Monday's Quiz - RNY complications

The truth is that while most patients do not have any complications, especially no serious complications, some do.  Everyone having RNY should know all the risks as well as what they can do to reduce their risk.

What is a stricture and how common are they?  If you get one, how is it treated?  Is there anything you can do to reduce your risk?

How many develop pneumonia right after surgery?  What can you do to reduce your risk?

How many get serious infections?  And how many get minor infections?  What can you do to reduce your risk?

How many get blood clots in their legs?  What can you do to reduce your risk?

How many develop gallstones in the first year or so post op?  Why does that happen?  And what can you do to reduce your risk?

How many get ulcers after RNY?  What can you do to reduce your risk?

How common are vitamin deficiencies after RNY?  What can you do to reduce your risk?

Good questions. I will be going over all of them to make sure I am well educated. I wonder if you could help me out with the vitamins though. I have researched on this site and looked at the vitamins on celebrate and vitalady website and am still so confused as to exactly what vitamins I will need after surgery. I wont be having surgery for another month or two. I currently take Centrum Ultra Womans multivitamin one per day. I also currently take Vit D 1.25 mg once a week.  I was wondering if it is possible for you to give me a list of the vitamins I will most likely have to take. I am trying to buy a little at a time now. Thanks.

2 multis - the one you are taking now should be fine, just take two a day

1500-2000 mg calcium CITRATE - not carbonate, in doses of 500 mg three or four times a day

iron - if you still have periods, addition iron, 18-27 mg unless your labs show you need more

vitamin C- you don't have to take this one but if you take it with your iron, it will help you absorb it better.  You need 200 mg C for every 30 mg iron

B12- needs to be sublingual, 350-500 mcg a day, or else the prescription nasal spray or injections

D3- All post ops seem to need vitamin D, though the amount varies and is based on your labs.  Make sure it's D3, not D2, and not in oil

Thank you so much!!  This is very helpful

Good Morning Kelly,
In a way, I was lucky.  I did not have any infections or strictures related to the surgery.
At 11 months out and again at a year and a half, I had a intussusception.  My bariatric team was terrific and took great care of me.  The first surgery was done laparascopically and the second the doctor made a larger incision and did some stitching inside to hold the intestines in place.
Knock on wood, I feel pretty good. I need to get my blood checked more, I admit that I need to keep on top of that. All in all, bariatric surgery was one of the best things I have ever done for myself.  I had great support at home from my fiancee.  He went to every appointment and meeting with me.  At over two years out, he still goes. I am one LUCKY girl.
Beth
 

What is a stricture and how common are they? If you get one, how is it treated? Is there anything you can do to reduce your risk? Stricture is scar tissue that makes the pouch outlet smaller, to sealed off. They stretch it during an endoscopy. Not sure to reduce risk.

How many develop pneumonia right after surgery? What can you do to reduce your risk? no clue how many. Reduce risk.... get up and walk, coughing, and using the spirometer (that breathing thingy they give you).


How many get serious infections? And how many get minor infections? What can you do to reduce your risk? I am not sure on the how many. But keeping the sites dry and clean is the way to reduce risk.


How many get blood clots in their legs? What can you do to reduce your risk? Don't know how many get them. Get up moving often as soon as humanly possible.

How many develop gallstones in the first year or so post op? Why does that happen? And what can you do to reduce your risk? Didn't really research this one, as I have no gallbladder.

How many get ulcers after RNY? What can you do to reduce your risk? Again i don't know how many. Keeping acid down in the pouch, no nsaids.

How common are vitamin deficiencies after RNY? What can you do to reduce your risk? Vitamin deficiencies are quite common. Take your vitamins, take the proper ones, and get your levels tested.

WHAT CAN YOU GET BLOOD CLOTS IN YOUR LEGGS FROM? IVE NOTICED THAT I HAVE MORE BUSTED BLOOD VENS IN MY LEGGS SINCE SURGERY AND SOME STICK OUT. IS IT FROM NOT MOVING ENOUGH OR WHAT? I TRY TO DO QUITE A BIT . THIS IS SOME SERIOUS THINGS TO BE LOOKED INTO..

I don't think what you're talking about is the same as blood clots, but maybe you should check with your doctor.

Is your iron low by any chance?  Or your vitamin K?

Answers:

What is a stricture and how common are they?  If you get one, how is it treated?  Is there anything you can do to reduce your risk?

It’s when the opening between the pouch and small intestine heals up too much and then food can’t get through.  About 3% of patients get one.  They do an endoscopy, going down your throat with a tiny camera (you are sedated for this) and then stretch the stoma out with a balloon.  There is no way to prevent getting one, it just happens sometimes.

How many develop pneumonia right after surgery?  What can you do to reduce your risk?

Less than 1%.  Reduce your risk by sitting up, walking as much as you can, coughing and using your inspirative spirometer as directed in the hospital (continue using it for at least several days at home, too).

How many get serious infections?  And how many get minor infections?  What can you do to reduce your risk?

1% get serious infections, 2% minor infections.  Reduce your risk by bathing with antibiotic soap the night before surgery, keeping your incisions clean and dry post op and not taking baths or swimming (no submersion in water****il your incisions are totally healed.

How many get blood clots in their legs?  What can you do to reduce your risk?

Less than 1%.  Reduce your risk by walking, walking, walking.

How many develop gallstones in the first year or so post op?  Why does that happen?  And what can you do to reduce your risk?

About 32%, unless you take Actigall (Ursidol).  That’s because rapid weight loss upset the balance of bile to cholesterol salts in your body.  Taking Actigall reduces your risk to about 2%.  Ask your doc about it if he doesn’t prescribe it for you.

How many get ulcers after RNY?  What can you do to reduce your risk?

3%.  Reduce your risk by avoiding NSAIDS, not smoking and taking any acid reducing medications as prescribed.

How common are vitamin deficiencies after RNY?  What can you do to reduce your risk?

Very, very, very common.  Reduce your risk by following the ASMBS guidelines to start with, getting labs done regularly (every three months the first year, then every six months after that for the rest of your life) and adjusting your vitamins accordingly.  Also reduce your risk by doing your own research in the area of vitamins and not just taking your surgeon’s or nutritionist’s advice if they tell you to take Flintstones and Viactiv.

i still use my spirometer to this day. it just helps me breath better.