Regrets?

Dawn: I'm glad that you've had such wonderful success!  I certainly hope to do the same. :) Lisa

HI... keep on researching..you can never get enough informaiton about these surgeries.  On that note, I'm probably your worse case.... I choose RNY becasue I needed the "backlash"...if I cheated my body would let me know it by vomiting, dumping..etc.  I researched RNY for 2 years.  I searched for a surgeon for 8 months.  I got my RNY in January 2007.  I was doing everthing right...got my first stricture March.  Got my second stricture April.  Both were resolved with dilation...no big deal.   I had constant nausea and tummy problems and then BOOM, got twisted intestines in July.  (Oh I left out that my hair has been falling out in handfuls since March.)  I had to have emergency surgery for the intestines. I have lost over 143lbs.  I'm 5'6" and weigh 142lbs, now.  Still loosing pounds and inches.  I finally figured out the proper way to eat but I do go off track and cause myself some problems from time to time. Would I regret it...HELL NO!!!!  I can exercise..I can walk upstairs...I can wear the cute clothes, now.  I don't have any asthma problems..no health problems of any kind, anymore. My story sounds horrible....but I would do it all over again!!  I LOVE MY RNY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dawn

Thanks for being honest about the problems that you've had.  I find it interesting that even those people, like you, who have had some really unpleasant and painful issues, still don't regret their decision.  I guess that's a ringing endorsement for the surgery. Thanks again.  As I've mentioned, this is all helping so much to make my decision.  Never in a million years did I think that I would consider gastric bypass because of the permanence and potential complications.  But now, that I'm suffering some "side effects" of obesity, I've become much more open to making such a permanent change. Lisa

Hiya D1 :) There are somethings about surgery that will be forever out of your control. You can study statistics, compare surgeons and pray like you never have before. In the end most of us get what we get and learn to cope the best we can. I self paid and could have bought any of the available surgeries. In choosing remember the key is knowing what you can live with worst case, best case and average case scenario. All off the surgeries are fairly close in their average expectations, but their best and worst is where they vary drastically. There are a lot of mechanical issues that mean constant follow up with the band, living a 10 hour drive (14 hours by bus) away from my surgeon made this possible worst case scenario one I wasnt willing to live with. There are many digestive issues and malnutrition issues with ds, as well as it being a much more complicated surgery that the worst case scenarios with someone as weak/sick as I was pre op meant I wasnt interested in the those possible negative outcomes. RNY had worst case scenarios I could live with mainly because the proceedure has been done so long Im not scared to be so far away from a bariatric surgeon specialist as I know the local surgeons, doctors have experience (limited as it is) in my new internals. I personally think starting the search with the negatives is the best way to go. WLS isnt easy, fun or always the best decision so know what you cant live with and then you will never regret your decision :) As for regrets, sorry I have none, maybe not getting surgery sooner, but to be honest it wasnt possible. I truely dont think I would have failed with the band or DS, I was very very very ready to turn my life around. Most people dont lose as much weight as I have as fast as I have after RNY, especially without exercise. I work hard on my diet to create a new pallet, mind and body to go with my pouchie that I can live with for life. The hardest part currently is trying to eat more. I want to slow the weight loss down and thats hard when you are stuffed full on 1200 cals a day but need 2000 to maintain. I guess Ill have to be one that needs to regain :P Complication stats are different with different doctors, my doc has impecable stats where as some others not so much. Make sure to doctor shop as much as surgery shop :) Keep in mind almost all complications are over in the first couple of months. It is worth suffering a few months for decades worth of enjoyment. Good luck and keep searching, when you know whats right for you, it should feel like there was NO other choice :) HUGS PK

PK: Thank you for your advice.  I really like the way you phrased this, "In choosing remember the key is knowing what you can live with worst case, best case and average case scenario."  Very well put! And I guess that's what I'm trying to figure out....how much discomfort or potential complications am I willing to endure?  I'm gaining so much excellent information here that my expectations about the process are starting to take shape. This should greatly help me to make the decision.  Thanks so much! Lisa

I so happy I chose to have RNY. The results speak for themselves and I feel and look better. Band wasn't an option for me, it's not offered where I live. But, I would not have chosen it had it been an option becuase I don't want something in me for life, would not want to deal with fills and had enough weight to lose that RNY was a better choice for me.  Consider all options, choose what's best for you.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the lap band vs. RNY.  After reading some of the messages on the lap band board, I started to feel the same way...do I really want a foreign body inside me for life?  It just sounds like a lot of things can go wrong(band slippage, overfills, etc.)  And it seems like some of those things don't happen for a few years. Thanks a lot.  And continued success with your weight loss.  You've done fantastically well! Lisa

AMEN Dawn, attidute is everything! Lisa, I had a lot of blood loss, and tachicardia (sp-?) which resulted in 3 extra days in hospital. The blood loss has left me VERY weak. I am allergic to any adhesive, so my chest looks like swiss cheese from the reaction to all the adhesives from all the heart monitor stickys & tape on wound dressings. Turns out dairy is no longer my friend, lactose intolerant. I had an infection at the sight of the IV....and TODAY for the first time since surgery I went pee in the toilet instead of my pants. I was left for several days after surgery not being able to feel when I had to go pee, until I was actually in the process of going.   Oh yeah, and I am pretty sure I thrush of the mouth, to which the PA told me to just wash my mouth out with salt & warm water.  BUT all and all even with the set backs I am glad to have had the surgery.

Yikes, Dawn... You've really been through the ringer.  It sounds like, overall, the first week is the roughest.  I think you're almost through that, if I'm not mistaken.  So, hopefully, the worst is behind you. I must say...I when I see some of the problems that people have had, it does frighten me.  You and I have a few things in common.  I had uterine surgery a few years ago, lost a lot of blood and had to have transfusions.  I'm also allergic to the adhesive that they use, so the area where the tape had been got infected.  I really don't want to go through that again. I'll have my fingers crossed that you are on the mend very soon!  Thanks for responding to me during this trying time. Lisa