Who has something negative to share about surgery ???

Ok... so please dont take this wrong. I am exploring ALL avenues. I took my husband and my aunt ( who is like my mother) to a pre-op meeting and support group meeting tonite. For those of you that dont know, I have NOT had the surgery yet. I am scheduled May 18th. My aunt has brought some very negative and scary comments to the table, for which I am very unsure about. I thought I was ready , but thats created some more fear and concern. She says she will support me on whatever I decide, but she cant sit by quietly without expressing her concerns, in the event that something WOULD happen to me. I know most of you all are really happy you did this, but are there negatives ? Is there some written code that no one says anything bad about it ? Do any of you wish you hadnt had it ? Thanks for answering all my questions !

Hey Lisa - I have not been here in a long long time. Don't know why - just so busy with life that I've very much neglected coming here and visiting my friends. They are a good lot though and I'm sure they will understand. I had surgery June 23rd, 2006 - I fought for 3 years & with 5 insurance companies before I finally got approval. I will NEVER EVER in my life say I wish I hadn't had it. I was very lucky - no problems. I threw up a little in the beginning (mostly dry heaves) because I always just had to have the "one last bite" - but I've learned my limits now & actually you do that pretty quick. The only negatives I've had have NOTHING to do with my new stomach, my new life, nothing really at all to do with the surgery. My only problems have been my back. As I have lost the weight it seems the fat that was holding everything together - well just isn't there anymore or something. I will get through it - just like I dealt with being fat and out of breath all the time when I was at my highest weight of 340 pounds and couldn't reach part of my own body to clean them. I think there are negatives and positives to everything you do in life and I do mean everything. This was something I had to do for myself - to live! Yes, I knew all the risks and I was willing to take them in order to be where I am right now. No, I am not at goal. I have lost 143 pounds and currently I am about 197 - I would like to be 150-160. Never in my life have I gone more places - done more things - my kids can hug me all the way around. I can take them to school and not puff up the stairs while the other kids stare. Will it make your life perfect - hell no! You have to decide are you willing to take the risks to live a life you have envisioned for yourself - will you have bad times - yes. There might even be one tiny second where you might say - "what have I done??" (brutally honest here - I HAVE NOT had that thought even for one second since I've had the surgery). You will get through that too - if you decide you can. When people ask me why did I do this? How do you live with all the protein, water, vitamins - I just tell them - I did this for me. I made a commitment to ME!! My life - my body. It was honestly the best commitment I ever made. I don't know if I helped and I know some of this might sound kinda - I don't know wierd - but I've been up since 5:30 this morning - have to be back up a little after 6 am and to be truthful most of what I typed here just poured out of my fingers - just from my heart - Good Luck in your journey - whatever you decide. Hugs, Andrea

Hi Lisa.. For me personally, I would do it again tomorrow! The only problems I had was nausea for the first 6 days, but they have great meds out there for that. Then I had to have my gallbladder removed because the massive weight loss can affect the gallbladder. Not everyone, but most do have to end up having their gallbladders removed either the same time as their WLS or after. You will hear alot of negative things about WLS, and you will hear positives from those who have actually gone through it. Just because you hear the negative things, doesn't mean it will happen to you. One BIG question you have to ask yourself and be honest with yourself about is....AM I willing to risk my life by not having the surgery and possibly develop heart problems, and worse death because of my obesity? OR Am I willing to put up the risk and be able to lose the weight and enjoy my life. Life itself is a risk each and every day we wake up. For me, I would and did make the decision based on the fact that THIS Surgery was my LAST hope to LIVE my life to the fullest vs not doing the surgery and be miserable for the rest of my possible Short life. Remember as with any surgery there are risks...are you willing to take those risks to live a better quality of life. DO NOT let anyone stop you because they are scared. DON"T let anyone scare you out of something you know will save your life. If you are honest with your surgeon about your physical problems and your family medical history, then he or she will take every precaution to reduce those risks. Good luck to you and hope to see you on the losing side soon! JudyB

I am probably one of those people that would tell you if I had a second chance I don't think I would do it but,I am also one of those people who have had more medical issues one after another since the surgry. I am now 5 months out and still fighting a battle of health issues.I took this step to get healthy not to have more problems.I am happy that I have lost over 70 pds now but I do sit here daily saying "was it worth it". I guess maybe if I was able to enjoy the weight loss instead of dealing with the medical issues I might feel diffrent but at this time I have my doubts.One thing is everyone is diffrent and you can only really do your own research and make your own opinion what is right for you..Good Luck!

Thanks for the replies and good wishes. Naomi, not that its nice to here a more negative side of it, but its nice to know that there is someone out there that hasnt praised the surgery to the highest. I DO know that it helps alot of people, but in my mind I cant get passed the numerous articles and blogs I have read about people who 10-20 years post op are sick with all kinds of things. Some have developed lupus or ms ( i read an article stating approx 5-10 yrs post of for gb many people develop autoimmune diseases) restless leg syndrome, specific disease related to nutrient deficiences ie: coopers as an example. While the immediate effect is good and everyone is happy with it, what will you think in 10 or 20 yrs ? I know no one can judge that, but I feel like having listened to her concerns and listened to the story of a patient 2 yrs out, its an all or nothing surgery. IF you do have problems, I know it could be reversed technically. But, that brings in a whole other set of problems. I am just so very unsettled right now. I am not sure that if there is a "sign" for me to do it, and if there is how will I know ? I battled the insurance company for over a yr, with 3 denials. I jumped through all the hoops they require. I had to change doctors in the midst of all this and I had given up. I was losing weight on my own, not by drastic measure, but 42 lbs in 5 months isnt too shabby ! I thought I had no other option any longer, and I was making the most of it. Now, deep inside of me I wonder... couldnt I do this on my own ??? I have been successful, and I havent felt "crazy" about food. For once in my life, I dont feel I HAVE to starve or deny myself ANY food, just be very concious of what I eat and know I have to burn it off. Some of my supporters say the surgery is devine intervention when I had lost hope, some say its the devil trying to make me doubt my own ability to lose it myself. Which is right ? No one will ever know.

Hi Lisa, I too have, really nothing bad to say about the surgery. I have not regretted my decision for a second. You mentioned autoimmune disorders. Please don't let that sway you because billions of people who have never had gastric bypass or were never overweight or whatever get autoimmune diseases...they are pretty common at this point. I, personally, was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder about 10 years before my surgery. Since losing 100 pounds (and actually, by the time I got to 50 pounds) I have never felt better. When you have an autoimmune and your joints are inflammed, it is a lot easier to carry around 150 pounds rather than 250. The medication that I take is injected so there are no adverse effects related to my stomach and meds. Do some research on autoimmune and you will find that so many people in the world are afflicted with one of the many disorders...and this has nothing to do with WLS. I understand your concerns and you have to make the best decisions for yourself. Being overweight is a daily risk on your health. Good luck! Christine

Hey, Lisa... One of the keys to managing the nutritional issues to is have a PCP/surgeon that is willing to run comprehensive blood work periodically to make sure that deficiencies like copper pop up. My doctor ran a check for selenium and sure enough I was low so I added a supplement. Selenium deficiency is rare except in parts of China and Nepal where the soil is selenium poor but possible in folks that malabsorb. Ends up the multivitamins I was taking didn't have the minerals in them (selenium, zinc, etc...) so now I take them. One has to be very vigilant with getting blood work done and taking their supplements. Be sure that if your multi doesn't have things like selenium, copper, zinc, vitamin K, etc... that you get them in. One doesn't need alot of these... you just need 'em. My post-op ride hasn't been smooth. I've had unexplained right side pain. Had tons of tests and still don't have an answer more than a year since the pain started. It is not an intense pain, it is mild. Just lets me know it is there. I have my suspicions as to what it may be based on other post-op experiences and will consult with my surgeon again at my next follow-up. Been waylaid off the pain thing due to dealing with breast cancer. My husband's post-op ride has been smooth with no issues. The only thing he has had to do is to add a vitamin A supplement when his one set of labs showed that being low. That's all. As for autoimmune issues arising after surgery... it is certainly possible. I know a few folks who had fibromyalgia surface. They have family histories of it. And this surgery is a big stressor on the body as is rapid weight loss and I think things underneath bubble up to the top. My opinion. Do I regret surgery? No. But I'm not a "everythign is wonderful" singer either. Best wishes, Kathy

**HIJACK** Hi Kathy, I have been using fitday.com to track my eating and exercise, and I have noticed that every single day since I started using it (2.5 weeks ago), I have been deficient in selenium, Vit. K, and Phosphorus. I expressed concern to the nut at my support group meeting, and she said it was nothing to worry about. It sounds to me that based on your experience, it IS something to worry about. Do you think I should press this issue with her or just go ahead and find supplements for each of these? I certainly don't want any problems to develop by missing out on the trace vitamins and/or minerals. Thanks, Robin

Lisa- I know I'm a bit late to this party, but your second post triggered a thought for me. I am about 9 months out. I just had to have my gallbladder out due to my rapid weight loss. I struggled with depression and feeling abnormal the first 8 weeks after surgery. I miss being able to order anything I "feel" like off of a menu...at this point fats make me feel worse than sugars, although sugars can do a number on me if I have too much. I struggle doing my exercise and getting my vitamins in consistently. BUT, I'd do it again in a heartbeat if I had too. It took me over a year to make the decision. I went to a presentation regarding the different types of surgeries, etc. and was scared to death by some of the things I heard (possible complications). I told myself, I can do this on my own...hubby (just dating at the time) and I even committed to each other that we would start to eat better and exercise. A year later, I was 40pounds heavier, and starting to have some issues with my knees. My PCP told me that I would be fine, but in 5-10 years I would start to have serious issues, unless I lost the weight. I knew in my heart that I couldn't do it myself at that point...I was 220 pounds OVERWEIGHT...exercise was nearly impossible and painful. I didn't have the self discipline to not eat the wrong (larger) sized portions...besides, if I did I ususally just ended up grazing. Diets didn't work for me. So, after another 6 months, a stint with a nutiritionist (who had me on a 1000 calorie diet, which was basically soup and some veggies) and my depression creaping back in I decided to at least try to get approved for the surgery. I was approved with no problem (BMI + sleep apnea was key). Once approved, I still had the thoughts you are having...the "why can't I just do this on my own". Luckily, I had found this board and read the many stories that are similar to mine. My Drs. were telling me that, yes, there are risks, there are things that I'll have to do the rest of my life, but that .... my life would be fuller, richer and more enjoyable because I would be healthier...and, I was "young" so my chances of having complications wasn't that great. Your feelings of being unsure are not odd....pretty normal in fact. I didn't tell anyone that I was having the surgery except those on this board and my husband. I knew that if people started giving me their opinion that I would let them freak me out....and I knew in my heart that I wanted to do this surgery and didn't need that extra stress. SO, the question you have to answer, and only you CAN answer, is....what do you want? what are you willing to risk for the weight to come off? No one can tell you what is in your heart. You've fought a long hard insurance battle....if you're not ready for a surgery date next month, ask how long the approval is good for and then schedule for closer to the end of that timeframe (mine was good for 6 months). You don't have to have surgery, but if you give up this chance, will you wish you had in 2 years and be willing to start the insurance battle again? I hope this helped....like everyone else said...yes, there are risks, it is a major surgery and all major surgeries have risks....but it's a personal choice of are you willing to balance those risks against losing the weight and the benefits of doing that. Christina S (sorry if this was long and ramblie)

Lisa, I am not sure I will be much help to you as I have nothing negative to say about the surgery - I would do it all over again in a heartbeat! I have been on every diet known to man and still never lost the weight successfully. I can' remember being this weight in my whole life! I am mega happy right now! lol! There is no written code on what people can say. Some people do not have as good or as easy a time as others. I believe that is the same for all surgeries. You have to make your own mind up. One thing to remember is that this is an elective surgery - you do not have to have it if you do not want it. It is very natural to be scared. This was my first ever surgery - I was terrified But a few days before it I got a very nice calm feeing, decided that there was no way I was going to die and that even if I did, I would never know about it anyway. I was going to put myself in my surgeon's very capable hands. On the other hand, not having the surery was condeming me to a life of diabetes - and increasing medication - I could see insulin in my future and a fear of losing limbs - high blood pressure and never being able to run after my three year old son like I really wanted to. It wasn't a difficult choice - I wanted a better quality of life! As long as I take all my supplements, drink my protein and get regular blood checks I am hoping that things will all be well. I know people who had this surgery 11 or 12 years ago and they are very fit and very healthy. They do everything they are supposed to do and are just fine. If I had not had this surgery I think in 11 or 12 years I would have been ill and not as mobile as I am now. You have to decide if you can make the commitment to a new and healthier lifestyle. If you can't then perhaps you do need to wait. I would, however, not let other people who say they are afraid, dictate what you should so. They have not lived n your shoes nor feel like you do. Your decision will only affect you and no-one else. Good luck in your decision... Jackie