Question:
Mom having surgery/HIGH RISK/Need Advice/Support

My mother is having surgery next month and she is considered High Risk. She will be 60 in 2 weeks and has High Blood Pressure, Type II Diabetes, Sleep Apnea, Depression, Pancreatitis, Asthma, IBS and other issues that I can not even remember. All I do know is that 2 of her 5 or 6 doctors recommend that she NOT have the surgery, while other doctors are for it, or on the fence about it. I would like to know if there is anyone out there who is around 60 years of age, with several medical problems and has LIVED through the surgery. I am soooo very scared to loose her. Please see her profile on this site, her name is Karen Wiley. Please email me at [email protected]    — Shelly G. (posted on January 12, 2004)

January 12, 2004
First off, we're *all* high risk, by virtue of being morbidly obese. Of the conditions you listed, I think that the only ones that present problems related to surgery are the asthma and apnea. The apnea, hi blood press. and diabetes may be relieved with surgery. I imagine that even the pancreatitis way be improved after surgery. (WAG - I'm not a Dr.) <p> You said that 2 out of 5 or 6 docs advise against, but why? SOme docs are still biased against the surgery. Some may not know enough about it to give a valid opinion. I think the important question is, what does the surgeon say? Is he gonna put her in ICU, so that they can closely monitor her breathing? How many WL surgeries has he done? <p> Many people have wls at age of 60 or more. Many of those have diabetes, apnea and asthma. And the mortality stats for WLS is only 1.5%, as opposed to 1% for all populations for all surgeries. It's a little higher, but still low. <p> I think the most important thing is to concentrate on how she can be best supported thru this. Protein loading - drinking as much *very* low sugar protein shakes as she can take (4, 6, or 8/day) until surgery will help, as will taking 3-4 grams of vitamin C/day. Taking a couple of multi vites/day. Having family support her decision. Reading/researching . . . all help. The protein and C increase the body's ability to heal. Which we all need, but *especially* overweight, diabetic, older people. We (fat folk) are very susceptible to seromas, which are weeping, slow to heal incisions, basically. (Not serious, just inconvenient, and messy.) <p> Do some reasearch, on ObesityHelp.com, Google, etc. Try to answer your own questions, and allay your fears. Got to VitaLady.com, and get some samples of protein supplement drinks, and help Mom find some she likes. Get her to start with the protein and vites ASAP. Make sure that she has the best surgeon available (I recommend Dr. Oh in Seattle area www.OhToBeThin.com - he's excellent, very technically proficient surgeon, and very experienced in high risk cases. He successfully operates on patients that other doc's won't touch.) <p> Take care of yourself, and your Mom . . . and support her as best you can. :o)
   — RWH G.

January 12, 2004
Have any bariatric surgeons given her their opinion or are these other type specialists? The bariatric surgeons may know better how she will do, but I would assume that she'd be solving many of her current health problems by having the surgery. I know that many people over 60 have been operated on by my surgeon, though I don't know fully what their other health issues were. I do know that they are all doing very well though. I wish her well in whatever she decides.
   — Yolanda J.

January 12, 2004
Hi Shelley, you have my support if you need it. My mother-in-law was 5'4", 400lbs and had the surgery 2 days before her 65th birthday. I had my surgery in April, she had hers in June and was a very high risk. Serious circulatory and heart truobles, diabetic and much more. The higher the BMI and bad co-morbids - the higher the risk. She also could barely walk before surgery, much of her time was in a wheelchair. She needed help bathing and using a toilet. Post op Mom did have some problems. Heart and dehydration, but in both cases, because the surgeon monitored her closely, she pulled through after 2 extra hospital visits. She has lost 100lbs in 6 mos and is now wlaking with a cane. The best advice I can give you is to get your mom to move and walk post-op. Also make sure she drinks without a straw. Best wishes, Maggie B.
   — M B.

January 12, 2004
I was also very hing risk. I am a 52 year old wm. I have a very bad heart. I have congestive heart failure and only half of my heart works. My cardiologist was against me having surgery. he was afraid I would die onthe operating table. My surgeon knew all my problems and was not afraid to operate. I had successful wls on oct 1 03. Everything went fine. I have lost 70 pounds and feel much better. There are no guarantees with any surgery, but your mother may not live too long without surgery. I think the risk is worth it. Most of her co-morbidities will improve with weight loss. You do need to be prepared if things dont go well. I knew I might have died and so did my wife. I had surgery so I could make it easier on my heart and even if it doesnt I have a better chance for a heart transpant. My preop weight was 308 and now I weighh 238. The heavier you are preop the higher the risk. People over 400 pounds are riskiest. but I know of people over 500 pounds who have had successful surgery. It is scary but encourage your mother to have surgery.
   — bransonboy

January 12, 2004
Although I'm only 55, I had the surgery done November 20th, and I had numerous medical problems. I have COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) which includes Asthma, Bronchitis, Emphysema, Sleep Apnea, Depression, Epilepsy, and Congestive Heart Failure. Although some of the doctors told me not to have the surgery, most of my doctors said I wouldn't live without the surgery. I had planned to have the laposcopic procedure because I thought I would recover faster; however, because of my bad lungs, they refused to do it that way. I had to have the open surgery. With the laposcopic procedure, they have to put CO2 in your stomach to blow it up. The doctors were concerned that it would put too much pressure on my lungs. I came through the surgery with flying colors. Your mom needs to be prepared that she may come to in ICU on a ventilator. That's what they told me to expect so it wasn't hard to adjust. The only complication I had was a blockage which required I go back in the hospital about a week after surgery. Once they got that straightened out, I haven't had any problems. Well, maybe one problem. I'm concerned that I'm not losing weight. I lost 38 pounds initially and now nothing. I'm keeping the faith--just as you must do for your mother. She needs your support and vote of "you can do this." I'll keep her in my prayers. --Glenda
   — ghe5522

January 12, 2004
I think you have some good advice here, but I have a couple other things to recommend. It is very possible to get some bad roommates like I had for WLS. (Read my profile for the hospital stay from hell). Do pay the extra money (usually $30-$40 a day) to get her a PRIVATE room. Also, it may be very wise to rent a hospital bed for at least two weeks. Probally three to be safe. I was 43 when I had my surgery (Open RNY) and I was so uncomfortable that I used my Mom's hospital bed. I felt bad about using it, but it was an absolute godsend. It made getting up and going to the bathroom, and changing sleeping postions so much easier. If she has breathing problems my guess is it will help her get into postions to help that too. Best of luck to the both of you. :)
   — Danmark