Question:
How long do we have to worry about complications?

I want to know if we have to worry about complications for several months, years? I'm hoping that it's months!    — Kelly C. (posted on July 31, 2001)

July 31, 2001
Hi Kelly, I think I'm safe in saying months....my incision became infected, twice. Then I got something lodged in me and was tube fed for 4 days. Then I had to be scoped out as the top of my stoma closed...all this in the first 4 months. I read somewhere that 20% of people having WLS develop some type of complication. Yep we're talking one of the poster children for things that can go wrong....would I do it again - in a HEARTBEAT :-) Best wishes~
   — Gail R.

July 31, 2001
Hello Kelly. To me, this question has a two-part answer. First, there are possible complications from the "Surgical Procedure", and then there are possible complications that result from "The Surgery" (and its effect on our body). Relative to the former, if any problems are going to occur, it will be fairly soon (a matter of a few weeks for most - a few months for some). Most of the really serious ones (life-threatening) will likely show up within a couple of days. Many of these, however, are not specific to WLS - they are common to all major surgeries. Relative to "life after WLS", there are potential problems for years to come. I'm not sure if you would call them "complications" or not. But, for example, the need for Gall Bladder" extraction is fairly common in WLS folks (mine came out at 7 months - I think it usually takes longer than that). For those who don't get in enough water, problems with the kidneys can arise. For those who don't get in enough protein, tissue deteriation can occur. And, of course, for those who don't get in enough calcium, bone problems are likely. I'm sure there are many others. Now, would you classify those as "complications?? Maybe not. But the fact that these (and other) problems may not rear their heads until years down the road is something that all WLS patients need to prepare themselves for. Good luck to you! Kevin
   — meilankev

December 27, 2003
I believe things can happen at any time no matter how little or long it has been since your surgery, just as anything in life. I am just over 2 years out and have regained just about all of my weight back. The first year I did great and was on my way down to a thinner me, then I started having stomach pains not getting any answers because the doctor here had little knowledge of this surgery and I was also on state medicaid with very little income so I had to deal with this problem. I began gaining weight about 1 year ago slowly putting the pounds back on, I became unsatisfied with the small portions that I was eating and started eating more until I was full. Before I knew it I had toppled back over 300 pounds and finally I convinced my doctors to do some sort of test to see what was going on inside my body. They found that my pouch and stomach had completely reattached itself and there is not even a pouch anymore, I had the Roux En Y LAP and thought this was not possible but it happened to me. So yes, things can happen for no apparrent reason at any time, i feel there is really no safe period after having this surgery, I know people who are 3,4,5 years out and still have complications. Regards, Michelle
   — Michelle G.

December 27, 2003
My surgeon says the first month is the hazardous time. Leaks, bloodclots etc, the very dangerous ones. Once that first month is past the risk goes down dramatically:) and the chance of a serious comoplication is low. With OLAP the hernia risk is near zero according to my doc. Dont worry, stress is bad for everyone. Long term risk is very low as long as you get your labs done and see your surgeon yearly.
   — bob-haller