Question:
Has anyone had to have major surgery less than a year after open RNY?

I am currently six months post op and I just found out that I have to have a hysterectomy. The surgery is to occur next month. Has anyone had major abdominal surgery so soon after open RNY? Has anyone had a tummy tuck performed in conjunction with a hysterectomy? Would it be reasonable to request a tummy tuck during the hysterectomy? I figure that since they are in there they might as well take care of everything. If I can't have it done during this surgery I don't think I will every have it done. This will be my forth time having abdominal surgery and I don't think I can handle any more. I will talk to my doctor next week but I would love for some of you to share your knowledge. Thanks.    — Teresa G. (posted on January 4, 2002)

January 4, 2002
Yes, I did. At six months post-op, I had a small bowel obstruction. Now at 8 months post-op, I had my bladder lifted, and the back side also...This was by far the worst surgery, I have ever had...Ten times worst then the hysterectomy. Good luck, I had my hysterectory 5 years ago, I guess when I lost weight so fast, every thing just fell to the bottom,,,,, am still sitting on a rubber tire.
   — Marie B.

January 4, 2002
I had a hernia repair 8 mos. post that included a tummy tuck. My hernia repair ended up being muscle repair from my breast bone down to my belly button along with a patch on the actual hernia. The tummy tuck was not nearly the recovery I had from wls although I did go home with two big drains. My tt goes from hip bone to hip bone so I would think hysterectomy would be easy to do with that type of incision, but I'm no surgeon, just think I am. My insurance paid for the tt because of the hernia repair. Good luck. Gotta say my stomach looks much much better.
   — Pam K.

January 4, 2002
I'm not sure how "major" appendectomy is consisered, but I am 4.5 months post op and had one two weeks ago. No tummy tucks for me yet because I am so early out (open RNY), but I can tell you that my appendectomy incision bothered me more than the RNY incision because it is located on the part of my tummy that forms the apron and hangs down. It took until this week for the pain to stop!
   — Pamela F.

January 5, 2002
I had ventral hernia repair 6 weeks after having the WLS. No problems and actually recuperated faster than with the WLS. When I had a hyserectomy 8 years ago I had it done lap, so even though it was a major surgery, it wasn't as "major" as having it one with an open incision... Good luck and you should do just fine!!!
   — Kellie Jo B.