At 1+ years out do you still suffer from complications?

At 1+ years out how many of you still suffer from complications?  Are they pretty much taken care of by then, or life long and you learn to live with it.  I have been reading on the main board for a while now and correct me if I am wrong but it seems that this surgery although highly successful and desired seems like one would be trading being thin for a life time of medical problems. Is that the case?

Not for me.  Any medical issues I had before surgery are but a faint memory.

I'm over 4 1/2 years out and no complications here. NOT ONE!!!!!!! Now I did get LAZY and let some bad food habids and choices back and I've gained a little but that's it.   You have to remember a lot of people don't come on OH to tell about how good LIFE has gotten because they are out LIVING LIFE. You get people back to OH when we are having trouble and heed help and answers.  Robin

We are all different.  I have had some issues, but I would still do it again.  I have ulcer problems that didn't start until two years out.  But only a small percentage of us get that.  Just be aware of your body and if something doesn't seem right, make an appointment with your surgeon.  Mine makes his patients sign a contract before surgery that we are in this together...a team.  My wonderful surgeon has certainly held up his end of the bargain and I have complete trust in him. Best of luck and just continue to do what you know is right where eating is concerned! Kim

Hi Nana,

I am 13 months out and would do it again in a heartbeat. While I did have a complication during surgery, that was resolved without further complications. All of my health issues that caused my insurance to consider me a candidate for this surgery have either resolved or signficantly improved. I have not had any lasting negative problems associated with the surgery. While we are all different and will have somewhat different outcomes and of course there are risks associated with the surgery itself and issues that can arrise from the physiological and metabolic changes made to our bodies, I would suggest that you stick to statistics when try to evaluate the risks and efficacy of WLS. You will see and hear more about 'problems' in the media, and to be honest on the boards at OH, than will be the statistical norm because people who are doing well are not as interesting or as interested in posting their results and getting input. I still strongly believe that WLS is the best option to achieve both significant and longterm results. This is why I am supporting my husband as he persues his own WLS.

I wish you every success in whatever decisions you may make.

Barb

Ive never suffered from any complications. Keep in mind that when things are good people dont tend to post about them - I dont post each day that everything is going well ya know? A lot of people post when they have a question, concern, problem etc... or they come to OH only when things are falling apart and they need help.  Really speaking to your surgeon is the best indicator - I asked mine what problems he saw in patients after 2 years, what complication rates he had, what were the complications, I attened support groups prior to surgery and spoke to many of his patients to find out their stories etc - that should help you out a lot.

Many "complications" are confused with things that may have happened regardless of surgery or not.... I've had vitamin deficiencies that I should have watched closer because I had minor trouble before surgery with absorption...I didn't take it seriously enough knowing that absorption would be worse now...So I didn't help matters...I just started taking the right vits and faithfully...and going in for labs more often than I was. Many many Non WLS people get vitamin deficiencies too... Otherwise I have had no other surgery related / internal troubles at 4 1/2 years out.  I feel very normal and look forward to the future with no fears of something going wrong.  The only medicine I take is vitamins... But you do made trades for sure...Health for the better is the biggest best trade for me, even with a few vitamin issues. (Close call but I 'm winning!)

Not a single complication here! Healthy and happy--and more active than I've ever been in my entire life. Perfection? nah...turkey neck, droppy arms, and a flabby belly--but hey there's solid muscle under that belly flab ;-)

LMAO ~ yup I have a 6 pack going on and I'm so proud of it.  Problem is no one else can see it because of the extra skin.  I make my husband feel it every now and then just to prove to him it's there and all the work I have done really is paying off!!! I have never felt better.

Thank you all, and I had not thought about the fact that happy healthy people will not be posting as often as others with problems. Your also right that I should talk to my surgeon, I have one picked out from doing that research I will just go make an appt for information. I don't have all the monies to do it till end of 09 or maybe2010 (sucks to have to wait). But I can at least get my questions answered. Thank you to all of you.