Why so many second and third surgeries?

I asked about anyone having regrets and while most of you said no I can't help but to notice that most reposnders have had 2nd and sometime 3rd surgeries. A couple of you explain how you've been so sick and in the hospital for months and one poor woman only weighs 93lbs now because she has been so sick. Why so many additional surgeries? It seems to be fairly common but I'm just hearing about it. Are all the additional surgeries within the first year? Now I'm more apprehensive then ever!!! I'm a single mom with a 4 year old and while I want to be able to run and play with him, I'd rather be alive. You all have said you would do it again so that is comforting but this extended time of sickness and the additional surgeries is very troubling.

BJ, I want to make it very clear that my complications were not the norm. My surgeon said my complications were about 15 out of 100 people. I was also his only person that had to come back for a second surgery for scar tissue blockages ever!! So that's no the normal experience. You also need to be aware that all of my complications were within the first 3 months. I am 8 months out and feel 10,000 times better that I ever did before the surgery. I can't express to you enough how my complications were meaningless in the whole scheme of things and I would easily do it again. I can also say that you need to talk to your surgeon. Ask him what his complication rates are. How many of his clients have to come back for issues like I did. I can assure you it isn't the normal situation. I wrote you about regrets because I wanted to make it very clear that even with the problems I have NO NONE NOT EVEN FOR A SECOND any regrets. Larry had rare complications too but I can tell you (because we are in the same support group) that he has no regrets either. As he says In group "I'd run back in that operating room butt naked and jump on the table". I want to calm your fears because I know what it's like to be scared before the surgery but I also wanted you to know that it is not a common as it may appear because the few of us *****ponded had problems. I think we all just wanted to assure you that it was the best thing we ever did for ourselves!!! I can also tell you one other thing about the extended illness. I actually went back to work after 4 days after the surgery. I felt great. The complications came later but I wasn't out of work except for my stays in the hospital. That might not be of comfort but I have at least 5 friends besides my support group that had the surgery and none had any of the same problems I did. Sorry to be so long I just want to try to assure you that you will be ok. Do your research and talk to your dr. and know we are here if you are scared and need someone to talk to but again no regrets for me!!! Shannon

Hi BJ, I had a second surgery at exactly 14 months post op. I had a peterson'e hernia, which occurs whe as a result of teh following: When they cut your intestines to reroute in the RNY it leaves a huge space that they have to sew up. In doing so they sew it to the tissue that is there which is fatty tissue. Once you lose a lot of weight that fatty tissue is gone and the space becomes open and can create a hernia. My doctor has performedover 1400 surgeries and has had less than a handful of these peterson's hernias. nevertheless, he has modified the original RNY process to better close this space, so that the hernia cannot occur. My hernia caused a bowel obstruction. The surgery to repair the hernia and untangle my bowel was laproscopic and i was only in the hospital for 24 hours. I was back at work two days after that. I would still have the original RNY with silastic band surgery without hesitation, even with my complication and second surgery. I think that the risk of complications (like mine, and those described by others) is a fact of life that goes along with WLS. That being said, so is a much improved quality of life, relationship with food, health, and for me overall sense of peace. I am a mother of 3 young children (ages 5, 4 & 2) and the risk of surgery & post-op complications was no match against my risk of early death, health problems, and passing on an unhealthy lifestyle to my kids. If you read my profile, though, you will see that I was scared to death. But for me surgery was the right decision. Also, my husband has Lap RNY 18 months ago and has had no complications, nor has he required any additional surgery. I would discuss all of the possible complications with your surgeon , and make sure that you both understand the possible risks, and are personally comfortable with those risks. Surgery certainly isn't for everybody, and you need to make the best decision for you. Good luck with your decision. Roberta

I am 8 months out and have had no additional surgeries... havent had a single complication and dont plan on it!!!

I was not in the best of health to begain with. I have always had trouble with throwing up. So it wasn't from just the gbs. It is just a chance you have got to take. Not every body's body is the same. I feel so much better now. So I am on the track of trying and trying to gain weight. I would like to be around 120. That is not too skinny or chubby. Have a blessed day. Amy

Unfortunately there are risks in any surgery you have but you have to willing to weigh the pros and cons. I personally have had 14 surgeries in 3yrs( i will be 3yrs post op friday) BUT that was only due to another doctors screw up then normal things...But the biggest thing I have had to think about is where I would be right now if I had not had the surgery...at 362 pounds and gaining how long would i have really had to enjoy my children.....You have to discuss the pros and cons with your doctor and understand that noone can make this decision for you and if you are not 100 percent positive that you want to have this then dont...You need to be absolutely positive that this is what is best for you...You and the good lord are the only ones who can make that decision...Good luck in your journey.. Tina..........