Its a very risky surgery and there are a lot of complication but you have to remember there are a lot more complication with being obese. The reality is eventually being obese and everything that goes with it is gonna get u down and this surgery gives you a second chance to get healthy and live a long happy life i think most of us who have had surgery would agree the risk is worth it I hope nothing anyone says scares you away from surgery. .

Well, I have been very blessed, and I know it! I am 56 years old, married 36 years, 2 adult kids, 2 grandkids,and I had my RNY 13 months ago. I have been a steady, but slow loser, I started my journey at 261.4 LBS, lost 20 the month before surgery, and am now at 158.4, down 103 lbs. I would like to lose 20-25 more. I have not had even one complication, my doctor has been wonderful, and he says I am a textbook case.

Since losing this weight, I feel amazing. I used to work out 1 hour a day, 3 times a week. Now I work out 1 hour, 6 times a week. I feel like I am floating when I walk up and down four flights of stairs to my office 3-4 times a day, and I could list about 40 NSV's that I enjoy daily. I think the very top of the list would be that I no longer have food related migraines, since I don't eat junk food, or processed food. That alone has made this journey worth it.

I also feel like I have a whole new group of friends with all the great people on this site.

I do struggle with getting my head to understand my new size, and that it is ok for people to notice me, but I am working hard to fix that. I can't say I wish I had done this years earlier, because I know God had his plan, because it all came together so smoothly, and I don't think I would have been ready emotionally years before, this was the perfect time. I actually had a breast reduction 4 years ago, I never thought I would have an opportunity to have this surgery, I am very thankful to be taking this journey.

I pray daily for everyone on this site and all the ups and downs, all the successes and struggles. there are so many brave people here, and so many encouraging people.

I have to say that even though I am preop I am not scared.

Yes, this surgery is a big deal. Yes, there are risks... But there are risks if I don't have the surgery. And I I'm the one person in a million who dies on the table, then I die trying.

I can't go into this feeling anything but serene about it. I worked for three years to try to convince my employer to provide WLS benefits so I am *more than* ready for this surgery!

And when my surgery day finally arrives my head and my heart will both be in a good place to move forward on this journey. The body and the mind have to work together, you know. And my mind has been ready for a long, long time!

First let me say my success in this is that I lost the 170 lbs so when they get all these issues fixed I'm all set to jump into the new life I was promised two years ago in the beginning.

Next I think fear here is healthy. I have seen way to many talk of having this done just so if they mess up and eat the wrong thing it wont matter because they will dump.......I know we have all seen comments like this one lately from more then one post. That is what scares me........ We need the fear and we need the success and we need the reality this is not a frekin diet or cure.

Becca my friend you are always the one to bring us the balance as you are here. I thank you for that because it does keep me remembering why I went through and continue to go through what I have. Having complications is lonely more then you all will ever know because you truly do not want to scare people but damn your trapped more then before because peeps in your life wonder why your still home bound if you are small or you get the well I told you not to do it lecture. I know no one here is saying shut the hell up but just thought Id let you know the emotion on this side.

And I still say be afraid but don't let your fear stop you from doing what you know in your heart is right for you. Life is taking risks other wise might as well pull back the grass and get under the dirt.

today I saw a quote not quite sure the exact words but it said
no one gets out of life alive so enjoy it ........something like that l

I'm one of those people who didn't have any complications during or after surgery...I'm very grateful for this, knowing that there can be complications - to any surgery! That being said, I went into the surgery with eyes wide open, having done a great deal of research before having RNY. It's important to have a positive attitude going in - this will help you out immensely during those tough weeks right after surgery. I am not sorry I had this surgery done - only regret is wishing I would have a little more of the "head" work prior to surgery to deal with eating issues further down the road. It's ok to be a little nervous - just don't let it get you way down. Life after losing all of the weight is a whole lot better than it was with the added weight...and all of the medical issues I had. Good luck to everyone who is pre-op - just follow the program your team has laid out for you and you'll do fine.

Lucy
RNY 11/1/11

I believe that if you have a positive attitude that positive things happen. Keep out the negative and focus on the positive.
I have never been happier. I had no complications in the hospital. I didn't use my pain button. There was some discomfort but not enough for me to push the button. I haven't tossed my cookies (vomited),
I feel fantastic. My energy level is thru the roof, my intimate relationship with my husband is the best it's ever been.
I'm now a size 10 (was a 24) and I love to shop, and I don't mind trying clothes on.
The only thing that's a little unnerving is my gas. I can clear a room with one toot. Even I have to leave the room.
My only regret is that I didn't do this sooner.
Shelley :o)

Thank you folks!! Ya'll made me cry :) good tears! I am doing this for sure! But after reading about complications latley i was having a time of it not overthinking it all... Then i get a few personal msgs from peeps who were feeling the same way. I knew it was time for a pep talk from others :) you are all just AWESOME!

ok I'm only 8 weeks out today - but I haven't vomited but one time. It hasn't been easy - Kathi Ray pulled me through several very dark times when I thought I couldn't manage all this "stuff".

There are days when I feel absolutely wonderful, and then some where I feel just blah - not bad, just blah.

But one thing never changes, the weight is coming off even though a couple of plateaus occured. I am thrilled that I'm not losing 10# a day because that's not healthy. I am thrilled that I'm not hungry right now -this is the time I'm trying to use to make better habits with healthier foods. I haven't had bread since pre-op and I don't miss it (I think).

Some of my clothes are fitting better if not falling off - that's fun!!! I have more energy most days and I am enjoying positive comments from people who have not seen me in a long time.

In the long run - I am still glad that I did this RNY and I'm still looking forward to more NSV's and a healthier me!!!

I agree that the complication stories are terrifying as you get closer to surgery, but reality going into this is important. Much better to know in advance what may happen than get to the other side, have it happen and wish you had never had the surgery in the first place.

And we also need to remember that the people with complications need the support as much as any of us do.

If you are concerned with a specific complication, talk with your Dr and see how often he comes across it, and how it is treated ect. It is still a small percentage that have these.

And on the same topic, what complications do you have from being obese, that you have just taken in stride? While people come here and say "because of this surgery I have XX", how many times in the past years have you said, I have XX because i allowed myself to be obese? It is a trade off in my opinion.

I know what you mean by the stories being scary, but you need to hit this with your eyes wide open. Stories or no stories, complications can happen.

I am 2 weeks post-op. I didnt have any complications before surgery. I did have concerns before like the catheter, the surgery(i never had any surgery before so i was wondering how it all worked), and while I was on the pre-op diet...i wondered can i really go another month or so on just liquids. I got through my surgery fine. The doctor said two hours but according to my family surgery started at 9:30am and I was in recovery by 2:30, in my room by 3:30. That was a 5 hour surgery but my doctor said there were no complications. I did hit my pain button a few times as this was my first surgery and it did hurt ti move, but everyone is different.

Would I do it again.....yes.

So far things are going good. My water intake is my main concern right now.

I really appreciate the folks who post their complications. It prepares me for what might happen and the signs to look for so if it happens to me I fee better prepared in what it may or may not be.
This is just part of the process and part of the journey. Some will have more complications than others. I am pre-op and have learned so much from all of you.

I am in pre-op also and I love this site. It has real stories and I love the stories good and bad, it helps prepare me I think. I have not yet become nervous but I know I should, its natural. I have so much going on before Im scheduled ( June 25), my daughters graduates June 7th and me and my husband have a trip planned and then it will be time for surgery! I know I need to slow down and think! But, I really think that this site is a great help with its REAL stories. Thanks to you all who tell theirs it means a lot to me. I one day hope to return the favor. God bless you all in your WLS story.

Becca you have done so much research on this subject I would not be surprised if you don't know more about it than we do! LOL!
As for success. I never had any bad issues. I dump when I eat something I shouldn't have. That's to be expected. I have had plateuas, that will happen but over all no probelms. Had little to no pain at the hospital and never needed pain meds at home. No strictures no nothin'.
Have lost 98 lb in shy of 6 months and got about another 70 to go!

Becca... Please don't let the complicated stories scare you.... I understand the fear, but there is a risk of complications with every surgery (and just about anything in life -- heck, walking across the street you could get hit by a car, trip and sprain your ankle, etc., etc.)...

There are only so many people on this site... If we were able to poll every person that had this surgery, I am pretty sure the positive would way outweigh the negative.... But because we get to know one another and are a pretty small group of people, it is easy to think there are a lot of complications out there....

I have had 16 surgeries total in my lifetime.... And I have to say the RNY surgery itself was one of my easiest.... It is the "head work" that I did not prepare for.... I knew going into it the complications that can occur, and I know I always run the risk of losing my gallbladder, or developing kidney stones (as well as, other things)... But the overall complications I was facing NOT having this surgery were so much more... (heart disease, losing my already replaced knee, more injury to my back, diabetes, and on and on)....

In the 15 weeks since my surgery ( I think it was 15, maybe 14, I have to look it up...LOL) I have more energy than I have had in years, I can go for walks, my knee is acting better and better, my blood pressure is normal, my cholesterol is normal, and I am down a total of 68 pounds... That is quite a change in such a short amount of time....

Life is about taking chances.... I try and take ones that can better my life, but you just never know.... I want a good QUALITY of life, and that is why I chose surgery....

Like Sgt. said... You probably have more knowledge about this surgery than anyone on this site... You are an inspiration to all of us.. And I believe you are going to fly right through this....

Call me, text me, message me... I am here for you anytime

Thank you everyone!!

And if you are one of the folks who have had complications... please please please know that I appreciate hearing from all of you and don't want ANY OF YOU to feel you cannot post! I agree, I would rather know what's out there than go in blind... Just like I worry about punkeybear ever day... but am not going to let it stop me!

Yeah, I got that "what if" thing turned on... And it freaks me out a bit... I won't lie...

But my bigger "what if" is for if I don't do this surgery... I have a horrible fear of ending up like my sis-in-law (who I love ever so much!) who sits in her chair all day, eating and watching soaps... She struggles with her self care and now has home health come in to assist.

So I will do this surgery... there is no doubt about it. And I am going to be fine... I have to cause I am following in JJ's footsteps and headed to grad school next year. And damn it, I am going to fit into the stupid desks soon!

Anyway... here I am babbling once again! Sheeshe! Sorry!!

There were just several of us who were feeling like, as banshee said, the bejeezers scared out of us... And guess we needed some reassurance :) :)