Complications?? Freaking out a little bit.

I had my final visit with Dr. Cummins yesterday so now it's down hill, but yesterday was more of a doom & gloom visit.  She went over the complete procedure beginning to end...whi*****luded every possible complication that could happen.  I knew there were alot and actually knew the complications but for some reason it put me in a tailspin.  I spent the night crying...worrying...stressing out!  Of course no support at home and he doesn't even ask how my appointment went or anything.  So....have any of you heard of people having these complications such as strictures, blockages, remnant swelling?? And if so, how are they now?  I know I'm worrying to much but I just need to put my mind at ease today.
Thanks.

Of my patients seen, I believe the percentages are fairly low sweetie. And the secret is to listen to your body,. If 2 days or 2 weeks you just don't feel right return to your surgeon and asked to be evaluated. Most people fall into tragic issues when they wait too long or try to self medicate after self diagnosing. If your surgeon is a board certified physician and the hospital is a center of excellence facility, you should be great. Do not stress yourself out of having surgery. You will be fine.

Thank you.  She is a great doctor and they are a center of excellence.  I've had alot of surgeries (knee, hysterectomy, gall bladder, lap band) but I have NEVER been tested as much as I have been for this pre-op.  I know they are taking every precaution.  I think my nerves are getting to me.  Thank you for responding...I needed a voice of reason this morning.

That was a great response I am going to have RNY weds 4/13/11 and your Reply was what I needed to make the right decision and my hospital is a center of excellence!!! Thanks so needed that!  

This surgery was my 9th surgery...  Ive had 3 knee, 2 c-sections, 2 shoulder surgeries, a nose surgery and then this one.. You are right the test EVERYTHING.  But by far this surgery I have had no complications at all. It was painful the first week but really after that everything has smooth sailing. I know I only four months out so we will see but so far I couldn't be happier!!

You are doing great!  Thanks so much for the post.  I needed to hear that.

It is  great thing that you Dr went over all of these things with you! Those are all things that can happen. I was very fortunate to have experienced none of them, as are many here. Others have had one or more of them (I have never heard of remnant swelling though).

Worrying is normal, I was in a panic before my spine surgery last week!

Try to stay calm... and good luck!!

Martha

Thank you.

 Don't let yourself get freaked out by the list of possible complications. Ask your Dr. how many of his patients have had each of the complications. You will be surprised when he lists never for most of them. 

Also take horror stories with a grain of salt. Remember people don't rush to the internet to discuss how problem free their surgery went. 

I had two major complications following my surgery.  I went into surgery relatively healthy and expecting no complications.  I had a renowed surgeon and had my surgery at a center of excellence but none of those things could predict the complications that I had nor did I anticipate any of them.  The day after my RNY I was sent home from the hospital.  While in the hospital I had a feeling something wasn't quite right, but I thought I was just being emotional because I didn't have anyone there to support me.  I saw other patients that had just had the same surgery up and about moving around and walking with ease, for me that wasn't the case.  I was in a lot of pain.  I went home and the following day I was still in intense pain and I started throwing up.  I called my surgeon went to the ER and straight in to emergency surgery to correct a small bowel obstruction.  The surgeon basically had to redo my entire surgery after pumping 3 liters of fluid out of my bowels and remnant stomach.  The next day after this procedure my vitals wouldn't stabilize and the dr found that I had a leak and sepsis had set in.  ANOTHER emergency surgery, this time an open procedure followed by 3 days on life support and a 3 week stay in the hospital. 

Currently, I am healthy down about 100 pounds since my surgery date and a 'normal' WLS "survivor".  I do not discourage anyone from having the surgery.  It has enhanced my quality of life, however, be prepared for anything that could happen.  I NEVER thought that those 1 in 1000 complications would happen to me, but two of them did.    My advice to you as you prepare for surgery is to LISTEN TO YOUR BODY.  You will be able to tell if something is off.  This is not a yellow brick road or a magic procedure so tread carefully and be prepared.