The problem with WLS is there is no free lunch so to speak.  No matter what you choose there is a price to pay.  Not for everyone but most people with WLS experience changes in their lifestyle or health.

I had my first WLS in 2002.  By 2010 I had regained most of the weight I lost and had terrible side effects and no quality of life.  If you had asked me than I would have told you to run, that having WLS was the worse mistake of my life.

I had a revision in 2010.  In fact I had gone to my surgeon begging to be reversed only to be told that I couldn't be reversed but I could be revised to minimize many of the issues I had.  I also had my than sleeve revised to a RNY pouch to give me restriction, something I lacked the first time out.

I decided that if I had to have a revision I was going to make the best of it and follow the rules I was given, which I never did the first time out.  Surprise, I found that when I did what I was supposed to things worked out a whole lot better.

Which isn't to say I don't have issues.  I am one who is prone to bowel obstructions and have been hospitalized a few times.  I also had 2 hernia repairs.

My eating is very different, partially by choice and partially because I have no choice.  I can only eat so much so overeating is very painful and I dump if I eat sugar, so in a sense I have aversion therapy that works as far as those things go.  After a while you get used to it and it becomes your new normal.  Once in a while I feel frustrated or disappointed that I can't eat a lot but most of the time I just accept that when I go out to eat I will most likely be taking most of it home for another meal or two.

Back when I had my first WLS they weren't doing the sleeve as a stand alone surgery but if I were looking into WLS today I would definitely be looking at that.  It is the closest to set it and forget it there is, but it also involves work.  You still need to make good choices.  No WLS will do that for you but as far as deficiencies go and food intolerance's it would seem to be the least invasive.  

In spite of what some may tell you, and I know I was told before my first WLS, having WLS does not eliminate the need to watch what you eat, it just helps you do that.  Since a lot of morbidly obese people have an issue with refined carbs, sugar and bread type things, the bad news is that no WLS helps with that.  Even with the DS you will still absorb simple carbs 100%.  And unfortunately most of those things are easy to eat so you can get in a lot of calories even when you are restricted in the amount you can eat.  I know I can eat a whole lot more crackers than I can chicken.  I am just not filled up by crackers. 

If you don't feel ready to make changes in what or how you eat than you made need counseling to get you ready for the changes that you will have to make in order to get the most out of WLS.  Many people will tell you the reason they didn't have the success they hoped for is because they didn't address the underlying food issues that went along with their obesity.

My advice would be if you aren't sure than don't do it until you are confident you have the tools you'll need to live life after WLS.

I may start working on memorizing those and actually use them for responses when the comments start coming.

I never heard about that either.

At a conference I was told that while we start to absorb SOME things over the years (like calories!!), we will never be able to get our calcium from carbonate and must always choose citrate.

Sammy

Spencerella is another one of Dr Ponce's success stories and is a wealth of information and support.

I can't remember how long it took to get to the airport, but don't worry about it Trish will help you work all that out. You just tell her your flight times etc and she organizes everything for you.

Try not to worry about pain etc. Don't think about it if you can. Think positive and uplifting thoughts, because whatever it is, it is only for a short period of time and your life will be so much richer once you are on the road to weight loss. Focus on the positive outcomes. My niece did not do that and her surgery was not successful for her, she never reached goal and she was off work for three months. She has also gained back the weight that she lost in the honeymoon phase (the first six months or so). Attitude plays a huge role in any surgery.

I kept in my mind that I would be 100% on program until I reached goal and that is what I did. If I had wandered even a bit I don't think I would have made it.  I listened to people on the boards who had years of experience Frisco and Elina were two of them; they seem hard core, but they had what I wanted and I asked how they got it and did what they said to do. I know others like to take a soft line, and maybe it works for them, but not for me.. I know what I need to do and I have to do it. So when you are reading and researching remember to take what you need and leave the rest.