Who has something negative to share about surgery ???

First let me be the one to tell you that only you can make this decision . And you are doing the right things by researching . There is no written code among WLS'ERS .. we all share about the same journey .. but some with more stories to tell . If you want , you may read my profile , this tells my story ... Would I do this again .. Everyday .. and 2 x's on Sunday ... Best wishes to you ! Natalie

**HIJACK** Hi Nat, You look beautiful in your gown! Glad to see you back! Congrats on your marriage! Best Wishes, Robin

Good to see you back Nat!! You look beautiful in your wedding dress! Jackie

HI Lisa !!! Okay... Something negative about the surgery..HMMMMMMM I had a sticture that required dilation twice, I dump easily, my blood sugar drops to VERY low levels even when I eat the right combo of foods... BUT I only wish I would have had the surgery years ago and didn't have to battle the ups and downs of my weight my entire life. Heck ya it sucks at times that I can't go on a Twinkie or Ben and Jerry's binge. Thank GOD for the dumping so I can't...I would be right back where I started from. Good Luck with your decision. It is a hrad one..but it the smartest one I have ever made about weight control. It has freed me. Dana

I figure I bought myself 10-20 years of life because of having WLS (open RNY w/gallbaldder removal). I had been lookig at WLS for 4 years but thinking I could do this, even to try the post op diet/eating plan without having the surgery. Story of my life, lose 20 gain 30. during those four years of toying with the idea of WLS, I gained 100 lbs. At 408, my blood pressure went beserk and 2 months later my heart started missing beats. It took me 6 months to actually have the surgery but over the following 6 months I have lost 150 lbs and feel better and can do more than in the last 10 years. Is this the easy way to lose weight? HA! no way,..but it has given me a tool that has changed my life. I have to choose to not abuse it. As I do that, it works. There have been some bumps in the road, but I am going in a much better direction. I am certain I'd already be dead if I had not had this surgery. But since death is part of the mortal experience, we all will die of something at some point. Yes I have to take supplements and vitamins, but I was taking fluid pills and 3 BP medications before. And what I spend on vitamins and supplements is less than I was spending in medication copays. I have relearned how to eat and the value of exercise but better, I feel like exercising. You have to do whats right for you. I had to decide if it was worth risking not surviving the surgery to have the surgery. I came to peace with I was on my way out anyway and if it was my time, tha tis what would happen, and if it wasn't then maybe this was what was being made avaiable to me to get better. Free agency is one of our many wonderful gifts from God. He will force no man to heaven. He gives us choices but it is up to us to choose whether to partake or not. If it all ended today, it has been a great ride. I am extremely glad I did this and would do it again only sooner if I could go back. It is amazing to me as I got similar advice from those close to me about the risks of WLS but it was not their life and they did not understand how bad I felt physically and emotionally about my pre surgery health and condition. If I had died within the year, would these same caring people have still thought it was the best decision or would it just be the guy couldn't control his eating and it finally killed him? If its my fault either way, I decided to do what Ifelt inside was best for me and my family that I wanted to stick around for; to get better. Best of luck to you. My best advice,...get on your knees and talk it over with your Heaven Father and trust him. Tell him your fears and concerns, your trials and desires, things will happen for you that eill let you know what is the best way for you to go. Then you will have to take the appropriate actions or wave as the opportunities pass and let it go. Remember not making a choice is still making a choice. Best of luck to you. I wish you all the best. Joe