Anyone 3+ yrs post op? I want to hear about any complications

I am a newbie and would like to hear about the complications that sometimes occur, especially in the third year post op and later...

Any insight/personal stories?

Thanks! :)

 

4 1/2 years post-op NO complications, not one.  I have seen my labs drop some and have tweaked my vitamin regimen to hopefully prevent deficiencies. 

Hope this helps, it's very wise of you to research and understand that complications can happen, some preventative (deficiencies) others not so much.

Good luck on your journey.

Karkies - is there a specific procedure you want to know about? I'm 5-1/2 years out from Lapband surgery.

Thanks for the replies! :)

I am interested to hear about both RNY and lap band...wow your quite a few years post op from getting your lapband.  Any complications?  Any tips?  I have "heard" that the band only does 30% of the 'work'....the other 70% is up to me on the diet/excercise/behavior changes/etc...do you agree?

I lost my band after two slips.  It has been very difficult for me.  The band is a good tool and many people do really well with it but both my doctor and I were not very patient.  I believe that we rushed the fills and that is what could have caused the slips.  I know that most insurance companies won't pay for the sleeve, but I think it's a good option...no implants, no adjustments, no malabsorption, no cutting of the intestines.  If you can swing the $15K, you should seriously consider that procedure.  Dr. Alverez has a complete package in Mexico for less than $10K.  I know going to Mexico is a big deal, but the VSG forum is full of his patients that do very well.  Good luck with your decision!

5 1/2 yrs out from RNY 
First year no complications and actually got to 10 pounds below my goal weight

right after my 1 yr mark I ended up in for emergency surgery for a bowel obstruction caused by an intenstional adhesion ( scar tissue ) 

I deal with severe hypoglycemic episodes which there is no rhyme or reason to

My Vitamin D tanked so I take huge amounts of that trying to get it back up ( this is not something I ever heard was a concern ) 

I only had 2 main health issues prior to surgery ... one was acid reflux which I had to go back on a med for 4 months after surgery and still am on to this day

Other was high blood pressure ... I was on meds for about 4 months prior to surgery after having typically low blood pressure ... havent been on anything for that since the day prior to surgery and it has been back to normal ( for me ) since then ... just last week it was 92/64 so that issue has definitely been taken care of by the surgery

overall I have more health issues now then I did then

i am also out 5 years.  since than i have become hypoglycemic also with no rhyme or reason.  my  A & D vitamin has tanked.  right now at this very moment i am in bed doing a bowel prep for tomorrow.  i think i have developed an ulcer so i am getting scoped both ways.  i had bounce back weight of 50 pounds, but now i have these problems.  maybe wouldnt mind so much if i were thinner. LOL
what really bothers me is the hypoglycemia, its a crappy crappy feeling.  the iowest i can remember my sugar is 38.
Gina

 I am almost 6 years post op. I did have quite a bit of rebound weight gain. I am prone to vitamin deficiencies of b-12 and vitamin D... I did not know I was deficient in vitamin D for years, no one thought to check so I developed osteomalacia... which caused bone, joint pain and chronic fatigue. I supose having chronic fatigue wouldn't help in weightloss. I was admitted to hospital for unexplained abdominal pain about 2 years post op... they thought it was a bowel obstruction but wasn't... it might have been kidney stones from rapid weightloss but they don't know... it just mysteriously went away. I do have hypoglycemia which doesn't really have any rhyme or reason... I just get sick.  My first two years were great, I felt great and I lost weight! When the vitamin deficiencies started showing up I started feeling bad... I lost focus and was depressed. Sometimes I regret the surgery because realistically I do have more health problems now than before. I also blame myself... surgery fixes your tummy but it doesn't fix your head. If emotional problems are what lead you to over eat get help for them along w/ your weightloss surgery. Follow all the rules, follow ALL the rules..no matter how far out you are. I am getting better but it's only w/ a lot of research.... I don't think doctors know all of the side effects of weight loss surgery they are still learning. 

 Almost 9 years out from my original RNY proximal.  Had a hernia and bowel obstruction repaired last Oct.  I was low on my vitamin D about 3 years out but some of that was my doing...I did not realize the importance of vitamin intake.  

You have to remember vitamins are MANDATORY daily and for the rest of your life from day one!  No excuses, No options...  Since I have followed my regime, my levels have been ok.

The other thing to realize is protein levels.  I am continuously on the low side.  Again, like the vitamins, it is necessary to increase protein intake daily.  

Other then that, no other issues.  I would definitely do it again!  My life has changed to the better in so many ways because of WLS. 

I'm three years out with the gastric sleeve.  My insurance covered it 100% after I "explained" it to them.  I was their first VSG approval.

No complications, no problems and I have been able to easily maintain a normal BMI, below my  goal.   I am SO lucky, so thankful and so blessed to have had this smooth of an experience with my WLS. 

I have no comparison with the other (also very good) surgeries, but I'd do the VSG again in a heartbeat.