Any regrets?

Hi there everyone,  I am scheduled for WLS in 2 weeks, but I still have 2nd thoughts.  My question is, have any of you that have been a year or more out, ever regretted your decision to have the surgery? For any reason?   This is such a hard decision so I am trying to get as many opinions as possible.  Thanks so much! GM08

my only regret is that I didn't do it sooner.   I wasn't ready sooner.  We must all do it at our own speed. But before you go into this you must know it is a lifestyle change.  The further out you are the more you can eat and thus you can gain. And it is very easy to fall back into our old habits. You must follow the rules and if you fall off you must get back on immediately. Easter week threw me off completely.  I do NOT eat sugar, but there was plenty of other stuff to have. But Monday I went back on the following the rules and so far so good. It's good that you are talking to alot of people.  That's what I did.  I talked to them and watched them. This is the best thing I have done for myself and my family.  Today I spent such a wonderful day shopping with my daughter.  2 years ago there was no way I could have done that.  Good luck in your decision.  Koukla 338/179

I have never regreted this surgery not even for one day! 

I had WLS in 2003, I have 2 sisters and 1 brother who have had WLS. No regrets here. Just keep in mind that it hurts, and keep an eye on the prize, your health and body back to being yours! Also, do as instructed and read it over and over until it is a part of your brain...... dont do short cuts..... best wishes!

The only regrett is that I had to have sugery just to lose weight.But I would do it again knowing what I know now.After trying deits and exercise and nothing worked this did almost 21 months out and my health has greatly improved. It is normal to be nervious with 2 weeks to go but before you know it.It will be over and you will be on the losing side and a year from now you will be happy having it done..............bob

My hubby and I both had wls about 3 years ago.  On one hand we really like having lost the weight but on the other hand, we feel we traded one set of problems for another set.  Between the two of us, we've had a lot of complications and concerns related to the surgery.  Probably the most frustrating though is that we can't find doctors that are informed about the side effects of wls such as inability to absorb vitamins/minerals or even medications.  It took us 3 years to finally find a nurse practitioner that was willing to even check for anything.  When she did, she found that my body had depleted to nothing healthwise.  I was experiencing a tremendous amount of depression, terribly low energy, etc and it was because I had virtually no iron, no immune system, etc.  Now we are trying to get everything built up but my system doesn't absorb anything very well.  I've tried several doctors since the surgery.  Probably the worst doctor was the one that did our wls.  Its been very frustrating and we're still trying to figure out what else we're each low on.  Its gotten to the point where we do our own research and go back to the nurse practitioner and ask her to check for it.  literally!  We have two young children and they have repeatedly said that they wish we had never done the surgery (for a variety of reasons). 

Hi regretted having surgery  right after having it done.  It was only due to having a hard time drinking and eating.  I ended up back in the hospital two weeks after surgery with kindey stones.  I always felt sick, but with in time it all disappeared.  I am now 17 months out  and I do not regret my decision at all.  It is the best thing I could have done for myself and my family.  I now can keep up with my three active children.  It is natural to be nevous and have second thoughts about having any type of surgery.  I was very nervous before going into the OR thinking am I going to fail at weigh loss attempts again when my insides are going to be rearanged.  I am very happy with my results.  This surgery has forced me to make a lifestyle change with new eating and exercise habits.  I would have surgery again in a heartbeat.  Godd luck with your up coming surgery!

Hello, I regretted it at first.  I had a stricture and had a really hard time.   Now I regret not truly changing...  I've gone back to some of my old habits and gained some weight back.  I'm still not anywhere near where I was but I'm not at my goal weight. MAKE THE CHANGES!  Do everything you can to get to goal.  It is NOT magic.  It's just a tool.   It is still the best thing I ever did! Best of luck to you! Laina  Lap RNY 9/9/03

Thank you everyone for your responses, it really is helpful to hear about the good and the bad.  At this point, I am leaving it in Gods hands.  If I am not meant to have the surgery, then something will prevent me from having it and if all goes as scheduled, then it is meant to be.   Even with that though, it is still scary - not the surgery - but the major lifestyle change. This board has been so helpful, I am sure I will continue to come back here daily. Thanks again! GM

MY ONLY REGRET IS THAT I DID NOT DO THIS 10 YRS AGO..I AM VERY HAPPY, I HAD NO PROBLEMS, AND I FEEL GREAT! AND I LOOK AMAZING, I NOW WEIGHT BETW 120 AND 135 CLOSER TO 130 AND WEAR SZ 4/6 SURG WAS 2-21-06. AFTER THE SURG YOU JUST HAVE TO CONTINUE TO REMEMBER IT WAS ONLY A TOOL, THE REST IS UP TO YOU! YOU HAVE TO CHANGE THE WAY YOU USED TO EAT AND FEEL ABOUT FOOD FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE!