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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