Alot of people have had WLS problems! Getting scared

I have checked out alot of everyones surgery experiences here; seems many have had their share of problems. (especially with nausea and vomitting) Starting to get a little scared! Be Blessed, Shawna

I had surgery July 18th with Dr. Cacucci and I can honestly say I don't feel like I have had surgery. I have yet to get nauseaus (except for one bout with lactose intolerence) or vomit. I haven't had an upset stomach or anything. The only difference is I am much more aware of when my stomach is full than before. Now not to say there aren't complications possible. However, the benefits out weigh the complications by far!! Good Luck and you'll do great!! sam

Im with u Sam. I had dr Cacucci too and havent had one problem. I cant say enough good things about my surgery. I think ppl who dont go with dr c are really missing out.

Shawna, I'm one who has had alot of problems with vomiting because my stoma kept closing up. The stoma is the connection between your new pouch (small stomach) and the intestines. When it closes up, it's called a stricture. Idealy, that opening is ~15mm. Mine closed up one time to 2mm around and another at 1mm x 4mm. NORMALLY, if you are one to experience closing up, you'll be dilated back open with 1-2 more of them going in to check to be sure you're opened as a follow-up (there's nothing to the procedure to do this...just a quick nap and Dr. Gupta is excellent at it!). About 20% of ALL RNY patients go through this. Of those 20%, VERY RARELY does someone close up like I did..but it does happen. Complications do happen. Being aware that they happen is half the battle. After saying all that, with having 15 endoscopys (to dilate me back open), 2 perforations (due to the strictures), a revision (due to the perforations), 2 hernias & 1 partial closure for scar tissue....I have went from a 26 to a 10...from 344 lbs to 169 lbs. I would vomit 100 more times if that was what was needed to keep that weight off. For me, it was worth every trip to the hospital and every trip to the great white goddess. Many, many people go through this without a problem at all. Good luck....and the hard part really is over. You got approved through your insurance. LOL! Sherri

Shawna, I have had very few "problems" after surgery. I do have lactose issues, but I had them preop as well. Anytime I have vomited, has been my fault. Usually from eating too fast or not chewing good enough. Once I was really sick and couldn't stop being sick and then all of a sudden a really big piece of broccoli stem came flying out and I was fine. I think it was stuck in the hole and needed to come out. And then of course there was the 3 bites of chocolate birthday cake I ate in a moment of weakness. LOL I will spare you on those details. But truly any problems I have had have been self induced. Before surgery I had to take 18 pills everyday to keep from dying. I had CHF and stage 3 hypertension. Now I take 0!!! I wouldn't trade it for the world! It has been the most exciting time in my life! I think it's important for you to know what is a possible negative side effect from surgery, but don't spend too much time focusing on it if you can help it. I will be hoping you have a safe journey! Carmen

I'm another Dr Cacucci problem free girl. I've only vomitted a couple of times from surgery, and like has been said, I didn't chew well enough, or I was discovering that I was still too pre op to tollerate chicken (something i still have to watch). I'm a little over 6 months out, down 110 pounds since my surgery date, and thats with not being able to excersis the last two months because of being preggo. I wouldnt change a thing!

Hi Shawna... I have to agree with the several that posted before me.. I had RNY on May 26 and have not had any complications. I have vomited exactly once (in the middle of a golf course - thankfully no witnesses on neighboring holes!). I suspect some chicken got lodged in my stomach - probably I ate too fast. Once I got sick, I felt fine again. Occasionally food makes me feel a little uncomfortable, but I can honestly say that this only when I eat things that I really shouldn't eat, mainly at restaurants when it's easy to slip up. I'm thankful for that "uncomfortable" feeling, as it gets me back under control. One thing I've learned over the last almost four months is that even after WLS, I have have to work hard to follow the rules and stay on track, and the same mental food related issues will be there. I'm not always successful (yesterday I ate a hershey bar... yes, that's right, a hershey bar! How terrible! It was over the course of the entire day, but still, this was a very bad choice.) So it takes an all out effort, and 95% of the time, I am able to do it. The initial success, coupled with the fact that physically impossible for me to binge on a large volume of crap like I used to, really helps with the confidence and self-esteem necessary to stick to a healthy lifestyle long term. It's scary, but hopefully a good scary. The postive changes are absolutely worth it.