Question:
If someone were to get their stomach stapled, what are some of the long term risks?

Also, are there any long term effects? Can they go back to their normal life? Do you recommend this surgery? Is there a better surgery to consider?    — a A. (posted on April 18, 2002)

April 17, 2002
Hi, I had an open Rny 6 months ago. And yes, I have returned to a normal life. Well actually that is not true my life is so much better, much fuller. I started out at 267 lbs, and I went up to 271, now today a little over 6 months I am down to 187. And let me tell you, I have much more energy than I did preop. I am so much more happier than I have been in years. My marriage is better and my life quality is much better. My kids actually have a participating mom. As for the risks, I was told that with this surgery there are several risks, depending upon your age and weight group. You have to monitor your food and water intake, make sure you eat enough protein, you malabsorb food now. So you have to be careful. I have heard somewhere that with this surgery compared to an open heart surgery, with it being a 10, that the open rny is a 9, on a scale of 1-10 of course. But knowing all that, saving my life and my kids future was worth the risk. I will never regret my decision at all. I am a much healthier person now. If you need to chat, email me, or whatever. OPEN RNY 10-4-2001, -84lbs and counting, BTC in COLUMBUS OHIO. DR. CHRISTOPHER KACZMARSKI. Thanks Doc!!!!!
   — TONYA B.

April 17, 2002
Read my profile, the good stuff is at the bottom after surgery. Life is great!!!!!
   — bob-haller

April 18, 2002
Are you referring to the original horizontal stapling? I don't think that's done any more. There is a vertical stapling that is still done in a few areas. The newer models include some stapling and some rearrangments of intestines. Which surgery are you considering? I have the latter model, gastric bypass (or RNY), and am delighted with the result, and the life I live today. One of the long term effects has been weighing under 115# for over 7 yrs now. That's my favorite. Another is that I CHOOSE what, when, how much and IF I will eat now. I am no longer the victim.
   — vitalady

April 19, 2002
I had open RNY last Oct. However my mother had a simialar surgery in 1976. She is happy and healthy. The only problems she has encountered longer term were some issues with iron absorbtion, and irritable bowel syndrom. Which I believe is from the lack of information available to her at the time of her surgery.
   — RebeccaP