Regretting surgery?
Has anyone ever gone from loving their decision to get surgery to regretting it? I've posted most of my problems on this this board the last 7 months or so. Basically my first 7 months were fantastic, everything went smooth and I hit my goal weight. After that my problems started and its basically been non stop since. Had my gallbladder out in Sept, bowel obstruction in November and I've been dealing with a stricture since December. I've been going for endoscopic dilatations since the beginning of Jan. Each time it has pretty much gone back to the way it was before the next one. My latest problem was 2 weeks ago when I went for my 4th procedure and woke up in a ton of pain. The Dr was concerned and since I had the procedure done in the Hospital he order a CT scan. Results came back that I had a perforation from the procedure and before I knew it they were prepping me for surgery. My WL surgeon came and did the surgery and was contemplating redoing the connection between the stomach and intestine do to the stricture problem but was unable to do to the extent of the perforation in my stomach. So I spent a week in the hospital with a PICC line unable to eat not knowing whether or not I'm still gonna need a procedure to fix the stricture problem because I'm pretty sure another dilatation is out of the question. At this point I feel like theres no end in sight for my problems and I'm starting to regret my decision to have the surgery. Part of me says that this can't go on forever but the regretting part of me is taking over. Just curious if anyone else has had similar problems this far out. I just hope that it gets better and I can enjoy my WLS once again. I go back to my surgeon monday so I suppose I'll have more answers by than and hopefully he will advance my diet as I'm back on just shakes and liquids for the time being.
Sorry to hear about this. The gallbladder and bowel obstruction is common...Gallbladder more than bowel obstruction. With the strictures, about 5-7% of RNY people get them. Of those about 90-95% get their issue fully resolved within 3-4 procedures. You are just in that certain percent that has the problem.
I'll tell you what...I'll trade you one gallbladder procedure for having to go home with a catheter and urine bag for 10 day-two weeks. That's what I had to do...Couldn't pee. That has happened 3 times with procedures. The surgeons will think of something for you...You are not forgotten. Some people, .1% maybe, have their stomachs reattached. It has happened before. There was one woman who had your same problem in California about 5 years ago...It does happen. I've been on these boards for about 10 years so I've seen and heard a lot. Brian
Thanks. I always try to tell myself that it could be worse and there is always somebody worse off than me. I guess I'm just starting to get depressed with the whole situation.
Joe - I am sorry that you are feeling like this. I know from your old posts that WLS changed your life and I am sorry to hear that your complications are so significant. I have two ideas:
1- I've been battling shoulder probs for a year before finially having surgery 3 weeks ago - OK - I had the surgery and things should be getting better - but it is worse than before surgery - after one bad PT appt, I did not want to go back because I had what I call "THIS-IS-NEVER-GOING-TO-GET-BETTER-ITIS". I think you may be feeling like this - I had to put my big girl pants on and get back to PT. I had two concerns - 1st - it hurts like hell and 2nd- I lack confidence that it will get better. Well, 2 weeks later - it still hurts like hell but I do have more range of motion. You might not see sudden improvement but I hope things begin to move in the right direction for you
2- I had WLS surgery almost a year and a half ago. If I didn't have the WLS Surgery - I might have had some complications just from carrying that excess weight around for all that time - a knee replacement, etc. So you really can't compare the problems you are currently having with a trouble free life without WLS.
In my down times, I thought that maybe I shouldn't have had the shoulder surgery.
Thoughts are with you!
Sharon
So I had to reply. I had surgery on my shoulder 6 months ago. I am finally starting to feel normal. It's a lot of work and it's harder for us because we can't take anti-inflammatories. Keep it up and it really does feel substantially better in 3 mos. (at least mine did). Oh the bad PT appts. . . I remember those. Glad you put your big girl panties on. You really need them for pt after shoulder surgery :)
I am so sorry to see your troubles. I hope things get better for you. I am glad you posted s as sometimes I think people aren't fully aware how serious this surgery is. I watch the show my 600 pound life and it seems all the doctor has them do is lose 50 pounds and whalla surgery. It's serious, the majority of the time things are fine but then there are situations like yours. God bless you and send you health
It is OK to melt down a little, I think it helps with the stress in the long run. You have had a difficult time of it. Praying it makes a turn for the better and you get past this.
Cynthia 5'11" RNY 7/23/2014
Goal reached 17 months. 220lb Weight Loss
Plastic Surgery Dr. Joseph Michaels - LBL and Hernia Repair 2/29/16, Arm Lift, BL, 5/2/16, Leg Lift 7/25/16
#lifeisanadventure #fightthegoodfight #noregrets
Thanks everyone. Thank God for my wife because not only is she amazingly positive and supportive she also had WLS. Oh and NYmom not only did I melt down a little I had the mother of all meltdowns when I got home from this last hospital stay. Lol. I guess I keep my emotions to myself and it finally caught up with me. Again I thank you all for the kind words and for taking the time to respond.