A Friendly Warning about rushing into surgery

I had gastric bypass on November 15 and have lost about 50 pounds, which is so exciting! But there where alot of post op complications and I almost died. Spent a month in hospital and endured 4 surgeries, medically resistant staph infections, fluid on my lungs, you name it. My suture line split open twice and the sight of your own blood cascading all over the floor is something I wouldn't wish on anybody. Anyway, I am presently wearing a Wound Vac to suction all the infection from my abdomen and am fine, compared to the basket case I was for a long time. I just want to say, if you have had multiple abdominal surgeries (I've had 5 hernia surgeries) insist on an MRI before you have the surgery. My doctor had no idea what he was getting into, and truth be told, I wanted this surgery so bad I wasn't being a good steward of my own health and welfare. Please don't repeat my mistake. My medical bills are right around 200 thousand dollars and still ongoing.

I am so sorry you have had so many complications.  I hope your recovery goes fast and you are back on your feet soon.

The vast majority of people have few or no complications.  Most recover as planned.  However, with any major surgery, do your homework.  Know what you are getting into before signing a surgical consent!

I have never regretted my decision to have WLS for one second!  Many people say they got their lives back after WLS, not true for me.  I GOT a life after WLS.  I lived shell of a life as a morbidly obese woman.  Now, I am fully involved in life!  Life as a normal sized person is amazing!

Thanks, Happycat, for wishing me well. Maybe in a while I'll be able to have a more positive outlook on things. I am thankful for the remission of my severe diabetes and so thankful that I can walk into a store without getting the looks of disapproval that morbidly obese people get. I pray that everyone that needs this surgery can have it done safely. And I'm glad that it worked out well for you, as it has for so many others I talked to before deciding to go ahead.

Thanks, Pattipurple, for not shooting me down, as another poster did. No, I did not know about all your complications, only about the multiple hernias, which was bad enough. I am so glad there is another voice out there to warn people about how serious and sometimes dangerous this surgery can be. We tend to rush in where angels dare to tread because we are desperate to be rid of this problem that we have tried and failed to fix on our own. I still believe in gastric bypass, but it is not for everybody. I put my family through hell and I am deeply sorry for that. My poor husband had to sleep in my hospital room, wondering every day whether this would be the day that I died. It's not just us that goes into that operating room. It is also the families that love us so. Thank you for reminding us that we must always carefully deliberate every decision of this magnitude that we make. And yes, Dr. Keith seems to be too overwhelmed by his patient load to take care of the ones of us that 'go bad'.

Kiddo Are you reading my page? same doctor . Here is my 411 day after surgery blood loss to the point I al most died ..stupid nurse didnt care had  blood transfusion...two weeks after the rny emergency surgery for MRSA which KEITH never told me I had. Had surgery three days in a row...couple months later MAJOR HERNIA surgery gall bladder then 5 more hernia surgeries another MRSA surgery staph infections like crazy...a tummy tuck and oh yes one more hernia suergery...I am suppose to be having another repair surgery for mesh that is torn lose.. LOL but I havent got there yet. Did I ever get to goal HELL NO...I use to be so PRO RNY PRO WLS and now I am telling folks DONT LISten to the doctors do the friggin research cause they aint gonna tell the whole truth. I use to go to support groups and show my incision and say hey complications happen it aint no rosy picture. Just to be told by KEITH not to do that I was scaring patients away. WTF! If you know the facts you have a right to be scared. I knew the risks and I knew comp[lications could happen but Damn I didnt think for three years I would be in and out of the OR and spend most of the my HUNYMOON period in recovery.
I feel your pain GREATLY! I lived it and still am. I hate that I have no support group to go to and say how I feel to fins others who have suffered as I have. and to find real support.
With that said..I know I can go to WEIGHT WISE and find support and I am not asked to be quiet.
I am here for you...if you need to talk scream or yell! BTW you are not alone...

I switched from Dr. Keith to Weightwise and NOW I AM SO GLAD I DID! I am so sorry to hear about the complications. I wish you a speedier recovery so that you can start to enjoy the results of your hard work. *HUGS*

Thanks for the hugs and the well wishes. Dr. Walton is so top notch I know you'll do great! I wanted him for my surgery, but my insurance wouldn't approve it.

Thanks. I feel really good about my decision to switch. The team is very supportive.