Question:
What kind of long term complications are there after 5 years?

I am 37 years old and I am not afraid of dying during surgery, but I am very afraid that I won't live long enough to see my grandchildren. All my fears are in the long run after 5 or 10 years. Are there people still living 10 yrs after surgery? I guess I need reassurance. Thanx in advance.    — Claudia (posted on September 9, 2006)


September 9, 2006
I was done November 2002 and have had no complications whatsoever. Take it for what its worth, just one experience. Carla
   — [Deactivated Member]

September 9, 2006
Hi Carla, You will live to see your grandchildren. Be positive and just keep thinking that your surgery will go well and I am sure that you will make it through just fine! I am quite new to the site as well as just starting my "journey" with WLS. Most likely am looking into having the Distal RNY Gastric Bypass. From extensive research on the GBS, I can tell you that the most serious long term complication is that the surgery will fail(caused by not sticking to the guidelines given to you by your doctor.). Other complications include stricture, which usually requires a EGD to dialiate the opening again, ulcers, staple line disruption, and internal hernia(which requires another surgery to repair). A rare long term complication is Peropheral neuropathy, but can mostly be avoided with adequate vitamin supplimentation and protein intake. you may want to talk these over with your doctor, this was just research that I have printed off and read over about a million times to reassure myself that I am doing the right thing. Good Luck with your surgery and it is ok to be afraid of these things. It is all a matter of life, if we did not worry we would not be human! lol. Hope this helps... Clayton
   — C. Reed

September 9, 2006
Oops, sorry about that carla. I ment to say Claudia...
   — C. Reed

September 9, 2006
Just completed my 6 yr anniversary this past August, Still maintaining my 213lb. weight loss and living out my dream, i think the longer out the easier it gets..Don't let your fears overshadow things " go for it" , you have nothing to worry about, you are young and you will be able to play with those grandkids for a lifetime.. I-Rod~
   — Racegirl1

September 10, 2006
i would like to tell you this . my mother had hers done and lived 15 yrs after hers and was very happy with it . she passed away but not from the surgery but from a blood clot to the lung after breaking her hip . i looked to my mother wheni had mine done 2005 i would do it again if i had to , i have had trouble with stuff but pleased i did , Tammy
   — zigglyloves

September 10, 2006
Met a nurse out 25 YEARS once, she reported she was happy and healthy although the candy machine called to her:( I am 5 years out theres lots of us, long term studies show way more die who dont have WLS..... Best decision I EVER made:)
   — bob-haller

September 10, 2006

   — SteveColarossi

September 10, 2006
Here's my personal experience. I'll be 12 yrs in a few weeks (10/94). I lived to see TWO grandchildren (6/98 and 9/03). Hoping to see them graduate, too. But neither they nor I am that old yet! My ex, on the other hand, was barely 100# over, but had all the comorbs you'd expect with more wt. He died at age 49 (1996) from his cholesterol. He did not live to see either grandchild. He had good ins, the right issues and would've been a sure thing, BUT he insisted he could exercise it off. My current husband will be 11 yrs out shortly. Both of us have lost all our wt, but we work at the nutritional end quite diligently. A bad program could let you be ill, of course. My DIL #1 had WLS in 2004 and has lost nearly 200# and is nutritionally sound, too. My DIL #2 lives in Europe so had a gastric balloon, didn't lose much. BOTH of my sons are morbid, as is my grandson. One son has good ins, but he's only "20-30# over". sigh. My current husband's EX has WLS, but followed a different program, so has lost about 60# of the 200# she needed to lose. Both of his kids are heavy, one morbid. Shall I go on? Things change a bit, of course, and I got old enough to whine about wrinkles and grey hair, but the point is, I did get old enough!
   — vitalady

September 11, 2006
I'm only about 9 months out from surgery myself, but one of the reasons I felt good about doing it is that a former co-worker of mine had gastric bypass in the '70's - over 30 years ago - and is doing just fine!
   — blues-singer

September 12, 2006
I am 4 years out and I have a friend whose sister is 30 years out.
   — aprilbaree




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