Concerned and Lonely

Definitely worth it. Everyone starts having their doubts the closer it gets to surgery. If this is something you really want to do - then go for it. I have no regrets. Take care, Carey

Hi John, Only you can decide if this is for you but I will tell you for me, I haven't regretted my decision to have WLS. Not once. I too was a self pay and actually had to go oversees as I could not afford to have the procedure I desired (the DS) nor any other WLS for that matter, here in the US. As someone posted on another sight " I would have crawled over glass" to have this done. Also like others have said it is soooo normal to be second guessing your decision as your actual surgery date gets closer. Whatever you decide we are here for you, rooting for your success of a better quality of life. Best Wishes, Patt

I would do it again every year if I had to. Don't get me wrong. It's a tough road to hoe but if you are determined enough and follow the program you will do well. Remember the surgery is on your chitlins not your head. You have to have that on straight of you will have problems. Attitude is everything. This was the best thing that ever happened to me. From the standpoint of my health I turned back the clock 20 years and cheated death. My family is happier not worrying about me and one other thing- I met my buddy Jon through the process. He is my best friend. It was worth it just for that. I can't believe I just wrote that but it's true. Good friends here on this board and he is the cat's ass - can't be beat. So do your liquids, take your proteins and vites. kp

Dear John, Do it. It will save your legs NOW, but as you get older, the obesity and the stress it causes on ALL of your body systems will most likely kill you. It's a scientifically proven fact. I had a genetic predisposition to coronary artery disease. There's nothing in this world I can do about that genetic fact. However, leading a sedentary lifestyle, being a smoker, and being 150 pounds overweight caused my 3 heart attacks between age 37 and 45. I have permanent, nonreversible damage to my heart, but having this surgery saved my life. It has literally stopped the progression of my disease in it's tracks. Until 4 months ago, my cholesterol teetered precariously around 300, no matter what meds I was on. It is now 55. My triglycerides were never under 280. They are now somewhere around 100. I had horrible shortness of breath, my oxygen levels were always low, and I had constant chronic arthritis pain in my back. Within the first 40 pounds of weight loss, all of the health improvements started happening. I could breathe easier, I could stand and walk without pain, my cardiac labs were normalizing, and I was emotionally safe again. Best of all, my stomach simply cannot tolerate the foods that made me so obese to start with. It tells me how to live, it controls me, just like it did before, except in the opposite way. I never worried about whether my head would change after the surgeon altered my guts. I knew it would as a direct result of the surgery. "Eat that and you're gonna get dizzy and puke, sweat, get painful gas and diarrhea, have a headache; ALL at the same time, for several hours and waste the whole day either in bed sick, or wishing you could just die and get it over with." The chance of having an episode of that dumping syndrome rules me. And I have lost over 90 pounds in 5 months because of it. I can play basketball with my son, and roll around on the floor with my grandbabies. Not to mention the husband... 'Nuff said. So yes, I would do this over and over again. KathyG

I too am getting closer to surgery. But I can tell you this. Everyone that I have talked to has said that no matter what went wrong with them. They never regreted doing WLS. I was scared awhile ago and my mom said to me. If you don't do this I am afraid that the weight will kill you! I bet that after you have surgery and are on your way to losing you will agree that this is the best thing you could have done for yourself. What you are feeling in normal. If you did not get scared about any surgery I think that would be WEIRD. Just take ONE day at a time....You will be fine....

Hi John, First of all, thank you for serving this country!! Secondly, I think everyone feels the way you do...it's perfectly normal. And if you are alone, it's that much harder. But you can do it! I would do it over again too! It made a huge difference in how my back, knees, ankles and feet feel. I think it will do the same for you. Best of luck to you! Theresa

Dear John, As you can see we all have various opinions; but even with the few complications that I have had I would do it again as well! Make sure you are doing it for the right reasons and most of all yourself! Try to gather as many supportive family and friends around you as you can; do not let negative ones give you a difficult time or bad advise. WLS is only a tool; but it is a good one if you follow the guidelines. We have all done this for many reasons; but I strongly believe most all of us have done it because we were sick of being sick! You will even doubt yourself some after doing it; and this too is normal. There are always supportive friends on the message boards. Best Wishes and Good Luck, Sincerely, Judy R.

Hi John, I would also like to thank you for serving our country. Only you can decide what to do but here are my two cents: I have not regretting my decision to have this surgery for one second. It is by far the best thing I have ever done for myself and if I had to have it done over on a regular basis, I would! I was scared too - - and none of the things I was scared of came true. I have MS and was worried that the stress and trauma of surgery would make it flare up - - but no! Not at all! I haven't had any problems at all with anything - not eating, barfing, no hernias, (pooping ) or anything! The weeks of recuperation following surgery were hard and somewhat painful but they passed quickly and I feel SO MUCH BETTER now than I have felt in my whole adult life. In my opinion, it is SO worth it. Really. Good luck! Karen

John I also want to add my thanks for your service to our country. I am proud to be the wife of a long term weekend warrior and appreciate every man and woman who has done the same loyal service he has. I had the bypass surgury for reasons other than the weight loss alone, I had another health problem that the insurance wouldn't take care of unless it was a dire emergency but the bypass solved that problem with the added bonus of the weightloss. Now I would have it for the weight loss alone. I have not regretted it. The few problems I've had are more about recovery from surgury rather than from the rny> I feel so much better with the loss it is amazing. Make sure you are ready for the surgury and you will do well. God bless and keep you. If you are having surgury in Muskegon and will be alone I will be in that area that day and would be happy to stop in while visiting my folks.