Due to this section I have changed my mind about surgery - Page 2 - ThinnerTimes

katzz87 · 03-11-2008, 12:01 PM

I don't think anyone here would judge you on your decision, it's such a personal decision that only YOU can make for yourself! I for one am grateful for this surgery...I had tried to do it on my own and never could keep the weight off and towards the end I could NEVER lose weight.

I wish you luck on your path to a healthier you!

weza215 · 03-11-2008, 02:57 PM

Thanks everyone for being so kind. I for one am not sure on what to do I don't know maybe the lapband would be a better option for me. I keep thinking that I have to go grocery shopping to buy the food that I will need for weight watchers then that same low feeling comes over me and I think well, here I go again, I'm just setting myself up for another failure. I don't know if I'm the only who goes through this but when I diet I'm on top of the world and then when I fail it affects my whole life. Will this feeling of elation happen after surgery and then after you lose all the weight do you have that low feeling of what next? I feel as if I can't function when this happens and I don't know if I'm quite ready for this to happen again. I would like to know if everyone worries after surgery about every little pain because I could see myself at the ER all the time. I'm a worry wart. I know that Dr. English is an excellent doctor I have no doubts about him it's just me. It's really weird because I couldn't wait for them to get my last nut. couns. done then I practically harassed the weight loss center to set up my preop and now look where I'm at. It's so hard because I know that I'm speaking with very informed people about this and I know that you all made this decision and I know none of you wanted to die or have horrible side effects. I look at all the before and after pictures and oh my GOD everyone looks awesome. Like I've said tomorrow is a new day and I'm a woman so I guess that gives me the right to change my mind one million times. Lisa

VanessaSFL · 03-11-2008, 03:05 PM

Many times we are asked by newer posters what , if any, regrets we have?The ONLY regret I have, is that I didn't try one last time on my own.I did very well on WW, but when I stopped support I gained it back.

I guess I will be on Thinner Times posting on the Geriatric section

I understand what you are feeling, however I must say that I know now that I needed the tool that the surgery gave me.The tool forced me into a healthy lifestyle eating wise.I did not have the "will power" to do it on my own.Now if my tool would help me to exercise I would be in good shape

Best wishes in whatever you decide,

PennyJ · 03-11-2008, 03:38 PM

Absolutely - no one will judge you on your decision! You need to do what you want to do, so that no matter what happens down the road, you won't have regrets! I will only make one comment. The people who have long term success, no issues - no complications - may have had the surgery, spent some time here - and then moved on with life! They are some great long term post opers here, and they are great! But a lot of folks have moved on. Those with serious complications may be sticking around for more support. So, keep in mind your bar may be moved by that...you may not be seeing all the good news either.

I wish you all the success in the world with WW!!!

Debri85 · 03-11-2008, 06:21 PM

Dear Lisa,
Good on ya! No reason to rush into anything and I know exactly what you are talking about..I still do research and have come across a couple of things that "CAN" happen down the road which cause me some disturbance but I decided that it's done, so I don't stress out about what can happen because the truth is, with or without the surgery no one knows what's going to happen down the road. I just try to do everything I'm suppose to do.

I'm sure you will be fine, I would have tried WW again if I lived at home.

Good Luck and keep us posted.

Deb

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.

nextbigloser · 03-12-2008, 05:04 AM

I just wanted to ask one more thing. Have you attended any of Dr. English's support group meetings? I have not attended due to the 2.5 hour drive. Maybe it would help to hear from some of his patients and how they are doing.

veroniquetalk · 03-12-2008, 05:45 AM

I was a lightweight as far as this surgery goes so the decision was difficult for me, too. There are a couple of reasons I decided to do it. One was because I had dieted MANY times in my life and had lost 80 lbs one time 105 one time and many smaller amounts in between. I had tried weight watchers, atkins, diet pills, liquid diets - nearly everything out there. I certainly could lose but would gain it all back afterward. And I was hungry all the time except on the atkins diet. I knew I had will power. I am one of the most determined people I know once I put my mind to something. BUT, for whatever reason, I couldn't keep the weight off. I obsessed about food constantly; what should I eat, what did I eat, why did I eat, when should I eat, etc. I finally got tired of all that obsessing taking up my life. I also decided I needed some tool that would help me KEEP the weight off.
After my last diet (Optifast) and spending $20,000 on plastic surgery (I was SURE I would keep the weight off this time!). I started gaining weight. I realized that if throwing $20,000 dollars worth of plastic surgery down the drain wasn't going to stop me from re-gaining then nothing, short of surgery, would.
I had also done a TON research and had read about the hormone changes that take place after RYN - especially ghrelin and how those changes affect appetite. That convinced me to give it a try.
I am a little over 2 1/2 years out and I have not had any complications - so far. I would make the decision again in a heartbeat. BUT, the decision must be yours and yours alone because there is always the possibility of complications.
Here's how my life has gotten better: I actually think of things besides eating most of the day. I look pretty darn good for a Nana! I feel great. I can go for long walks and not be out of breath. I can bend over and tie my shoes without discomfort. I don't have acid reflex, my sleep apnea is gone. My legs don't hurt at the end of the day. I can shop in regular size clothing stores.
As a closing note: I was crazy scared the day of surgery. I almost got up and walked out. I was so scared my pulse rate was 126 - with a sedative. They almost didn't do my surgery because of that but went ahead. I guess my pulse rate went back to normal levels as soon as I went under.

lward76 · 03-12-2008, 06:33 AM

Lisa, I hope I didnt scare you,? I just put my story out there because I felt the need too, but yes there are alot of good stories too, you stated your weight and so on,, maybe the lapband wouldnt be such a bad idea? I hope because of my story you didnt changed your mind, in my posts im just stating that alot can go wrong and for me it did, it was either be reversed or die I felt so horriable and now that i dont have that tool its really hard to maintain my weight...for now anyway I have alot of adjusting too do, but to be honest with you im not the only revesal there are so many that have been reversed for different reasons, and many that have complications and they set it aside and really dont talk about it in the open, but they dont and i respect there privacy so i wont mention any names. But, I am glad to hear that you did your research, but you have to also be menatlly prepared to do this and emoitionally. I will continue with my story and will not let it die as for people do need to know the bad with the good...j/m/o...I wish you the best of luck...laura

Toony · 03-12-2008, 08:01 AM

I'm thinking that I will join Weight Watchers when I get "down there" -- within 20 pounds of goal, I think... It'll be good to get the last pounds off and with a lifetime membership, help me keep on the straight and narrow. I certainly do NOT want to gain this weight back ever... and realistically, I know it happens... I plan to reach out and grab all the help I can get!

Best wishes Lisa! We're all fighting the fight... and have that common bond!

katie

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