Question:
Need honest support - RNY post-op life and health issues.
Hi. I am 9 days post-op from LAP RNY. I am happy with my decision overall, besides the pain and gas from the procedure which i know will go away :) I researched this procedure for a year now and have gotten a great deal of support from my family and friends. i am 22 yrs old, 5'2 and 250LBS. My concern is from reading things currently about everything in the future, i know there is not much certainty and it is hard to tell, but i would like to ask my fellow AMOS friends, are you content with your decision? Sorry if this seems repetative. . . although you may only live 15 more years (whether that is BS or not?) whether you may have liver damage? and other complications? It does worry me, i am young and have not started my own family yet, but at the same time i have to think that i have tried all i can to lose weight, and i know this was my last resort. ANy input would be helpful, thanks so much!! — Lezlie Y. (posted on June 10, 2002)
June 10, 2002
We can only post what is honest for ourselves. So often people say that
you are not being honest if you post good experiences. Well, I honestly
have no WLS problems (except for this awful hanging skin) However, if I
deviate from my Drs. plan, thankfully, I get sick.
— faybay
June 10, 2002
I am very content with my decision for lap RnY. I am 25 now and was 24
when I had it done in November, down 106lbs. I too want to have children
and plan to live a long life. I think the 15 year life expectancy is total
BS, this particular surgery has just not been around long enough for there
to be a lot of long term post-ops, however I have seen a lot of people 2,3,
4 years out on this site and they seem to be fine. I am fairly religious
about my vitamins and supplements and while I do allow myself to try a bit
of most anything I do try to concentrate on protein and then veggies and
fruits. I think as long as I follow this plan and continue to exercise
that I will live as long a life as anyone. I don't really know if this
response will help but I have never once regretted this surgery and I never
think that my life will be shortened in anyway because of it.
— Rachel M.
June 10, 2002
I think having WLS was the best decision I have ever made for myself. I
don't regret it ... and won't regret it, even if the "15 years"
statistic actually ends up being true (which I highly doubt). Sometimes
you have to go to death's door to restore quality of life. Remember, it's
not quantity, it's QUALITY.
— Terissa R.
June 10, 2002
I am only 1 year post-op - I am soooo very happy that I took the steps and
regained my life!! Not only have I improved the quality of my life, I am
sure I have improved the "quanity" of my life!! I know you are
young...and a lot of the "propaganda" out there is scary. I
approached having surgery head-on.....I figured that I was a candidate for
Type II diabetes within the next 5 years, not to mention a possible stroke
or heart attack. I am down 120 pounds with 30 - 50 more to loose. This
past Saturday, we took our grown daughters to the Zoo...it was up and down
hills, 85 degrees out and I lasted the entire day!! A year ago, I would
have NEVER even considered it!! The 85 degrees would have melted me!!
Good Luck!! Karan
— chance2lv
June 10, 2002
You know, this 15 year thing is a rumor. We see a lot of these rumors float
around, but where's the proof behind these claims? Just exactly how is wls
supposed to shorten a lifespan? Liver damage? Liver damage from what? We
still eat, we still drink fluids, we still live. We take vitamins, eat
right, exercise, drink more water than before. I just cannot figure out how
exactly this will shorten our life span? Many women suffer from chronic
anemia just from being of reproductive age, only finding relief after
menopause. That can be a long time, but they live to see it. If the
naysayers claim it is from vitamin deficiencies, then how do you explain
that most of us spent many years of our lives malnourished because of
dieting and are now religiously taking our vitamins and monitoring our
labs? How does that shorten our lifespan. Sorry, but I don't worry about
that, I think it's all a bunch of hooey. I want to see the facts, I want
the evidence. If you think carefully about the surgery we had done, then
you to will have a hard time understanding how int he world it will shorten
our lifespan. I've had other surgeries, had children, had a stressful
career, yet other than my obesity, I am in great health. Enjoy your new
life L. Young, don't let the rumors steal any of your joy!
— NicoleG
June 10, 2002
I'm 19 years old and just had lap RNY one month ago. I don't believe the 15
year thing but I can say this.... I'd rather live 15 more healthy and happy
years with confidence than to live one more year with knee, back, and foot
pain. When I think of being just 19 years old and being out of breath going
up the stairs to my college classes, I know that I made the right choice.
While my friends are shopping at the Gap or Old Navy, I'm stuck at the
Avenue and Lane Bryant. I wear clothes I hate just because nothing else
fits right. I smile when I think of where I'll be in a year. You made the
right choice. Good Luck to you.
— Sarah K.
June 10, 2002
Hi, I am 7 weeks post-op today and I have NEVER questioned my decision to
have WLS. I was sick and tired of being sick and tired! I have lost a ton
of weight, still fat, but I have so much more energy. I have a 22 month
old daughter that I could not keep up with, losing 79 lbs (since 1st
consult) has really improved my life. I was afraid of the not-having
children thing too (my child is adopted) but I know that if it's meant to
be, that is, giving birth, that it will happen when the time is right.
This surgery is an emotional roller-coaster, I am happy that I have lost
the weight but at the same time I don't believe that it's really gone. Our
drs are so much more advanced in this field then they were 10 years
ago--just keep taking your supplements, drink that water, get that protein
in and enjoy your life!
— jenn2002
June 10, 2002
Forget that 15-year thing. It was a question posed in a negative article
about how Carnie Wilson ruined her life. (Yep, looked that way to me on
the cover of People this week.) Here's the quote: "Aside from the
physical dangers Carnie faces with the surgery which include liver failure,
kidney failure and a shortened lifespan (surgeons are very evasive about
the lifespan after surgery and there are few patients around who are more
than 15 years post op), it becomes evident that the wonderful, after
surgery, quality of life promised by the surgeons, may not materialize at
all." Can you see that this surgery has not been widely used for 15
years, which makes it impossible to survey people who are 15 years post-op?
THAT IS NOT THE SAME AS SAYING WE HAVE A 15 YEAR LIFE EXPECTANCY!
Furthermore, one evening spent at a support group meeting will show you
that people are dying BEFORE the surgery, not after. This isn't about 15
more QUALITY years. This is about 50 more QUALITY years. It was horrible,
biased journalism (at best). Don't give it more credibility than it
deserves. Hang tight and stick to your follow up program!
— Karen F.
June 10, 2002
I have not heard about the 15 years. I have not had surgery yet and am
still looking at doctors. I do know that if I don't have the surgery I will
die from my obesity. I already have multiple chronic health problems. If I
could live 15 years and be more active and have a more normal life it would
be a great trade. I view this surgery as my only chance at living the rest
of my life, and only God knows how long that will be. Don't let rumors
steal your joy. No one can tell you how long you have and there will always
be people who speak doom. You have a better chance at a healthy life than
you did before the surgery. You made a brave decision and took action to
get the best out of life so now quit worring and live!
— garnet156
Click Here to Return