Question:
Isn't anyone concerned that there is no one around more than 10 years out?
I am considering this surgery seriously. I am 5'2", weigh 280 and have always been overweight. I certainly have fears and am hoping that there is someone out there that could allay them. This surgery in some form has been around for a long time, however there does not appear to be any or many long timers out there. I am 28, does this surgery mean I am dead in max 30 years? There are a lot of writings out there on the internet that say so. Where is any data on this? even if it is on out dated procedures. Is vitamin defeciency and osteoporosis (sp) a given? I want to believe this is the right and semi-safe thing to do. I am just afraid in my desire to be thin I am ignoring the "facts". — sara J. (posted on December 3, 2001)
December 2, 2001
Sara,
I am not sure I can calm your fears, but I can tell you my story:)
I am almost 2 years post op and I started out at 280, at 5'1".
I am now 140, size 8-10, and living life much more now than
I ever did. I was shaving years off of my life obese, not
to mention I wasn't really living being tired and at home all
of the time. If I am shaving years off my life now (and I don't think I
am)
at least I am LIVING! I take my vites, I eat the best I can,
and I exercise like a fiend because I LOVE being able to! When
I was MO, I did nothing but eat and watch life pass me by. As
far as osteoporosis, I think that, while I have a higher chance
of getting it now, prior to surgery, I had a higher chance
of diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, cancer, and all the
other co-morbidities that come with obesity. I guess there are
no health guarantees, you just have to pick the best course
for yourself. Me, I would have the surgery again in a heartbeat.
Thin, I can fight the other health risks actively. Fat, I laid
around waiting to die.
— M B.
December 2, 2001
PS- maybe there isn't anybody around after ten years because
they are so active now they don't spend much time on the
computer! I know I have periods I don't get in here much!
— M B.
December 2, 2001
The one's who tell you that WLS will shorten your life are just trying to
scare you.If it shortened your life then why would any insurance comapany
pay for it? I am 24 yeas old now, if I don't have this surgery I will live
to mabey 60 ish??? And have a life long battle with who knows what
co-morbites.However,If I have the surgery, I will live a healthy life free
of obesity related sickness.I guess the point is anyhow, would you rather
take the small risk of dying with the surgery or the sure bet of dying of
morbid obesity?
— KCAllen77
December 3, 2001
OH MY GOD! You have the SAME fears I do. It's nice to think that all the
long term post ops are just out enjoying life, but how can I be so naive as
to believe that? Have they died due to osteoporosis? cancer (because of
quick rate of weight loss)? renal failure?
<br>
<br>
I was horrified when I read the articles and stories on
www.gastricbypass.netfirms.com. It not only listed all these complications
and side affects I hadn't been aware of - but it showed horror stories of
real-life post ops that made me cringe. It is clear however, that the
person who owns this board is against wls altogether - not only RNY.
<br>
<br>
I too am relatively young, 30. I keep thinking "Am I going to be
around when my son graduates or will I die in 10 years because I was too
desperate to be thin?" I'd like to believe that I can battle the
issue with protein/renal failure with drinking lots of water to dilute my
kidneys. I'd also like to believe I can battle against osteoporosis and
iron deficiencies by taking proper vitamins EVERY DAY. The higher risk of
cancer, with rapid weight loss, is something I think I cannot battle. That
is out of my hands. But I think my chances are good.
<br>
<br>
I've contemplated this a lot. I've researched it a lot. I'm comfortable
with this decision. I even looked into the Lap Band because it was
inevasive and could be reversed. It hass it's own set of complications,
and a chance of weight gain over time. All in all, you have to be
comfortable with your own decision. Read more. Ask more questions. I
wish you luck in your journey!
— Goldilauxx B.
December 3, 2001
I have a friend 15 yrs post op , she is fine. And that was really bad
surgery back then! How do you figure there is no one around? Maybe no one
you know. Or as the other poster said they are busy with there lives. Many
don't even know this website exists.
— Rose A.
December 3, 2001
I wonder if you are missing the point of the surgery??? I had the surgery
to be healthy, not to be thin. This is not cosmetic surgery! It can help
the MO to reduce their health risks from high cholesterol, high blood
pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea, heart disease, and a host of other health
problems just as bad. Not to mention the threat of arthritis from wear and
tear on our joints just from hauling ourselves around! Yes, you have to
take vitamins and watch your protein intake. Seems a small price to pay to
reduce the risk of all those other things.<p>I am 6 months post op
and personally know at least 2 people who had the surgery about 20 and 15
years ago. I don't think they have any health problems directly related to
the surgery, but the surgery then was not as good as it is now and they
have gained weight back.<p>As far as why you don't hear from those
people, I think that once you get to the point that you are basically
eating "normally" according to the rest of the world, WLS just
ceases to be a big issue in your life. I know that I am not as concerned
about WLS issues as I was and eventually I'll probably drop off the map too
and just get on with living my life. But I will always be the richer for
all the information and support I have gotten from the folks on this site!
Oh, and I'll also be thin and healthy! ;)
— ctyst
December 3, 2001
Well, I am almost 8 yrs post op for the Open RNY. It was fairly new
when I had it. Before then it was mostly the VBG. I am healthy, no
nutritional issues, at maintenance, I had a post op baby in '96 with
no problems, I am more normal now than I have ever been in my entire
life.
I followup yearly with my surgeon with complete lab work so I keep tabs
on my levels.
There is a list at yahoogroups called OSSG-Grad list for people more than
a year post op. There are numerous elders there (our list has more than
1000 members) and the topics are all over the board but the discussion of
relapse/protein intake/lab levels etc are the big issues facing longer
term
post ops.
Hope this helps a bit.
Hugs
Rita
Open RNY 3/31/94 463 lbs as of 10/10/01 185 lbs
I have gone from NOT fitting into Lane Bryant to
NOT Fitting into Lane Bryant.
— vt_rita
December 3, 2001
We all came together looking for info on WLS. Now when the real long term
post ops like 10 years out were around the internet didnt exist yet or
wasnt readily available. Those ong termers today are living their life and
dont need info, its just a footnote of surgeries they have had. So they
dont come here. Now for many of us, probably most life without surgery
would be short. I KNOW my PCP told me this after my surgery. I will ask
about this at wednesdays support group meeting, and ask for some long term
study info.
— bob-haller
December 3, 2001
I had my original surgery in January 1983. I'm still kicking like a
pack-o-ninjas. Hoping for a revision in 2002.
— Vicki H.
December 3, 2001
I think that once a person reaches goal and has no more problems they move
on. And that is the way it should be. Why would you want to be on the
computer when you can be out enjoying life? I wish they would show up here
and say hello every now and then. I am going back to work tomorrow and I
doubt I will have as much time to be on the computer then. I am one yr
post op from my original surgery and 7 wks post op from my revision to
transected pouch. I don't know about others but there is appears to be a
misconception when someone says they are having a revision. A revision is
not a reversal. It is either changing from the old surgery of stapling
only to transection, extending the common limb (?), or possibly changing
from a banding to rny or something. One more thing to consider: If we who
have life threatening comorbidities such as high blood pressure, sleep
apnea, diabetes, etc did not have this surgery to enhance our lives and
prolong our lives, do you think we would be around in 10, 15, yrs to tell
others it is better to live life risking death from that or to have the
surgery? Think about it. I, personally, plan to be around until I am 80
or 90 now. Without surgery, I would have probably lasted another 20 if
lucky. I am 49 now. I monitor my bloodwork, take my supplements and
vitamins and I feel wonderful! Good luck in your personal decision about
whether to have WLS or not.
— Marilyn C.
December 3, 2001
In my first consult with my surgeon we had a group meeting and I met a
woman who had the surgery over 20 yrs ago. She looked happy, healthy,
alive, beautiful. That was enough for me. You want facts? FACT: being
morbidly obese can make you die of many different complications within 10
yrs. Heart, Kidneys, etc. I'd prefer to die knowing I at least tried
everythign possible to give my family the type of mother they deserve. Not
the kind who thinks only of herself and her love of food. Don't be scared.
Dwell on the positive. Many people who do die after WLS do so from previous
co-morbs that still affected their health, complications due to diabetes,
heart, etc. Dying from the surgery itself is very low percetage. To my way
of thinking, the benefits far outweigh the risks. :)
— Renee V.
December 3, 2001
LOTS of reasons why they might not be here. I had my surgery in 1994. BUT I
wasn't online until 1998. 4 years before I discovered online support. Many
have had surgery, are doing fine or doing poorly and do not know they can
talk to others. Some vitamin deficiencies are pretty much a given, if
following a bad post-op plan. Many plans are built for people who are
still fully functional, so of course, they do not work for us over the long
haul. But it takes while for the damage to show up. And boy, is it a
surprise when it does! The good news is that we know more today than we did
in 94 or 98 or even 2000. And I agree with Rita on subscribing to
OSSG-Graduate. You can see what works, what doesn't, in a nutshell. You
can see why people wopuld revise. It's not the whole WLS world, but it is a
microcosm.
— vitalady
December 3, 2001
I have an two aunts that had WLS 15 and 20 years ago. They are very
healthy today and maintaining a weight far under their original weight.
Neither one of them is "thin" but they are at a decent weight and
doing great. <br>I also have a cousin that is 10 years post op and at
goal to this day. I have no fears of this surgery at all because of their
success.
— [Anonymous]
December 3, 2001
Wow- you guys are great! Thanks for all the repsonses. I know it is natural
to have fears and doubts, it is nice to have somewhere to voice them. I
know ultimately this is the right thing for my health.
— sara J.
October 11, 2002
Well, there are lots of people out there, but the surgery 10 years ago was
mostly a different surgery with I am sure lots of successes and failures.
I know many 4-5 years and have met a couple 5-7 years of rny. Since I had
surgery 3 yrs ago, it has changed again. I do know that 2 people who had
surgery years and years ago just had it redone because what was performed
then has been improved so much. I think because we are more informed, stay
in touch and up to date with support groups and sites like this, we will be
more successful and we will have lots of long term people.
— Elizabeth K.
March 27, 2003
I have a friend who is 20+ years out and looks great! If you don't have
the surgery adn keep going you could be dead in far less than 30
years...fact is any of us could die anytime of anything. Quality of life
is key. There are a lot of writings on the internet that say a lot of
things but why would you pay any attention to them...I get about 12 emails
a day wanting to enlarge my penis but I don't have one...talk to YOUR
doctor who should know YOUR health, history, etc. Not what someone in
cyberspace says generically. The original intestinal bypasses ended up
having something like a 45% morbidity (death) rate...guess what, they don't
do that anymore...If you follow YOUR doctor's regimen vitamin deficiency
will NOT be a given nor will osteoporosis.
Good luck.
p.s. I am 50 years old, 2 years post op nearly 200 pounds lighter and WAY
more healthy - no more diabetes oral meds, cholesterol meds, just a lot
less of me...and a much healthier me...
— Sandi L.
May 5, 2003
Well let see i had surgery 23 years ago at the age of 16. Was the best
thing and the worst time to have surgery. 16 is not a good idea. I have
gained all my weight back but will be going back in for surgery to fix
everything that went wrong. Pouch has not stretched but from what they are
telling me now.............. have a leak in the staple line that has caused
most of my problems. Bones are real problem because i did not physically
mature the way i was supposed to. Wait gain started after 6th year when i
became pregnant with my first child and just never was able to get it off.
I think mostly due to lac of exercises due to the fact broke my neck and
other complications when was 22. But yea there are people more than 10
years out. Even though there were a lot of us lost during that time.
— Sandi T.
August 4, 2003
There are tons of people 20+ years out, it's just that it gets old after a
while and you don't want to talk about it anymore. I have met several. Now
only 5 months out I shun discussions about weight and only come to this
site when stuff goes wrong. Used to be here every day pre-op and early
post op. You do get tired of it after a while!
— Laurie L.
August 4, 2003
I know someone who had a failed surgery in the 70's...gained most all of it
back. But to be quite frank about it, I'd rather die trying than to have
lived the next 20 years housebound and miserable. I have quality of life -
hell I have LIFE now!
— [Deactivated Member]
January 1, 2004
I can see your concern. Back in the 70's a dear friend of mine had
"stomach stapeling". She lost some weight, but nothing like I
have achieved in my 8 months. The medical practices and procdures have
changed dramatically throughout these years to our benefit. My friend and
I still converse, she had re-gained her weight decades ago, she is very
healthy and happy. She is still married to her high school sweetheart. He
loves her no matter what her size. I visit these sights when I have
concerns. My current concerns are hair loss, exercise and just comparative
statistics. I hope I will maintain a voice for others through the emails.
Good luck, Cherie B/Dunbar, PA.
— CHERIE B.
June 6, 2004
Don't worry! I had my stomach stapling in 1991 and I am still alive an
healthy. I have several friends that I made during those times and they
are also doing great. I did so well that my husband had the surgery done
in April 2003. Good luck!
— Angie D.
July 3, 2005
I have had the surgery and am 2 yrs post-op. My mother has had the surgery
and she is 23 yrs post-op with no serious problems.
— LuAnn B.
Click Here to Return