Any regrets?

[Newme17 3,444]

Don't believe in the naysayers. MOST of us here have gone through it, and are very successful. Bypass may have its long term issues, that's why I stayed away from it, but sleeve is very safe. Of course you feel regret after the surgery until you get back to normal, but that's with everything in life your house, your car, your this and that. Buyers remorse will always kick in.

Its more the reward you get out of it, how people accept it, and the reward is HUGE.

I still regret trading in my beautiful truck for a car!!! But I don't go around telling people not to buy it because IT IS still a nice car.

Therefore...well, I shouldn't have to explain the sleeve in the same terms. Lol

[Newme17 3,444]

I had my one year post op gastric bypass appointment today! My labs were great, my blood pressure was fantastic ( no more meds for that) I've lost 122 lbs and feel fantastic! The only regret I have is that I didn't do it sooner instead of at 48 yrs old! [emoji12][emoji106]

Great job!!!! I'm happy for you hon. [emoji4]

[Newme17 3,444]

I'm sure there are those that love their decision to do the sleeve. However, there are those that don't agree with your views on things. My thing is... if I had known about the good the bad and the sooo ugly... I would have never done it! So you see my response isn't to those who are excited with all the glory like yourself, but those who need to know... all that glitters isn't gold. In fact the glitter is soooo loud it drowns out those that are suffering and dying. I'm blessed not to be amongst those that are suffering, however, a voice still need to be heard, so people will know what they're walking into. I choose to be that voice!

Did you have WLS without doing homework? Is that what you mean? You didn't know the risk involved or what could happen? I've been researching for two years! I've read many good, bad, and ugly reviews. Just like anything we need to educate ourselves. If not, then yes, you're in for a surprise! People need to decide for themselves based on facts and stories of journeys posted. Not because someone tells them to not go through it.

[Ruth1ess 494]

I had a great experience. No regrets and no complications. I'm 115 lbs down and 10 months out. I went from a size 24 to a size 12 (my goal is a sz 8, still losing), and I have become extremely active. No more limits. I work out doing Krav Maga (martial arts) 4x a week and love it. My sleeve opened up doors and new confidence I would never have found without it. It's been such a blessing! At 35, I can join the myriad voices saying "My only regret is that I didn't have it sooner". Everything in its time, though.

[savyourdvine1 110]

I researched for almost 2 years as well. I listen to countless people giving advise and enjoying their new found life. To be honest my choice to do this was never about feeling or looking beautiful. It was about saving my life. I feel like I traded in one situation for another one because I couldn't see clearly the course. However, as I said in my previous post..... All the glory overshadow the people that are hurting, dying, in and out of the hospital, one surgery after another and even divorcing. Now, that I'm on this side I can clearly see I made a drastic mistake. My question is at this point..... why the opposition? At the end of the day.... people are going to do what they choose to do. I choose to reveal the ugly not just the glamorous.

[Symington 5]

I am about 3 weeks post op and still go through the gammet of emotions about whether I made the right decision. I think the biggest thing is that you mourn the loss of food. Food was your friend, so you thought. It's still frustrating to me every day when I sit down to eat a meal and am enjoying the sensation of eating that I am only able to eat a few bites of it before my sleeve tells me, okay you're full, stop eating. There is no pushing through that full feeling like before. When you are full, you are full! Things like that are frustrating but then there are times that I realize I have this unbelievable tool that I never had that that self disciplined me to eat a controlled amount when in the past I just ate what I wanted to and had to rely on discipline. It is very rewarding watching the pounds fall off and seeing the person you dreamed of slowly start to emerge. So you see, there is a full array of emotions in play. Not sure when the roller coaster will end.

[danaymacklin 177]

I had the gastric bypass in 2003. For the past two years I have been having digestive disorder. Despite multi modal treatments with an array of healthcare providers, my condition has gotten worse rather than improved. It is owing to the malabsorptive component of the gastric bypass. I would suggest people explore the long term effects of malabsorption (obviously not a consideration with the sleeve). I know of people who have lost their teeth and hair, too.
In hindsight, I really don't know why the medical community did not foresee the long term effects of NOT absorbing 20% or more of the vital nutrients your body needs.
My Bariatric Life
Publisher of
www.MyBariatricLife.org online bariatric magazine

I had my GB surgery 12/1 so I'm curious...since having your surgery have you been 90-95% consistent/committed to taking your Vitamins 6 times per day? Or is your body rejecting absorbing those nutrients regardless if you provide the nutrients or not?

[PB42 34]

Here's my background I am 67 years old. I was a thin child. My weight gain started at age 40 and yo-yo'd from 130 up to over 200. My blood sugar was pre-diabetic for the last 10 years. Family history was littered with heart disease and Type 2 Diabetes. And I was miserable. Depressed, embarrassed, ashamed and did I mention miserable. My Dr. told me in August that she was going to be forced to diagnose me as a full on Type 2 Diabetic. Spent a several month researching this surgery and I was a self pay. It was a lot of money to spend.

Here's what I know after 5 months.

1. It isn't easy. I was so lucky, I had no complications, very little pain and was absolutely committed to following my (very conservative) Dr.'s instructions. I take my Vitamins, drink my Water and down 1-2 Protein shakes a day. The first month was challenging......there was discomfort, there was some second guessing, but never regret. I was finally NOT HUNGRY. Bored with the regimen, and chafing at having to set timers to drink something every 15 min. and so ready to crunch something.......but never regrets. I still long for an occasional cracker (again, the crunch), a good glass of wine, and that satisfaction sugar can bring. But I have the tool now to just say no.......and feeling good about myself is worth so much more than that moment of pleasure that eating a cookie would bring.

2. Here's what makes it worth it. The Dr. visit when she told me that I was in the normal range with my blood sugar and removed the Pre-Diabetic and Diabetic diagnosis in my record. When she took me off my Statin drugs for cholesterol problems. When she told me that my BMI was now out of the Obese category and in the Overweight range. (still working to be in the "Normal" range). Being able to get up and down off the floor to play with a grand child, walk 2 miles with out panting, walk into a department store and go to the regular women's department and not the Plus or Women's or Fat girl section. And what a joy to look in a mirror without wanting to cry. Sitting down in an airplane seat and being able to fasten that seatbelt without the struggle. Finding old bracelets and watches that actually fit around my wrists.

I feel badly for the gentleman who has such regrets, but just as my experience is particular to me, his is a journey that I hope won't scare anyone considering this surgery away. You have to chart your own path. I just know that this was a miracle for me. I still have 30-40 lbs. to go and am pumped to see where the next months take me. Five months with out caffeine, alcohol, sugar, chips or bread would have been impossible for me to accomplish without the surgery. It isn't easy, it isn't cheap, but if you embrace it and follow the plan.........oh, the rewards.

[Berry78 4,261]

I think what it boils down to is this:

This is a risky surgery. Obesity is also risky. It is up to the individual to decide which risk they are willing to live with.... or whether they should just exercise more and eat less, and not endure either.

There are criteria for those that get the procedure. High BMI, comorbidities, previous attempts at weight loss. Surgery truly is designed to be a last resort.

I have told my family members, "I would rather die young (38) while trying to better myself, then to continue on the same course, ending up like those around me (strokes, diabetes, etc)." They are aware of the risks, and are afraid, but they won't stand in my way either. After all, what if everything goes great, and I get my life back? Do they really want to stop that from happening?

We do need to hear the voices of those that suffer and die. But, mostly those voices ARE heard through statistics and forums such as this.

Mr. Divine, I believe you are suffering from survivor's guilt. You are healthy and well, but the plight of those that weren't so lucky is resting heavily upon you. Perhaps speaking with a counselor can help you work through these difficult feelings. I wish you well in your journey.

[swat9254 4]

At only three months out I'm very very happy with my results. My only twinge of regret is that I didn't try the pre-surgery liquid diet as a standalone weight loss option before I committed to the surgery. Ultimately I don't think it would have been sustainable - but I would have liked to know I'd exhausted every other option first. Definitely no regrets though


Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

[debp1953 35]

I have no regrets. I am 16 months out gastric sleeve no bypass. I feel better, look great and love being able to do again....63 down 105lbs size 12-14 female. Goal is losing 40lbs more but have stalled. I can't take those Vitamins the diet sweetness makes me sick, as does every Protein Shake I ever tried. I take regular vitamins eat as much Protein as I can and apparently it's ok cause I am now healthier than I was. Have some difficulty with heartburn and slight nausea. The weirdest thing is when I eat and start to get full my nose runs, I get the hiccups, my eyes Water and I sneeze....not sure why but my kids say you're full mom!

[Hazel_eyez 173]

I researched for almost 2 years as well. I listen to countless people giving advise and enjoying their new found life. To be honest my choice to do this was never about feeling or looking beautiful. It was about saving my life. I feel like I traded in one situation for another one because I couldn't see clearly the course. However, as I said in my previous post..... All the glory overshadow the people that are hurting, dying, in and out of the hospital, one surgery after another and even divorcing. Now, that I'm on this side I can clearly see I made a drastic mistake. My question is at this point..... why the opposition? At the end of the day.... people are going to do what they choose to do. I choose to reveal the ugly not just the glamorous.

You haven't really revealed anything. You are just saying it's bad, it's bad, stay away, stay away without any details. Everything you say is so vague leads me to believe you are here just to be a fear monger.

[savyourdvine1 110]

You are entitle to your belief. Really don't have the time. Feel what you feel

[emardee 192]

I'm six months past bypass and 15 pounds away from goal. I have amazing energy, eat high Protein and low carb, do intense work outs four days a week and do yoga the other three. I have a great support team at my surgeon's office, check in with his nutritionist regularly and go to support meetings his office holds.

I didn't realize how sick and tired I was until I was no longer sick and tired. Zero regrets here.

[bekah7482 79]

I am still pre-op but I have talked to so many people and have never met a single person face-to-face that regretted the surgery, even those who experienced complications still do not regret it. There are people out there that do regret it but I can guarantee that they are a small portion of the WLS population. You do run the risk that you may regret your decision to have surgery but a few years down the road will you regret not having the surgery? I know if I don't get the surgery I will 100% regret not taking the risk.

As for complications, do your research. Know what the complications are and the signs of complications so that you are in tune with what your body is telling you after surgery. Research the risk of actually having a complication. I think it's 1/400 have complications and less than 1/4000 die. Complications are actually pretty rare and death, although is still a risk, is extremely rare. There are not people dying all over the place from weight loss surgery. It is important to realize though that there is always a risk and there is always a horror story but then again that can be said about anything in life. How many people have died in car accidents, how many have died from crossing the road, what about dying while getting lost hiking? Life is not guaranteed and even though there is risk surrounding us every second and every day, we also know that statistically speaking you are not very likely to experience those risks so we get behind the wheel, we cross the street and we go hiking.

As for regain, it is ridiculous to be mad that there is a possibility of regain. They tell you over and over again this is a tool not a guarantee. No one promised you that you will get the surgery and then life will be perfect and you can eat whatever you, whenever you want and however much you want. Don't out eat the sleeve and you will be fine. Like all weight-loss, this requires a lifestyle change and is not a quick fix that you don't have to work for.

Anyways long post that can be summed up with do your research. Look at the good, the bad and the ugly. Make sure you are 100% committed to the change. Look at the risks but also look at the statistics behind the risks and decide what you feel is right for you. Good luck!