Question:
I would like to know how many people who have had WLS is having any medical problems

I'm curious to see if any one has had any bad problems with thier surgery? Or how people are doing after the surgery. I'm schedualed to have my surg on August 2, 2000 and I can't wait for this to happen, but I have some scary thoughts. Any help would be appreciated, thank you all so much. This is an awsome site, [email protected]    — Frank R. (posted on June 30, 2000)

June 30, 2000
I am almost 6 yrs out. I LOST asthma, severe sleep apnea, high BP, high cholesterol, borderline diabetes, shortness of breath, lack of mobility, and more. Oh, and 150 lbs. I've held at about 112# since reaching stability. My husband is nearly 5 yrs out and his list of losses is similar to mine. He lost 110# and rarely has any fluctuations. We were both getting older, but not GOING to get much older, if you catch my drift. We lived to get a grandson and many other joys in life that we had never imagined! Our biggest job today is keepig track of our post-op nutrition, but that seems fairly easy to us, so we haven't had any problems.
   — vitalady

June 30, 2000
I had my surgery almost 5 years ago. Certain foods and drinks make my stomach burn. Sweets make me nauseous sometimes. I bruise easier, I am told that it could be a vitamin C deficiency. If I don't take my vitamins, I get diarhhea and dizzy. Above, all I think mental attitude is the key to the success of it, but that's almost anything you encounter.
   — [Anonymous]

July 1, 2000
Before I had surgery I was worried about gas, diarrhea, hair loss, hernias, dumping and vitamin deficiency. The only problems I've experienced are: diarrhea (if I drink milk or eat too much fat), gas (milk or too much fat) and lactose intolerance. I haven't had any medical problems associated with my surgery (except for an abscess in my incision which was drained and has healed nicely). I don't even mind the lactose intolerance because it has forced me to switch to soy milk (which I LOVE) and has kept me away from ice cream (always my downfall). I take my vitamins religously. I get my required amount of protein every day. Before surgery I had some scary thoughts too. My husband and I got our financial affairs in order just in case. I filled out the Advanced Directives form and took it to the hospital with me. I guess I wasn't really scared about dying during or after surgery because I had gotten to the point where I would rather die than live like I was. Once everything was in order I tried to focus on being positive about the surgery and what our lives would be like afterwards, and I think that helped both me and my husband handle everything. Good luck to you.
   — Kellie L.

January 28, 2001
Hi there! I am post-op as of 10/03/2000. Recently I have been diagnosed with a hernia in my lower left abdominal area. The surgeon who did my WLS in Phoenix, Arizona says that it is the result of a new type of suture he has been recently using in wls. Evidently, this new suture...altho' more gentle to intestines is not as strong/sturdy as the "old" suture material. Consequently, this occasionally manifests in a hernia for some patients. I will need more surgery...very soon...to correct this problem. I am NOT looking forward to this! Hugs, Sharon
   — Sharon M.