LisaBoston

I have to say congrats on your decision...this surgery is NOT for everyone. I am one that is very happy and thankful that I had it, but I have friends that I would not suggest the surgery for. Key thing is that you researched life after surgery. Its SO important that YOU are happy with your choices...so congrats again and I wish you the very best.

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Lisa
aka....Canadian Bear and her Canadian Bear Cubs!
Open RNY - Jan 30, 2006
Tummy Tuck - June 4, 2007
314/152/180
start/now/goal
BMI 45.7/22.1/26.2

Bella

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.

paige52

It's your decision to make and I support you in that. The door is not closed you can always come back....

The truth is there are lots of side effects and complications... those out there that have zero side effects are a lucky few. Most have a few tolerable complications and some have more... a very smallpercentage like the zero complication group... have a huge amount.

Look for a blog called melting mama... she develope some serious complication but says she woudl do it again... it was worth it for her.

Either way good for you for making a decision.

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213/110/130 Preop/Current/Goal

Open RNY 9/26/06 Height 5' 4"

kittens4

Congrats on your decision. Like the others said, it's not for everyone, and YOU have to do what's right for YOU. For me, I was older, no small children, and felt it was the right thing to do. Still, it was pretty scarey, and I realize now that I could have died. You always think complications don't happen to you...I was healthy, went through the surgery just fine, I felt great great! I had to be re-admitted to the hospital exactly a week out because I couldn't stop vomiting. What happened is that I developed a bowel obstruction, had to have a 2nd surgery after a week in the hospital with nothing but iv fluid and pain meds (woohoo). The 2nd surgery went fine...I stayed another few days in the hospital, and left there complaining of pain in my back, on my left side. They thought it was from the hospital bed, gave me Soma, and sent me home. I vomited the Soma, crapped my pants, knew something wasn't right, but held on a few more days, finally, I had to go to the ER. Well, when I got there, I had no breath sounds in my left lung! They were talking chest tube, but thankfully, didn't have to do that. Still, I was re-admitted for another 7 days...on lots of meds, breathing treatments, etc. I was released, and had to have home oxygen for a month after! So, the surgery that was going to give me a new lease on life, almost killed me...and the week I was supposed to be off work, turned into 10 weeks off!!! Thankfully, I work for a great group of doctors. They visited me, employees donated paid time off for me, and before long, I was back to work...doing water exercise and building my lungs back up. It was quite an ordeal...sorry to ramble...but I wanted you to know my story. I feel great today, am down 105 pounds (give or take). For me, I'm happy I had the surgery, but it was a LOT to go through. Very scarey for my husband, my parents, my co-worker, and especially my grown children! I'm happy you are happy with your decision, and wish you all the best.

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Elaine
Started at 260, Happy now at 155ish....

Gymrat Member#22
Ducksack Member#2
"LainieBear"