It seems that there has been a great deal of talk lately about changing our minds on surgery or which surgery to have. I'm not really sure why people feel that once something crosses their lips, it is cast in stone. Especially when it comes to surgery...
Anything that involves anesthesia is risky...bottom line...even though with RNY there is a bit more cutting...with the Band they are still invading your body. They are making the same cuts with both surgeries. In one they reconnect your own body part to a different area and in the other they leave a piece of plastic behind for your system to deal with. If you don't adhere to the "program" neither tool will work. Looking back on notes I've kept on each surgery within our group that people have been willing to talk about. I find that there were more complaints after Band surgery, then from those having the more invasive procedure of RNY...Those are FACTS, true facts accumulated within our own group. There was more complaining of pain, more talk about NOT losing weight or losing at a much slower pace and seemingly more frustration...mostly over not being able to find the "sweet spot"...That being said..there are several who had the Band, who not only didn't complain, went on to lose a great deal of weight (equal to that of a RNY) While certainly not in the majority, they obviously decided on the Band for all the right reasons and with a firm commitment. In all fairness, over time (I've not been in the program for years and years) perhaps the data will change considerably...but for now...people who have had RNY over the past 2 years, that speak openly and honestly are doing better then Bandsters fitting the same criteria and thems the facts folks. FYI I do not use names in my Journaling only "Subject #". I wouldn't want anyone to think their life is an open book...I don't even know who you are LOL It is something I decided to do, simply because it is in my nature to be a fact finder. I don't just find them, I research where they come from (most of the time negating their validity)
So why is changing ones mind such a trauma, such a dilemma ?How many times a day do we, in fact, change our minds? I wake up thinking I'm having cornflakes and have grits instead. I was going shopping and decide to clean stalls instead...I was going to finish a quilt project and started a new one instead. Life is full of change and certainly when contemplating something as important as a life altering surgery, one should be entitled to change their mind often, until they get it right.
This is something we do for OURSELVES so women have a hard time with it. We are so used to doing everything for our families or with them in mind. We tend to worry about all the ramifications of this surgery involving them...We do not seem to consider the fact that in losing weight, we not only become healthier, we can do more with our families, for our families and chances are we will be around longer to enjoy our families. So having the surgery is an easy choice...which to have is a harder choice and only the person making that choice knows in their heart which is best for them. Lets face it, both are a radical way to lose weight...However, if you've tried everything else and failed, chances are you suffer from a disease of Obesity and you're not just over weight...There is a difference..recognize it and deal with which one you are. I don't think anyone should rush into this surgery. The time allowed to us is for a reason, it should be used wisely and with a great deal of thought and research.
I am extremely happy with my choice...it changed my life in so many ways I've lost count. I can honestly say I am happier then I've been in a very long time and much healthier.
It wasn't a cure all, but it certainly made life more enjoyable just to be thinner....Now I contemplate yet another surgery to remove excess skin....Does it ever end?
