Concerned

Hey guys, I've just been thinking about a few things lately and I think its time I get it off my chest. I hope I don't offend anyone, that is not my intentions, I just want to learn and be aware of some things. I've really noticed lately that alot of people around here, especially people I look up to, have been getting sick and had many complications. I was told the risks from this surgery and at almost 4 months out, I haven't had any problems. Knock on wood. I believe I'm following the rules to the best of my ability. I just keep reading about everyone that is almost a year out or longer and the problems. It honestly scares the beejeezies out of me. I can't afford to take more time off work for surgerys, I can't take care of my Autistic son as he needs if I'm on my back, and who the hell wants to have problems anyway? To the people that are having complications, is there something you could've done to prevent any of this? Have you fallen to far from the rules? Is it just bad luck? I believe everything happens for a reason and its life on lifes terms. I'm just scared, guys. Sorry, Amber

Hey, Amber... I certainly understand your concern and fears. Based on what I've seen, the complications around this board could not have been prevented. Gall bladders going bad, bowel obstructions, hernias, ulcers, etc are things that unfortunately do happen and there isn't much of anything to do to prevent them from happening. But, what we can do to keep ourselvers as complication free as possible is to: drink lots of fluids each day, take our vitamins. get an adequate amount of protien daily and have our labs checked regularly by your physician. Those are the basic things. I have not seen folks on this board have issues due to not doing these things but I have seen it elsewhere on OH. We are responsible for ourselves and need to be our own advocates for our health. If something doesn't feel right, we should keep going back to the doctor for any answer. We should get copies of all our labs and put them in a chart and look for trends (for example is your protein level dropping over time or your iron) - if you see something address it with your doctor before something falls out of normal range so you stay as healthy as possible. Hugs, Kathy

Thanks, Kathy, that is great advice to follow. It really helps hearing from you guys. I know everyone is doing what's best for them. I just hope things get better for everyone and they find the causes and cures ASAP! Amber

kathy, good advice. BTW, you mention a chart. Have you set something up? Can I can a copy of the format? Does it calculate the trends? CathyA

Hey Amber - you didn't offend me at all. I'm not sure what is going on with me - I just started not feeling well and I hadn't been doing anything different that I know of. Funny that you post this just as I was about to post that I am going back to the ER in a little while - for some reason water and food isn't staying down - I think I possibly have a stricture and I am going now before I get so dehydrated that they have a hard time helping me. I am able to sip tiny little sips of water and that is all - so I"m doing my best to keep doing that until I get to the ER. I think this is just one of those things that happens - I don't like it - but it was one of the complications that they said could happen and as long as I do what I have to do to take care of me - then I think I will be okay. Just keep doing what you are doing - and know that should anything like this ever happen to you we will be here for ya. andrea

Thanks, Andrea. I've heard of a lot of people getting stricture and I'm sorry you might be going through that. It's more of the weird stuff or the "unknown" that scares me. I know in my heart that you guys are following the guidelines, I guess I was just hoping that maybe we could find a reason why some of the things are happening. But you're right, it just happens. I really hope that you get fixed up really soon and if there is anything I can do, let me know! Amber

Hey Amber, good questions & you have a right to be concerned. Up until last week I hadn't had any problems either. I follow all the rules and takes my vitamins etc. Statistically as far as the gall bladder is concerned 2 out of 3 gastric bypass patients end up losing theirs after surgery (usually between 11-18 months). I looked at a couple of medical websites for information to find out why. Here are some info from emedicinehealth.com. Up to 20% of adults in the United States may have gallstones, yet only 1-3% develop symptoms. Risk factors for the formation of cholesterol gallstones include the following: Female sex Being overweight Losing a lot of weight quickly on a "crash" or starvation diet Taking certain medications such as birth control pills or cholesterol-lowering drugs Native American or Mexican American ethnicity After reading up on it, my opinion is that we lose our weight so quickly, and cut so much fat, etc. out of our bodies that the bile in the gall bladder doesn't get released into our systems (because we don't need it) and it builds up and turns into stones. Then we have the problems. So although I am not exactly thrilled to be going through this, I understand it is common and I somewhat expected it. Courtney

Hey Amber, I don't honestly think there is a greater risk of having problems after WLS. I do believe because we are all so free to discuss our aches, pains and complaints that we do hear a lot of it here. Another thing too, I think that because "some" of us and I'm in that catergory are aging and things just happen as you get older. I had my gall bladder out in 1999 and that was way before having gastric bypass. I have also had 5 other surgeries prior to having gastric bypass. None of which had anything to do with one another. As for gall stones.....my youngest daughter who is 23 had her gall bladder removed 2 years ago due to a terrible gall bladder attack. So it can happen whether you have the surgery or not. I do believe that having the surgery cuts down on alot of problems that you may experience in the future. Especially if you are young and healthy to start with. I also agree with Kathy (Kathy & Rich) about making sure you take your vitamins, protein and get enough water in. Exercise is also very important. All of this is good advice for anyone but more so for the gastric by-pass patient. I hope that some of this made sense and helps to ease your worried mind. I too had thought the same thing about seeing all the illnesses but I see just as much here at my work. It's part of life. Lots of Love Kathy

I know what ya mean Amber. Some people's complications are totally unrelated to the WLS. It does make you wonder if the WLS didn't lower the body's resistance to make these other problems somehow exacerbate. Some of the issues many of the people had before WLS. Ulcers and strictures are something we will always have to keep an eye out for..along with complications from vitamin deficencies. Gallbladder problems ..well, that's why I had my surgeon take mine out. Rapid weight loss or rapid weight gain, being female, fair, fat, and fourty,( the 5 F's ) can make your gallbladder go nuts. When I lost weight last time I was at work and had a gallbladder attack. I thought I was going to die !! We did an ultrasound and the sludge that was draining from it was gross !! I knew this time with the weight loss I would end up with emergency surgery if I didn't get it out. I refused having this surgery for many years because I would see people come in the ER with very REAL complications from it. One person died because of a Potassium depletion, another had to get Vitamin bags all the time, several intestine problems, nasty intestinal bleeds,rotten teeth..you name it. What I didn't see were the people who did just fine. I think you have some valid concerns. I myself had two strictures. You seem to be doing VERY well with the surgery. This was a pretty drastic decision we made..to have this done..and there are things we will always have to worry about and keep an eye out for. I think you will do just fine. You know the things to watch for. You have a good support system. Now you will be able to help you son in more ways than before..because YOU are feeling better. With my stictures. I did everything right. I was just one of the unlucky ones. Some people develop them further out also..Just crap luck I guess. I understand your point here..and all i can say is lets cross out fingers and hope for the best, huh?!!??!! ( When my husband gets freaky and starts to worry about things I say," hey, but at least I will look damn good in my coffin and be able to fit into something nice for the veiwing !!..Sorry..guess I have a twisted sense of humour at times ) Big Hugs, Dana

Hi Amber, My surgery was gyn and at 55 y.o. some of these things are to be expected. What caused me to need the hysterectomy was going on WAY before I had WLS. I am thankful I had my surgery at 153 pounds rather than the 267 that I was prior to surgery! I can see where you would be concerned. As Kathy says, keep following the rules. I have and haven't had a moment's problem due to my WLS. Lois