Some basic pre-op concern questions.

An old pal from my AOL days is looking into weight loss surgery, and sent these questions over. I know they look like things I've answered a hundred times before, but you know what?  Answers change over time as I grow with this body.  I know she wants the truth, and I am not in the business of selling surgery.

How long ago did you have your surgery….

• April 5th, 2004.

How long did it take you to recover from it….

• I felt like sheer death for a few days, I have fond memories of the ride home from Boston.  NOT ANOTHER BUMP, YOU ASSHOLE!  O-o  But not SO awful that I couldn't waddle through the store within those same days.

Have you achieved your goal, or at least most of it….

• No, never.  My goal is disgustingly low, considering my height, so, no.  I've never touched it.  I "should" be between 115-130 something pounds, and I've never gotten beyond 149.  149 lbs is a good weight for me, and when/if I ever have plastic surgery, it's damn small and good enough.  I hit that weight and rebounded to 170 and got pregnant.  During pregnancy I hit 210 lbs.  I have been playing in the range of 155-170 lbs since then and it's the most difficult NOW to change.

Would you do it again, knowing what you do now...

• Simply stated, no.  I did not know enough of the "could happens."  If I could "go back and do it all over again," I would, but likely pick a different path.  I can't give you advice.  I can't tell you what to do.  But if you were my sister?  I'd probably say, gastric banding.  Yeah, it's slower loss, and yeah it's got higher regain rates, but it is a teaching method that can WORK, and won't cause mal-absorption and the issues that come from rerouted innards.

Positives from surgery over the years…..

• Nearly 100% success in the weight loss department, actually, my surgeon's goal for me was 175.  So, there, I did it.  320 - 149 - 210 - 155 - 170.  Overall, being smaller works for me.  Sad, but true, you get treated better as a normal-sized person, doors are held for you, drinks are bought for you -- and so on.

Negatives from surgery over the years…..

• For ME: Dehydration, kidney stones, weight loss stalls, gas of DEATH, food issues, food intolerances, dumping, late dumping, diarrhea, severe constipation, severe reactive hypoglycemia, neurological symptoms, vitamin deficiency, severe anemia, vertigo, seizures.
• For Mr. MM:  Dehydration, severe pain in blind stomach requiring re-admit and scoping, constipation, food intolerances, dumping, late dumping, diarrhea, reactive hypoglycemia, sometimes severe, the worst powerful gas on EARTH and bowel distress often





• For Grandma Mr MM:  Strictures, bradycardia, low protein levels, anemia, very severe constipation, severe vertigo requiring meds and therapy, dumping, and lots of complications with post-WLS plastic surgeries.
• For Mr. MM's Sister:  Problems with slow weight loss, and assorted similar complaints.
  

How hard is it to stick to the diet/exercise plan……

• The diet is easy as pie in the beginning.  You are FORCED into it.  There is NO way to cheat.  Starvation works. It's not until 9+ months or closer to 24 months that the real problems start regarding food demons.  By the time you can eat normal small meals, you have had better dealt with the food issues and emotional eating, or you're on the road to regain without a doubt.