Question:
ObesityHelp.com needs your help. Seeking unhappy post ops.

Hi. This is Eric, the founder of this web site. We need your help in rounding up as many <b>dissatisfied post ops</b> as possible in order to build a forum from which others can learn. We've been getting a steady flow of complaints that there is too much pro-surgery hype on the internet. I wouldn't be surprised if maybe perhaps 4% of post ops (one in twenty-five) wished that they hadn't had the surgery. So far, however, their representation on this site is running around .1% if even that. If you are post op and are not sure if you made the right decision, then please post here and tell us your story. If you know others who might fit this description, please have them come here to post, or post what you know about them, summarizing what you understand about their thought process. For any of these cases, please be sure to include as much information as possible about the number of months post op, and how any regrets change with time. (As we all know, it's perfectly normal for everyone to regret having surgery at least temporarily during their worst days 2-3 weeks post op.) Thank you for your help with this important project!    — ericklein (posted on July 30, 2001)

July 30, 2001
Hi-Eric I guess I will go first in regards to answering your question- I had an open R-N-Y Distal on 6-1-01. Now I did six months of research and knew about all the positive things, I also knew things could go wrong while having this surgery. I awoke from surgery with terriable spasms(that I didn't know about) one day post op I had too have a chest tube put in because while the dr's placed the central line they punctured my lung.That was great pain and in for four days, during which I could not get up and walk. I was let go from the hospital on day six only to be re-admitted on the 17th due to infection oozing out of staple line. I had to have the wound cut open again and had to have the eight inch deep hole packed twice a day by a nurse. During this time I was restricted to couch rest. The surgeon says drink 64 oz. of water a day and there was no way I could drink that much fluid much less eat 60 grams of protien a day, My surgeon said no shakes. By july 1st I was in the hospital again this time it was because of a lack of fluids. I have really hated the fact that I choose to do this to my body, no one forced me. I still can barely get in 48 oz. of water and at least now my body is telling me its thirsty. Protien is a whole nother story. I used to love pork, and spicy foods and now any kind of pork makes me sick and I can't handle any thing spicy at all.I still crave all the sweets ,and I knew I would so in that respect the surgery has stopped me from eating them. I cant swallow pills with-out them getting stuck, and when its really hot and humid out-side I can't even drink enough liquid to cool down my body. So at this point I would not do this again, or recommend it to any-one. Oh and my weight loss is a grand total of 51 pounds. I know thats probally good but with what I have been through I would of expected more.
   — Kimberly B.

July 30, 2001
I support this effort 1000%. Everyone needs to be uinformed of the good and the bad. Melissa Janci a friend of mine is one such failure, at 9 months post op she is unable to eat any solid food seemingly from rouen stasis syndrome. Her profile has detailed info on a very sad story.
   — bob-haller

July 30, 2001
Hi Eric! I had Lap RNY April 9th, 2001......On the 10th, the doctors and nurses were all running around to my bed. I got an aembolism to the lung,,,,They tried to put an central line in my right side first 2 attempts,then failed. They went to the left side and got one in. This was more painful, then the surgery....Also, when they interbated me for the surgery, they hit my left vocal cord, and paralyzed it. couldn't speak for months....I was in the hospital for 15 days, where they stuck me for blood, and did about 5 blood gases a day, which hurt like hell! I am 15 weeks post-op. I was sick for the first 7 weeks. I walked around with a bucket to throw up in....Now at 15 weeks. I am sick as soon as I get out of bed,,,,As soon as I eat or drink anything, I am in severe pain. and I am nauous all day long....I am waiting for an EGD, for August 7th, to see if my Stoma has to be dilated..I did not go back to work yet, I have severe diareea, 5-6 times a day also, I am depressed, and don't want to go out of the house...I don't blame my surgeon, he did an excellant job, maybe the surgery just wasn't for me! I really wished I have not done this..I was all alone when I first had the surgery, no support, and now I still don't have any, and no one, that I can talk to..All this for 64lbs.
   — Marie B.

July 30, 2001
How about those who've had a rough time, but aren't regretting the surgery? I guess there are enough posts like that, but how abot a site where we simply list the complications even if we're not sorry we did it. I had/have unidentified abdominal pain, and gastritis, and ulcers (which DS patients rarely get), diarrhea urelieved by dietary changes, abcess and fistula related to the diarrhea. Also lost much of my sense of smell permanently--perhaps the result of an unrecognized stroke during surgery. Nothing smells the same, many things are lost forever. I'm still coping with that, but I would do it over again. BTW, to the well-meaning lady who says God will make it alright again, please consider that for those of us who don't believe in God, that's like saying SANTA CLAUS will fix it someday soon...and in any case, God DOESN'T make it alright for EVERYone, or anyone EVERY time, by any means. A whole lot of people and tragedies get left "as is" by God, if he exists. It can sting some to hear someone else report that God came through for them as always, and if we pray, He will for us, too--especially if he hasn't and it's too late for some aspects already. But it was kind of you to share your way of staying hopeful--I don't mean to hurt your feelings.
   — Jesse M.

July 30, 2001
I'm very lucky to be alive. I had a second emergency surgery to repair a leak. Ended up with a colapsed lung, pnemonia, feeding and drainage tubes and still had a leak. The leak ended up closing itself after about 4-5 weeks. It took about 3 months after the surgery for when I really started to feel better. The good news is that I'm healthy and alive. In fact, I've completed my first triathlon. My starting weight was 285 and now I'm 195. I'm still on the fence on whether it was worth it or not.
   — kelly T.

July 30, 2001
Would I do this again, NO WAY!!! I am only 2 months out and I cant eat or drink anything without getting the worst stomach ache. I can say only 1 good thing came out of this, I am not eating my self to a self induced heart attach by eating at hardees every day. Other wise I would really like a reversal but I have been told this is permanent. I can honestly say that I have been starving for 2 months. I can get down MABEY 30 ounces of water a day and I only eat about 2 tablespoons of food a day. I have lost 45 pounds but losing it this way is not the right way. I cant go out side when the sun is shining because I know I am dehidrated and dont want to suffer a heat stroke. I had this surgury so I could play with my kids, but all my kids hear is mommy cant go out because the sun is shining OR mommy cant do that because I have no energy. If any one knows about a reversal I would really appreciate hearing about it, I would rather live my life fat cuz atleast I could drink and I had energy....
   — renee J.

July 30, 2001
"For any of these cases, please be sure to include as much information as possible about the number of months post op, and how any regrets change with time. (As we all know, it's perfectly normal for everyone to regret having surgery at least temporarily during their worst days 2-3 weeks post op.)" Eric- you've hit the nail on the head. 3 months out and I was still "learning to crawl" so to speak. Extreme fatigue, depression, hairloss, strange diet changes- it takes it's toll! We know it is hard going into it, and there are HUGE risks. I am curious to see if any of these people come back 6 mos. to a year down the road and tell us they feel differently? I am not saying what they write is not serious business and not to be considered when making surgery decisions. It's just that the way I felt at 3 weeks to the way I felt at 3 mos. compared to what I felt at 6 mos. so on and so on, the difference was EXTREME. For those of you that do post here, please keep us all updated with your struggles. We are here for you, and are concerned about your well being. Knowledge is power, and someone may have the "remedy" or advice to get you through these hard times..... and keep adding to that database!
   — Karen R.

August 20, 2001
I am happy with the decision I made to have this surgery. It has changed my life dramatically. The only complaint I do have is the after treatment by BTC. Before the surgery the people were so informed and friendly, but the day I went home BTC has been nothing but rude and unhelpful. I feel as though they got their money out of me and now its screw you honey. I have been waiting three weeks for a refund from the company. The accounting department supervisor is rude to me when ever I call, the only time she has been friendly is after I have called and lodged a complaint about her and even then she called me trying to argue with me that she had been friendly to me all the time. I am really disappointed in the professionalism in BTC afterwords. The counselors have been absolutely zero help also. They tell you whatever they feel like telling to get off the phone with you whether it be the correct information or not. I just don't use the couseling service anymore at all. I am 8 monthes post-op. I hope that BTC will better train their employees.
   — Kelly A.