Looking into gastric by pass

I am very nervous about the surgery. I am trying to talk to as many people that i can. I know it is what I should do. i have a consultation on the 15 of this month. Does anyone know of anyone who would not do it again because of complications? Thanks would appreciate the input.
Bonnie

If you are looking into the RNY (gastric bypass) you might want to consider the Duodenal Switch. I've watched lots of RNY grads struggle to maintain their weight loss starting at about 2 years out, with the malabsorbtion of the DS, weight loss maintence is much easier long term (2 + years). There are a variety of other reasons you might want to consider the DS (more normal post op eating, less chance of mechanical failure, no marginal or blind stomach ulcers, etc).

I know for a fact that lots of canadians have travelled into the US to get the DS, and they've all said it was worth the trip.

Scott

I am sure there are people out there who probably know someone who wouldn't do it again because of complications.  I don't know them, but I'm sure there are some.

I personally LOVE my RNY and would do it over again every 5 years if I needed to to live the life I'm living now. 

Good luck!

(If you want to hear complication stories or regret stories, I think Melting Mama is not too happy with her RNY.  You could talk to her?)

Hello,

I am going to give you the website someone gave me over eight years ago.  It changed my lifr.  Ultimately, the decision is yours. 

http://clos.net

It is scarey when thinking about it but many of us would do it again and again.


Paula

Hi Bonnie! Being nervous at this point is very  normal and you are smart to do your research! I had rny and have been very happy with it. I am almost to my 4yr anniversary and have been able to maintain my weightloss successfully with some small fluctuations up and down. Yes, there can be complications, but thankfully I have not encountered many of them. You have to weigh the pros and cons and make the decision that's best for you. Good Luck to You!!!!!!!!

Hi Bonnie,
I am over 3 years post-op from RNY surgery.  I would not do it again, I would chose a different surgery or band.  I am severely anemic from not absorbing iron (hemoglobin 9).  I also am not absorbing vitamin A.  I have also had some problems with ulcers.  Long-term, I worry about other complications of malabsorption.  I did all the reading pre-op and it seemed RNY was the "gold standard" at the time...  but it isn't feeling that "gold" right now. 

Just my opinion, but it seems that God created our digestive tract a certain way for a good reason, and it just doesn't work changing it around (at least mine doesn't).  Good luck with your decision, I wish you luck with whatever you chose.

I believe there is a regrets forum here on OH?  I may be mistaken about that but I do know there is a revision and complications forum.  You might find more information there.

I've had numerous complications -- more than some -- not so much as others.  Every day it crosses my mind if I should have done this.  Everyday, I usually can't find a definitive answer but I also believe that I made a decision and I can't go back so why harp on it?  We often think that if we had done something differently, things would be better but perhaps they would have been worse. 

The best thing that you can do is research well and be a strong patient advocate for yourself.

Bonnie, I had RNY almost 4 years ago, no complications thankfully.  Sure there will be those that regret having surgery, it's definitely not an easy life as a post-op although it is MUCH better for me than being MO and having allot of complications.

It's a personal decision that each of us make and it should take one lots of research and understanding of what is expected after WLS along with the complications that can happen.

Saying this would I do it again, absolutely but it's still a challenge that somedays I'd like to throw my hands up and say forget it.

Hi Bonnie: Your surgeon can make your pouch from 1/2 oz to 3 oz. depending on his decision.  Then there is the stoma size.  The surgeon can make one by stitching or can use a stoma hole punch.  He can use different size hole punches.  Some doctors will tell patients that they stretched their stomas by eating too much.  We have all read many accounts on this site from people that vomit when they eat too much.  My feeling is that the surgeon uses too big a punch in the first place.  Food goes through quickly while some of their patients need to have an endoscopy and further dilation later.  It is a lot easier to balloon dilate a stoma than it is to make one smaller.  Then we get into the bypassed amount.  I know one girl that was bypassed 250 cm and another (that had a revision) was only bypassed 30 cm.  Also some people dump and others can eat as much sugar and fat as they want and have no consequences.  The other thing to consider when choosing a surgeon is do they do revisions?  Are they a "Center of excellence"?  No one chooses to have a RNY because they have control over food.  We turn to the surgery for help.  Someone with a small pouch, small stoma and long bypass will not be ABLE to eat as much as a person with a large pouch and stoma, The longer the bypass the fewer calories will be absorbed.  Also the fewer nutrients.  I feel these are the reasons that some  people fail after a RNY.  PLEASE ask your surgeon the specifics of your surgery before you have the surgery.  Daisy