Bizarre trend?

[FeeIsMe2 508]

First let me say I do not regret this surgery, I would do it again in a heartbeat.

I can understand if someone has regrets because of complications, to me that's a natural response.

But for the life of me I cannot understand the regrets due to not being able to gorge themselves with food. Why did they have the surgery? The whole concept is to stop you from eating huge amounts of food -- it's like a smoker trying to smoke with a nicotine patch on... it just doesn't make sense!

I feel like saying it's not the surgery that's the problem it's you!

[Rycherchick 147]

Id do it again today!

[kshepa 77]

Id do it again today!

Me too!!!

[BuriedBombshell 63]

I'll say this over and over again. I think everyone in process to have WLS should be required to undergo at least 5-10 sessions with a licensed psychotherapist to work out their addiction or dare I say obsession with food. My regrets were that I waited so long and cheated my wife and family of a healthy husband and father. I do no regret that I can not go to an all you can eat buffet. I do not have to have a side of beef or half a hog to be social and accepted by my friends and family. I come from a southern family and my wife's family is from the Caribbean and I can socialize without having fourths and fifths to show enjoyment of the meal. I came to terms with my food issues through talk therapy. I hope others would try this to come to grip with how food has controlled our lives.

You said a lot of important things. But as I'm readings through this thread, I just wanted to mention that I'm a Caribbean who married a southern boy too . Okay, back to reading the rest of this thread, hehe.

[docbree 199]

I have noticed this, too, and I have been a member here now for almost two years. I think Amanda is spot on.

The surgery is becoming more popular and people are getting it done because, "I know a friend who had it done and they look great," so, they jump in without really doing the proper research. They don't realize the recovery time from a surgery alone is difficult, then add in the whole eating component, and they are like, "WTF!!"

Sad news is, it's is only going to get worse as more and more people jump in without looking. All they know is that their friend is skinny now and they want to be skinny, too. Like some folks out there who criticize WLS, these folks think this is an easy answer to obesity. When they learn it isn't, they have regrets.

I am still pre-op, but...

I totally agree with AmandaRae and PdxMan. Before I came to this site about 5 months ago, I knew 2 people who had had the procedure and they told me how absolutely wonderful it was. My idea going into my research was that I would be exactly the same, except I would lose the cravings and be unable to overeat. I never thought about Hair loss, possible leaks, possible worsening GERD, not being able to drink before and after eating, anemia, constipation... etc etc.

In my case, this is a life or death issue. I will be going into this with my eyes wide open, fully knowing the ramifications and that this is absolutely a drastic, permanent change I will be making. I also know that I could end up liking my appearance even less than I do now (at least in the short run - with the flabby skin and hair loss)- but that is not the point.

The first surgeon I went to NEVER mentioned any of the possible complications, how my life would change, anything at all except - "let's get this scheduled." I think much of the blame lies with (a few) bariatric surgeons.

For people who are jumping on the bandwagon because they see all those amazing, gigantic roadside advertisements with before and after photos... the motivation may be primarily appearance. If that's the case, and adequate research and soul-searching is not done ahead of time, I'm sure the "what have I done" syndrome could come as a rude shock (the "WTF" moment).

I thank God for the people on this site and their honest feedback and information.

[BuriedBombshell 63]

Maybe there's more of us out there who feel this way' date=' but are laying low because we feel like the failures![/quote']

I'm really glad you shared all of this. Wow. My BMI was high, but I had NO co-morbidities...not even sleep apnea. I have even lost a lot weight on my own. That's how I got approved by insurance so quickly...it was Dr. Supervised. My husband loved my body as-is. The thing is...NO ONE can describe to you what this actually feels like. No one. And some of us are younger and haven't lived 50+ years of obesity. Some of us have small children and feel guilty about the changes we have made. I felt guilty about skipping the mother-son dinner at my 7-year olds school because I was on a pre-op diet.

I'm only 5 weeks out, and I feel great about this decision most days. But some days I understand where all of these folks are coming from. I can FEEL it. Have I ever lost more than 33 pounds in 6 weeks (including pre-op) before? Yes. Yes I have....on the HCG diet. VSG loss is slower than my surgeon promised so far. They told us that "diets don't work", showed us medical research, and then tell us to be low carb for our whole lives. It's an emotional experience. I think that most don't speak out for fear of being attacked and shamed.

[Healthiernewme 81]

Wow. This is a great thread. Thanks for all the honesty.

[BethinPA 305]

I think some people engage in magical thinking - they think that somehow the stomach is the center of all of their problems. They believe that once most of it is removed, they will suddenly want to eat healthily, want to exercise and will be this incredibly happy person. So after the surgery is performed and they realize that all their hopes and dreams did not come true, they are so disappointed, and wish they could go back in time and not have the surgery. It has to be a really bitter feeling for them.

[No game 14,437]

I think some people engage in magical thinking - they think that somehow the stomach is the center of all of their problems. They believe that once most of it is removed' date=' they will suddenly want to eat healthily, want to exercise and will be this incredibly happy person. So after the surgery is performed and they realize that all their hopes and dreams did not come true, they are so disappointed, and wish they could go back in time and not have the surgery. It has to be a really bitter feeling for them.[/quote']

I agree, I see some come here and read others stories and say well "hopefully that won't happen to me" or "well I have a friend who had it three weeks ago and she told me.."

But I will also say I see a lot of people say "my doctor told me I would never feel hunger again"

This scares me more because I would hope a doctor would know better, but it's part of the almighty buck for some. And they will obviously say and do anything.

[Ms.AntiBand 2,984]

Yes.. I see them saying the "dr says no hunger again" thing all the time. Sure, occasionally it happens, but I think it's far and in between! I also think its a mind set thing too. It's a huge variety of things that may cause our hunger issues and counting on not ever being hungry again is asinine.

[No game 14,437]

Sometimes when my surgeon talked what I heard was... Blah...blah...blah..YOUR APPROVED.. blah... blah...blah...SURGEY DATE blah.. Blah..

[Ms skinniness 3,003]

I see that a lot of people go into this procedure with closed eyes. Many of the bariatric surgeons do not require education of any sorts, just the requirements from the health insurance companies. I have Kaiser and in order to have the procedure, I had to take a 12 weeks options class where I was educated on the 3 different options of Lap band, RnY, and the sleeve. I went in seeking the Lap band and decided I wanted a permanent fix, not anything with a portal for future fills. In this class I learned about what to expect from the surgery. The class was geared towards the RnY but was extremely beneficial for my success with my sleeve. There was classes that were taught by a dietician, social worker, and RN's. I hated the fact that I had to take this class and just went to fulfill the requirement. This was the best class I have ever taken. I still go in and see the dietician and I further took a class on diabetes. I will be taking a class on stress management too because I am an emotional eater. LOL. From my experience reading posts, people discuss seeing the psychologist and not being truthful with the professional because they're afraid they will get denied. We want it and we want it right now. Then when they get it, it's like Holy SH** what did I do to myself. They are forced to deal with the emotions that they use to self medicate with food. It is such a slippery slope. Some people might even be attention seeking and some truly have complications.

For me, I woke up the day of the surgery, looked around the room and thought, "OMG, what did I do?" Then reminded myself that this is my life and there is no going back......I was lucky, the only complication I have had is a slight pain on my left side and this beautiful skinny body. I do miss eating and 99% if the time when I go out, I really want to eat more, but am very thankful that I can't eat more. People post here without really thinking about what they are saying and are acting on impulse. Now we are post sleeve and we can reap the benefits of good health and a beautiful sexy body. It is what it is. Sorry for the long rant here. Don't know if it's helpful.

But I do believe everyone should be required to take a 12 week Options class like I had to be fully prepared and in addition, do a research about the procedure.....This is our new life now so let's live it..... LOVE YA!

[LI Gemini NY 607]

I see that a lot of people go into this procedure with closed eyes. Many of the bariatric surgeons do not require education of any sorts' date=' just the requirements from the health insurance companies. I have Kaiser and in order to have the procedure, I had to take a 12 weeks options class where I was educated on the 3 different options of Lap band, RnY, and the sleeve. I went in seeking the Lap band and decided I wanted a permanent fix, not anything with a portal for future fills. In this class I learned about what to expect from the surgery. The class was geared towards the RnY but was extremely beneficial for my success with my sleeve. There was classes that were taught by a dietician, social worker, and RN's. I hated the fact that I had to take this class and just went to fulfill the requirement. This was the best class I have ever taken. I still go in and see the dietician and I further took a class on diabetes. I will be taking a class on stress management too because I am an emotional eater. LOL. From my experience reading posts, people discuss seeing the psychologist and not being truthful with the professional because they're afraid they will get denied. We want it and we want it right now. Then when they get it, it's like Holy SH** what did I do to myself. They are forced to deal with the emotions that they use to self medicate with food. It is such a slippery slope. Some people might even be attention seeking and some truly have complications.

For me, I woke up the day of the surgery, looked around the room and thought, "OMG, what did I do?" Then reminded myself that this is my life and there is no going back......I was lucky, the only complication I have had is a slight pain on my left side and this beautiful skinny body. I do miss eating and 99% if the time when I go out, I really want to eat more, but am very thankful that I can't eat more. People post here without really thinking about what they are saying and are acting on impulse. Now we are post sleeve and we can reap the benefits of good health and a beautiful sexy body. It is what it is. Sorry for the long rant here. Don't know if it's helpful.

But I do believe everyone should be required to take a 12 week Options class like I had to be fully prepared and in addition, do a research about the procedure.....This is our new life now so let's live it..... LOVE YA![/quote']

And let the church say AMEN!

I think a lot people get this for vanity but they hide behind the "I don't want to get diabetes later in life" gimmick. Sometimes I read these posts and think "maybe I'm taking this too seriously" because I'm literally planning for the worst: life insurance, final will, making plans for my family if I die or put out of commission for a few months, etc but I look around and other people are talking about getting Botox while in Mexico for their surgery... Or where they want to shop, finding a man to love the new skinny them and other sorts of foolery.

This is a big freaking deal.....80% of my stomach is coming out, I will never be the same again, forget food...every time I get an endoscopy post op I have to let them know, hey go easy my stomach is the size of a banana...if I decide to have kids I have to wait like 2 years and see specialists plus the effects on this surgery on the fetus is unknown...there's a whole bunch of other things to consider besides food.

It's awesome that some people have no complications but the people who did have complications, did they live to tell their story, can they physically tell their story. Of course the people who are doing good will talk but what about the others, the guilt the shame...may keep them quiet.

This is a big deal! Unfortunately not everyone sees it in the same light. Just because you weigh less doesn't mean you'll be beautiful and skinny and all that....

[Molly3 495]

Thank you so much for sharing, everyone! I've researched & researched and even been through the 6 months insurance requirements twice! I am trying to learn everything possible & not be too shocked or surprised when I do have this surgery!

I am honestly scared & excited however, nothing can prepare YOU for how you'll FEEL until you have the surgery! It's the unknown that scares the s#&* out of me....Will I have a leak, a stricture, severe Gerd, will I feel weird, will I make it out of surgery & the worries go on...

And my all time fave.....Will I feel normal?! Well I guess it will be my new normal.....So yah, I'm a little freaked out.

So thankful for ALL of you & your honesty and so grateful this forum!

[No game 14,437]

Thank you so much for sharing, everyone! I've researched & researched and even been through the 6 months insurance requirements twice! I am trying to learn everything possible & not be too shocked or surprised when I do have this surgery!

I am honestly scared & excited however, nothing can prepare YOU for how you'll FEEL until you have the surgery! It's the unknown that scares the s#&* out of me....Will I have a leak, a stricture, severe Gerd, will I feel weird, will I make it out of surgery & the worries go on...

And my all time fave.....Will I feel normal?! Well I guess it will be my new normal.....So yah, I'm a little freaked out.

So thankful for ALL of you & your honesty and so grateful this forum!

I know you will do great Molly. on the good days and on the challenging days.

I like that you have stuck around here and read through all of our good days AND our challenging days

I read my posts sometimes and I think wow that was a hard day! Or yes that was a good day...

These threads are written in real time and our fame of mind at that very minute can color our answers

Did that make sense??

Surgery like life has its ups and downs

Hehehe...