would you do it again

I'm still in the process of trying to decide if I even am interested in having WLS.  One minute, I know that it's the only way I'll ever lose all this danged weight.  The next minute, I'm thinking it's too risky.  How did you decide that it was the right thing for you to do?  Would you do it all over again? Denise

Hi Denise.  First thing to remember is you and only you can make this decision for yourself.  When I first looked into WLS I was scared.  I thought it was a huge risk, and it is.  It's a major, life changing, body altering tool.  You have to feel it is right for you before you proceed.  It took me a few years to get to that point, but I finally did.  Yes, I had my concerns and questioned my decision along the way.  Would I do it again?  In a heartbeat. Good luck to you and stick around.  These message boards are great for getting useful information and answering some of your questions. Samantha

Denise, To have WLS and go through the risks..or not..is a VERY personal decision. I AM very glad to see someone who is pre-op recognize that there are definately risk of complications happening..and that complications do NOT just happen to the 'other' guy.  I am one of the ones who DID experience complications...and some very serious. That said, I personally, would do it again in a heartbeat! BUT...you have to weigh the risks..and the benefits. I would really recommend your talking with your surgeon about your concerns so that you are going into this with your eyes wide open. Even with having no complications at all, for some, they end up with complications anyway simply because they don't truly understand what all they will have to do post-op..like HAVING to drink water, HAVING to get your protein in, HAVING to take your vitamins, HAVING to exercise..like walking. As long as you do ALL you are suppose to do though...chances are great that you will be able to waltz away on your journey with no problems at all. Hopefully you aren't an oddball (like me)..but if you are, most are very handable...and very non-serious as long as they are taken care of. Best wishes and welcome to our board. Sherri

As Sherri said it's definitely a personal decision that you'll have to make for yourself. I was the one who knew of the complications and issues that could happen but never thought that they would. The good thing is everything that has happened is fixable. I still have days where I'm not so sure I'd do it again but most the time I'm so very glad. My husband and I went and hiked through the wildlife refuge today which is something I wouldn't have been able to do this time last year. My diabetes is completely gone and my female issues have straightened out greatly. I can run with my nieces and actually keep up now most the time. A whole lot of good has come out of my surgery too. Now that things are looking up a great deal for me and I'm doing better for the most part I'd most definitely do it all over again.

i am almost 2 weeks out from surgery. i like to call it the hard stage because you're relearning everything. the other day i had to realize that my stomach hurt because it was hungry. it's difficult because everything is new. it kinda makes me a little sick to watch other people eat (more of it is in my head than my actual stomach). i can't get all my water or protein in yet either. i'm a work in progress. would i do it again? the whole thing is vividly fresh in my mind, and i'd say yes every time. i had a lot of pain issues because they also took out my gallbladder, but within a week, i was off the liquid loritab completely. some of my surgery holes opened up again. one in particular looks a little iffy. someone didn't do a very good steri-tape job on me. :( but after a week, the main 2 inch hole that hurt like someone was trying to climb out of my body looks nice and the pain completely disappeared. i get a wee bit of residule pain every now and then but nothing major. i'm actually typing this from my desk at work too. it's not all bad. there are risks, and you need to be very aware that they could/can/will/might occur. but i like to think of all the other things that i can't do now and wouldn't ever be able to do in the future without the surgery. not only will i be able to have children, i'll be able to keep up with them. :) i'll be able to sit in a stadium/theater/airplane seat and not be worried that i won't fit. i'll go do more things, try new things, go new places, etc. there's a world of possibilities out there now. educate yourself. weigh the consequences. pray if your into that. you'll make the right decision for yourself then.

Denise, The other posters are correct in that each person must decide for themselves if this is something they want to take the risk of doing.  I am a widow and at the time of surgery had a 12 year old son.  The thought of leaving him with no parent weighed heavy on my heart but I realized that if I didn't do something drastic regarding my weight he would be an orphan anyway or at least have his mother in a wheelchair before he graduated from high school.  I decided for me the risk of not having the surgery was greater than the risk of having it.  Also I had done a lot of research and praying and was convinced that God was in control and I was safe in His hands.  Would I do this again?  ABSOLUTELY!!  Thus far I have lost  a little over 135# but more importantly I have regained my health.  I no longer park in the handicap parking spot.  In fact to get from the parking lot to my desk is a 10 minute walk - a walk without pain.  Last night I rode my bike with my 13 year old for 10 miles.  The first time I have been on a bike in more than 10 years.  Again no pain last night or today.  My blood pressure is now about 100/60 with a half dose of One of the three meds I was on prior to surgery.  I no longer shop at Catherines because that is the only place I can find size 4X.  Now I can shop in any store for a size medium or size 10.  I feel years and years younger!!  I could go on and on but you get the picture.  Yes, I would most certainly do it again.  I would wish for anyone who wants this surgery to be able to get insurance approval.  BUT you must realize there are risks and there are conditions to living the post-op WLS life.  You must drink water. You must exercise.  You must get in protein rather you like it or not.  I still use protein supplement drinks because that helps with my weight loss and I feel better when I take in 85 - 100 gm a day.  You must stay away from sugar.  You must take your vitamins forever.   This isn't for a short time after surgery but for the rest of your life if you want to be successful and healthy.  Are you ready for the committment?  If your answer is yes then you are ready for your new life!! Best wishes, Peg

I have tried to talk to as many people as possible who have had the procedure.  Of course, Jacqui is my friend and I love her and she has had a very positive experience.  I talked to a lady the other day who says she would never do it again.  She has lost 165 lb and is on no meds for blood pressure or diabetes any longer and had no real complications.  She is 3 yrs out, but she hates it.  She hates not being able to eat and drink what she wants.  She hates that she has to exercise.  Here she is what I would consider a success story and her advice was "Don't do it.".   My insurance won't cover it so I would be a selfpay.  That is a concern, but it's not my main concern.  Right now, I am 37 yrs old and I have no comorbidities...other than aches and pains.  Every other adult person in my family back 3 generations has had type 2 diabetes.  My mother is diabetic and in congestive heart failure and on disability at 57.  Do I want to sit around and wait until that happens to me?  No.  I am very active and I like to exercise (as much as a 320 lb person can like to exercise) so sometimes I think I can just lose it myself...NOT.  I have lost 80 lbs 3 times in the past few years.  It always finds me.   Thanks for all your input.  I have to be 100% certain before I do this.

Hello! I am a lucky one.. no real complications from surgery. My blood pressure returned to normal, as did my blood sugar. I feel great. I sometimes miss being able to eat how I used to, but I would do it again in a heartbeat.

i researched and researched! then researched some more...i am like you i had no health issues....other than being huge....lol and i got around great til one day i hurt my back at work....then ovarian cancer...then stomach tumors...i ached and hurt bad......i was scared...but at the size i had i was already dead....i had no life i stayed in the house...depressed....worried if i went somewhere would i get a close parking spot....would i fit in their seats.....i worried myself til i knew this had to be done....i didn't eat massive foods....but with lil activity my weight was climbing....i did have complications...long hospital stay....i HAD a beautiful mane of hair.....but you know....i am 100lbs lighter today...almost 4 months out.....i get around better....i play putside with the kids....i can keep up with them better! i am alive....and in such a different way....it was the best decision for me.....i even wussed out and chose the gastric sleeve....but i go by the rnyer's rules...i was 408 and this was a less complicated surgery for me........good luck with your decision...make sure you make your decision on whats best for you....we are all different....but we support ya the same.... much love and big hugs Kim

My sister had WLS 5 years before I had mine... hers went well... I was just scared.. she kept her gastric feeding tube for a year by choice because she was afraid of ever eatting again... THANKING God they never started me off with one!! I havent had a problem.. everybody gets scared it is a MAJOR move!! But I would do it again tomorrow. It is a choice only you can make.. like the decision to stop smokeing... one day it will just click, and it will be right for you.. ( I also used to be a smoker) Best wishes on the best decison for you! Linda Kay