Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!
  • entries
    20
  • comments
    37
  • views
    7,881

Pros and cons

putasleeveonit

338 views

So I've been thinking about the pros and cons of this surgery:

 

Pros:

  1. Have a chance to get and stay at my goal weight. I know it'll take work on my end as well, and in the past, I've shown that I can be dedicated and consistent, but I just need something to catch me when I fall
  2. Everything that comes with being slim--I'll enjoy shopping, new hair styles, etc
  3. Possibly lowering my chances of getting obesity related illnesses

Cons:

  1. i think my biggest fear is how it might affect any future kids I have. Would I be able to get the right amount of nutrients in? From what I'm reading, everything should be fine as long as I take vitamins. I'm willing to take a prenatal vitamin every day for the remainder of my child bearing years if necessary (which won't be much longer, considering I'm about to be 32).
  2. In addition, it is recommended that you wait 18 months before having a baby. Well, I'm about to be 32. In 18 months, I'll be approaching 34! The older I get, the older my eggs will be, and the more chances of complications. Also, I was hoping my son would have a brother (or sister) close to his age.
  3. Acid reflux! On my first (and only) pregnancy, I got a taste of what acid reflux was like. It was horrible! One night I was awakened to acid going up my nose! Worst. Feeling. Ever. I think I even cried one night because I was so frustrated. The question is: Am I willing to possibly experience acid reflux for the rest of my life in exchange for being slim? Honestly, I think so. I'm at the point now where I ordered pills off the internet that have foreign labeling and I have no idea what's *really* in it. I was willing to risk my life to lose weight, so I should be willing to deal with acid reflux, right?
  4. The usual surgery risks. There's a chance of dying or something going wrong during any surgery. Of course, there's a risk when I drive to the grocery store as well. Yes, this worries me, especially since I have a child now. But I honestly feel like I can't give my son my best when I feel like hiding under a rock all the time.

To be continued...



2 Comments


Recommended Comments

I was interested to read you blog entry, Would you mind if I commented on several of your points?

First of all, the vitamin thing. Post op bariatric surgery patients need to plan on taking a multivitamin every day for the rest of their life, not just during their childbearing years. Because the VGS severly limits your food intake, it is hard to get 100% of all the required nutrients. So the vitamins are not just for your CHILDBEARING years, but the rest of your life.

As far as acid reflux is concerned, my surgeon put me on Nexium twice a day for two months. After the two months, he told me to stay on the Nexiiium if I had any symptoms of acid reflux. I am three months out, and am still taking one Nexim a day, and have had absolutely NO symptoms of acid reflux. And I know what acid reflux is, I had been on Nexium (before that Prilosec) for the last 15 years.

As far as surgery risks go, do your research. Ask questions. Find out the individual surgeon's complication rate, his infection rate, ask to talk to some of his prior patients who have had the procedure you want to have, and get their take on what they think of the surgeon, how their surgery and post op course went, how responsive he and his office staff are to your needs, concerns, etc. Make sure the hospital the surgeon practices at is JACHO approved. (The Joint Commission for Hospital certification is the Gold Seal of approval as far as adhearing to medical standards.)

And go with your gut. I was all set up to go with one surgeon, and then got some "bad vibes" from him and his staff. I (hesitantly) cancelled my surgery and went back to researching other surgeons. I was very happy with my final choice.

Best of luck to you!

Share this comment


Link to comment

Hi Helen! Thank you so much for the info! I hope I have your results as far as acid reflux is concerned.

I was interested to read you blog entry, Would you mind if I commented on several of your points?

First of all, the vitamin thing. Post op bariatric surgery patients need to plan on taking a multivitamin every day for the rest of their life, not just during their childbearing years. Because the VGS severly limits your food intake, it is hard to get 100% of all the required nutrients. So the vitamins are not just for your CHILDBEARING years, but the rest of your life.

As far as acid reflux is concerned, my surgeon put me on Nexium twice a day for two months. After the two months, he told me to stay on the Nexiiium if I had any symptoms of acid reflux. I am three months out, and am still taking one Nexim a day, and have had absolutely NO symptoms of acid reflux. And I know what acid reflux is, I had been on Nexium (before that Prilosec) for the last 15 years.

As far as surgery risks go, do your research. Ask questions. Find out the individual surgeon's complication rate, his infection rate, ask to talk to some of his prior patients who have had the procedure you want to have, and get their take on what they think of the surgeon, how their surgery and post op course went, how responsive he and his office staff are to your needs, concerns, etc. Make sure the hospital the surgeon practices at is JACHO approved. (The Joint Commission for Hospital certification is the Gold Seal of approval as far as adhearing to medical standards.)

And go with your gut. I was all set up to go with one surgeon, and then got some "bad vibes" from him and his staff. I (hesitantly) cancelled my surgery and went back to researching other surgeons. I was very happy with my final choice.

Best of luck to you!

Share this comment


Link to comment

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

PatchAid Vitamin Patches

×