If you have had WLS pls read and help!!!!!

I've been doing research and considering weightloss surgery for over a year now, spoken to different doctors, have 2 family members that have had RNY, once attended a support group for persons that have had WLS and recently signed up to OH for additional support since I will be having my RNY on 2/14

HOWEVER, I notice that a lot of persons here on OH that have had WLS and are years out tend to be the first ones to point out all the dangers of weight loss surgery faster than encouragement, so my questions are why this is? What was your experience? Have you known or learned of high # of people that have had serious complications? Would you do it again if you were given the chance?

This has made me concerned that maybe I haven't received all the information I need and being 3 1/2 weeks away from surgery I'm worried and would really appreciate honest feedback from the vets out there.

Thank you!

Sheila

 

I wont ever look back.  I am 2 months out, feeling great, and have had no problems.  I did a lot of reading, and most of my family was against it.  I was not scared cause there are so MANY success, and people tend to jump on the horror stories.  There is always risks involved with any surgery.  If you have checked out your doctor and researched your surgery, you are the only one that can make that decision.  I prayed about it and had a peace and was not scared a bit, I knew this was right for me.  I was unhealthy at the weight I was and it was a no brainer for me.  I hope you can come to a decision and have a peace about it.  I WILL NEVER LOOK BACK!

Thank you for your response! I feel overall confident, the alternative is just too sad and dangerous for me to stay at my weight or gain weight. I just worry that I'm putting myself at this high risk of complications and I'm not as informed as I could be.

So encouraging words like yours really help me and you're right I think there are more success stories than bad ones and that's what I want to focus on.

Sheila
I am 9 years out since my WLS and have kept the majority of my weight off.  Everyone loses a certain amount of weight (in my case 125 lbs) and when your body adjusts, it is not abnormal to put a little back on (my case 20 lbs).  It is a lot harder to lose the weight after your body stops losing but I have to put the extra effort in to exercise, exercise, exercise!  I feel terrific, I look terrific.  I went from a size 26 to a size 14.  There are still many foods I cannot eat but it really doesn't bother me.  You will develop a lifestyle that works for you.  Remember that surgery was a LOT DIFFERENT when some of us "old timers" had surgery.  I have a scar from my breastbone to my naval.  I was in the hospital for a week.  My sister just had WLS in August (laproscopy) and was out that afternoon and has been doing great!  If you have faith, trust in GOD that he will bring you through this.  You will be so happy that you did. 
Good Luck
Katie Murphy
Banning, CA
63 years young

Thank you Katie, so great to hear of your weight loss and success! I used to love to excercise and when I gained a lot of weight I never went back to it and of course caused me to gain even more weight and now I miss it!! I'm looking forward to jogging again!

Thanks again for your info!

- Sheila  

Hi!  I am 13 days post-op... I can't speak to how I will feel several years down the road but as for right now, I am so thankful that I did this!  I researched it like a fiend for 4 or 5 years....then I went through terrible experiences hunting for a good doctor, but once I found my doctor, I knew I was in the right hands.  I only wish that I had found this group of doctors several years ago.  I can't say enough about how much better I already feel and it has been less than 2 weeks.  I was nervous before the surgery, but I was also determined to do it and I am so glad that I did.  I can't make your decision for you but I would do it again in a heartbeat!  Good luck to you on your journey!

I am shocked to hear you say that you are seeing a large popution of the tenored RNYers say that.  I don't read that very often at all on this site.  Just the opposite.  I read us all talk about what an amazing surgery this has been for us.  I read people sharing great recipes, suggestions for keeping the weight off, ideas on making it through that 1st year a little easier, etc etc.  You must be picking out the wrong posts to read or I am just picking the right ones.  Either way, this surgery is a miracle.  Best thing that ever happened to me and I am thankful I got to have it.  I had a close friend of mine have RNY 2 weeks ago and she is doing well so far and a cousin that had it today.  I am so excited for them and to know that each have done it after seeing what a successuful time I have had with it.
Good luck in your decision but I can tell as long as you have a good surgeon, good support system (here is a good one), good attitude you will do amazing and be skinny before you know it.  Yes, I have had people call me "skinny"..woo hoo, never thought I would be called skinny.
Best luck  Alana

Sheila,

I am only a little over a month out of surgery, but I would like to respond to your question...I remember being just like you when I was a couple weeks away from surgery questioning and worrying about everything that could go wrong...My assumption of why vets are very honest and upfront about these possible issues is to make individuals aware....This is a serious operation and the decision to have this life changing operation should have been thoroughly researched...What I mean by that is take your current situation....Then measure the possible positive and negative outcomes that could occur...Just because some people have issues or complications doesn't mean that is going to happen to you. I remember something Poet Kelly told me when I first posted back in October 2011 about being scared about this surgery...she said that the comments and topics that address complications is because individuals need support, and not everyone who is having a complication free journey is going to post that all the time...And now I soooooooo understand...I had a few bumps in the road after surgery with low blood pressure and I updated from the hospital...but the last thing I posted about my journey was about being stalled for three weeks...not that I am pain free....haven't had any issues with foods, supplements, fluids, or proteins.....I needed to vent because the DAM scale wouldn't budge...

Shelia I am a 30 year old mother of two daughters 14 and 12...I made this decision to have surgery because of having PCOS and the co-morbities that were knocking on my door...I understood the risks and the rewards and in the end I knew that my failure or success depended on me...

Don't personalize other individuals journey...Complications are a possibility...You must be vigilant and educate yourself so you can be successful...I wish you the best of luck in your journey and I am here if you need to talk...

ALWAYS REMEMBER THIS SURGERY IS A TOOL...it's up to you how you utilize it...

I never encourage or tout a particular surgery because I think it's a personal decision YOU make, knowing your medical history.

I didn't have any complications after surgery and lost 120lbs in a little under 7 months.   I adopted a lifestyle that works for me in terms of eating and exercise, I take my vitamins every day and have my labs done every 3-6 months.  I think I would be deemed a long term success.

You should consider that people use this place to vent and air all their problems and complications - most of us don't have any at all and therefore don't post.   I have been here for 7 and a half years and have never started a thread!!!

That could be because those who had the surgery many years ago were pioneers. Today the surgery's complications are so well understood that we newbies are headed home a day or so after surgery. Many of those pioneers didn't have the advantage of the laproscopic method available today. And docs know so much now. They know to take such preventive measures as the liver shrinking diet, blood thinners, antibiotics, and they know how to slowly advance our food. They know the pitfalls of dehydration and poor absorption of vitamins in pill form. They know how to prevent and treat leaks. All of this pioneer work makes for much safer surgery today.

When I voiced my fears to my surgeon she told me just what I am telling you. She also added that the people *****ally have problems are those who go home and go to bed. We must follow the drinking, protein, vitamins, and exercise plans. The docs will do their part, and we must do ours.

I know you want to hear from the more experienced, but I had a spare two cents and thought I'd just throw them out there. God Bless you!

Hattie