Post complications??

I have been reading horror stories about post surgery complications. I am looking into having the duodenal switch(open). Has anyone here had many complications? I'm 52 yrs old so I'm a bit apprehensive(sp) about having surgery. I have met with Dr. Inman ay St Vincents and I'm good to go with insurance if I want to do it.

I dont know how much you weigh now.. I dont know your medical history.. very hard to advise.. I CAN tell you I am VERY happy with my LAP RNY. I have had NO complications I have only lost 100 pounds and am struggling to loose the next 50-75 I want to loose. I was 300 to begin with and sitting here at 200. I am 51. I think you can trust what Dr Inman advises.. Dr Inman is a reccomended Dr. Linda

I agree with Linda. Also, not everyone has problems. Mine was open as well. I had Dr Huse, who is great as well. Think of it as a marriage, the first year is always the rockiest, after that smooth sailing . NORMALLY. It is the best thing you will ever do in your life. I am producing too much stomach acid, so there for I am getting Ulcer's , I will take those over the weight any day. Go to meetings and talk to people who have had the surgery, if you havent already, they will tell you how much better they feel and they would do it all over again. I know I would. Good luck to you and let us know whats going on. Cindy

i believe anything can happen, but i think the more you have to lose and your medical hstory comes into play....i believe they do all the pre op testing to narrow down any problems and they have it down to a fine art...just things can still happen....think positive, and keep your spirits up i think that all helps as well....

Mike, I would personally trust Dr. Inman to operate on my own child. How's that for a ? If I were to have the DS, she would be the one I would go to. The RNY...I would have to add a few more names (Gupta, Caccuci, Jones, Evanson). There are ALOT of factors with complications. Sometimes, it's age. 52 really isn't that old when it comes to this surgery. My dad was 63 and he did fantastic. I would say your risk of complications increase most by what other health factors you have pre-op. If you have heart problems, depending on what kind of problems, ANY surgery can be taxing. Most of the time, weight loss will help greatly. On other occations, it may be just too much stress on the heart. Basically, this surgery poses the same risks as any other surgery when it comes to your organs. So...right now, if your appendix burst, would you think twice about having them remove it? No? Didn't think so. (Me neither!). Then there are complications specifically related to the weight loss surgery. Some are caused by our own actions; eating the wrong foods (heard of one guy who was to try to eat a T-Bone a week post-op!!), not waiting to get a release to do stressful lifting and end up ripping out stitches, not keeping the incision site(s) clean..or doing things which allow bacteria to get in them (like getting in a hot tub). And then again, there are complications that just happen: the stoma closing up (the stoma is the connection from the intestines to the pouch for RNY), most ulcers, internal hernia (when you lose the fat in the belly..which kept the intestines in place, the intestine wiggle around too much & kink up, causing a hernia), and perforations. All of these, I had. Your concerns should best be addressed to Dr. Inman. She knows your health, you weight, and the surgery. In the meantime, I would ask this question to those who had complications: Would you do it again KNOWING you will have these problems? Most people I have talked to...and myself included, would answer 'YES, IN A HEARTBEAT!'. In fact, those who have expressed regret on here usually are people who are only a few weeks post-op and they are expressing regret NOT from complications...but because they can't eat like they did pre-op. Welcome to the board, and looking forward to watching how your journey progresses! Sherri (pre-op: 344, heaviest: 350, 1/7/07: 170)

I have a firend who had DS with Dr Inman. She's had realativly no complications except having a hernia removed. But everyone is not the same, and complications can and do happen. Jsut make sure you've researched all your surgical options and chose the surgery that is right for you. Im very happy with my lap RYN with dr cacucci, have had no problems. Hindsight I'd of prolly went with a lapband though. Mostly because I got preggo way too soon after my surgery, and its a struggle to get in all the goodies that she needs. I guess that's one complication you should have NO worries about Good luck to you on your journey, whatever you decide.

Hi Mike, Dr. Inamn did my Lap RUNY last Oct. and I have had NO complications. I HAVE gotten off 11 meds. and feel like a differant person -inside as well as outside. Yes, you can have complications- just like in any surgery. My daughters weren't for me having the surgery at all, but are my major supporters now. They love their "new Mom" who can play with her grandkids, and enjoys life. Sometimes well-meaning people will try to talk us out of having surgery. It is their fear of losing us- and with me that could have happened with any of the numerous surgeries I've had. I went to 2 meetings a month for 10 mo. and listened, asked questions and decided this is what I needed to save my life. I just didn't want to live my life like I had for 50 + yrs. I had my surgery 5 days before my 57th birthday and feel like it was my re-birthday!!! Listen to yourself Mike, trust yourself, & ask Dr. Inman questions, if you aren't sure. She can tell you whats best for you. None of us know your health concerns, as she does. I wish you all the best-whatever you decide. Ellen

Mike, I am only 2 weeks post op, and as hard as it's been these two weeks, I wouldn't change it. I know I did the right thing. The pain hasn't been from the surgery, the pain is in eating the same thing over and over and trying to drink protein drinks which are YUCK, but, I wouldn't change what I've done, even though I've cried the past few days. I know, if I didn't do this right now, that I wouldn't. I also feel in my heart that if I didn't do it, I'd be in a wheelchair soon from not being able to walk, at age 47. There is so much to take into consideration as everyone says. I had just been diagnosed with pre-hypertension and just started taking meds for that about a year ago. My family physician told me that "you will have diabetes", my sugars were getting out of control. Having fibromyalgia, arthritis of the spine, and degenerative disc, I knew this was time. My body had just gotten to it's breaking point when it reached 100 lbs overweight. I think you just have to weigh where you think you will be in a year from now, two years. Can you make changes without the surgery. To me, I just had to take a real hard look at myself and be honest with myself. Could I lose without the surgery? I needed a BIG BIG push, and this I believe is it. I need something that will aid me in eating the correct things. I may mess up many many times, but I do believe that this is a lifetime commitment. I did the real thing, and by going this route, I can't, and won't turn back. I have been to 5-6 meetings and have spoke with people who have had this done and I haven't came across 1 person that wish they wouldn't have. Not ONE, and that's out of about 200 people. I will say some prayers for you, and know that whether you decide to, or not to have the surgery, there will be people on here that will listen. Beth