severe complacations do happen

I am sorry to hear that you had such a rough start, but I am glad to hear that you are starting to heal.  I would have to agree with Linda A that the clot could occur with any surgery it just happened that you had to deal with it after your wls along with an uncaring doctor.  I hope that you can find some peace with your decision to have wls.

JUst my two cents about this. Yes, believe me I know that there are complications, most here know my story. But in all honesty, to anyone considering this surgery, I would do it again in a heartbeat, even knowing what happened to me would happen. Don't be afraid, just consider it a warning that you have to be your own advocate when it comes to health. As most know here, if my husband hadn't FORCED the local hospital to fly me out and found my surgeon and had him call I would have died. So this is important to know, if it doesnt feel right, keep calling someone till you find someone to listen to your concerns.

Smells like a lawsuit to me....good luck on your journey from this point forward! It can't get any worse, right, so it only can get better.

As a pre-op, I value the information you have shared - and your experience. I do believe that everyone needs to be informed of the possible complications that can arise from WLS so that they know when to make a call afterwards if something doesn't seem right. Their support people should also be aware. And everyone should have the number to the surgeon! Dr. Jeff Baker at Unity is a great example - he gives you his personal pager number and has it on 24/7 and encourages you to call him if you feel anything is out of line! That speaks volumes to his patients!!!

And, IMO, as with anything - be prepared! Knowing I was planning for surgery, my DH and I went ahead and had a Will prepared and set up health care directives as well. I'm not leaving those decisions up to just anyone. Again, thank you for sharing a piece of your journey with us! It helps to understand complications can and do happen, what your warning signs/feelings were, etc. Healing Hugs & wishing you a smooth road from here on out!

My only comment here is to pray that you are past any obstacles to success.  That in a few months you'll look at yourself, look back at this scary episode, and feel the same way Nicole does - that you'd do it again even if you KNEW you'd have this issue!   No one can blame you for being angry, frustrated, frightened, any of those emotions one has in reaction to something like this!  But if you can allow yourself feel to good about having done the right thing for yourself when you didn't feel right, and let go of the fear and resentment of your complication, then you should be able to enjoy the BENEFITS of this surgery!  The weight loss, the improvement in any co-morbs you had pre-op, and just plain feeling better about yourself from EVERY perspective! I hope you'll continue to post here, whatever you need or want to share.  This is a great place for support, and when those WOW moment start coming?  We're the BEST CHEERLEADERS!  Seriously - we ROCK!!!

WOW - what a horrible experience.  I'm so sorry that you had to go through this and that worst of all your doctor blew you off!  How frustrating!  So glad to hear that you're on the mend - best wishes for a less eventful recovery from all of this.

Hope you're well on the mend!  However, I'd like potential WLS people to be aware that not all PCPs are very familiar with WLS.  It sounds to me like your local doctor didn't have a clue about WLS, and unfortunately wasn't able to help you.  I agree with prior postors, that we need to really research the surgery, I also had mine at FVSD (Dr. Benn) be detailed questioning the surgeon and staff, and particularly be diligent to the specific post-op program for life.  Fortunately, I'd done all the above, and my 7-25-06 surgery has been extremely successful, having lost 107 lbs with absolutely no problems nor complications.  And, remember, the risks of NOT having WLS surgery far outweigh the risks of actually having it, i.e., anuerisms, heart atack, stroke, Best wishes to you as you move forward healthily and positively!  Hugs, Patti