Well, lemme tell ya, this gastric sleeve surgery, it ruined my life. I thought it was gonna be the answer to all my problems, you know? I was real heavy, couldn’t move much, always outta breath. Doctor said, “Get this surgery, and you’ll be feelin’ better in no time!” So I did. But, boy, I didn’t know what was comin’.
First off, the surgery ain’t no walk in the park. After it, I felt like someone took a shovel to my insides. Pain, discomfort, couldn’t eat nothin’ for weeks. They said it was normal, part of the recovery. But then, things didn’t get better, they got worse. I started havin’ this terrible heartburn all the time, like my chest was on fire. Turns out, it’s somethin’ called acid reflux, and I ain’t the only one. They say ’bout a third of folks get this after the surgery. Lucky me, huh?
Acid reflux ain’t no joke. Every time I try to eat somethin’, I feel like it’s comin’ right back up. They told me to avoid straws, fizzy drinks, even gum, ’cause it makes it worse. But still, no matter what I do, that burnin’ stays with me. It’s like a bad dream I can’t wake up from.
Then there’s the food part. Oh, how I used to love food! But after the surgery, everything changed. My taste buds just went out the window. I can’t taste nothin’ like I used to. Food don’t bring me no joy no more. I sit there, lookin’ at a plate, thinkin’, “What’s the point?” I used to look forward to meals, but now, it’s just a chore. Folks say it happens, especially to those of us who loved food a little too much before. But no one tells ya how hard it hits you in the heart.
Another thing is the energy. They said I’d be more energetic after losin’ all that weight, but nope. I’m just as tired as ever. I ain’t bouncin’ around like they promised. Instead, I feel weak, like my body’s just givin’ up. They say it’s ’cause I ain’t gettin’ enough nutrients, but what am I supposed to do when eatin’ feels like punishment?
And oh, the regrets. At first, I was excited. Thought this was my big chance. But now, I can’t help but wish I never did it. They say most folks don’t regret it, but I do. Every day, I wonder if it was worth it. Sure, I lost weight, but at what cost? I ain’t happy, I ain’t healthier, and I sure ain’t enjoyin’ life like I thought I would.
Ya know, one of the worst parts is the isolation. People don’t understand what you’re goin’ through. They think it’s just a weight loss surgery, nothin’ more. But they don’t see the pain, the struggles. They don’t know what it’s like to sit down with your family for a meal and just stare at your plate, ’cause eatin’ hurts too much. I used to laugh and talk with everyone, but now I just sit quiet, pretendin’ everythin’s fine when it ain’t.
So, what’s left? They tell me there’s no goin’ back. Once it’s done, it’s done. I gotta live with this now. I ain’t sayin’ it happens to everyone, but for me, gastric sleeve surgery was a mistake. A big one. If I could go back, I wouldn’t do it again. I’d find another way, any way, to lose weight without puttin’ myself through this.
If you’re thinkin’ ’bout gettin’ this surgery, well, all I can say is, think real hard. Talk to folks who’ve been through it, not just the ones who had it easy. ‘Cause once you go under that knife, your life’s never gonna be the same again. And it might not be the life you wanted.
So here I am, stuck with this new life that ain’t better, just different. And every day, I wonder if it’s worth it. Maybe it is for some, but not for me. I just wish someone had told me the truth before I went down this road.
Tags：[gastric sleeve surgery, acid reflux, surgery regrets, weight loss struggles, post-op issues]
