Question:
Am I getting the true picture from my surgeon and his staff?
I am being told by my surgeon and his staff that when I have my lap RNY, I will have a catheter and NG tube in til the morning after surgery, and that occassionally people require readmission to the hospital after surgery for complications or problems. The trouble is, I'm getting scared from everything I'm reading on this board, people's accounts of long drawn out painful stuff happening during the hospital stay, and readmissions. Also reading about every possible kind of complication or weird body thing that could seem to happen to you. I understand that of course people are going to post here when they have a problem or questions about something weird that may be happening to them, so am I just getting a skewed view in thinking that no one's surgery goes really smoothly? Or is the info I'm getting from my surgeon sugar-coating things? I just need some perspective! — cp (posted on May 2, 2002)
May 2, 2002
I did research first, then I read the cons or problem type posts, then I
read the pros or positive type posts. I found if I was worried about risks,
I'd find myself reading only the negative posts. The truth is that the
questions are usually a person having an issue, a bad day,etc and then you
read the 5-10 positive answers that they get. I answer many more questions
than I ask! and yes, When I do ask, it is because I need to know others
thoughts or experiences about something. Your surgeon is probably giving
you the straight truth about complications associated in performing major
surgery on a morbidly obese person. If it seems sugar-coated then it seems
he knows what can happen and is prepared to handle it if it happens. I was
in ICU for a couple days with cathiter, ng, picc IV in my neck, etc... I
was closely monitored for any kidney, liver, lung, blood sugar, etc...
problems. When I was sent to my regular room, I knew I'd passed and I was
on my way. I came home 2 days after that and I healed quite smoothly. It's
funny, you mentioned the posts being skewed toward the negative and
sometimes when I'm having a bad day I think the posts are too darn positive
about everything!! You are going to do great ! Becky
— blank first name B.
May 2, 2002
I went in on a Wednesday morning. I was up and walking that night. I slept
most of the time for the first two days, getting up only to walk. On Friday
I got my NG tube out(that was the worst part of my stay) I went home
Saturday afternoon. And I walked around wal-mart that evening because I
decided I wanted different food then what I had bought. I was up on my feet
from there. I drove my 4th day home and went back to work on my 11th day
after surgery. I work in retail so it is not a sit down job. I had a
"text book" surgery/recovery. Not everyones experiance is
terrible. E-mail me if you wanna chat. Nancy
— nkoehler88
May 2, 2002
I can tell you that my daughter had a good experience. She
had what she said amounted to cramps (like during your cycle). She was
catheterized for about 10 to 12 hours after surgery, but it was removed the
next morning and she was allowed to go to the toilet, assisted of course.
Her drainage tube was removed before she left the hospital. I know this
because I didn't leave the hospital until she was ready to come home. I
slept in her room on a chair bed. You'll do just fine. Stay positive.
— gwendolyn M.
May 2, 2002
I am 3 weeks post op lap rny today. My surgery went as smooth as it could
have. Not one problem. I went in on a Thursday morning, was up walking
that night. I only used my pca pump the first night to help me sleep
because I'm not used to sleeping on my back. I had a catheter in until the
next morning. Then I was able to get up and go to the bathroom by myself.
I never needed any help. I just rolled along with my iv lol. My iv was
taken out on Friday early evening. I never had a ng tube in. Then on
Saturday morning at about 9am, they let me go home. I have been doing
great ever since. I started walking and am up to 2 miles a day now. No
problems and no complaints. I feel very blessed! I wish you the best of
luck and if you have any questions feel free to email me!
— Jeannette P.
May 2, 2002
Make sure and ask about your surgeons mortality and morbidity rates. Talk
to them about if he thinks you (personally you) are high, med, or low risk
compared to his other patients. Most surgeons keep track of how many people
they have die, perm disability etc. Find out and make yourself feel
informed. PS I had surgery last June and have went from 233lb to 144lb
wooo hoooo
— Ronda L.
May 2, 2002
I really think the good results far outweigh the complications that may
occur during our surgeries. Remember, this is a support group and a place
for people to vent their problems/questions, etc. This is my only support
line so I ask lots of silly questions, but it's my way of getting educated.
Focus on the positive. You're gonna be fine.
— blank first name B.
May 2, 2002
This is a site that provides information and support, primarily to pre-op
patients and those patients who are still "learning the process"
during the first post-op year. The majority of post-op questions concern
dietary issues as well as those occasional or unusual problems or
complications that can occur, not only with WLS, but with any major
surgery. The important thing to remember is that there are thousands of
WLS patients a year who have completely successful and uneventful surgical
experiences. That was certainly true of the four of us in my family who
have had lap RNY surgery.....two day hospitalizations, no ICU, no tubes or
drains, no external sutures or staples, no complications or problems, and
back to work in 8-14 days. I think that the greatest number of
"successful" WLS patients become so healthy/happy/energized that
they simply move on with their lives and do not feel the need to be as
active on this site as they did in the beginning of their journey. Choose
a surgeon with experience and expertise; ask questions beforehand about
tubes, drains, pain management, etc.. so that there won't be any
"surprises"; then relax and enjoy the journey. It will likely be
the best one of your whole life :-)
— Diana T.
May 2, 2002
I think most of the people on this site have posted their honest
experiences. I had some complications while still in the hospital and I
explained them on my profile. My thought about it, and I'm sure others
agree, is that pre-ops want to hear the TRUTH about what CAN happen before
they make their decisions on their own surgery. I am grateful for those
who warned me about some of the dangers because I was well prepared for
what ended up going wrong in my case. Don't let this kind of stuff throw
you. There are generally minor glitches in almost every surgical
procedure. You just don't see a website where thousands of people who have
had their tonsils out compare surgery notes! :) Best of luck!
— Pam S.
May 2, 2002
I will have my surgery on Monday May 6th, 3 days to go. I understand your
fears. I am a big beleiver in get all of the information available (good
and bad) so I went to the WLS Memorial Page (sobering info). One hour
after reading that page I got the call scheduling my RNY. As soon as I got
off the phone my heart started pounding, I started to sweat and shake. I
was afraid but I began to weigh the good outcomes vs the bad and became
comfortable with my decision to go forward because it is right for me. You
must continue to research until you are completely comfortable with your
decision. This is not to say you will not question this decision many
times before surgery and also be nervous and even scared but that just
shows you're a normal intelligent human being. Good Luck.
— Carol D.
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