Does anyone regret having surgery?

[GinaCampbell 434]

I am struggling something fierce and I seriously regret having surgery.

Before this turns into yet another drama thread because I came here to let you know that you are not alone, let me say this to you then let the haters hate.

Things do change. You will eventually heal. Insist on seeing your team for support, tests and advice. Drink Water because dehydration will make you sick. Keep an eye on your temperature. Any spikes in temperature should be reported to your team. Vomiting, pain and trouble swallowing should also be reported.

You can see why there aren't alot of people here who discuss their regrets. Others here just can't accept or wrap their heads around this concept.

We were either too stupid to understand what we were getting into or just need to wait for the sleeve nirvana that seeing weightloss will give us.

I would trade the over 100lb weightloss today for a do over on this decision. My weightloss has not been because of my having a vsg, but because of starvation and malnutrition. Not a healthy way to lose weight. In the "real" world that would be anorexia.

Hang in there. The "5%" of us are here, just message one of us if you need help or support.

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[morningangel79 38]

Iam so thankfull for this thread... I have not yet had my sleeve but iam due to in just over a month now and i will never regret it. I do not believe in regret and this is actually the first story i have read that someone has regretted the surgery. And i have been doing research for 3 yrs now.

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[GinaCampbell 434]

@@GinaCampbell

I'm not talking in riddles at all nor will I have a back and forth with you.

I hope you have a great day!

Didn't think so but you did just recently insist that another poster provide proof that you had uttered something or other. You proffered your entire posting history if memory serves me right to prove your point.

Yet you won't support the statement that there is a "full picture" being withheld by myself in some way?

Don't worry, my days are always great!

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[bigperm 16]

I am struggling something fierce and I seriously regret having surgery.

Yes I do very much so my husband also had bypass 5 weeks after me and he regrets it as well

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I am part of a bariatric group that started our seminars together. Out of the group before us, some a few weeks after and ourselves, there are ten of us who seriously regret having had our surgeries. My neighbour had a bypass a few years ago and she also regrets having done it.

I am six months out now so people will have to accept that this is not "buyer's remorse", simply a statement of fact.

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Can't you reverse a bypass

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[Healthy_life2 8,324]

This was a great question to ask. You will get many different perspectives on any topic on this site. Take only what is valuable to you.

@@katragina

My post about buyers remorse/regret being normal in the first stages was directed to new people on this forum.

@@GinaCampbell

I absolutely understand anyone with complications after surgery having regret. No judgment from me. You have the right to feel the way you do.

[Hiraeth 515]

I don't regret it at all. At first, a VERY small part of me did, because it was so hard to swallow anything. I'm a liquid gulper by nature, so that was very challenging, since I was only able to take small sips. It definitely gets better. I'm barely ever hungry, and when I am, it's because my stomach is growling and I'm getting a headache. I barely ever have actual cravings.

I've lost 53 pounds since August 4th, so I'm happy to say that this is one of the best decisions I've ever made.

[theantichick 2,204]

My surgeon says we need to have some carbs so we don't go into Keto (which has says is dangerous) He just recommends healthy whole grains like oatmeal. oatmeal makes me happy!

I cannot do very low carb because ketosis makes me very ill. The medical community is divided on the issue of ketogenic diets. There are a huge number that support it and bring good evidence that it's completely safe for most people. My personal take on it is that ketosis is a functional "backup" physiologically speaking for when we can't get enough carbs in our diet, and I don't think running permanently in a "backup" situation is a holistic plan. That being said, I don't think it's dangerous for most people.

[theantichick 2,204]

Every surgery has the potential for complications. If your surgical team didn't go over them thoroughly with you, then you should insist that they do so. As a nurse, I do not believe anyone should agree to surgery without fully understanding the potential for complications along with how often these complications arise.

@@GinaCampbell has had one of the worst experiences I have ever heard of. And not just for the complications that arose, but also for what I consider mis-management of the complications after they arose. It is worth noting that she is being treated in the NHS system which may be overall quite good, but I believe at least some regions have some serious deficiencies in their practices. I know that her case would have been handled quite differently by every single physician I have ever known or worked with here in the U.S.

However, even here in the States, I have read many accounts here on BP where the surgery team absolutely has not done what they should in preparing the patient for the surgery, the demands pre- and post-operatively, and have not given them the support they need. If some of the stories I've read here are true, there are bariatric surgeons out there who don't give written instructions for post-operative care and don't give all of the information needed to make an informed decision. I consider both grounds for a malpractice complaint, honestly.

It is vital to have faith and trust in your surgical team. You have rights as a patient to have your questions fully answered prior to consenting for the surgery, and to have clear written instructions for every stage of the process. If you don't have those things, ask for them or find another surgeon. Period.

I think some people worry that if too much focus is placed on the cases that are outliers with severe complications, that people who are in the decision phase will get scared and end up deciding not to have the surgery that absolutely has the capacity to save their lives. Honestly, if the surgical team cannot put the fears to rest, the person shouldn't have the surgery.

I was another person who wanted to hear the horror stories, because then I'd have a clear picture of how bad it could get. Then I discussed those concerns with my surgeon who was able to give me overall statistics of the incidences of those complications, along with her personal track record. Also, she was able to tell me if there are things I as the patient or she and the team could do to prevent the possible complications.

Gina's case is not the norm, at least here in the States. But I agree that hearing her story and the stories of other people who regret their decision for whatever reason, are important.

I believe that a lot of people have the surgery without really understanding the choice they're making and what it will mean for their lives. If the surgeons are not doing their part to mitigate this, then places like BP can help by exposing people to lots of different perspectives and experiences.

[laceemouse 631]

My surgeon says we need to have some carbs so we don't go into Keto (which has says is dangerous) He just recommends healthy whole grains like oatmeal. Oatmeal makes me happy!

I cannot do very low carb because ketosis makes me very ill. The medical community is divided on the issue of ketogenic diets. There are a huge number that support it and bring good evidence that it's completely safe for most people. My personal take on it is that ketosis is a functional "backup" physiologically speaking for when we can't get enough carbs in our diet, and I don't think running permanently in a "backup" situation is a holistic plan. That being said, I don't think it's dangerous for most people.

Great points, and I know each person is different as well. I had my gallbladder out 15 years ago so even prior to VSG a high fat diet didn't sit well with me. My husband has a strong family history of heart disease, both of his parents died of massive heart attacks in their 60's. While they did both smoke heavily, he still watches his weight, runs on the treadmill, and has been on cholesterol and blood pressure meds for 10 years (he is 56). He sees a cardiologist at Baylor who recommends a Mediterranean diet. I think we will try for moderate carbs, lean Protein, and healthy fats going forward.

[VeggieGirl 6]

Not at all! I too struggled in the beginning (5 weeks today) and what I learned from this site is it too shall pass. Keep your eye on the prize. It gets better every single day....for real!

[NikkiRT 265]

Has the person who started this thread responded or replied to the multiple comments left?

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[sk101 67]

I was very worried about doing the right thing for me when I went in and I spent the first week in awful depression over what I had done. Lets face it, like many, I had a perfectly usable part of me removed.

Now just over 4 weeks later I'm so glad Iv'e had it done and the doubt has gone.

This is a huge life changing operation that will not suit everybody. Sadly some will only find out after the event.

It's one of those things you can prepare for until you're as knowledgeable as almost any surgeon but until you have it done you just don't know.

I'm now more than happy with having it done despite a few ups and downs with my body. Anyone who goes in to this expecting absolutely no problems afterwards needs to re assess how they think. It's not all plain sailing.

[This-is-my-journey 124]

I never regretted it..it's the best decision I ever made im down 139 lbs in 5 months things will get better before you know it

[vchowdhury 9]

Sometimes I regret having the surgery because to be perfectly honest, I miss "pigging" out sometimes. I miss McDonalds, Burger King, Wendy's, and especially the fried fish place around the block. Let's face it, we were or are food addicts. Our stomachs have changed, but some of our thinking hasn't. I had my RNY gastric bypass on June 20, 2016. My weight at surgery counseltation was 288 lbs. My weight at surgery day was 265 lbs. As of today, Nov. 16, 2016 I am now 197 lbs! So, when I look at the scale and my baggy clothes, no, I don't really regret it because if I didn't have the surgery, I would still be 288 lbs today! If I could have lost the weight on my own, I would have done it years ago. It's still going to be a daily battle, but, thanks to the weight loss surgery, it's a battle that I'm going to win this time!

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[MowryRocks 679]

I don't regret it but I am not happy right now. liquids suck. Purees are going to suck. I want real food, not even bad stuff. I would cut a b***h for some asparagus and boneless skinless chicken breast.

liquids definitely suck, my surgical group doesn't have a puree phase, but instead a soft food phase, which I am currently in...my mood is much improved. Hang in there!