ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass and Lap Band® Forum - View Single Post - Due to this section I have changed my mind about surgery

MiladyB · 03-11-2008, 09:55 PM

This is a very personal decision and a HUGE decision. No one can make it for you and it really isn't something that anyone should rush into. If you aren't comfortable with it, I would say don't do it.

The RNY is a major surgery and they do re-arrange your insides and yes, there can be long term complications. But for someone like me who had a long list of co-morbidities I felt I was running a much larger risk of dying young if I didn't have the surgery. I am just over 2 years out and my health is the best it has been for the past 30 years. I have not had the complications of hypoglycemia, vitamin deficiences and I would have this surgery again in a heart beat. I honestly wish that I had it years ago because I have missed out of so much of life.

At your weight you just might want to investigate the lapband further. It isn't as drastic of a surgery and you don't have the malabsorption so several of those risks aren't there. Many people have done well with the lapband but there are also those who didn't do well with it and went back and had the RNY.

So I guess I'm saying don't let the complications that you have read about scare you. I'm not saying they can't happen but for every gastric bypass that has gone bad...and yes, it does happen....there are many more than have gone right. But do what is right for you. No one is going to judge you poorly if you decide surgery isn't right for you at this time. You need to be ready for it emotionally. For me, I made the decision and backed out too...a year later I just knew it was my only hope to be able to live a healthy and complete life.