Researching Complications
I'm considering bypass surgery and trying to understand the long term complications / success factors. I have read all the stuff that is typically listed as complications but I would really like to hear from people who are 3+ years out. I've heard horror stories about gaining back all the weight to major complications from malabsorption. What has been your experience? I want to hear all the dirty details so I can make an informed decision. I realize the first few years are the "honeymoon stage" because for the most part your loosing weight.. but then what happens????
What happens then depends on what you do. If you keep eating small portions of healthy food, you maintain your weight. If you start eating larger amounts of less healthy foods, you gain some weight back. If you keep getting your labs done regularly and taking the necessary vitamins, you don't have major complications from malabsorption. If you stop getting labs done or don't take your vitamins, you develop nutritional deficiencies that can be very serious.
My experience was that I ended up 18 pounds below my goal weight, then was prescribed a medication that typically causes weight gain, and gained 23 pounds. I asked my doctor to change my meds and then I lost ten of those extra pounds. So I am now about five pounds below my goal weight.
I get labs done every six months and I take a number of vitamins and minerals every day. My labs are all good.
The only complication I have is reactive hypoglycemia. If I eat a lot of carbs without any protein, an hour or two later my blood sugar often drops very low. I get dizzy and shaky and feel like crap. Then I eat something with some carbs and some protein and start feeling better very quickly. But I can usually prevent it from happening at all by eating properly.
What I think is the most important detail is that the surgery doesn't do all the work. It causes me to get full on a small amount of food. I can currently eat about half a sandwich, or one slice of pizza (not something I eat often), one cup of chili, one protein bar, something like that and I am comfortably full. That's maybe 25% of the amount I could eat pre op, maybe less. So the surgery does that for me.
The surgery doesn't make me choose the right foods, though. Too much sugar makes me sick, but I could eat a two Oreos every two hours and get way too many calories in one day if I wanted to. I could eat a lot of potato chips or french fries. If I ate those things a lot, though, I would gain weight back. So I had to change the types of food I eat on a regular basis. And my surgery didn't make those changes for me.
My experience was that I ended up 18 pounds below my goal weight, then was prescribed a medication that typically causes weight gain, and gained 23 pounds. I asked my doctor to change my meds and then I lost ten of those extra pounds. So I am now about five pounds below my goal weight.
I get labs done every six months and I take a number of vitamins and minerals every day. My labs are all good.
The only complication I have is reactive hypoglycemia. If I eat a lot of carbs without any protein, an hour or two later my blood sugar often drops very low. I get dizzy and shaky and feel like crap. Then I eat something with some carbs and some protein and start feeling better very quickly. But I can usually prevent it from happening at all by eating properly.
What I think is the most important detail is that the surgery doesn't do all the work. It causes me to get full on a small amount of food. I can currently eat about half a sandwich, or one slice of pizza (not something I eat often), one cup of chili, one protein bar, something like that and I am comfortably full. That's maybe 25% of the amount I could eat pre op, maybe less. So the surgery does that for me.
The surgery doesn't make me choose the right foods, though. Too much sugar makes me sick, but I could eat a two Oreos every two hours and get way too many calories in one day if I wanted to. I could eat a lot of potato chips or french fries. If I ate those things a lot, though, I would gain weight back. So I had to change the types of food I eat on a regular basis. And my surgery didn't make those changes for me.
Kelly
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
I'm almost 11 yrs out. I hang out with (mostly) women who are 6-15 yrs out. We're all fine, we all
are healthy and active, most of us had the same surgery (all had open RNY), and we met at
support group and at surgeons' pre and post op meetings. I've never had a complication, as most of my friends haven't either-one has to take iron tablets for anemia, that's the only one I can think of. You don't gain back all your weight if you follow the rules - low calorie, low fat, small portions, lots of water and lots of exercise, In my group of 10 close women post op friends, 4 or 5 have gained back some - from 5-20 pounds but all lost over 100 to begin with and two lost
a little over 200 pounds. Malabsorbtion goes away after about the 2nd or 3rd year -we do have to take vitamins forever for that. Our villa grow back in our intestines making our bodies efficient again. I've been thankful every single day I had this done. I still have wow moments 10 1/2 yrs out. I would do this every single year over and over again to feel this good. It's the best thing I ever did for me. I'm happy, healthy, active and I have no problems, I drink the occasional diet coke, have an Advil if I hurt myself doing something, I eat chocolate in moderation, my meals are
now a serving or normal portion. I still do protein forward meals, I had surgery at 44 and now at 54 I can keep up with my grandkids, run circles around most people, I work 2 jobs, sometimes 3
and weekends are spend doing fun, active, sometimes strenuous activities and I love it. I couldn't do this 15 ys ago. It's the best decision I ever made. I hit goal at about 11 months out and hae been there or close to it ever since. I don't get on a scale, I judge my weight by my clothes and I've been in a size 8, 10 or 12 since surgery. That was my goal. I ride my motorcycle, have fun girls weekends, hike, mountain bike, kayak, canoe, play tennis, rock climb, go dancing and enjoy life. I had this surgery to get my life back. To level the playing field so to speak, I lost the weight with surgery and am able to maintain it on my own. I didn't have this to deprive myself and I don't: a piece of cake at a graduation, a ****tail at a bbq, and I'm fine. Moderation is the key. I recommend this to everyone who's thinking about it. I know a women who's 32 yrs out - still gets food stuck, still is close to her goal weight and is enjoying her 28 grandkids. She could never have done that with surgery. probably wouldn't have made it to 80 yrs old to see them all.
Good luck with your research - I recommend it highly.
Jen 10 yrs post op RNY
are healthy and active, most of us had the same surgery (all had open RNY), and we met at
support group and at surgeons' pre and post op meetings. I've never had a complication, as most of my friends haven't either-one has to take iron tablets for anemia, that's the only one I can think of. You don't gain back all your weight if you follow the rules - low calorie, low fat, small portions, lots of water and lots of exercise, In my group of 10 close women post op friends, 4 or 5 have gained back some - from 5-20 pounds but all lost over 100 to begin with and two lost
a little over 200 pounds. Malabsorbtion goes away after about the 2nd or 3rd year -we do have to take vitamins forever for that. Our villa grow back in our intestines making our bodies efficient again. I've been thankful every single day I had this done. I still have wow moments 10 1/2 yrs out. I would do this every single year over and over again to feel this good. It's the best thing I ever did for me. I'm happy, healthy, active and I have no problems, I drink the occasional diet coke, have an Advil if I hurt myself doing something, I eat chocolate in moderation, my meals are
now a serving or normal portion. I still do protein forward meals, I had surgery at 44 and now at 54 I can keep up with my grandkids, run circles around most people, I work 2 jobs, sometimes 3
and weekends are spend doing fun, active, sometimes strenuous activities and I love it. I couldn't do this 15 ys ago. It's the best decision I ever made. I hit goal at about 11 months out and hae been there or close to it ever since. I don't get on a scale, I judge my weight by my clothes and I've been in a size 8, 10 or 12 since surgery. That was my goal. I ride my motorcycle, have fun girls weekends, hike, mountain bike, kayak, canoe, play tennis, rock climb, go dancing and enjoy life. I had this surgery to get my life back. To level the playing field so to speak, I lost the weight with surgery and am able to maintain it on my own. I didn't have this to deprive myself and I don't: a piece of cake at a graduation, a ****tail at a bbq, and I'm fine. Moderation is the key. I recommend this to everyone who's thinking about it. I know a women who's 32 yrs out - still gets food stuck, still is close to her goal weight and is enjoying her 28 grandkids. She could never have done that with surgery. probably wouldn't have made it to 80 yrs old to see them all.
Good luck with your research - I recommend it highly.
Jen 10 yrs post op RNY
You can read my story here: www.diminishingdawn.com
Had surgery in 2006. I am 6 years out.
First two years: iron deficiency anemia. Remedy: supplementation.
Development of osteopenia as a result of bypass and long term use of Depo Provera. Remedy: switched form of birth control.
Lost 148 lbs.
Next two years. Issues with regain and being upset with myself. Cycle of self depreciation. Remedy: therapy.
Iron deficient again. Remedy Supplementation.
Found 27 lbs.
Became reactive hypoglycemic. Managed symptoms fairly well. Remedy: avoid sugar.
Next two years: Starting to feel comfortable in my own skin. Still working on that. Making peace with my body.
Deficient in Vitamin D and iron. Still supplementing.
Lost 17 lbs. Around 10 more to go.
Still managing the reactive hypoglycemia, having my first episode of unconsciousness because I put off symptoms when I should have known better. Live and learn.
Overall, happier, healthier and have done three half marathons, have played floor hockey, coached swimming and basketball, started and run a wls support group, still love the wls community.
The only regret is still wish I'd done this earlier. I'd change a few things: I would have gotten UNDER goal to allow myself bounceback because then maybe it would not have hit me so hard with the mental aspect of it all. I would have also paid more attention to carbs along my journey.
Email me anytime if you'd like to chat.
Dawn
P.S. My husband just had it done this past December.
Had surgery in 2006. I am 6 years out.
First two years: iron deficiency anemia. Remedy: supplementation.
Development of osteopenia as a result of bypass and long term use of Depo Provera. Remedy: switched form of birth control.
Lost 148 lbs.
Next two years. Issues with regain and being upset with myself. Cycle of self depreciation. Remedy: therapy.
Iron deficient again. Remedy Supplementation.
Found 27 lbs.
Became reactive hypoglycemic. Managed symptoms fairly well. Remedy: avoid sugar.
Next two years: Starting to feel comfortable in my own skin. Still working on that. Making peace with my body.
Deficient in Vitamin D and iron. Still supplementing.
Lost 17 lbs. Around 10 more to go.
Still managing the reactive hypoglycemia, having my first episode of unconsciousness because I put off symptoms when I should have known better. Live and learn.
Overall, happier, healthier and have done three half marathons, have played floor hockey, coached swimming and basketball, started and run a wls support group, still love the wls community.
The only regret is still wish I'd done this earlier. I'd change a few things: I would have gotten UNDER goal to allow myself bounceback because then maybe it would not have hit me so hard with the mental aspect of it all. I would have also paid more attention to carbs along my journey.
Email me anytime if you'd like to chat.
Dawn
P.S. My husband just had it done this past December.
17+ years post op RNY. first year blog here or My LongTimer blog. Tummy Tuck Dr. Matic 2014 -Ohip funded panni
Windsor WLS support group.message me anytime!
HW:290 LW:139 RW: 167 CW: 139
thank you all so much for your reply's these are very helpful.. I'm a failed band patient considering bypass. I've failed for a few different reasons, some of which are my fault (bad choices) and some are health issue's unrelated to the band. I'm back where I started and feel like I made a mistake and should have gone this route...now I'm back to step 1.
HW: 300 / Lapband Low: 247 / RNY: 9/10/12
Like I said before, I run a support group. We've literally have HUNDREDS of people come through our doors. In terms of complications, I've seen maybe five people that have had bowel obstructions. Lots of hernias and strictures, ulcers, even a few that had blood clots treated, deficiencies......
Very few people with life threatening issues. One lady who supposedly died because of severe malnutrition (second hand information). Another who died of liver failure (second hand information again). One who died because she didn't get the surgery and died just as she'd gotten her approval again due to health issues caused by obesity.
Numerous people who were told if they hadn't have surgery, they would have died within a few years due to existing comorbidities (fatty liver etc).
I only knew of one person who actually regretted surgery past the 6 month mark (most people have regretful days early out...but that passes)..and now she loves it. She had a tough go early out due to hernias and preexisting issues that made her recovery very long and arduous.
Dawn
Very few people with life threatening issues. One lady who supposedly died because of severe malnutrition (second hand information). Another who died of liver failure (second hand information again). One who died because she didn't get the surgery and died just as she'd gotten her approval again due to health issues caused by obesity.
Numerous people who were told if they hadn't have surgery, they would have died within a few years due to existing comorbidities (fatty liver etc).
I only knew of one person who actually regretted surgery past the 6 month mark (most people have regretful days early out...but that passes)..and now she loves it. She had a tough go early out due to hernias and preexisting issues that made her recovery very long and arduous.
Dawn
17+ years post op RNY. first year blog here or My LongTimer blog. Tummy Tuck Dr. Matic 2014 -Ohip funded panni Windsor WLS support group.message me anytime!
HW:290 LW:139 RW: 167 CW: 139
(deactivated member)
on 6/11/12 1:27 pm - WA
on 6/11/12 1:27 pm - WA
what ever you put into it you will get out of it. These ladies have told you how they put in the work, healthy foods and excersize. for the flip side read the revision board
I will be 5 years out in August. The only nutritional issue I have had is low Vit K levels (which is somewhat unusual), and the only complication I has that was a direct result of the RNY was an incisional hernia (I had open RNY, not lap).
The complications that I have had, were from my tummy tuck incision turning necrotic (and having to spend 5 months cleaning and packing a giant hole in my belly twice a day), and having scar tissue build up causing my intestine to start "growing into" the mesh used during my hernia repair. (It took many months of intermittent, severe abdominal pain and many visits to the ER, and an exploratory open surgery to find and fix that problem.) If I had initially had lap surgery instead of open, though, I would not have had the hernia or the mesh to repair it, so would not have had that problem.
I am maintaining my weight at about 7-10 pounds above my lowest weight (including a 5-pound bounce back that literally occurred just a few weeks after hitting my lowest weight). I remain very diligent about what I eat, however, and when my weight creeps up by 5 pounds, I eliminate all non-dairy carbs from my diet and increase the protein and water until those extra pounds come off. People who are diligent about monitoring what they eat are quite unlikely to gain a significant amount of weight back (barring other cir****tances such as taking medications that cause weight gain, which would be a problem even for someone without any WLS). People who get lax about their eating habits, however, or who start drinking with meals or snacking, often DO regain some weight. It is rare, however, for someone to regain ALL of heir weight back.
Lora
The complications that I have had, were from my tummy tuck incision turning necrotic (and having to spend 5 months cleaning and packing a giant hole in my belly twice a day), and having scar tissue build up causing my intestine to start "growing into" the mesh used during my hernia repair. (It took many months of intermittent, severe abdominal pain and many visits to the ER, and an exploratory open surgery to find and fix that problem.) If I had initially had lap surgery instead of open, though, I would not have had the hernia or the mesh to repair it, so would not have had that problem.
I am maintaining my weight at about 7-10 pounds above my lowest weight (including a 5-pound bounce back that literally occurred just a few weeks after hitting my lowest weight). I remain very diligent about what I eat, however, and when my weight creeps up by 5 pounds, I eliminate all non-dairy carbs from my diet and increase the protein and water until those extra pounds come off. People who are diligent about monitoring what they eat are quite unlikely to gain a significant amount of weight back (barring other cir****tances such as taking medications that cause weight gain, which would be a problem even for someone without any WLS). People who get lax about their eating habits, however, or who start drinking with meals or snacking, often DO regain some weight. It is rare, however, for someone to regain ALL of heir weight back.
Lora
14 years out; 190 pounds lost, 165 pound loss maintained
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
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