Am I just not seeing it, or are there really that few VSGers that have complications?
I have been showing my family and friends the information on this surgery....which kind of makes me mad because my surgery is tomorrow and just now they want to know about it...I digress. But I told them I did find some with major complications and have only heard of 2 deaths, but the vast majority seem to do very well after surgery. Would you say this is accurate?
I was perfectly fine up until the night before my surgery. I went nuts for about 20 minutes while driving back to my hotel. You'll do fine. Congrats on it being your turn!
HW(2-19-11) - 375 SW(3-9-11) - 362.5 CW - 204 GW - 220
Reached 100 pounds lost from highest weight at 3.5 months post-op!!!
Reached 100 pounds lost since surgery weight at 4.75 months post-op!!!
Good luck and speedy recovery! My family also wasn't on board until the last minute - and my father didn't even speak to me before I left to go to the hospital. Yeah...I felt special. You just have to know that some of them are probably scared for you to have this "elective" surgery and don't really know how to react. Some may just not be able to communicate their feelings effectively. You just have to go ahead and do what you need to do. They will get on board or they won't - you can't let it affect your health :) I have tried to give my folks info on this surgery countless times in the last year and they say they are too busy to read about it. So I just gave up.
On another note, I have not really had any complications beyond what amounts to a badly pulled abdominal muscle after surgery. It is getting better and I'm about 2 weeks out of surgery. I haven't had trouble eating, but am getting sick of protein shakes :)
I just want you to know that you are very brave for taking this step toward bettering your health. It really takes a lot of guts! I was nervous too, but once you get there and get the happy drugs it will be over before you know it and you will be starting your new life! Good luck for tomorrow!!
~Micah
On another note, I have not really had any complications beyond what amounts to a badly pulled abdominal muscle after surgery. It is getting better and I'm about 2 weeks out of surgery. I haven't had trouble eating, but am getting sick of protein shakes :)
I just want you to know that you are very brave for taking this step toward bettering your health. It really takes a lot of guts! I was nervous too, but once you get there and get the happy drugs it will be over before you know it and you will be starting your new life! Good luck for tomorrow!!
~Micah
A lot of the complications will be surgery related and not VSG related. Those are the ones that you will find with any surgery. You do have, obviously, a set of complications that are specific to VSG but with more and more surgeons becoming more experienced, you see less and less of them. While not a guarentee, if you have an experienced knowledgable surgeon, it goes a long way to avoiding complications.
Fortunatly, the VSG related complications generally are no worse than any general surgery related one as long as they are caught and treated aggressivly. If you suspect anything, get it checked. Safe is always better than sorry. For the general surgery related complications, follow the norm and you should be ok. Blood clots are a risk but can be avoided with blood thinners and by basically not staying still longer than you have to be. Get your blood moving. Be mindful of alleries, that type of thing.
Overall, surgery in general is safe today. VSG is generally safe, especially when there are as few additional risk factors as possible.
Fortunatly, the VSG related complications generally are no worse than any general surgery related one as long as they are caught and treated aggressivly. If you suspect anything, get it checked. Safe is always better than sorry. For the general surgery related complications, follow the norm and you should be ok. Blood clots are a risk but can be avoided with blood thinners and by basically not staying still longer than you have to be. Get your blood moving. Be mindful of alleries, that type of thing.
Overall, surgery in general is safe today. VSG is generally safe, especially when there are as few additional risk factors as possible.
ditto Jason...
the major complications (5Ws: wind (pneumo), walking (DVT, PE), water (UTI), wounds (infection at incision site), weird drugs (induced fever)) are typically related to surgery in general, not necessarily VSG. but some things to consider:
-COE accredititation denotes competence on part of the healthcare team and the capacity to the facility to handle such "unique" surgeries and individuals (read: board cert. gen surgery, fellowship in bariatrics...facilty has beds/equipment/resources to accomodate SMO persons). Have that, and you are halfway home.
- to counter deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism and clotting issues you will be given several units (~5) of heparin (blood thinner) and be made to wear compression boots while in bed. however, after post-op evening 1 it is crucial that you get up and walk! yes, you will be tired/sore/groggy but the movement will help circulation (and, God forbid, better detect a clot...rather find out in the wards than at home) and also help tin the movement of gas....(to check suture line the new stomach will be inflated; the gas is a pain in the a$$ and you will not be given any medication to counter it (cannot disturb new tummy))
- you will be given a triflow spirometer. Use it every hour. It will help your healthcare team gauge your respiratory function post-op. Remember you've been under GA for a couple of hours and may have accumulations in lungs.
- you'll get Qball or Morphine drip for pain. DO NOT SUFFER IN SILENCE! Ask for it/say yes when offered! I was in pain when I first came to...morphine drip was a godsend.
-finally, vital signs are checked hourly, and fluids are given IV to prevent dehydration until you can start sipping......
.....LONG STORY short
yes there are complications but these are related to all surgeries
your healthcare team is fully prepared to handle these complications should they arise
VSG has a lower complication rate than most WLS
Freakouts are normal
Glad your family is getting on board, but its really about YOU!!! VSG for the most part is a solo sport. Its nice to have folks in your corner, but at the end of the day your success lies with you alone!!!
:) im praying for you! YOU WILL BE FINE! We're saving room for you! Check in when you are able to after!
the major complications (5Ws: wind (pneumo), walking (DVT, PE), water (UTI), wounds (infection at incision site), weird drugs (induced fever)) are typically related to surgery in general, not necessarily VSG. but some things to consider:
-COE accredititation denotes competence on part of the healthcare team and the capacity to the facility to handle such "unique" surgeries and individuals (read: board cert. gen surgery, fellowship in bariatrics...facilty has beds/equipment/resources to accomodate SMO persons). Have that, and you are halfway home.
- to counter deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism and clotting issues you will be given several units (~5) of heparin (blood thinner) and be made to wear compression boots while in bed. however, after post-op evening 1 it is crucial that you get up and walk! yes, you will be tired/sore/groggy but the movement will help circulation (and, God forbid, better detect a clot...rather find out in the wards than at home) and also help tin the movement of gas....(to check suture line the new stomach will be inflated; the gas is a pain in the a$$ and you will not be given any medication to counter it (cannot disturb new tummy))
- you will be given a triflow spirometer. Use it every hour. It will help your healthcare team gauge your respiratory function post-op. Remember you've been under GA for a couple of hours and may have accumulations in lungs.
- you'll get Qball or Morphine drip for pain. DO NOT SUFFER IN SILENCE! Ask for it/say yes when offered! I was in pain when I first came to...morphine drip was a godsend.
-finally, vital signs are checked hourly, and fluids are given IV to prevent dehydration until you can start sipping......
.....LONG STORY short
yes there are complications but these are related to all surgeries
your healthcare team is fully prepared to handle these complications should they arise
VSG has a lower complication rate than most WLS
Freakouts are normal
Glad your family is getting on board, but its really about YOU!!! VSG for the most part is a solo sport. Its nice to have folks in your corner, but at the end of the day your success lies with you alone!!!
:) im praying for you! YOU WILL BE FINE! We're saving room for you! Check in when you are able to after!
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