Biggest Fear....

I think my biggest fear with the surgery is long term.  I am not aware of any long term studies on people.  Where am I going to be in 10-20-30 years?  Will I still be healthy?  Will the surgery effect me adversly?  This was another reason it took me so long to decide.  Any light on this concern would be great!  Thanks!

Your concerns are in fact valid concerns and shows that you are taking this surgery seriously. There are some studies out there that show some of the after-effects of this surgery.  Recently, it has been found that we lack Vit D.  But, with the whole stay out of the sun thing, LOTS of people are lacking in Vit D, so I am not sure if it really is specific to us.  Just something that I recently read. We know that due to our inability to absorb everything, Vit B12, Calcium, and Iron are issues.  This is where it is very important that you take your vitamins everyday and have your labs done like youa re suppose to.  Plus...listen to your body as it will give you signs that things aren't right.  Chronic fatigue is a sign of low B12 or Iron...labs will tell you which. Some develop IBS, some get IBS cured.  Some become constipated, some do not.  Some develop nutritional deficiency issues, some do not.  The point is not everyone is the same. But...studies show that almost instantly, signs of diabetes begin to disappear.  This was reported on 60 Minutes the other night.  Blood pressure, risk for heart disease and other ailments that are obesity related also begin to disappear.  So, there are some real health related benefits.   Could this surgery affect you adversely...yes.  it could.  Just like any other surgery could give you long term complications.  It is major surgery we are talking about.  Now..to answer the question of will you still be healthy...that will be up to you.  After a period of time, the body begins to be accustomed to its new plumbing arrangement and can begin to gain weight.  Especially if you adopt your old habits back.  So, it is possible that you could regain your weight if you do not make the lifestyle changes that you need to make.  This surgery is only a tool....not the cure.  Have you talked to your doctor about your concerns?  As a healthcare profesional he can give you better information than anyone here on the board (no matter HOW far they are out or how much research they have done).  He/she will be the best resource. Good luck!

Research is key.  The info is out there.  Just keep looking for it & stay current with it.  They are finding new stuff out all the time.  I love my support group exactly for this reason.  My nut. who runs the group is always full of new & enlightening info.

I am aware of all those possibilites listed and researched it.  More my question would be life span after surgery.  Thank you so much for the information though!!!

I have also asked about this before. I asked my dr about the long term effects. He  said basically, the only long term problem is bowel obstruction. Of course anything can happen, but normally once you get through the beginning, that is the hardest part and most people live a normal, healthy life if they maintain the tool. I have ofter thought as Tink said also, where would I be if I don't have the surgery. I would probably be like my 80 year old mother who is in a ton of pain from her knees that she can't hardly walk. She uses a walker has to get shots in her knees every 2 months, and still the pain is there. I agree with others too, quality of life over quantity. Just my opinion on things, hope this will calm a few fears. Best wishes, Penny

Like the others said . Research . But for me , my biggest fear was dying early from Obesity.  I am willing to step up to the  plate , make good food choices, take my vitamins, minerals - keep an eye on my protein .. exercise and LIVE LIKE A ROCK STAR . No really  , think about it , if you have diabetes now , imagine what your future will look like if you do not get the weight off , high blood pressure and all the other co-morbs.. I was just not going to die like my father . I was told have the surgery , lose the weight or die . So here I am .  Who knows how long we will live long term. I know that I gave my self a second chance with this surgery , NO REGRETS ..  Who knows when our number is up ... in my world , only God knows . But I can tell you this , I was going to fight all my illnesses as hard as I could . And I know I have survived because I am a fighter.  If my doctor had told me , Nat .. have the WLS and get 10 years , or stay Obese with diabetes , oh and loose your feet and possibly live 5 years. I stil would have chosen WLS .  http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-research/summaries/scopinar o-gastric-bypass.jsp http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0689/is_11_53/ai_n758 0024 I know in that you rightly have concerns , I did too , but I swear , I am so much better off today than I could have been 4 years ago .  You are going to do amazing sweety . Just breathe and enjoy the days to come .  Hugs,  Tink

I understand your concerns and while there are no long term stats on WLS patients there are certainly a great deal of stats on dying from Obesity - depending on where you look - but one thing for sure is that dying from oesity seems to be much faster!! I am so glad that I am no longer suffering from Obesity, high colesterol and the inability to do much because I was so overweight! I would trade what I have now every time.... Every year the doctors learn more and more about the surgery and refine it - my guess is in 10 years there may be a pill instead of a surgery  - but I can't imagine how bad my health could have been 10 years from now if i was to wait for it - if I had not died of my obesity before the 10 years.... Live for today and do the best you can with what technology is available.... my 2 cents worth anway... Jackie

I agree, this will improve my health.  When I gaot diagnosed with diabetix, I thought to myself, OMG, this now a life saving event.  I am a very through person. And I like to make fully informed decisions.  I am an analyst by profession, so I like to know EVERY aspect of everything.  I am not sold on being here today and not worrying about tomorrow.  But then that comes with analyst in me and being goal oriented.  I just can't help to feel that I don't know this information, and I am so young, I want to be there for my children and their children.  I am going through with the surgery.  I know I have to do it.  But part of me is having problems feeling like I am not making a fully informed decion.  Thank you all for listening and offering your prospective.  It is greatly appreciated.  I do agree, I need to do this for my health and my children.  Because at my rate, I may not make it to 30 or 35.