I just got my surgery date for 12/19. I feel I'm ready - I'm so done with the exhaustion, joint pain, no energy, etc., and I want to lead a healthy, active life - but now that it's real, I'm getting scared. I told my doc that I'm mostly just afraid of the medical things (I.e., surgery going well), and I know it's a massive lifestyle change, but i feel pretty good about it and have great support. So I'starting to stay positive, but am starting to freak a little. I've heard it's common to have those "why did I do this" thoughts during the first month after....but do you have any regrets now? I need some encouragement (which is really difficult for me to request!)... Hoping you can help, and would love to hear your stories over overcoming fears and regret. Thanks in advance!

I one MAJOR regret! I soooooo wish I would have been able to do this 20 years ago!

There are challenges and you'll learn a tonne about yourself. But this is the best thing I've done for myself.

good luck!

I think WLS is similar to another major life change--marriage. Even though you really want it, you have jitters before the big day and on at least one day after surgery you will wake up and think, "What the hell have I done???"

Then if you do things right, give it your best shot, and are a bit patient, your quality of life improves, you are much happier and you have a lot more fun. Once in awhile you miss your old life and (hopefully only once in a very great while), sometimes you want to undo the whole damn thing. But, overall, you find yourself incredibly thankful you did this and only wish you might have done it sooner so you could live even more of your life in this better way.

I one MAJOR regret! I soooooo wish I would have been able to do this 20 years ago!

There are challenges and you'll learn a tonne about yourself. But this is the best thing I've done for myself.

good luck!

I also regret not doing it sooner. I had no fears/worries before and I had no regrets at any stage afterwards. My experience has been 100% positive. I don't miss the old foods that I can't eat anymore and can't relate to those who do. I see my old relationship with food as an abusive one. It made me miserable and unhealthy. It interfered with my entire adult life and made me unable to enjoy doing things with my children when they were young. So many wasted years during which I was miserable. Why would I miss something that was making me miserable, causing me pain and humiliation and would lead to an early death? I like my life now, and don't dread my future. :-)

6 weeks out I can say nope I have none, surgery went well, recovery has been smooth and so far knock on wood every new food I have tried has sat well....and should I even think o I kinda miss this or that I look in the mirror...so other than maybe having it done soon which had it meant to be it would have happened I have no regrets! Congrats and good luck!

Yes, I did. But I don't now. I was so sick and in so much pain for so long that I asked my doc to put it back. I've gone from a size 18 to a size 9 almost 7 and I feel healthy.

I only regret not doing it sooner

It is the best decision I have made in my entire life. You will love the new you, make sure you follow the program and your surgeon's and nut's recommendations. I feel like I have the best surgeon and nut, but so does everyone else, I do follow their rules and everything has been fantastic. I had no complications, no pain, no nausea, no nothing.. All has been wonderful.

Keep us posted on your progress and best wishes on your journey I will keep you in my prayers.

I have no regrets at 8 1/2 months out. I think it's totally normal to have feelings of apprehension; it's a major life change. I just try to do it all one day at a time..if I thought of never being able to eat this again, ir how my recovery would go pre op, I felt anxious, but as long as I just focused on daily goals I was fine. This continues post op...I focus on daily goals and trust the process. It's worked so far.

I love hearing all these positive responses! Thank you all for sharing and making this newbie feel better about her decision!

I think it's the best gift I ever gave myself. No regrets! It's really natural to have some nerves. It's a major surgery and life changer! They will take such great are of u tho. It's not always easy but it's so worth it!!

Edited December 10, 201312 yr by ajustice

Yup, have to join everyone else - absolutely no regrets other than wishing I had done it twenty years earlier. The nerves before surgery are perfectly normal. I'd worry more about folks who aren't nervous than those who are.

You're about to embark on a life-changing journey that will dramatically improve almost every aspect of your life. It's very difficult to put that in perspective for anyone - you really have to experience it to understand. So I just leave it at - you're gonna love the new you!!

Mr. Coggin I really enjoy every post that I see you write.

I am a little over three weeks post op. I did have regrets the first 10 days. Mostly because of the pain and the clear liquid diet. Once I was cleared for soft foods it got much better.

I will second Kim. I thought the first two weeks were miserable (but tolerable) if only for the food side of things. I had those "what did I do to myself" moments a few times but haven't thought that since probably beginning of second week (and I will be 3 weeks post op on Fri)

I'm a worry wart - so I made sure I had Valium before the surgery. It was my first major surgery so I didn't know what to expect.

I can tell you though - this is the best I have felt since I was probably a teenager (and I just turned 30!) No arthritis bothering me. I suffer from chronic migraine and I have had 1 very small migraine in 3 weeks! I am literally running up hills, playing chase with my daughter, sitting on the floor without a second thought. This surgery has given me my life back.

You will do SO great!!

I just got my surgery date for 12/19. I feel I'm ready - I'm so done with the exhaustion, joint pain, no energy, etc., and I want to lead a healthy, active life - but now that it's real, I'm getting scared. I told my doc that I'm mostly just afraid of the medical things (I.e., surgery going well), and I know it's a massive lifestyle change, but i feel pretty good about it and have great support. So I'starting to stay positive, but am starting to freak a little. I've heard it's common to have those "why did I do this" thoughts during the first month after....but do you have any regrets now? I need some encouragement (which is really difficult for me to request!)... Hoping you can help, and would love to hear your stories over overcoming fears and regret. Thanks in advance!

You look very young in your picture. You've read other posts that say, "I wish I had RNY sooner"

That being the primary regret. You had enough hindsight to complete all the requirements. Now you are prepared to begin a new stage of your life. As DL Cloggins says, "You are going to love the New You!"

IT IS WORTH IT!!!! I feel great! My back, knee and foot pain is gone. My snoring stopped. I look good! I have lots of energy. I smile more. I don't dread my future. I like myself. I am a participant in my family events. I am no longer a spectator in my own life. WHAT is there to REGRET? :-)

I am new out still, am 6 weeks out. I regret it every day. I am so tired, and all food makes me ill. But, I am not sure yet f I would actually want to get it reversed. I know it will get better. So regrets, right now yes, but I am not sure I would regret it a year from now

Sorry if this made no sense, I have been in a fog and am clumsy and not at all with it.

Edited December 10, 201312 yr by AutumnPunkin