Question:
Post op 10 years or more: high or low percentage of complications?

Does anyone know if the patients who have had surgery 10 years or more ago have a high or a low percentage of complications? Vaguely, I though that if one were to get past the initial post op stages, and everthing was going well for years, it'd be a slim chance of complications (if you were doing everything right.) But some of patient's experiences on here makes me wonder . . . Thanks!    — starby (posted on June 30, 2007)

June 30, 2007
Hi E, thanks for writing. I don't know any people who are 10 years out, and they usually are so removed from things like this, that you don't get many stories. Complications happen. I a 3.5 years out and I have dealt with a gastric ulcer, and last March I had an obstructed bowel that needed surgery. As it turned out, it seems that the obstructed bowel, due to scar tissue, also solved the gastric ulcer. Things happen, and you have to weigh the risk, but you could have no issues, and you could have more. The thing I think about right now is that I am 47 years old in a few weeks, and have pain in my knees and hip and shoulder from arthiritis, and how much more painful it would be with 120 pounds. I am getting to upper middle age, and having this weight off will help me in so many ways. It was a very painful surgery to have the obstructed bowel repaired because they had to remove so much scar tissue. My recovery was longer than I thought it was gonna be, but I am well, and thankful. We did ask a question like this, and they answered that even 20 to 30 years out that it is a low complication rate, but the older you get, the more things can happen, so be careful, stay healthy and get your check ups if you have surgery. I get seen every year for the rest of my life, and I will keep every appointment. Take care. Patricia P.
   — Patricia P

July 1, 2007
I am 14 years out the only thing I had was this past year I had to have an EGD due to a stricture nothing to it I had to have it again about 2 weeks later, but fine now.
   — DonnaB.

July 1, 2007
Well I will be 6 years out in july, not 10 but boy does time fly. A better question might be how many who DIDNT have WLS would be having complications some very serious from excess weight? I am pretty unusual still being here after so long. I am the board moderator or better term caretaker, it was a promise to God I made before surgery, if I survived and did OK I would give something back for all the support I got from here pre op. Incidently most long term post ops are busy leading their lives, after awhile surgery isnt the center of our world. But people DO tend to pop back up here when they are having troubles, so most long termers here are having some sort of problems. Over my 7 or 8 years here the posters have changed many times, people come and go. Most very happy to be thinner and happier. My life is busy too I lurk a lot though trying to help where I can. The members here are a wonderful group. Honestly I DONT like using my adminstrative powers. The biggest long term problem is no doubt weight regain which all of us must fight to one degree or another:( Have a great day, the big loss was so much fun!
   — bob-haller

July 6, 2007
I am almost 11 years out and I am doing very well. I am keeping my weight off fr all these years, eating right, living a better life and most of all no longer diabetic. I am blessed to have done this surgery and I wish I had it done 30 years ago. I am happy with the new me and my new body. Dani
   — Dani96