Until recently I was excited about the surgery but then I started reading some online forums. The post-op horror stories really concerned me. The vomiting, the difficulty with meal prep (I live alone), etc. I was seriously contemplating cancelling my surgery until I had a face-to-face with my surgeon today. I realize there are bad outcomes in any surgery, but they certainly can't be the rule. My surgeon weighed the pros for me, including: no more acid reflux; preventing diabetes and addressing serious acid reflux damage (which I was unaware of) to my esophagus. And, of course, the benefits of losing many unwanted pounds. I'm now more comfortable about going ahead with the surgery..
Welcome! I had an open procedure--major surgery--14 years ago. I had just lost my beautiful father, after watching him struggle with diabetes and heart disease for decades. He was such a vital man who was a gifted landscape architect, creating beauty everywhere. He landscaped the grounds of Glacier National Park and Rocky Reach Dam, as well as hundreds of homes and businesses--too many achievements to mention. I wanted to die when I lost him. We were great pals.
After he died, I resolved not to suffer the same, treatable conditions. 8 months later, I had RYGB and changed everything about my dietary lifestyle.
For the last 14 years, I've been living the post-bariatric surgery life. I've learned about nutrition and vitamin supplements and being active. I thought I knew everything I needed to know before I took the step. But I didn't.
I'm so stinkin' healthy at 70, it's ridiculous. I definitely had a few post-op problems, but they resolved within the first few months. Part of the reason was that I took it VERY seriously. I was also in a 7-year study sponsored by the University of Washington. But they didn't tell me what to eat. They just clocked how far I could walk, climb stairs and took gallons (it seemed!) of blood. Vampires!
They tracked me but I was in control of my habits. It was reassuring to see my progress. The feedback I got from various medical professionals was, literally, that I could be the poster child for WLS.
Mind you, I did nothing special; I got no breaks. It was all very typical and totally worth it. I'd do it all over again. I wish I had done it 10 years sooner.
Everyone experiences some discomfort or challenge. But with the availability of the sleeve, etc, it's less painful than a trip to the dentist.
I live alone, though not right after surgery. it's a million times easier to do without other people buzzing around.
Don't let fear stop you from saving your life. I'd kill for 5 or 10 more years with my dad.