Question:
I have read many things about problems with the surgery...

can anyone tell me the problems they have had? I am terrified right now.    — Missy W. (posted on February 7, 2003)


February 7, 2003
It's awful to be scared, but it's good you are looking at both sides, good and bad. Personally, I haven't had any real problems. I haven't thrown up once, and I've only felt like I needed to, twice. I can eat anything, but there are some things I have been afraid to try, like salad, and rice. After you know what the down side is, try to focus on all the GOOD things, to get into a positive mind-set before you have this done. I truly believe that a positive outlook aids in healing and overall good health. :)
   — Diana L.

February 7, 2003
No problems here, I also can eat anything but (carrotts) hope this eases your mind a little.
   — Schatzie1

February 7, 2003
Lap RNY 10/29/02. I can eat just about anything, no pain. The only thing that has made me sick is dehydrated onions used in cooking! Now I avoid that - no problem. It's like anything else - when people have problems, whether it's with a car or surgery or anything, you always here all the worst. You do here a lot of success stories here, but by and large, you hear the worst. I really think there are more problem free surgeries than anything, but those folks may not even come to this site. It's also easier to sensationalise problems than good outcomes.
   — koogy

February 7, 2003
The only problem I had was a stricture in the new opening they created. It took a 15 minute procedure in DR's office and it was painless and they inflated the opening with a baloon. No other problems and life is beautiful. You can check my profile and see how my journey's been so far. - Mike
   — Michael N.

February 8, 2003
I had lap RNY 10/15/2002 and have lost 70 pounds with no problems. Well, I could complain about not being able to eat broccolli, having to buy new clothes and having so much energy I can barely sit still, but I don't want to scare you away from having the surgery. :)
   — Yolanda J.

February 8, 2003
The Lord has blessed me greatly with my surgery. Problems: cannot eat raw vegs, lettuce, some fruits (yet), but can eat same cooked thoroughly without problems. The nausea I experienced early on, is gone completely. Also gone: my sleep apnea, GERD, and a great amount of joint pain that I was experiencing especially in my feet, ankles, knees. My scar (open RNY) keloided in spots, but it is lightening up now at 9 months post-op. Yes, some people DO have problems, some of them extremely major ones....but I have been very blessed with good health and healing after my surgery, for which I thank the Master Surgeon every day. Hugs, Joy
   — [Deactivated Member]

February 8, 2003
I had major problems with my surgery. However, they were caused by a mistake the surgeon made, not by the surgery in and of itself. Would I do it again? I don't think I would put myself through it. Has it been worth it? I'm almost ready to say that it has. I am down over 100 pounds and feeling better than I have in many years. Please feel free to email me if you would like.<p>There are people who have post-op problems, from relatively minor ones to major things, but I think most would say that, even with some post-op issues, they would still do it over again.
   — garw

February 8, 2003
I had respiratory problems during surgery. They had started to administer an antibiotic called Kefsol, which I was allergic to. An alert nurse noticed that I had had listed an allergy to penicillin and to ceclor and said that kefsol was known to cross-react in people who were allergic to penicillin. They changed the antibiotic, but the damage was already done and I began having distress shortly into surgery. I spent 12 hours in recovery with breathing treatments and oxygen, then was moved to a room in the special care unit (step down from ICU). It took me a while to recover, but I went home on the 3rd day after surgery and have done extremely well since. I'm now 4 months post op and down 72 lbs. I have only 63 lbs left to goal. I am completely grateful for this surgery - it's given me my life back!
   — JoAnn B.

February 8, 2003
It's great that you are looking at the negative sides, as well. Although most problems are known, I don't think some people truly think about the complications. I knew they could happen, but probably thought it couldn't happen to me b/c I was so young. 6 months after my LAP RNY I developed a marginal ulcer suddenly and had to have emergency surgery to repair a perforation in my stomach (my new pouch). This is very rare. But 7 weeks later, I am still in constant pain, my stomach always hurts and I feel nauseas. Do I regret the surgery? Not at all. I've lost over 100lbs and am 15 lbs. from my goal weight, and feel so much healthier. It's common to be scared and nervous. It's good you realize that complications can occur, but just know you will hear more about complications than not hear about it, or hear all the wonderful things, ya know? The chances of major complications to happen is still pretty slim. So don't be too terrified!! Goodluck to you :)
   — Lezlie Y.

February 8, 2003
I haven't had the surgery yet (I am awaiting approval), but the way I look at it is that yes there are risks, but being obese or morbidly obese has many life-threatening and painful risks too (Diabetes, high cholesterol/heart attack, high blood pressure, arthritis, etc.) I haven't read about anyone who ultimately regretted having surgery despite problems. You have to look at the glass as half full!
   — mdjacobs

February 8, 2003
Hi Missy, good question. I think its important to note many people have minor complications, and some have major, but for the most part you get the end result of "yes I would still go through with it." Read my profile-I had pancreatitis (the most painful thing I have ever been through) and had an emergency gall bladder removal surgery at 10 months post op. Both were awful, and since that point I have not been able to digest carbs/fats or sugar without terrible bloating and gas-and I mean lethal gas. This has caused me a lot of physical but also mental issues because it makes daily life very hard. I am getting to the point now where I am learning what works for me and what to stay away from-but it is still hard. I never had to worry about what I ate before all this-granted I was 320lbs and probably would have died in 10 years-but I wasn't constantly stressed. I was a size 32 and now I am a 10. But had no self confidence and I still don't because of this issue. I worry no one will ever accept this "flaw" of mine and I am not quite sure how to get through it. I have more tests coming to find out if it is medically treatable, but somethings not right. I have tried many medications and gone for a bunch of tests-I am currently on 2 meds to make me "go" because I won't have a movement on my own. I also haven't had a period in 9 months-since right before the pancreatitis-and NO, I am not pregnant. So my insides are all screwy. It's hard to say I would do it again knowing I would be dealing with this for the last 8 months and possibly for the rest of my life. I mean food is a huge part of our lives, and I constantly stress about whats going to agree, disagree. Oh well, don't want to seem like a downer-But YOU ASKED! On the plus side, I do feel much better physically as I can run 5 miles at a time, I hardly ever sweat, and I look damn good too if I do say so myself! Email me if you have any questions-but do remember, the chances of any complications if VERY slim that they would happen to you. Odds are in your favor that you will be fine-and the glass will be half full for you! Good luck.
   — Alli B.

February 9, 2003
I had a RNY iSept 30, 1999. In November 99 I started to get weak I was hospitalized with a severe Vitamin B deficiency malnutritrition. I had to learn to walk again because I was numb from the chest down. I developed ulcers on the staple line which caused a disruption. The latest ulcer is 1 in ch long. With the disruption I ut back almost all of the weight I lost. So now I am seeking a revision. IN SPITE OF ALL THIS I WILL DO IT AGAIN. You should be afraid because things can happen. Follow the dr, get in a support group, take your vitamins. Gee I sound like Hulk Hogan
   — snicklefritz

February 9, 2003
I had absolutely no problems with the actual surgery. I was hardly in any pain (had them turnoff the morphine pump) and didn't take one pain killer once I got home. Slept in my own bed from Day 1. I've never dumped or vomited. However, for reasons no one knows, I have had an enlarged stoma from the very beginning, and can eat the same quantites of food now that I could prior to surgery. It's been 14 months, and I'm down 100 pounds, due only to the facts that I do have a bypassed intestine that does limit absorbtion, and I use self-control in what I eat. I have no doubt that I could gain this weight back without really trying. I found out after my surgery that enlarged stomas do occur, but no one knows why, or how often, or even who it's going to happen to. Luck of the dice, I guess. Do I regret having this surgery? The jury's still out on that, as I will never know if I could have done this on will power alone, and no one knows just how effective the bypassed intestine is. I will tell you that I do resent mutilating my insides and taking 11 vitamin and mineral supplements a day....and not having a tool to help control how much I can eat in exchange. Would I have had the surgery if I knew prior that this was a possibility? Yes, no doubt about that. The odds of this happening are less than having a stricture (just the opposite of my problem), and I went ahead with the surgery with those known risks. I just wish I had known ahead of time that this surgey is not 100% foolproof. At least I wouldn't have beat myself up so much. I applaud you for asking about problems. At least you can go into this with your eyes wide open, knowing you've weighed all the pros and cons.
   — Cyndie K.




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