY was a temporary fix... a bandaid to stop a gaping hole .

I KNOW i need more .

dani02
on 6/29/12 3:50 pm - Utica, MI

RNY on 09/14/10 with

I would have liked to have known and did research on the DS. But I
am happy with my RNY. It was the right surgery for me.

I wish I would have done it sooner.

Dani

JackieBel
on 6/29/12 4:01 pm - McAllen, TX

RNY on 08/22/05 with

Definitely NOT. I had a great surgeon and a great recovery. I wish that I had continued my involvement with a support group, pursued nutritional counseling, and hired a personal trainer during the 2nd year. The 1st year was easy for me, but learning new habits and changing a lifestyle is harder to do after that initial 1st year. People I know personally who had WLS and did this for 6 months to a year have been able to keep their weight down. I've gained almost 40 lbs. since my inital weight loss. If you pursue any WLS, please join a support group and do regular follow-ups with your surgery center.

Jackie

southbay311
on 6/29/12 4:32 pm - NV

RNY on 02/22/12 with

Only one regret and that is I didn't do it sooner. I am feeling better, off diabetes meds, down 1 BP pill and my neuropathy is much better!!!! I am only half way to goal so my expectations and recovery are so much better then I thought at this stage!

H/W 326 S/W 287 GW 145

ObesityHelp

Weight Loss Surgery Directory

New- Do you regret gastric bypass surgery?