My Friend Died 9 Yrs After RNY, DS & Reversal
I'm so very angry right now because a good friend of mine died this morning. She had RNY 9 years ago. She went through all these years and gained back weight just like everyone else does. She had gone through a tummy tuck and brachioplasty (twice) years ago. From what I've heard she had DS sometime last year due to her weight gain. Evidently she started having heart problems and blot clots began forming in all of her limbs. She underwent reveral this month and then passed away this morning.
I'm angry because people EVERYWHERE are DYING to be thin! Being thin is more important than life itself. WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE PEOPLE THINKING FOR GOD'S SAKE???? SERIOUSLY???
SURE, we gain weight back because our stomachs STRETCH! We gain weight because we go back to eating like we did before surgery. Then, we put our lives back on the line and undergo MORE SURGERY because we don't have self control! SERIOUSLY?????
This woman led a vibrant life and was a teacher who was loved by her students and everyone around her. She was obsessed with how people thought of her. She was a mere 49 years young and lived life to the fullest! People who knew her are shocked and still reeling from this news. No one understands how SERIOUS gastric bypass surgery is! They ESPECIALLY don't know how serious it is to undergo TWO gastric bypass surgeries and THEN HAVE THEM REVERSED!
I'm writing this to somehow get through to people who are thinking about having this surgery! BEING THIN IS NOT WORTH DYING FOR! Think about this and talk to people who are ten years out from surgery! See what the long term complications are before you make up your mind! KNOW that if you don't CONTINUE to eat mostly proteins THE REST OF YOUR LIFE AND EXERCISE THE REST OF YOUR LIFE you will GAIN the weight back! (READ THAT AGAIN!)
You will gain your weight back if you don't diet and exercise the rest of your life! Say it outloud until it sinks in!
THIS SURGERY is only a temporary tool to a permanent problem! ARE YOU WILLING TO DIE for a temporary fix?
I'm extremely shocked and angry that this precious woman had to die to be an example of what kind of people are out there today who are willing to do to ANY LENGTHS to be thin!
I don't come here much so if you want to write to me personally you can do so at: macrobin2000@yahoo.com.
Please, for your own sakes, try some other way to lose the weight! There are better ways than giving up your life to do it!
I'm angry because people EVERYWHERE are DYING to be thin! Being thin is more important than life itself. WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE PEOPLE THINKING FOR GOD'S SAKE???? SERIOUSLY???
SURE, we gain weight back because our stomachs STRETCH! We gain weight because we go back to eating like we did before surgery. Then, we put our lives back on the line and undergo MORE SURGERY because we don't have self control! SERIOUSLY?????
This woman led a vibrant life and was a teacher who was loved by her students and everyone around her. She was obsessed with how people thought of her. She was a mere 49 years young and lived life to the fullest! People who knew her are shocked and still reeling from this news. No one understands how SERIOUS gastric bypass surgery is! They ESPECIALLY don't know how serious it is to undergo TWO gastric bypass surgeries and THEN HAVE THEM REVERSED!
I'm writing this to somehow get through to people who are thinking about having this surgery! BEING THIN IS NOT WORTH DYING FOR! Think about this and talk to people who are ten years out from surgery! See what the long term complications are before you make up your mind! KNOW that if you don't CONTINUE to eat mostly proteins THE REST OF YOUR LIFE AND EXERCISE THE REST OF YOUR LIFE you will GAIN the weight back! (READ THAT AGAIN!)
You will gain your weight back if you don't diet and exercise the rest of your life! Say it outloud until it sinks in!
THIS SURGERY is only a temporary tool to a permanent problem! ARE YOU WILLING TO DIE for a temporary fix?
I'm extremely shocked and angry that this precious woman had to die to be an example of what kind of people are out there today who are willing to do to ANY LENGTHS to be thin!
I don't come here much so if you want to write to me personally you can do so at: macrobin2000@yahoo.com.
Please, for your own sakes, try some other way to lose the weight! There are better ways than giving up your life to do it!
Robin-
I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. You have my deepest sympathy.
I have a DS, and death is one of the complications listed on the consent forms my hosptial has everyone sign, regardless of which surgery they get, prior to surgery. Death is also a complication of not doing what you need to do nutritionally. If I had money for a night out to dinner, or buying vites, I would buy the vites.
Being thin was not my goal for having the surgery. Being healthy and getting rid of co-morbidities, especially high blood pressure, was what it was all about for me!
I'm not saying your friend's death is her fault, but it may be the fault of whoever did her surgery in the first place, and then didn't have the programs in place to educate and follow her.
My hospital program requires a 5 year follow with their bariatric surgery program. That is at risk for me now, because a plastic surgeon is upset that I asked questons pre-op, and cancelled my surgery. That doctor is now contacting every doctor that takes care of me, to try to get me dropped from care, out of spite. I furnished the information, as I always do, to any doctor or dentist that I see in advance, because I know the things that I have to do to stay healthy could impact any treatment that they may do. I'm having to try to do a lot of damage control now, to save my own life. I only have a year and a half of hospital follow ups to go.
Because of my excess skin, I have not reached "chart weight", and I won't, unless the skin is removed. My PCP imposed a pre-plastics limit of 160 pounds. I am only 5 pounds away from that, and I'm 3 years and change out, weighed 397 on surgery day. Highest weight was 405.
I can't stress enough the importance of making sure surgery is done at a Center of Excellence, with doctors and multi-disciplinary programs familiar with *all* bariatric surgeries, and treat them according to what each one requires.
God bless you, and don't blame the procedure for your friend's death.
I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. You have my deepest sympathy.
I have a DS, and death is one of the complications listed on the consent forms my hosptial has everyone sign, regardless of which surgery they get, prior to surgery. Death is also a complication of not doing what you need to do nutritionally. If I had money for a night out to dinner, or buying vites, I would buy the vites.
Being thin was not my goal for having the surgery. Being healthy and getting rid of co-morbidities, especially high blood pressure, was what it was all about for me!
I'm not saying your friend's death is her fault, but it may be the fault of whoever did her surgery in the first place, and then didn't have the programs in place to educate and follow her.
My hospital program requires a 5 year follow with their bariatric surgery program. That is at risk for me now, because a plastic surgeon is upset that I asked questons pre-op, and cancelled my surgery. That doctor is now contacting every doctor that takes care of me, to try to get me dropped from care, out of spite. I furnished the information, as I always do, to any doctor or dentist that I see in advance, because I know the things that I have to do to stay healthy could impact any treatment that they may do. I'm having to try to do a lot of damage control now, to save my own life. I only have a year and a half of hospital follow ups to go.
Because of my excess skin, I have not reached "chart weight", and I won't, unless the skin is removed. My PCP imposed a pre-plastics limit of 160 pounds. I am only 5 pounds away from that, and I'm 3 years and change out, weighed 397 on surgery day. Highest weight was 405.
I can't stress enough the importance of making sure surgery is done at a Center of Excellence, with doctors and multi-disciplinary programs familiar with *all* bariatric surgeries, and treat them according to what each one requires.
God bless you, and don't blame the procedure for your friend's death.
HW 405/SW 397/CW 138/GW 160 Do the research! Check the stats!
The DS is *THE* solution to Severe Morbid Obesity!
First off, I'm sorry to hear about your friend.
However, she only passed away this morning so you're still in shock and grieving. I think it's a little early to be yelling at everyone for having had the surgery or for thinking about having it. You yourself had the surgery, so you can't find it that horrible of a thing to do.
I have not had surgery yet, but am working towards getting the DS. Yes I understand the risks. I am not planning to have the surgery to be "thin". I don't think most people that think that way have the surgery as I don't believe they can pass all the requirements and tests to get approved. I want the surgery to be at a more healthy weight. I have said this from the beginning - I would rather die from a complication due to the surgery than to die because of my weight.
Your friend had her first surgery 9 years ago. You should see it as her having lived 9 years more than if she had not had any surgery. I consider that a plus.
However, she only passed away this morning so you're still in shock and grieving. I think it's a little early to be yelling at everyone for having had the surgery or for thinking about having it. You yourself had the surgery, so you can't find it that horrible of a thing to do.
I have not had surgery yet, but am working towards getting the DS. Yes I understand the risks. I am not planning to have the surgery to be "thin". I don't think most people that think that way have the surgery as I don't believe they can pass all the requirements and tests to get approved. I want the surgery to be at a more healthy weight. I have said this from the beginning - I would rather die from a complication due to the surgery than to die because of my weight.
Your friend had her first surgery 9 years ago. You should see it as her having lived 9 years more than if she had not had any surgery. I consider that a plus.
Wanting the DS!
If you care enough for the result, you will almost always attain it. - William James
I have not been here for awhile as life has been nuts... but I am sorry you lost your friend. I have also lost several friends who had WLS.
I do not know your friend, and I am not saying it's her fault, but I wonder if she took all the necessary post-op vits and followed the diet properly ? I know you can't answer this, as you have no way of knowing for sure. There are many people who think WLS is a fix it all for weight issues. It does not come with an easy post op life for most. Some find it easier than others. I also wonder if she had proper counseling to deal with her eating issues. That sure was an eye opener at this end when I had to go thru it.
The life your friend had, was one of her choice. You can't control what she did. I have tried to support many people with WLS who do not understand follow up and I feel a lot goes in one ear and out the other one !
You also did not mention who her surgeons were so that people know if she went to what us DS'ers call a vetted doc. That is very important in the long term scheme of WLS. Revisions are the riskiests of all !
I pray you get over your anger and can be supportive to her family. Sounds like God had other plans in His kingdom for your friend.
I do not know your friend, and I am not saying it's her fault, but I wonder if she took all the necessary post-op vits and followed the diet properly ? I know you can't answer this, as you have no way of knowing for sure. There are many people who think WLS is a fix it all for weight issues. It does not come with an easy post op life for most. Some find it easier than others. I also wonder if she had proper counseling to deal with her eating issues. That sure was an eye opener at this end when I had to go thru it.
The life your friend had, was one of her choice. You can't control what she did. I have tried to support many people with WLS who do not understand follow up and I feel a lot goes in one ear and out the other one !
You also did not mention who her surgeons were so that people know if she went to what us DS'ers call a vetted doc. That is very important in the long term scheme of WLS. Revisions are the riskiests of all !
I pray you get over your anger and can be supportive to her family. Sounds like God had other plans in His kingdom for your friend.
Ginger<><
Revision #2 Dr John Rabkin June 21, 2013; First Revision DS - Dr Maguire 5-18-09; First DS 7-15-2003 Dr Clark Warden = Third time is the charm 
I'm sorry for your loss.
Do they know what kind of heart problem it was? what was it called? There are congenital heart defects that can contribute to or cause an early death. This can happen to any one very quickly, even outside of surgery, with no prior symptoms. It happened to my neighbors husband at home. All surgeries are risky with annesthesia. The more you have the greater the risk. This is one reason I had the D.S. and not the 2 part version, or sleeve to D.S. revision later. Revisions are known to be more risky, and are usualy done as an open procedure.
Do they know what kind of heart problem it was? what was it called? There are congenital heart defects that can contribute to or cause an early death. This can happen to any one very quickly, even outside of surgery, with no prior symptoms. It happened to my neighbors husband at home. All surgeries are risky with annesthesia. The more you have the greater the risk. This is one reason I had the D.S. and not the 2 part version, or sleeve to D.S. revision later. Revisions are known to be more risky, and are usualy done as an open procedure.
Duodenal Switch- lap
Dr. Paul. Kemmeter Grand Rapids, Mi.
Dr. John Renucci, Plastics, Body contouring,Grand Rapids, Mi.
Start 255/ Surgery wt 235/ Current wt. 117
BMI-20, 135 lbs lost, 5'3"
Hi Robin, Sorry to hear of your friends passing, I first want to clarify that DS is not temporary at all and is the gold standard in WLS. Being compliant is indeed a plus to success in WLS so no disagreement there. Gaining weight back after WLS when being compliant is unlikely but I suppose anything is possible. At two years I have had ZERO complications and would recommend DS to anyone like myself who HAD high blood pressure , type 2 diabetes , sleep apnea and high cholesterol.
Jeff 
I'm sorry about your friend. I too have lost people I knew because of complications after WLS.
Why do people do this? All you have to do is look at your own avatar. The before and after speak volumes. Then there is quality of life as well. It's a lot harder to be old and fat than just old. Once you get to the point where you have limitations because of your weight it becomes even more important find a way to lose.
Yes, there are other ways to lose weight. If you only need to lose 10 or 20lbs. Once you get to the morbidly obese world there's less than a 5% chance you will be able to drop the weight and keep it off by diet and exercise alone. Those are grim odds and I bet the successful >5% don't live anything close to normal lives. They spend hours a day at the gym and count lettuce leaves. I wanted a normal life and diet and exercise won't buy that for the MO.
I knew when I had surgery there was a chance I would have problems, up to and including death. I was more afraid to NOT have the surgery. After living my whole life as a fatty, I knew what the future held for me and it wasn't anything I wanted. I had settled for less all my life because of my size. Well, it was time to roll the dice and take my one last chance to go through the rest of my life as a normal sized person. I had tried every diet and exercise program known to mankind and none of them worked long term. My motto honestly was thin or dead. Either one was OK with me and I had made my peace with it. Yes, I had friends and relatives who questioned my sanity and said I should settle again. Settle and stay fat or try just one more diet.
It was worth it. Even if I drop dead of some complication this afternoon, it was worth it and my only regret is not doing this when I was about 10. It would have saved me from a lot of misery. Life is full of hard choices and no one every knows what would have happened if they had taken the other path. Maybe I wouldn't be here today if I hadn't had the surgery.
Why do people do this? All you have to do is look at your own avatar. The before and after speak volumes. Then there is quality of life as well. It's a lot harder to be old and fat than just old. Once you get to the point where you have limitations because of your weight it becomes even more important find a way to lose.
Yes, there are other ways to lose weight. If you only need to lose 10 or 20lbs. Once you get to the morbidly obese world there's less than a 5% chance you will be able to drop the weight and keep it off by diet and exercise alone. Those are grim odds and I bet the successful >5% don't live anything close to normal lives. They spend hours a day at the gym and count lettuce leaves. I wanted a normal life and diet and exercise won't buy that for the MO.
I knew when I had surgery there was a chance I would have problems, up to and including death. I was more afraid to NOT have the surgery. After living my whole life as a fatty, I knew what the future held for me and it wasn't anything I wanted. I had settled for less all my life because of my size. Well, it was time to roll the dice and take my one last chance to go through the rest of my life as a normal sized person. I had tried every diet and exercise program known to mankind and none of them worked long term. My motto honestly was thin or dead. Either one was OK with me and I had made my peace with it. Yes, I had friends and relatives who questioned my sanity and said I should settle again. Settle and stay fat or try just one more diet.
It was worth it. Even if I drop dead of some complication this afternoon, it was worth it and my only regret is not doing this when I was about 10. It would have saved me from a lot of misery. Life is full of hard choices and no one every knows what would have happened if they had taken the other path. Maybe I wouldn't be here today if I hadn't had the surgery.
Hello, so sorry to hear about your friend. I had a DSS 8 years ago and now face stage III kidney failure with a gloomy outlook of total failure in the near future. The kidney specialist want me to have a reversal. I am not willing to have a reversal for two reasons, I am older 68, and I know how dangerous a reversal is on the best day and I am unwilling regain 178 pounds. I was alreay near death at 345 lbs and how can I say this, I was desperate having dieted all my life from age 11 to 60 and having mixed results at best. I have always been athletic and considered myself fat and fit until I reached 300 lbs. There was nothing and no one including myself that could stop the malignant weight gain I had. I had ruined my metabolism by the years of dieting and regaining. My only hope was gastric bypass and I grabbed on to it. I lost the weight and took care of a plethera of symptoms I had; high blood pressure, water retention and edema, COPD requiring 2 liters of o2 each day, knee pain, etc. I am sorry about your friend, and there are dangers to this or any surgery. I hope your grief lessens over time.
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