Would You Have Weight Loss Surgery Again?

[AmandaRaeLeo 2,145]

Going on 2.5 weeks postop, but so far? Yes I would.

[Keepgoing247 116]

I wish I had done it sooner. My husband was sleeved the same day and he agrees.

[PdxMan 4,292]

...as sad & as pathetic as it sounds - food was a huge part of my life. I miss my life with food. I miss going out to eat. I miss lots of things like movies, family, friends, shopping, drinks, trips, dates - my life can no longer revolve around food with these outings just the outings which I guess is good, but it doesn't mean my family & friends are going to change on these outings - so I live alone & now spend even more time alone & it makes me sad. . . I didn't anticipate feeling this way, but I do. So, I do regret it & feel it is the worst mistake of my life.

I understand these feelings, too. In the first month or two, it was like, "OMG, what the heck have I done to myself?!" I used (abused) food as a comfort, and it no longer fit the bill. I had to confront some things in my life and confront my relationship with food. I knew it would happen, I just wasn't fully prepared for the depth and scope of the reality of how I used food. I would sit and watch people with huge plates of food and be jealous. Buuuut ... after some time, that, too, changes. I got over this period and now when I see people with huge plates of food, I am thankful that I don't have to do that anymore. My blood work is perfect and I feel great. I've been told that I look pretty good now, too, but that is merely icing on the cake. I know that I most likely will not be damaging my body with obesity related issues.

It is important to note that the first couple months are the hardest and I think it would be tough to find anyone who, at some point during this phase, didn't at least once say, "OMG, what did I do?" Just know that after some time, everything does return to normal, except being limited to smaller portions. The feelings of not being able to go out anymore or function in social settings has nothing to do with the sleeve. These are issues going on between your ears. I just got back from a lunch at an Italian restaurant with 6 other men. Myself and another got to-go boxes and everyone else cleaned their plates. I ate about 1/3 of a grilled chicken Caesar salad. Nobody said a word about what I ate. Other people's actions and behaviors have no bearing on my actions and behaviors.

As the old saying goes ... This too, shall pass. I believe for a gross majority of us, it does and I pray it will for you, too, Lucky. (And everyone else struggling early on)

BTW, I'm 21 months out, been at goal for a year and maintaining fine. I follow the guidelines of Protein first, then good carbs after. I don't drink with my meals unless I need to increase my calories. I just returned to a little exercise since having 2 back surgeries in the past 7 months. I enjoy bowls of ice cream and love chocolate chip Peanut Butter Cookies. I struggled early on, but now I would do it again in a heartbeat. I think hearing from sleevers early in the process is important, but I would ask that you return to this thread in 8 months and tell us if you feel the same way. I'm guessing you might sing a different tune.

[Fiddleman 4,376]

You bet! VSG has been a game changer for me emotionally, physically and psychologically. I am a different person now, literally. I would never go back to the person I was for most of my adult life: Fat, depressed and angry at the world. food had me in a choke hold for so long. Now I am free to be who I want to be.

[MommyofFive 243]

Without hesitation!!!! YES, YES, YES!!! Best thing I've ever done for myself.

[Kivtuar 59]

Luckysmomma - Be patient, give it time. You'll be able to eat whatever you want soon enough. I am almost 5 months out and I can eat whatever I want. I haven't tried alcohol yet, but I haven't been a big drinker since I turned 25 or so. I've always been jealous of those tiny girls that can be happy with a slice of pizza or half a hamburger when I had to have half a pizza (or more!) and burger, fries and still be looking around for something else to snack on. Instead of going out and being sad that you cant eat, go out and be happy you have more time to talk without having to finish the bite or you can be generous and let someone else have the last bite because you are full. It's kind of like stopping smoking.. suddenly it's like you gained an extra hand because it's no longer having to always hold the cigarette. You don't always know what to do with that hand, but eventually you get used to having two hands again. You'll get used to the amount of food you can eat and space it out accordingly.

I voted "other" in the poll. I'm not where I want to be right now, so it is hard to be fully behind it. I had no complications, my first 4 months were fast losing, even this last month I've lost weight faster than I've ever lost it before...it's just not as fast as I want it to be. I look at my hands or my legs and they seem smaller. I look at pictures and I'm still HUGE. Maybe I should have gone with the bypass or one of the other more extreme surgeries.. I think right now I'm just looking over all the other fences and deciding their pastures are greener though.

I think overall it was the best thing I could have done for myself. I could not have lost (and kept it off) the weight by myself. I feel healthier than I've felt in a very long time. hair grows back, scars fade and loose skin is the reason Spandex was created.

[Evolving 973]

Excuse my language' date=' but Hell No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!![/quote']

Ehy

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[Evolving 973]

Butterfly Gal - My answer is...as sad & as pathetic as it sounds - food was a huge part of my life. I miss my life with food. I miss going out to eat. I miss lots of things like movies' date=' family, friends, shopping, drinks, trips, dates - my life can no longer revolve around food with these outings just the outings which I guess is good, but it doesn't mean my family & friends are going to change on these outings - so I live alone & now spend even more time alone & it makes me sad. . . I didn't anticipate feeling this way, but I do. So, I do regret it & feel it is the worst mistake of my life. I will keep saying it on this site, too. I usually get lots of mean & ugly responses when I do, but if my truth can help one person not to make the same mistake as me, then, I've done a good deed for the day!

I did the surgery because I fear for my mobility since an injury a few years ago plus I am not dead yet, I wanted to look good again once more & feel good about myself. I thought 100% it was what I wanted...it isn't!

I didn't anticipated the shame & embarassment I feel as well. I have not told a living soul about this surgery, and I never will. I had told everyone I was preparing for it for over a year, and I told everyone I backed out of it. I am continuing Weight Watchers and trying to do what I can exercise wise - as far as the world will never know...I've lost it again using Weight Watchers not surgery. I lost 100 lbs three different times in my life prior to my injury..

Even though I have had no complications, even lucky - I've lost weight, I have no hunger & no thirst & no cravings for anything...I wouldn't do it again. It wasn't for me, but now I have to live with that...it is starting to get a little better each day. I can eat a few bites now; I am feeling a little more normal, but I fear I will never feel like the real me again...sad!

I hate the shakes (if I could have done shakes I wouldn't have needed the surgery in the first place), so I know hair loss is going to be terrible. I knew about Hair loss prior to surgery, but now the reality is setting in...I have hair to my waist. It is about all I got with my looks...so I am so sad about that. What is the use in being skinny again, if I have horrible hair?

Sorry to vent! I hope I answered your question. I hope someone reads my post & re-thinks their decision. I worked from May 2012 to March 2013 to have this surgery - and I was dead wrong, period.[/quote']

Wow that heavy so sorry your struggling so much- have you gone to an eating disorder specialist a counselor/therapist or psychologist-- go to Ed referral . Com and you can find one I. Your area I'm meeting w someone Monday! It is also my profession ( not ed yet but one day I hope that will be my clinical focus) but it can make a diff - just be aware not all will mesh with u but take time to find someone it can make all the diff good luck

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[Evolving 973]

I would choose this again in a heart beat! I've had no complications and have my diabetes in remission. I have lost 95% of my excess weight and I eat so much healthier. How great is that? I love my sleeve and my body size

Wow 95% is awesome!!

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[Sheraton1 15]

I am 9 days into my surgery. It has not gone anywhere near what I had expected. I have been back to the hospital for 2 bags of IV. I haven't gotten out of bed. Everything taste horrible and I am not getting my liquids or Protein in me. I have had nonstop diarrhea. The only thing I can think of is that patients forget this first week or two of hell because the benefits out weigh the hell of recovery. I would like to hear from patients who have experienced this also and give me some advice and tell me when I will start feeling better.

[Fiddleman 4,376]

I am 9 days into my surgery. It has not gone anywhere near what I had expected. I have been back to the hospital for 2 bags of IV. I haven't gotten out of bed. Everything taste horrible and I am not getting my liquids or Protein in me. I have had nonstop diarrhea. The only thing I can think of is that patients forget this first week or two of hell because the benefits out weigh the hell of recovery. I would like to hear from patients who have experienced this also and give me some advice and tell me when I will start feeling better.

How true! We do tend to forget about the 1st week of hell.

I had some respiratory complication and had to be in ICU for a couple days after surgery. O2 levels were between 75 and 85% for a few days. I could not eat or drink anything for about 4 days (still was in hospital). My heart rate was constantly around 40 during the day and 30 at night until 5th day in hospital. The little alarm was constantly going off so I had the nurse disable it so I could get some sleep.

I did not really realize the severity of it all until retroactively thinking about it months later. I was feeling well enough on day 5 to go home, but still took it pretty easy for 3 weeks, always working on my respiratory system with spirometer (sp?) and walking every day multiple times. They did not let me leave until I proved I could drink and pee on my own as well as keep my O2 90% or higher.

Sounds pretty rough, huh? I think it had to do with the anesthesia. My wife claims they had trouble waking me in the recovery room, but that is hard to think about. Took 4 hours for me to come to. What if I had not woken up?

However, it is a distant memory today and I would still say VSG is worth it 100%. Even when it was rough, I still did not regret VSG at anytime. Regret did not ever enter my mind. You see, VSG was my last hope. I wanted to have a more fulfilling life, did not want to be in chains as a food slave any longer and wanted to be there for my family.

[No game 14,436]

The first week is hell (well no fun anyway) but true regret?? That's the trend... Why?

[PdxMan 4,292]

I always repeatedly post to new sleevers to focus first on Water before Protein. Dehydration will land you back in the hospital faster than anything. The first week or so is difficult, for sure. But, I knew it was going to be.

[annapatel 29]

Nope. I put my life at risk and now my marriage is at risk. Not worth it.

[Fiddleman 4,376]

Nope. I put my life at risk and now my marriage is at risk. Not worth it.

Not sure you can or want to answer this, but why or what caused your marriage to be at risk? I see others with marriage issues after WLS. Is it as simple as jealously or insecurities, or is there more. Maybe better as sesperate thread, but do answer if you think it is a leading indicator for your regret. I do remember signing a consent form that said WLS Center is not liable for divorce, etc post op. I think WLS has been really good for marriage and nothing has ever come up to indicate a risk.