my friends mom is really sick--had GB 2 months ago

Oh no!  My best friends mom had gastric bypass two months ago at the Mayo Clinic.  She has been in and out of the hospital since nov 8 with one complication after another.  She was moved to ICU last night with possible liver failure or stroke.  My friend is so scared and this really scares me as well.   I am planning on having this surgery and this has scared the **** out of me.  My mom is very skeptical about me getting the surgery and this will not make it easy for me to convince her.  Chris Peltz Prior Lake, MN

I think it is impotant to look at the health of each individual. Was she healthy  or did she have medical issues? Surgery is a risk, but if you are only overweight without other health issues, I would think all would be okay.  This is such a sad story...it is scary...but we need to look at each individual case.   I will say prayers for that women. 

I am sorry to hear about your friend. I can understand why you feel the way you do. That is a sad situation. If you have researched  WLS and spoke with your surgeon about the surgery and complications you know what to expect.  Are you having the same surgeon and at the same hospital? Ask your surgeon about his surgery result. Has he lost a patient....have his patients had lots of complications? Everyone is different and every surgeon and hospital is different.  I don't regret this surgery for one moment. I would have it again in a heartbeat. I am having no complications. I can eat anything , within our limits that is. I have never gotten sick or dumped. I have more energy then I have had in a lot of years. I feel so much healtier. I work out 6 out of seven days a week at a fitness center. I could hardly walk before surgery. Well you get the idea...I could go on and on........... Don't give up until you know all the facts!!   connie d

Did you have your surgery in St. Cloud?  I work out at a fitness center now and like to lift weights and do classes.  Can you do all that after WLS?  I'm guessing we can????

Yes Lisa...I had my surgery in St. Cloud. Dr. Darren Glass did my surgery. He is a wonderful man and so is his associate Dr. Bettendorf. They care so much..they are always there no matter what. His office is in Sartell....at the Abbott Northwest Clinic. I have nothing but good things to say about them and their nutritionist Kristin. What a team!!! Like I said...I workout everyday but Sundays. There are no restrictions once you are healed. I started walking everyday right after surgery.  I haven't stopped moving since!   connie d

So sorry to hear about your friends mom!  Don't let this scare you.  Complications are rare and think of what you might encounter in the future if you don't lose the weight.  I will keep your friends mom in my prayers and hope for a full and speedy recovery.

First of all, let me extend my prayers to this family, that the mom makes a full recovery! Second, my questions would be: 1. What was this woman's health like going into surgery? 2. Who was the surgeon & what kind of stats does he have on the type of surgery performed on this patient? 3. Are the complications she is experiencing after WLS because of that or were there pre-existing medical issues that could be causing them? If it is because of the WLS, is there anything that could have been done during the surgery or right after to prevent some of the complications? Continue to do your research and ask questions!

Hi Chris, My sister in law had the surgery over a year ago and had a stroke the day after. BUT, she had medical problems prior to the stroke, had a few "mini" strokes, so it was not a big surprise when it happened. She is now fine. One year later I had the surgery and wasnt worried about the outcome as I was healthy except for obesity related issues. IF I wouldnt have had the surgery I probably wouldnt have lived a whole lot longer. I think the outcome of surgery is directly related to the state of ones health before surgery....and with ANY SURGERY, no matter what kind, there are risks involved, just like there are risks involved everytime you get into your car, drive down the highway, walk on a sidewalk...well, you get the picture.. So dont let what happened to someone else deter you, weight loss surgery is the best thing I have ever done for myself. Every person has different results so dont go by what happened to someone else to make your decision. Hope this lady recovers fully and gets to enjoy the benefits. She will be in my prayers, also.

OK, I got some more info on my friends mom.  She is two months post op and is still in the ICU at Mayo.  She had a large hernia that was repaired during the surgery and her body ended up rejecting the patch that they used.  She still has an open incision, two months post op!  Ouch.  She is unconscious.  The drs put a feeding tube in and loaded her with protein to help her heal, not knowing that her liver was only working at 20% and put the liver in shock.  It basically shut down and they are working to make everything right.  She has a 50/50 chance of making it.  My friend is scared.  I hear what all of you are saying about how everyone is different.  This really hasn't changed my mind, just made me more conscious of everything.  Chris Peltz Prior Lake, MN

Complications may be rare, but when something happens to you then it doesn't matter how rare the complications are. I have had several complications, but I was a much riskier candidate than most due to all my medical problems. Those medical problems are the reason I finally decided to have the surgery. I wasn't scared of the surgery I was TERRIFIED.  I have had problems , like I said but it comes down to an individual choice that each one of us must make. My doctor told me up front that my risks were much higher than his "average"  patient.   You need to check things out, talk to as many people as you can and PRAY.   Good luck with whatever you decide.   Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones.