I should stop reading ...
It's true some have these issues after wls, and when they do, they definitely need our support. However, some people without wls also have these and other issues. I am more than 2 years out, and I haven't vomitted yet. I have never truly "dumped", but I do feel uncomfortable if I eat too much food. I've not had any of the other problems either. What I do have is: more energy, no more aching legs & feet, better balance, better health, etc. etc. Even if I had had strictures, dumping, etc. I think it would be worth it in the long run.
Just a suggestion: If you are truly in a quandry about whether or not to have this surgery, make yourself a Pro & Con tree & fill it out... Then, when you look at the results, the right answer for you should be clear.
All the best to you!
Just a suggestion: If you are truly in a quandry about whether or not to have this surgery, make yourself a Pro & Con tree & fill it out... Then, when you look at the results, the right answer for you should be clear.
All the best to you!
It is very normal to have 2nd thoughts, all WLS has risks you are told that up front. I
knew going into it, that I could possibly die from it. I could also die from the massive weight I was carrying. I have been one of the many with no problems. Yes occasional stupid moment, where I ate something I should not have (in the beginning). I also would
do this in a heart beat second. I am 5 yrs out & yes, have some health issues due to anemia & osteoperosis, but, over all so much better than 5 yrs ago.
Find out your Doc's track record & after-care program & if it all sits well with you, then go for it!! I don't believe you will regret having it!!
knew going into it, that I could possibly die from it. I could also die from the massive weight I was carrying. I have been one of the many with no problems. Yes occasional stupid moment, where I ate something I should not have (in the beginning). I also would
do this in a heart beat second. I am 5 yrs out & yes, have some health issues due to anemia & osteoperosis, but, over all so much better than 5 yrs ago.
Find out your Doc's track record & after-care program & if it all sits well with you, then go for it!! I don't believe you will regret having it!!
Marilyn C (Bearlady)
i just wanna pipe in on something--if the vomitting is the issue- once you have had your surgery- your body does not do a projectile type vomit like pre surgery-it's more like a gag and then out comes whatever-and it usually is good to go in a big cup or glass or something--not like all over the house ....
i only say this cuz some ppl are actually "afraid" to vomit.
bowel obstructions- my hubby has NOT had wls and had a horrid obstruction and has had many complications...
i used to get upset that ppl would look at the boards for those who passed away...it can scare you -but--they all knew the risks and took the chance...it is not something we want-to die- however; it can be a learning tool...
the first gal i angelled never came home from the hospital--it was a true eye opener for me- to be sure that this was what i wanted...
step back if you need to--also--read ppl's profiles- look at the ppl of your own age and possible health issues- and look hard....are you going to support group already?? do it...have you had to have a psyche evaluation? it's a good thing....
as a few stated-the ppl with problems seem to post more- those whose journey wa scomplication free may not post anymore- ppl drift away from the boards for various reasons-and which boards are you reading? if you spend a lot of time on the main board you are dealing with many ppl who are younger and maybe don't have snese enough not to go to mcd's for an angus burger 2 days out! or who go out drinking and partying all nite at 1 week....(not to say all on main board do this)--also--many who post with problems-not all-can actually help you tolearn that you need to be proactive about your care and that many of the probs are caused by not taking supplements etc...not saying ewverything is a vitamin/supplement issue but many can be---
and-no one who says this is easy is telling you the truth....even the most successful have had to be diligent...it's for life...and it is not just about what foods you eat .....it is a lifestyle change.....
make yourself a list- of what you would hope to achieve and what you are afraid of...do you have faith in your surgeon? aftercare program???
do you pray -or something---put it in the hands of whomever or whatever you choose...
it is a very personal decision....and it is not for everyone.
we'll still be here no matter what you decide! check in .....sorry to get on a soap box....
hugs!
i only say this cuz some ppl are actually "afraid" to vomit.
bowel obstructions- my hubby has NOT had wls and had a horrid obstruction and has had many complications...
i used to get upset that ppl would look at the boards for those who passed away...it can scare you -but--they all knew the risks and took the chance...it is not something we want-to die- however; it can be a learning tool...
the first gal i angelled never came home from the hospital--it was a true eye opener for me- to be sure that this was what i wanted...
step back if you need to--also--read ppl's profiles- look at the ppl of your own age and possible health issues- and look hard....are you going to support group already?? do it...have you had to have a psyche evaluation? it's a good thing....
as a few stated-the ppl with problems seem to post more- those whose journey wa scomplication free may not post anymore- ppl drift away from the boards for various reasons-and which boards are you reading? if you spend a lot of time on the main board you are dealing with many ppl who are younger and maybe don't have snese enough not to go to mcd's for an angus burger 2 days out! or who go out drinking and partying all nite at 1 week....(not to say all on main board do this)--also--many who post with problems-not all-can actually help you tolearn that you need to be proactive about your care and that many of the probs are caused by not taking supplements etc...not saying ewverything is a vitamin/supplement issue but many can be---
and-no one who says this is easy is telling you the truth....even the most successful have had to be diligent...it's for life...and it is not just about what foods you eat .....it is a lifestyle change.....
make yourself a list- of what you would hope to achieve and what you are afraid of...do you have faith in your surgeon? aftercare program???
do you pray -or something---put it in the hands of whomever or whatever you choose...
it is a very personal decision....and it is not for everyone.
we'll still be here no matter what you decide! check in .....sorry to get on a soap box....
hugs!
I get up every morning determined to both change the world and have one hell of a good time. Sometimes this makes planning my day difficult.
- E. B. White
Hi:
I don't know if vomiting is really a "big" part of WLS ... personally, I've thrown up only maybe four times. And all of those times, I ate either too much or too fast. Two times, it was early on; once, it was a Thanksgiving meal I prepared at home and I ate too much; the last time, it was here at home recently and I ate too much ... I knew better!
I am five years out and really had no complications other than a small infection in one my incisions. Because of the antibiotics I had to take (liquid ... very sweet!) I had the runs and was nauseous for a week. That was my only complication. I have lost 180 pounds, had knee replacement surgery (twice on the same knee!) since. This has bee a lifesaver for me. I have gone up to my surgeon and told him so. He saved my life. My pain specialist told me that if I didn't lose weight, I'd be in a wheelchair and unable to care for myself. I like to think I chose life and not the wheelchair. Now, I still have arthritis in my back and my knees and my feet, but since I took off that weight, it's not as bad in my back ... I get injections to help my back pain, and they actually last longer now than they did when I was 350 pounds. My knees will never be good ... even after the second knee replacement surgery (the revision), I don't think I'm going to climb mountains. But ... after the first one, the failed one, I was able to climb up steep hills in Jamaica and around the Mayan ruins in Mexico ... I couldn't do that when I was 350 pounds. I would've been out of breath.
So would I do that again? I knew the complications going in. I had read the horror stories. I had read stories about Notre Dame's coach Charlie Weis (then with the Patriots) who had serious complications and was near death ... he sued his surgeons. I knew of a woman in town who died from this. I knew the risks. I did it anyway, knowing I could die, I could have serious complications. But I knew if I did nothing, I was having problems walking, standing, sitting, breathing, ... just living. I was doomed to get Type 2 diabetes (it runs in the family), high blood pressure (I was borderline and on meds already), high cholesterol, heart diesease, cancer ... all family related. So, like I said, I chose life. And, yes, I would do it again. it was the best decision I've ever made. It's not for everyone ... some people really want to do it the "natural" way ... and that's great. I couldn't do it. I tried. I failed so many times. This was the only way I could lose weight.
So please, if you need to take a break, do so. But don't be scared off by the "horror" stories ... sometimes that all you really hear. People who are successful, who have no problems, don't tell you about it.
I agree with Annette about hernias being partly genetic ... I had an umbilical hernia pre-WLS, and my surgeon told me the same thing, that it was congenital ... turns out both my brothers have the same type of hernia. It had nothing to do with me being overweight ... as one doctor told me (although maybe that exacerbated it) ... but it had to do with my genes! Funny how that works.
Stay in touch ... but take a break if you need. And don't worry so much. What happens, happens.
I don't know if vomiting is really a "big" part of WLS ... personally, I've thrown up only maybe four times. And all of those times, I ate either too much or too fast. Two times, it was early on; once, it was a Thanksgiving meal I prepared at home and I ate too much; the last time, it was here at home recently and I ate too much ... I knew better!
I am five years out and really had no complications other than a small infection in one my incisions. Because of the antibiotics I had to take (liquid ... very sweet!) I had the runs and was nauseous for a week. That was my only complication. I have lost 180 pounds, had knee replacement surgery (twice on the same knee!) since. This has bee a lifesaver for me. I have gone up to my surgeon and told him so. He saved my life. My pain specialist told me that if I didn't lose weight, I'd be in a wheelchair and unable to care for myself. I like to think I chose life and not the wheelchair. Now, I still have arthritis in my back and my knees and my feet, but since I took off that weight, it's not as bad in my back ... I get injections to help my back pain, and they actually last longer now than they did when I was 350 pounds. My knees will never be good ... even after the second knee replacement surgery (the revision), I don't think I'm going to climb mountains. But ... after the first one, the failed one, I was able to climb up steep hills in Jamaica and around the Mayan ruins in Mexico ... I couldn't do that when I was 350 pounds. I would've been out of breath.
So would I do that again? I knew the complications going in. I had read the horror stories. I had read stories about Notre Dame's coach Charlie Weis (then with the Patriots) who had serious complications and was near death ... he sued his surgeons. I knew of a woman in town who died from this. I knew the risks. I did it anyway, knowing I could die, I could have serious complications. But I knew if I did nothing, I was having problems walking, standing, sitting, breathing, ... just living. I was doomed to get Type 2 diabetes (it runs in the family), high blood pressure (I was borderline and on meds already), high cholesterol, heart diesease, cancer ... all family related. So, like I said, I chose life. And, yes, I would do it again. it was the best decision I've ever made. It's not for everyone ... some people really want to do it the "natural" way ... and that's great. I couldn't do it. I tried. I failed so many times. This was the only way I could lose weight.
So please, if you need to take a break, do so. But don't be scared off by the "horror" stories ... sometimes that all you really hear. People who are successful, who have no problems, don't tell you about it.
I agree with Annette about hernias being partly genetic ... I had an umbilical hernia pre-WLS, and my surgeon told me the same thing, that it was congenital ... turns out both my brothers have the same type of hernia. It had nothing to do with me being overweight ... as one doctor told me (although maybe that exacerbated it) ... but it had to do with my genes! Funny how that works.
Stay in touch ... but take a break if you need. And don't worry so much. What happens, happens.
Thanks everyone, you put my mind at ease. I know that it's usually the people who have problems who post - people who sail through tend to keep quiet. I am like most of you here - i have tried it all - and lost - and regained. I am awaiting approval from the insurance companies now - so it's all getting so much more real. I do go to a support group here in town and everyone is so happy with the changes in their life - even the gal who came with her pic line in because of a stricture. I know that the first six months are going to be tough - learning to eat all over again - learning to please the pouch. I'm just looking forward to being able to live again!
Before/after pic in my profile.
Surgery: Dec 2009, lost 100 lbs
I hope my posts aren't too scarey for you. I knew before surgery that I may throw up, but also knew it wasn't nearly as awful as before surgery. It comes up just like it goes down, without any stomach acid involved. I know what my problem is and I'm still having touble curbing it. I don't chew well enough is my major problem, and possibly taking too large of a bite. In spite of this, I'd do it again and again. I'm feeling so much better with the 38 pounds I've lost, I wouldn't trade it for all the ice cream in the world. I even had sugar free ice cream on Saturday, but only a small scoop, 3 months ago I would have had a hot fudge sunday with whipped cream. I was totally satisfied with one small scoop of sugarfree ice cream. It's the best thing I've done for myself, EVER.
Jan
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