Melissah

For those who a number of years out.

I probably should stay away from these wls forums until after I've had it done. I been researching the last year and I have read about all the problems that come with specifically with RNY. Sure...I've read all the replys like "I'd do it again in a heartbeat" but I have also come across some of those several years out that say they would rethink it for sure or even sound angry that they made the choice. I guess it really all depends on what each one has gone through. There were people that said they were healthy fat people before the surgery and now they're not.

What are some issues you are dealing with now that may never go away that can be so tiresome on days?

What are the positive things about life now?

Would you consider yourself a happier person now than before? or do you still have regrets 2, 3 4 years out?

Thanks...just trying to get a picture of years down the line once the honeymoon is done and over.

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Shetaz0028

I'm not a long termer but, thought I'd pop in and say HI. Just coz unanswered threads really suck.

The long termers that I have watched closely and really value that have had problems are: Phoenixfire, Paige, Alabama, Duckie, and Jersey. All of them have had issues with the surgery, complications, and life changes.

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Mad luv and respect,
Charlie

LAP/RNY 8/20/09



"Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible."
– St. Francis of Assisi

Jaculin412

I'm not necessarily long term but I am just shy of one year out and I would do it again in a heartbeat. Like you, I researched and researched, read all sorts of horror stories but I also read a bunch of success stories. The good has outweighed the bad for me. I had my surgery November 25, 2008 and have lost 102 pounds to date. I feel fantastic, much more energy and so much more confidence. I have had no, none, zilch, zero, negative issues with my surgery. I follow the rules of eating proteins first, trying hard to get my proteins in each day. I do cheat from time to time, hey we're all human lol. I'm happy I did it and would recommend it to anyone who is unhealthy, unhappy, lacks confidence, etc all due to weight. Good luck with you decision.

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Melissah

Thanks Charlie! I've followed a couple of their stories and I will have to read up on some others. They may chime in I hope.

Thanks Jaculin...I am all those things you mentioned last. I may not have HBP or high Cholesterol but my joints and arthritis have made it impossible to move around, my GERD could change to Barretts and I have no energy. I've tried a zillion times to lose over 15 years.....I thought a lot about it.

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weza215

I didn't have the gastric but I had the vertical sleeve gastrectomy. I'm seventeen months out. I have been low on vitamin D which most people with or without weightloss surgery are. I have low iron but that's about it so far. I will get heartburn if I don't take my prilosec but that's a known side effect with the sleeve. My biggest struggle is that I don't want to gain the weight back and at this point it's very easy to get back into bad habits. The first year is the best. You are losing weight real easily and life is changing so rapidly and then you hit goal and you're like what now? I decided that I'm lowering my goal so I have something to push towards. I'm hoping that I don't have any future complications but think about this what complications would I be having without this surgery? I would possibly end up in a wheelchair due to being too heavy, I would have problems sleeping and breathing, I would not have the ability to play with my kids, and you don't want to get me started on the changes in my sex life. There are always pros and cons but sometimes the pros outweigh the cons. Whatever you decide I wish you luck. Lisa

Melissah

I've heard from a few post ops that their whole life up until they hit goal was all about the journey and once they reached it , it was like "what now?" I guess the journey can become the obsession. I have trouble breathing now and it is very scary. My biggest fear if I contiune being fat is not waking up one day. That's motivation enough.

And I want my sex life back. Good to hear it does come back.

Thanks!

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mistymee

That 'now what' can happen even before you hit goal, to be honest. But then you look around and realize you are living life and having a good time, and that is all that matters. Some people never hit goal- according to my surgeon the majority don't even come close to goal which is why they give out the numbers that after RNY the average is only 65 to 75% of excess weight is lost and is considered a success.

The thing is, most of the people long term and no issues don't tend to stick around support groups as often as those that are dealing with stuff and need support more so you will find less and less of the long termers without complications here the further out you get. It was the same in my divorce forum I used to belong to as well.. as time went on and we healed and created new lives for ourselves we stopped logging in as much.

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poet_kelly

Well, I'm just one year out, but so far, yeah, I would do it again. In a heartbeat. Seriously.

I have had a few problems. I got pneumonia right after my surgery. I suspect I actually caught it while in the hospital after my surgery, but I don't know that for a fact. I was very, very sick. Ended up in the hospital for 19 days. On a respirator for a few days because I couldn't breathe on my own.

I had problems from not getting enough protein the first few months. That was my own fault, though, and could have easily been avoided.

Then I had to have my gall bladder removed a couple months ago. Which is not uncommon after RNY.

But it's still been worth it. There are lots of positive things about life now. I have so much more energy than I had before. I just feel better. I am happier. My knees don't hurt anymore. I don't hate getting dressed every morning. I'm very, very glad I did it.

Kelly

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RNY 11/4/08

surgery/current/goal
270/147/130

Melissah

Yep, you got a point there.

I belong to some horse forums and when I bought my first horse and was learning I was on them all the time asking questions, learning, getting support but the farther you are from the beginning the more you don't need the support and spend less time.

Thanks Misty...I guess all I can do is follow all the rules to the T and hope all goes great.

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Melissah

And that's what I am waiting to feel like. The knee thing is one of my biggest problems. I am so so tired of the pain and stiffness. Oh and the breathing issues...I am tired of being winded every minute of my life.

Thanks Kelly!

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