Post by Paula on Sept 28, 2012 15:09:23 GMT -5
For each person, I think the questions you asked could be answered in a variety of ways. For sure, the DS is a very proactive surgery that requires diligence and knowledge on your part to maintain. Screw around with not eating the way you are supposed to (high protein), not supplementing like you are supposed to, and not having regular labs drawn are a recipe for disaster. Once you have it done, there is no choice in the matter. You cant take a break from it and then come back to it later on. You either play the game by the DS rules or it will come back to bite you in the ass.
With that caveat being said, I wouldnt change the decision I made for all the tea in China AND all the gold in Fort Knox. I did not come to this decision lightly and I had my doubts all the way up to and on the other side of my revision. Was I doing the right thing? Was I being stupid and selfish by deciding to once again have bariatric surgery while being a single mother to a child? Was I going to fail at this like I felt like I failed with the RNY? I didnt honestly want to have to face having another surgery. The plain and simple truth is that I was going to die if I didnt do something. Due to genetics, Im predisposed to premature cardiovascular disease and a number of family members all died of cardiac problems. My father's MI essentially destroyed his heart and killed him instantly. I had a near-fatal pulmonary embolism with no clear reason as to why it happened. I am convinced that I was going to die well before my time if I didnt so something. I cant change genetics or age, so the only thing that was left for me to do that I had some control over was losing weight to help my cardiovascular system as much as I could. I still had way too much living left to do. I have a daughter to see graduate high school, head off to college, and hopefully marry the future love of her life. I have future grandchildren I want to meet. I have a bucket list of things I havent done yet.
If you die from an obesity related complication (and we all know they happen), how would that not hurt your family? You have to save yourself before you can be of any use to anyone else. For me, the benefits far outweighed the risks I faced/will face. I at least gave myself a fighting chance.
I cant tell you what the right answer is because my right answer might not be your right answer. If you cant get insurance coverage for a revision, there is always a self-pay option if needed. My insurance covered mine with no problem, but other insurances limit or do not cover bariatric procedures at all. Its not ideal and it sure isnt fair, but there is always a way if the will is there.
Good luck to you with your soul search. Dont beat yourself up over feeling like you failed the RNY. My surgeon says the RNY is a good tool for some people, but it just wasnt the right kind of tool for the job I needed it to do.
With that caveat being said, I wouldnt change the decision I made for all the tea in China AND all the gold in Fort Knox. I did not come to this decision lightly and I had my doubts all the way up to and on the other side of my revision. Was I doing the right thing? Was I being stupid and selfish by deciding to once again have bariatric surgery while being a single mother to a child? Was I going to fail at this like I felt like I failed with the RNY? I didnt honestly want to have to face having another surgery. The plain and simple truth is that I was going to die if I didnt do something. Due to genetics, Im predisposed to premature cardiovascular disease and a number of family members all died of cardiac problems. My father's MI essentially destroyed his heart and killed him instantly. I had a near-fatal pulmonary embolism with no clear reason as to why it happened. I am convinced that I was going to die well before my time if I didnt so something. I cant change genetics or age, so the only thing that was left for me to do that I had some control over was losing weight to help my cardiovascular system as much as I could. I still had way too much living left to do. I have a daughter to see graduate high school, head off to college, and hopefully marry the future love of her life. I have future grandchildren I want to meet. I have a bucket list of things I havent done yet.
If you die from an obesity related complication (and we all know they happen), how would that not hurt your family? You have to save yourself before you can be of any use to anyone else. For me, the benefits far outweighed the risks I faced/will face. I at least gave myself a fighting chance.
I cant tell you what the right answer is because my right answer might not be your right answer. If you cant get insurance coverage for a revision, there is always a self-pay option if needed. My insurance covered mine with no problem, but other insurances limit or do not cover bariatric procedures at all. Its not ideal and it sure isnt fair, but there is always a way if the will is there.
Good luck to you with your soul search. Dont beat yourself up over feeling like you failed the RNY. My surgeon says the RNY is a good tool for some people, but it just wasnt the right kind of tool for the job I needed it to do.
