Question:
Is there anything pre-op you wish you were told but weren't?
In addition, is there anything that you were told and/or read about in your pre-op research that you wished you'd paid more attention to or took more seriously? Hindsight is 20/20. Thanks. — Felissa L. (posted on August 8, 2001)
August 8, 2001
Felissa--I knew all about the BIG complications like blood clots, etc., but
didn't know about the little things. I developed two abscesses (infections)
20 days after surgery which were incredibly painful to have opened and
drained. Be meticulous in your care of the incision, and make sure all
health care workers are sterile when touching this area. Also, when I first
got home, I would get really bad muscle cramps in my upper chest which
scared me. Turned out they are normal. It made getting a deep breath
difficult. Doc explained that this is a result of the cutting, and the time
spent under anasthesia. Hope this is helpful! Best of luck in your
endeavors!
— blank first name B.
August 8, 2001
I had an antibiotic cream at home and started putting that on my insicion,
right over the staples, several time a day.. I had not infection.. I think
it is worth the precaution.
— TERI S.
August 8, 2001
that it HURTS! I just wasn't prepared for the pain of the healing
afterwords! Having said that, now 8 months later I would do it again in a
heartbeat! The benifits and rewards far outweigh any pain I went through!
— Marnie K.
August 8, 2001
Within a few days after your surgery you will probably ask
yuorself "what the **** did I just do to myself". Most people
I have talked said that they thought pretty much the same thing,
but realize that it goes away after a while. Mine lasted about
half a day1 Just remind yourself WHY you did it in the first place!
— Dennis J. B.
August 8, 2001
I wish I had been told that it was possible to have a temporary period
where you would not lose any weight. At about 3 weeks I stopped losing
weight for about 2 weeks. I panicked and thought 20 pounds was it. I got
depressed thinking I did all this for 20 pounds. Now I have lost 60 pounds
and I know when the scale doesn't go down for a while I just have to be
patient and keep up with my healthy eating and exercise. Some great advice
came right off this site: There is no way your body can maintain its weight
on what you're consuming. Just be patient and the weight will come off!
— ctyst
August 8, 2001
Well, can't say I wasn't told, but I wasn't told enough. BE PATIENT with
yourself. You will recover at your own pace. Some people bounce right
back. Some people can't keep anything down or are too tired to really
exercise. Some people have minor complications that hold them back. Some
people lose a bunch of weight right away, some people don't. My
expectations of myself were so high that every little set back really
depressed me. No I know that they were just little set backs and I just
wish I'd been nicer to myself along the way. Happy thoughts.
— kcanges
August 8, 2001
Yes. I know there are people out there who's health is worse AFTER the
surgery than before. Someone emailed me the details and it's not pretty.
But as she said, people on this site don't want to hear it and she is
afraid to come forth. This surgery does well for alot of us (I'm to new
post op to know if it was the right thing for me although at this point I
think it was). People need to know about her and others who are "worse
off" so others can weigh the pros and cons. But I'm sure sites like
this "really" don't want to know the other side. In theory, yes.
In fact no. It's "be quiet, it's your fault" mentality remains.
— Danmark
August 8, 2001
Daniel - it is very important to hear all sides of the story. I've heard
this before, where people who have had bad experiences are afraid to post
about it. People NEED to read this stuff...I NEED to read this stuff!
This site has a very nice anonymous feature. I would hope that more people
would make use of it, if necessary, to post the bad...and the good and
avoid any email-bombardment from people who feel they are "raining on
their parade", so to speak. This is serious surgery...it requires a
serious, educated decision. Anyone who doesn't want to hear about the bad
is, IMHO, wearing blinders in life.
— Maria K.
August 8, 2001
Maria, after seeing your "apparently" nasty post, I'm not
surprised she doesnt want to post herself. Maybe you did'nt mean to come
across this way but it looks it.
So many people only want to hear the good, but nothing in life is always
perfect. I'm happy with my surgery so far,
but she got Sjogrens disease because of WLS! I've never heard of it before
and had no idea this could happen. Yes, medical problems... gallbadder,
malnutrician and possible death from complications. Anyway at this point I
understand fully why she does'nt want to post even anonymously! Life's to
short for nasty remarks especially when your intention is to help others.
;)
— Danmark
August 8, 2001
I knew the incision would be long for an open RNY, I was told at least 8-12
inches,but for some reason I wasn't prepared for it when he took the
bandage off when I left the hospital. All those little staples, which I
also knew about, surprised me.
— hayesvj
August 8, 2001
This is in response to whether or not people on this site, who are
researching WLS, really want to know the truth about the Pros AND Cons of
the surgery. I can't speak for everyone, but I am researching this and I
most definitely want to hear EVERYTHING good and bad. How can I possibly
be expected to make an informed educated and well balanced decision about
taking such a drastic step if the people I turn to for advice hold back
vital information because they don't want to scare me off. Please give me
credit for being able to make my own decisions and be as brutally honest
with me as possible, even if you want to remain annonymous while doing it.
I'm very very excited about this surgery because I've spoken face to face
with 2 people who have had WLS (although they were 2 different types), and
both of them told me there were definite draw backs and it is painfull but
they would both do it again. One of the women was honest enough to say she
wouldn't recommend it for anyone else because she had decided it was too
drastic a step to take but that even with the minor complications she's had
she would still do it again. That little phrase really says alot. So
please, even if you have had some horrible painful complications and you
feel it was the biggest mistake of your life, be honest with us when we ask
for advice or information. I would greatly appreciate it.
— Elva C.
August 8, 2001
I wish I had found out that many people experience in the first few
days/weeks post-op some anxiety and a feeling of "what have I done to
myself". I cried in the hospital and wanted to call my surgeon and
tell him to book another operating room so he could put me back the way he
found me. From what I understand this happens to a lot of people and the
common belief is that it is from the anesthesia and pain medication we
receive. Mine passed day 6 post-op and since then, all I can see are good
things ahead for me.
— Elizabeth C.
August 9, 2001
I wish someone had told me to bank a couple of units of blood!
I did ask my surgeon about the possibility of needing a blood
transfusion and he said I shouldn't be concerned. transfusions
are "never" necessary. Well.......I had a gastric bleed two days
after my surgery and needed 2 units ob blood!
— [Anonymous]
August 9, 2001
Hello. I wish someone had told me that morphine makes some people
nauseous. Once the nurse told me that on day 2, I told them I'd rather go
without morphine and be in pain than have nausea. They switched me to
Toradol and I was fine. Also, I was told this prior to surgery but forgot.
I had surgery lap and when I woke up was very uncomfortable and felt pain.
Later that evening they told me it was gas -- and for some reason that
made me feel so much better knowing that I could walk it off. I did the
next couple of days and the uncomfortable pain was gone!
— Kimberly L.
August 9, 2001
I wish I had been told of the 'little' things that would never be the same.
The cookouts and elegant dinners out that would change forever. I wish I
had been told that I'd learn to be 'angry' at food for how it makes me
feel. Why didn't someone tell me to learn to like cold entrees because
eating hot (or even warm) food for more than two bites is a thing of the
past? I wish someone would have told me about the daily vomiting and the
pain involved each time that I eat anything 'normal'. Unfortuntely, much
of the socialization in our 'obese' lifestyles revolve around food, and
when you lose the food, you lose the opportunity to be a part of what you
know as 'normal'. I wish I had spent less time worrying about the surgery
and more time conidering what each and every day was going to be like
post-op for the rest of my life. Down 60 pounds in 16 weeks. Would I do
it again? Nope.
— [Anonymous]
August 9, 2001
thanks Cindi for mentioning the slow weight loss, I am now 7 weeks postop.
After about 4 weeks, I only lost 25 pounds, I felt very disappointed and
depressed...why had I risk my health(I ended up in ICU for 2 days, plus
infection,and packing for 2 weeks)for a measly little 25 pounds??? I now
have lost 5 pounds(30 total) more and I hope that I am back on the track
like you of losing weight again!! Thanks for your posting!!! Jessie
— Jessie H.
August 9, 2001
My surgeon explained the risks and complications, but I was too elated
during my consultation to FULLY listen. My stoma narrowed at 6 weeks
post-op and I was miserable for about a month. I diagnosed myself through
this website and had to insist on an endoscopy, which did cure the problem.
Just listen carefully, research, research, research, and know that
anything bad you read or hear from your surgeon CAN happen to you, too.
— [Deactivated Member]
August 9, 2001
I thought of something else. I am 6 1/2 wks post and the only problem I've
had physically was constipation at week 3. I'm fine now. I have never
thrown up and felt nausea only 2ce. Because of all the profiles and books
I've read, I was prepared to throw up a lot (I have been on regular foods
for 2 weeks). I wish someone had told me that I might not have any
problems at all. Sometimes I sit around waiting for "something"
to happen...
— Kimberly L.
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