Question:
Research on long term health consequences of WLS?

I am having lap RNY gastric bypass at the end of April. I was driving today and wondering about the long, long term health risks of WLS. I have carefully researched the short term complications but does anyone have any information on potential long term health risks?    — spiritofjulia (posted on April 5, 2006)

April 5, 2006
There is a book, The Success Habits of WLS Patients by Colleen M Cook..She is 10 years post op. I jsu got this book and so far it reads like my own biography. She has done alot research for this book and the years after WLS. I think this would be a big help to you to read now. I have a website through Bariatrics.com that you can order these books from It is www.lifechoicewls.com Please check out the many products for WLS patients. This is a site they set up for local support groups but anyone can order from it. Best Wishes for your upcoming surgery. It is so worth it!! Vera
   — vhoupt

April 5, 2006
First long term many would die from being MO. It takes a averae of 15 years off our lives:( I have met and spoke to happy healthy post ops out over 20 years. None were skinny but not MO either. EVERYTHING in lfe is a trade off:(
   — bob-haller

April 5, 2006
My mom is 30 years post op Mason Shunt. When I began researching WLS she began looking into info for long term post ops. She contacted Dr. Mason via email with some questions. He has done several long term studies on his patients. (Followed their medical history and such) Anyhow, he is in his 80's and retired for the most part but is still on staff at some hospital in Illinois. Some of this research may be published, you would just have to look. The Mason Shunt procedure that my mother had is almost identical to the transected RNY so the research should be beneficial. Good luck
   — RebeccaP

April 6, 2006
The main things we're seeing are nutritional issues (iron, calcium, D, protein, B-vites) and hypoglycemia. The nutritional issues can be prevented. I'm coming up on 12 yrs and work with a LOT of "us". I'm, um, getting older now and facing more issues that just come along with all these birthdays. These are the ones I see on a daily basis. In the olden days, kidney and liver problems were found many, many years later, but today we know a bit more about nutrition, hydration and so we don't see many of those any more. You could watch on the Grad list, which is people 1+ years out and see what you see. Some of our 20+ year post-ops struggle with iron, calcium, D issues, but many times, new information snaps them out of it. The link is: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG
   — vitalady

April 7, 2006
The unknown answers to this question has been my main reason for not ever getting WLS. Unfortunately, now I have diabetes and high cholesterol. I spoke to my GP who is an Internist and he highly recommended the surgery. I asked him about long term affects and he said, anytime you have something that interferes with an internal part of your body you risk the chance of getting cancer of that organ. I.E. smoking - lung cancer. He said the only problem possibly forseen is the irritation caused in stapling or banding the stomach, may be cancer causing. However, that is not proven.
   — Katy P.