Something I want to share....

I am so inspired by the many people on this website who share their surgery and weight loss stories (even more inspired by the ones who have complications and fight to overcome their setbacks). I have friends who have had this surgery, most without complications, some with, and one who didn't make it. And ALL of them have been true inspirations to me in that they wanted nothing more than to become healthier happier people. But there is one family, yes an entire FAMILY, who lives in my area that are known as "the incredible shrinking family". Combined they have lost more than 1000 pounds! To me, that is just absolutely amazing. One of the family members was a chef at a local restaurant, and after his surgery he began preparing meals that he and his family were able to eat. Their surgeon was so impressed with this that he asked the chef if he'd be willing to share his recipes with other WLS patients. His first book he received no royalties but went on to further educate himself and has since written other books, speaking at conventions and support groups all over the country. This is from his bio: "In 2004, I was very proud to have my abstract on "Protein Consumption" accepted by the American Society of Bariatric Surgery. I was also fortunate enough to be able to actually present my research at the annual A.S.B.S. meeting in San Diego, California that same year to a group of Bariatric professionals. This was a very important step in the right direction for the Bariatric patient. I was not only able to inform and educate those professionals, but for the first time I was also able to spread the importance of culinary knowledge in a field that until recently has been only medical-oriented. Now cooking and food preparation was becoming a big part of the puzzle that makes Bariatric surgery successful - an essential part of the program. We all know the surgeon can perform the operation, we all know the nutritionist and dietician can tell us what to eat and how much to eat, but until then, patients were left on their own about how to prepare food, how to make it palatable and go down easily, or how to even select the proper meal choices." Dave has since accepted a job offer as Exclusive Chef for WLS Lifestyles Magazine and he and his family were relocated out west to begin their new life and opportunities. He also trains hospitals and surgeons in proper cooking techniques and food selection for weight loss surgery patients. Some may see it as him taking his learning tools and knowledge and using them to "make money" but to me, this man who was in the same place we are ALL in today, took something negative (a life of morbid-obesity), a strong desire to overcome it, and made a life of helping himself, his family, and others. A true inspiration, "the incredible shrinking family" who lost a THOUSAND PLUS pounds, and gained a healthy happier way of living. http://www.thechefdave.com/index.html

Happy that you have received your date for weight loss surgery....I am very sorry that you lost a friend due to this surgery. If you don't mind what was some of the complications they had before passing away? This information will help most of us...I know that I want this surgery but I am nervous and concerned with death. I am reading Weight Loss Surgey for Dummmies. For most of the complications its only a one percent chance. Thanks..KC

Hi Karen, Some people don't want to read about complications or about someone who passed away but it's the reality of it (if it wasn't there wouldn't be a Memorial page on this website). Just as it is with any major surgery, or living the rest of our lives obese/morbidly obese and dealing with the co-morbidity health issues that would more than likely take years and years off of our lives. To learn as much as we can in preparation for our surgery, the better chances we will have at a successful one, including things to be aware of that may not seem "right" post-op to seek medical attention. I also believe that when it is our "time", it is our time.. whether during/after surgery or by getting behind the wheel of our cars each day. From what I've learned over the years of research, you are right...the complication rate is a very low percent compared to the success rate. And just because one has complications doesn't mean they will not overcome those complications and have a very successful recovery. In the year that I've been reading stories and journals on this site, I've read hundreds with complications, some major, some minor. A lot of them had other health issues that contributed to their complications during and after surgery. And I've read hundreds who had textbook surgeries and recoveries with no complications whatsoever. I really think it boils down to having an experienced surgeon, preparing yourself as best you can both physically and mentally (and spiritually-regardless of what "higher power" we believe in), following your surgeons post-op orders, and seeking medical attention as soon as possible when feeling pains that we know aren't normal. It is normal to be nervous and concerned but you have to become at peace with the "what ifs". We need to be positive, and we need to focus on the end results of this surgery---to become healthier happier people living a long and healthy life. With the complication/death percentage rates as they are, we have a much higher chance of getting killed in a car accident. We just don't think about it like that because we are electing to have this surgery. So we may feel like we're PUTTING OURSELVES into that risk percentage of something going wrong. If you are prepared for this surgery in every way that you can be and you are comfortable and at peace with your decision, just try and focus on it being the best decision for YOU, while remembering the risks that we live with in NOT having the surgery. Personally I'd much rather take my chances of becoming healthier and having surgery than being so miserable, physically and emotionally, and becoming a statistic of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes (on and on) and dealing with disabling back issues for the rest of my life. With regards to my friend that passed away, I don't mind talking about it because even though it was a tragic loss for her family, I still want to have this surgery and it's made me become more aware of the complications. And also given me more insight on questions that we should ask our surgeons. What we learned following her death was that that she had been having a lot of pain and thought it was her gallbladder. The pain would come and go and she didn't get medical attention right away when she should have. She finally ended up in the E.R. and died shortly after. The doctors said the scar tissue from the surgery cut off blood circulation to her organs. But because she'd been having the pain off and on for awhile, had she of went sooner, they MAY have been able to save her life. Our bodies tell us when something is not right but we have to listen. I've read MANY journals on this website where others had the same problems and with medical attention and another surgery, they are fine now. Another friend of mine who just had this surgery 6 months ago was going through similar symptoms and I finally told her she HAD to go to the hospital and when she did, they did an emergency gallbladder surgery and she's just fine now, and 90 pound weight loss so far!). I have had symptoms of gallbladder disease in the past but have never been "diagnosed" so I'm hoping in my pre-ops, they'll find what they're looking for and go ahead and remove my gallbladder during surgery. I know they don't like to do it unless it's necessary but if it is, take it now so I don't have to deal with it later . When I mentioned the concerns I had about the complications with the scar tissue to my surgeon, he was great with his explanation: " It sounds like she had an intestinal obstruction due to adhesions after her surgery. Adhesions are "scar" tissue that forms after ANY abdominal surgery and they are like a spider web between the intestines and the abdominal wall. When an intestine gets trapped in this web an obstruction supervenes and intestine gangrene may ensue if medical attention is not offered opportunely. Fortunately the risk of having an intestinal obstruction due to adhesions is very low and it is more common in patients that have an open surgery than those that have a laparoscopic surgery. On the other hand we always encourage our patients, and any other person, to seek medical attention ASAP if they have severe pain or their condition deteriorates very fast." So from my conversations with others and with my surgeons explanation, severe pain in the days, weeks, months, or years following surgery is not "normal". And making a phone call to your surgeon or making a trip to the E.R. is vital in reducing your risks of major complications. I also know someone who is in the hospital right now and had an emergency surgery a week ago for an intenstional obstruction, having to remove 6 inches of his colon and intestines and now has a colostomy bag for life, due to the same exact thing my friend died from. He has NOT had this weight loss surgery (weighs 180 pounds), and is very healthy otherwise. So go figure . Fortunately, they caught his in time. Ya just never know And not to make any less importance of your question, but isn't it amazing that "the incredible shrinking family" has lost 1000+ pounds? Take care, Karen.... and may you have a very successful surgery and recovery! You will be in my thoughts. ~ Lisa

Lisa....you are absoluately the best....Thanks for sharing all of your information with me and others. The more knowledgable you are before surgery it will help you recognize when something is going wrong. Of course most people on this website had some concern before surgery but may be afraid of asking. I have to admit that I have been a ball of nerves at times. But when I think about how much this will improve my life I know I will overcome the obstacle. I have been reading weight loss for dummies and it have great information in there. In one section of the book it compare all of the surgeries (lap band, fobi pouch, rny, etc) and show a list of the pro's and con's of each surgery. But thanks again. I think that you are 2 days behind me so I will keep you in my prayers......Karen

Thanks for the info. It is really important to have good recipes and resources when it comes to being successful at weight loss!!!!

Lisa, That was a great story, thanks for sharing....Yes it is true this journey isnt always easy for everyone and we all need to be well informed before we make this big decision. These stories could be any one we know and we should count our blessings......I just cant wait to join the losers...... we are all amost there hard to believe. Hugs and love Lisa