You have to do what you feel is right for you.. however, I think maybe you are getting an inflated view of the undesirable long term post op. results.
Remember, most people by far do very well long term .. they just stop coming to these boards and participating in these discussions so you don't hear their good news stories. They are off living their lives.
BUT the minority of people that do have problems, HAVE to vent somewhere so they vent here so it seems like you are taking a huge risk in taking the surgery as you
could have so many problems.
I'm a year and a half out but I haven't been on these boards in at least 8 months. Too busy getting out and living my life. I have had absolutely no complications from start to finish and there are many people like me.
As indicated earlier - my only regret is that I did not have the surgery earlier. I spent soooo much time on my own diets ... that all failed so that I gained it all back .. that by the time time I did take the surgery, I was much bigger than I was when I first considered it! I am so frustrated when I think of that time.
Here's a rule of thumb my doctor told me:
95% of the people that try traditional diets and exercise to lose weight .. gain it all back PLUS some, within 5 years.
With WLS, 20% of the people gain it all back within 5 years.
These are excellent odds to me. This is why I don't believe in diets anymore - as they are the surest way to get fat!
Take care, I wish you all the best in your decision making.
