My Story

This is the first I've posted here since my surgery, which was 3 years ago on Sunday. At first, it simply wasn't physically possible for me to post. Then, it simply wasn't possible emotionally. On Sunday I received email congratulating me on my anniversary. It was a bad day all around, and I responded to the email with a brief synopsis of what had happened to me. I received a lovely response back suggesting that I post my story here so more people are aware of the risks and possible complications, and I guess that means now is the time. This isn't pretty by any means, but I think people considering the surgery need to read it. On April 10, 2002 I had open RNY. I weighed about 470, give or take a few due to the pre-op binge we all seem to go on. The surgery itself went fine, and I was discharged a few days later. About 10 days after that, I went to the surgeon's office to have the staples removed, and that's when it all began. As the tech removed the staples, the entire incision, all 14" of it, opened right back up like a huge zipper, all the way down through the fat and the muscle. I looked down at my huge gaping belly in shock, thinking, "No human being can live like this." The tech assured me that this wasn't unusual, and that while it takes a good while to heal (up to a year), it DOES heal. The surgeon herself wasn't in that day, but I did see a resident, and he too said it would heal. They made arrangements for visiting nurses to come to my home to do dressing changes and sent me on my way. Within a week, infection hit and I was back in the surgeon's office. This time I did see the surgeon, and she admitted me directly to the hospital from her office. Little did I know that I wouldn't be home again for 6 months. While I was in the hopsital, the bowel herniated into the open wound, and two fistulas (small openings) formed on the exposed bowel. The end result was that all of my bowel movements came through those openings, since they were the "high spot" on the bowel. Yes, this means that all bowel movements went directly into that huge, open wound. I went through dressing changes 3 times a day, infection after infection, surgery after surgery. I was bounced between hospitals and nursing homes, finally coming home late in 2002 for a few months. My bowel resection was scheduled for Jan 2, 2003. Finally, I thought, some relief. That surgery also went well, about 10" of bowel was removed, the ends were resected and everything seemed fine. However, 3 days later that wound opened back up as well, same as the first. And again, there was nothing they could do but let it heal on its own. From January 2003 through November 2003 I was again shuffled between nursing homes and hospitals and acute care centers. I was in and out of intensive care more times than I can remember, I woke up on ventilators twice with no knowledge of how I'd gotten there. I lost every strand of hair on my body, and before it was over I literally couldn't even lift my head from my pillow, my body had become that deconditioned. I've been home for good since November 2003, and it's been a long, hard road. The stomach wound is still open, but thankfully quite small now. I also developed a severe bed sore along the way, which is actually giving me more problems now than the stomach wound. My hair grew back, thank God. I'd dropped down to 200 lbs at one point, which was far below what the surgeon had wanted. I was on IV nutrition, and had to learn how to eat all over again before they'd allow me to come home. I'm back up to 300 now, which is more than I should be, but my story doesn't end there. You see, my husband, the rock who got me through all of this, the man who visited every single day and bullied doctors and kept an eagle eye on the nurses in case anyone dare mistreat me in any way, the man who patiently did my dressing changes every day after working 10-12 hours, the man who held my hand and reminded me to breathe when the pain became unbearable as it often did, committed suicide this past July. He had problems that existed way before my surgery came along, but the pressures of dealing with my illness and taking care of me contributed to those problems greatly. I'd give anything to go back to April 9, 2002 and be able to change my mind about having that surgery. Yes, I lost weight - but the price was entirely too dear. Even now, I'm still finding things that are directly related to the surgery and problems from it. I recently had to get much stronger glasses, because IV nutrition can play hell on your eyes, as I just found out. I found out just this weekend that I have kidney stones, a result of being dehydrated so many times for so long. I wonder now if it will ever really end. If you're considering this surgery or know someone who is, please please read my words carefully. I know that this surgery has helped many many people, but as time goes on, I'm finding that there are more like me, with problems we don't like to talk about. Well, I'm ready to talk now, more than ready. For the record, I'm not diabetic, and had no major health problems other than obesity before the surgery. And as you can tell from having read this, now I seem to have more problems than any one person should ever have to handle. -Linda

Linda, My heart goes WAY out for you. You have been through HELL and back. I am so, so sorry for the lose of your husband. That has to be the worst pain in the world. To have to suffer with a botched surgery and then your husband's depression is simply too much to bare. I can say there is light at the end of the tunnel for you. You can educate those going into this surgery that there are complications to this surgery. Maybe you can educate doctors about your story. It is a very compelling one. One that should be told to the medical community so that this surgery isn't taken lightly including the docs out there performing this operation. God bless you dear. You have a purpose to heal and to educate.

Hi Linda, I am so sorry to read about all that you went through. I had a leak and needed emergency surgery but have done well since then. I cannot even fathom the depths of your trials. I do hope the future holds some happiness for you. Best wishes, DD

I couldn't have said it better than Melanie. My sentiments are the same. NO HUMAN should have to go through what you did! I got chills when I read your story. I had my surgery 2/10/05 & am a nurse...so I went into this with my eyes wide open. I researched my surgeon thoroughly, picked the top hospital where I live, & educated myself as much as possible. That being said...you still just never know. After that...all you can do is pray for the best. I do believe there are too many WLS's being done & some doctors going into this field for the $$$$$. God Bless You!

I'm very sorry to hear all the bad things that have happened to you. No person should ever be put through what you have. I too have had many major health problems after my WLS. I had my surgery back in August of 03' and everything went great for about 5 months. I lost over 110 pounds and was feeling great. Then one day at work I took a bite of lunch and had immediate pain in my abdomen. Being that I have grown up with a doctor for a mother, I knew something serious was wrong. She came to see me at work and said I looked like a ghost. She took me to the hospital and they began to run tests. They made me drink some contrast and took me to do a CT scan and I started vomiting everywhere. Only after that I began to scream uncontrollably from the pain. My family kept telling me to be quiet and eventually the nurses put a towel in my mouth. They gave me so much pain medicine that my heart almost stopped. The next day I had surgery because of the bowel obstruction I had developed from scar tissue. I recovered ok from this surgery ok, and did quite well again for about 5 months. Last fall I was rear ended by a car going about 5 mph and developed back pain. I was put on prednisone and prescription NSAIDS basically hardcore ibuprofen. I began having black tarry stools and didnt think much of it. Two weeks later I ended up in the hospital with a hemoglobin of 6(usually 13-18 for men) and had a bleeding ulcer. 16 units of blood and three hospitilizations later I had surgery and had my entire stomach removed except for my pouch. I was then told I couldnt get an ulcer anymore. 2 Weeks later I was in the hospital and had to have surgery to remove a softball sized abcess. Then I got a wound infection that was ripped open all the way almost through the muscle. It took roughly 3 1/2 months of packing it to heal. I thought I finally would be ok. Then I started to have migraine headaches. And they put me on prednisone (a steroid) again and to make a long story short I just got out of the hospital because I was anemic from a bleeding ulcer. It has been very hard and I understand the way you feel. I am extremely sorry about you husband and hope that things go a lot better for the both of us in the future. I do have to say that if I could go back to August of 03' and had to make the a decision. I still would have had the surgery despite all the problems I have had. Im down to 205 pounds from around 400. But, anyone who is thinking about having the surgery absolutely must be informed about the risks. I wish you great health, Dave

Linda, I am so sorry for everything you have gone through. It is so important to share this side of the story as well. I hope you continue to heal physically as well as mentally. I can't even imagine what you have been through. Higs to you, Erica

Linda, Thanks for having the courage to post here.... I see far too many people who are obsessed with the numbers (lbs of weight loss, gms of protein consumed, ozs of water drank) and don't always realize the very real toll that these major changes can have on a life. I applaud you for being a "survivor"... you must be a tremendously courageous persons... I think there must be many who would have given up by now. Hang in there.... I hope that life goes better for you now and you begin to reap some benefits from all of your hard times! B

Linda, Thank you for having the courage to share your story. Have comfort that our Heavenly Father is always by your side and will continue to heal your heart, body, and soul. I didn't even have my first consultation yet so I'm new to all of this. You have given me a lot to think about. Thank you.

Wow.... I've been coming to this board for more than two years now and never knew until today this fourm was here. I pray that you're done with problems related to surgery and that you continue to heal. I will refer anyone I talk to to this forurm so they can be sure to see all sides. Sending angels to lift you up as you continue your journey... Terri 303/140

Linda, you are definitely a survivor. No one can say why you had to be the one to go through this terrible ordeal........all we can do is hold you in our highest thoughts and regards for overcoming these unfortunate cir****tances thus far.....and of course, keep you in our prayers that these bad events hopefully have come to an end. Fortunately, so far, I have had positive outcomes to my surgery nearly a year and a half ago. Do I wonder at age 55 what life will be like for me at age 65? 75? Sure, I'd be lying if I said otherwise however, I know where my health was heading with the extra weight. I thank God every morning and every night for the life He chooses for me..........and for however long He chooses to let me live it. Again, Linda, you are a champion and very brave to share the deeply personal events of the last three years of your life. God bless you. Luvitsunny