What I wish I had known before making this choice

I’ve rewritten this post several times over the years. It’s hard for me to present both sides fairly. I’m completely biased because I’ve been through it, so keep that in mind. This initial post does NOT describe how to cope with the aftermath of this choice. Here I’m trying to provide someone who is considering this operation with the knowledge I wish I had before the surgery. If this post has a positive response, then I’ll publish a followup where I describe how my life changed as a result of the surgery.

Disclosure: I’m not a doctor. This isn’t a clinical survey of postoperative outcomes. I can’t tell you what you should do. I can only tell you my experience and share what I wish I had known prior to the procedure. If you are considering this procedure, gather as much information as you can before making a decision that has permanent consequences. …