Question:
How long can I live after this surgery???!!!!!

I have a question that nobody seems to be able to answer. I am ready to have my bypass surgery within the next month or so, and now I am not sure which surgery to have(lap-band or bypass). My question is this, I know that I will be healthier after losing all this weight, but what about the effects of taking supplements for the rest of my life? Is there anyone out there that has got more than 5 yrs. post-op? It seems like this surgery is now 25-30 yrs old, but where are all these people that had surgery all those years ago?? I would really love to hear from someone that had surgery more than 10 years ago. I know my quality of life is going to be much better after surgery, but what about quantity?? I am 53 yrs.old and would like to live at least 20 more years!!!! Thanks to all !!!! Mary B.    — mary beauregard (posted on October 29, 2008)


October 29, 2008
Mary, Quite frankly, I do not know how old this surgery is, but I do know that there is probably no comparision between surgeries done in the beginning and those done now. Laproscopic surgeries were not done back then and so much more has been learned over the years. I know people who had WLS 6 years ago who Had it much harder than I did because of experience of surgeons and worlds of imporvements made recently, within the past 3-4 years. I do know that my health problems, including uncontrolled diabetes, would have killed me within 3-5 years and now it is 95% gone along with bp, cholesterol, arthritis, sleep apnea problems. The quality of life I have now is far superior to the one I had before WLS and however long I last has taken second seat in my head. Lyn
   — SkinnyLynni2B

October 29, 2008
i have 2 friends who had wls rny in the late 70's and early 80's- they are both healthy as horses, but they stick to their daily protocol and do not forget what used to be if they think a piece of candy is fine- just one. If you ask around, and people are truthful, you will discover some of the diabetes comes back, as does the HTN- why? because people become complacent, want to be "normal" and start to slowly start eating like before surgery. The best results, for enduring weight loss without pre-op co-morbs slipping back in, is to treat every day as if you are newly post op. Adhere to all the rules despite how much you want something not on your protocol. I try to live it that way and have maintained my 230 lb loss, just like my 2 friends who are 25 and 30 years post op. Its up to us, we can make this work for life. We love how we look, lets keep it this way. Good luck Cindi 3.24.04 -230# and maintaining the loss :)
   — DollyDoodles

October 29, 2008
I can tell you this, my aunt had open cut 35 years ago. At the time she weighrd 450 lbs and all kinds of health issues. She has maintained her weight to stay around 130 lbs, and no health issues now. She just turned 65. Hope this helps you . Take care Darlene
   — Darlene G.

October 29, 2008
Good friend of mine had WLS (rny type) in 1969 and is still between 125 and 130 She does still watch what she eats and says she only takes, calcium, B12 and a multi. She looks great and is nearly 80 now.
   — sheri139

October 29, 2008
The surgery is not as old as you think it is and has progressively become better and more improved over the years...So the surgery you are having next month is NOT the same surgery some very few have had 20 years ago....I know several people from the Grads Board who are 10+ years. One person in particular whom I love and adore is Michele AKA Vitalady. I believe she's 14 years Post OP and her hubby is a year after...so he's 13...She's had her troubles, I think they both have! But they are alive and well and look awesome! There are several others that pop in now and then to annouce they are just living life and enjoying the years of being trim and healthy...They pass on some short words of wisdom and go back into the world away from the boards and just go on iving...You cannot have a long term study on longevity for at least and average life span and that is more than 20 years! So no ...you will not find your answer. Even if there was an average life span to quote from a study...I am a RULE breaker! I will do everything I can to live longer...live healthier...How? Simple rules...Get your labs, KNOW what your levels are and watch them...DO NOT wait til you are low, even if the doc says it's in the "normal range"...Don't ignore symptoms, eat healthy, follow the basic rules that come with the surgery you had...be you own health care advocate, keep up with new vit studies and discoveries...do not undestimate malabsorption. Exercise...If you have RNY you will malabsorb! PERIOD! You do not suddenly start to absorb better as you eat more...You only eat more nutrients which might not be the right ones if you don't eat a balanced meal like soooooooooooo many who somewhere decided all breads and grains are forbidden and share their fears of weight gain if they eat a little bread or rice or potatoes in moderation! Anyway...I'm going off in a tangernt now so I will just say two words...PREVENTION and MODERATION...My two favorite WLS words. Many wishes and luck and long, old years to you! Hugs!
   — .Anita R.

October 29, 2008
I can tell you from the moment my mom had the surgery in 1989 that she felt so much better then before. My mom was 58 years old at the time of her surgery. She did not get the information and education that we get now. She was well over 450 then and when she past away was 180. Her death was prolong some 20 years because of her surgery. She was able to see and love her grandchilden, She was a nurse that love doing it and caring for the older people. So If you live 1 year more or 50 years I thing it for the best. I was 43 years old when I had mine, I am out 1 year and 6 months. I feel better then ever, Now the first couple of weeks I ask myself why I did this to me but now I have 2 wonderful children that I can walk with, hike with, run and play. I can enjoy life as I never did before. I am in college, I am grandmother of 7 wonderful children. Maybe If I never had did the surgery I would not be here to have everything I got. Your choice should be from your heart, know what you want, be reasonable about just how much you want, not all of us should be a 1 or 3, maybe 15-16 or 18. I am a 22 right now I will never see a 3-5 or 9-10, but I am truely happy. I know several people that fell off and gainit back. You got to be true to your self. What do you want to do next year? A trip, run a mile, set in a movie seat and be comfortable, eat out with out being look at wrong. Just be healthier. I will pray your choice will be easier for you. Carman Rose WV
   — carman

October 29, 2008
I can't say much more or different than what has already been posted... What will your life span be in your current state of weight and health? and then quality of life? Loosing weight makes one feel so much better and does eliminate type 2 diabetes over 80% of the time. I was one in the presentage. I'm seven months post op and 92 lbs down and can hike and walk like I don't remember when. It's a choice that you will have to make and be determined to stick with it as it's only a tool and one can gain back all their lost weight and then some. It's a life change choice. Blessings, Anita
   — ap2008324

October 29, 2008
i don't know for sure who they are. i have ran into a few people myself. they just seem to be normal folks. there is alot of questions that come up. and i understand the feelings. i am so very glad that i have done the bypass. i know you will make the best desion for you.
   — peggy R.

October 29, 2008
whats up i am ten years plus u'r age and i expect to live at least 40 more years.all jokes aside i am in better shape than i have ever been ,lost 265 lbs ,5 years post op and have maintained my loss for 3 1/2 years so why focus on quanity?Its mostly about quality and mine is uncomparible to before surgery. had bypass partly because band was not available but in all honestly i would have chosn the bypass because i need to mal asorbe i have no regrets and thank God and a great surgeon and program daily for the chance to have a life that is great at a size that is good for me.choose what is best for u.Good Luck
   — Bette Drecktrah

October 29, 2008
Hello Mary, Have you asked your DR. about your life expectance after surg? I dont think anyone can answer this question as the surg of 1975 [when my mother in law had hers] is very different than what is done now. So you cant get a true comparison with 1975 to todays surg. I know I am very thankful for the improvments that have beeen made for more of us to be able to have the WLS done. We will ALL have better lives because of this. Iam sure this is not the answer you wanted..but I do not know how you can compare the first surg to the latest. I wish you well and hope you get what you want.
   — tootsie52

October 29, 2008
Dear Mary B. Please know that I am truly being respectful when I say this,but there are absolutely no guarantees in life of just how long we will live! It is in Our Plan With God just how long we live.No pun intended, tragedy could happen to any of us at any time. I commend you for your statement of the QUALITY of life will be much better. This being the reason we opt for procedures such as this. We want to improve the quality of our lives,as I reflect within my family,I much prefer the quality time! Please know that I,too, am opting for wls. Gastric Bypass, I have researched the options in depth and with the support of my husband,kids and my surgeon I am entirely elated.I am 42,the biological mother of 3 great guys,another young man I have been blessed to raise for the past 8 years,hes now 19, and the foster parent of 2 little girls,(10 & 1) I am so thankful. Our new technology can now do major brain surgery in an outpatient basis. With much success!!!! Please,Please know that I truly meant NO disrespect!! Best Wishes in any decision that you choose for yourself,you wont regret it!follow your heart! God Bless You! Kim
   — kurtsgirl

October 29, 2008
Mary, My father in law had bypass 20 years ago, besides regaining the majority of his weight cause he is a heavier drinker (and lazy) he is healthy. Yes his quality of life went back down after he gained the weight back. I have talked to him about the surgery and the one thing that he tells me. EXCERSIZE and then do it more, and he says watch your portions. At one point he remembered what it was to be thin again and considered going in to have a surgery re-do. He is just simply too old now (67 I think). And shall I say he likes his beer too much!! Anyway yes there are survivers!! I am sure you will be just fine no matter what decision you make about the surgery. As for me I am hoping I will have a date for some time in January after the holiday's... Lisa
   — Lisa M.

October 29, 2008
Hi ya Ive thought about this surgery for at least 5 years now and Im finally going to have it. I used to be afraid of dying post surgery as I had met two people and sadly they died. I use to worry that it was the surgery that killed them. But that was my own ignorance. I just had a very thorough scan of organs and arteries, veins etc and here is what I found out. I have cysts on my thyroid, which should diminish when I lose weight. I have an old clot in my vein, that I would have never known about, I have some plaque starting to form in one carotid, my spleen is slightly enlarged. My lab work put me at a risk of having a cardiac event in the next five years. Without the weight this good go away, however, some damage has been done. So could something still happen to me in 5 years. You bet ya it could. Would it be because of the surgery. NO Way. It will be because of how I treated myself all these years.
   — Gilliegrl

October 29, 2008
I too went through this dilemna. Band vs. GBP, and ended up doing bypass and am glad everyday that I did. In my support group, there are "bandsters" and I don't see the same success. Many of them end up (a year to two later) getting the bypass. Yes, you will take supplements the rest of your life, but I see that as a small inconvenience compared to being very overweight. You will learn to be diligent about taking care of yourself and learning to eat correct the first year or two, and then hopefully, you have re-learned to eat the right way. It seems that with the band, you can still eat poorly, you just do it in small quantities all day long! After 3 years, I still have the nausea and sweats of "Dumping Syndrome" when I try a bit too much dessert or candy.........and I am VERY GLAD for that physiological reminder that I should not push it. It has helped me stay successful and not gain any weight in 3 years. I can say that I have also learned alot about how my body works, and have stayed on top of taking care of myself. If it's any help, I have a friend who had her GBP 7 years ago, and she too has kept all 140lbs off. I am glad I chose the GBP since it is tried and true, and there is long term data to support it's success. I hope this helps? If not, we can talk on the phone? I'd be happy to answer any pre-op questions for ya!! -Darlene
   — dadebrito

October 30, 2008
I had Lap RNY 5 years ago. I have not had any problems. I take 2 flintstone vitamins, iron because I have always been low in iron and vitamin C to keep the creepy colds away. I don't feel it is an inconvenience. You want to know how long you will live. Well, none of us know the answer to that question. We will all live until it is no longer our time to be here. Your quality of life will be so much better not packing the extra weight around.
   — Carlyn M.

October 30, 2008
My mom had the Duodenal Switch (which is much more malabsorption) in 1996. She is doing wonderful. She is healthy and has no side effects. She has been told that she should live a full and long life. I had the RNY because of her in Feb and have lost 107 lb. Good luck to you and God bless!!
   — Sillyguts

October 30, 2008
Lot of folks on this answer are all saying the same thing pretty much...if you adhere to your nutrition and diet rules you will live a long and health life. I too had a friend who had the the original stomach stapling done many years ago and is alive and kicking well into her 60's. Its much better now then it was many years ago, doctors have leaned so much. Good luck.
   — chell1957

October 30, 2008
I think I may be able to bring a smile to your worried face. I am 32 and I have 8 years post-op, and doing great. However, here comes your smile, my mother is 13 years post-op and she is 61 years old!!! She is so healthy that she pretty much has raised my 10 year old and my 4 year old!! In fact, she has more energy and better health than the two of them, COMBINED!!!Do not fret. It's worth it. If you need photographic proof my e-mail is [email protected]. I'd be glad to mail you pics of me and my beautiful mother.
   — Kelly T.

October 30, 2008
hi hun ...had lap-rny on june15th,06 ..i had noooooo life .sure i have a hubby,kids ,grand babys .but was looking in at them, really not there .when my girile were little i was so big that i made my hubby take them to school before he went to work ,after a school party at the park .i was so asamed for my oldest daughter .kids were asking her is that hippo your momma..she was 7 yrs old .i was so proud of her .she has more love in her them all of your momma's.she is the best mom in the world .but my heart was breaking because of it .i said to my self i would not put eather one of my girls though that again ..so i missed out on there childhood .told my hubby i would not miss out on my grand babys ..good luck brenda in tx
   — brenda F.

October 31, 2008
Mary, if you do not take anything away from this experience but one thing, please know that no surgery or physician can tell you how long you will live. The good Lord has a plan for you, your job in life is to follow that plan. You could have surgery tomorrow and then walk out of the hospital and be hit by a bus, so don't think for one moment that there are any guarantees. If you are going to have the surgery then make sure you are prepared to live a healthy life afterwards. But remember, God does not promise us tomorrow. Good Luck and God Bless.
   — Stephanie H.

October 31, 2008
The further out a person is, the less they tend to post. It's not that they aren't out there, it's that they have adjusted to post-WLS life and don't usually have the same questions / need for support as those who have just had surgery. I don't know what your health history is, but for most people, WLS extends life.
   — mrsidknee

November 1, 2008
Hey Mary, It's gayle from our group:) I was also pondering this question. I think as we get closer of having our surgeries we ask this type of questions. but like everyone had said , only God knows when we will be brought home. Hope to see you at the gym .... our walking group peace and God Bless Gayle leroi
   — rainbowgayle




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