Question:
Looking for non-biased information

I'm looking for some good non-biased information about how WLS affects you long-term post-op. It's not all about before and after pictures nor is it all about memorials and doom and gloom. But if I am to make an INFORMED and KNOWLEDGEABLE decision, I need information. And please don't tell me that there isn't any information about long-term post-op because this surgery is different. I know enough that this surgery is very similar to what was performed 25 years ago. What has substantially changed is the expertise and knowledge of the surgeons and their ability and attempts to educate their patients so that they are successful and can avoid as many complications as possible. But there must be SOME information in layman's terms (or even medical terms - I'll get my medical dictionary out) that will explain how altering the stomach so drastically will affect your body's functioning as you age.    — antiques55 (posted on July 8, 2003)

July 8, 2003
I have a lot of information in my profile as well as links to do your own research.
   — Linda A.

July 8, 2003
Linda: I don't even have to go to your website cuz I've been there many times already! :) I even printed everything and it's in my quickly growing WLS notebook. I love all the nutritional research you've done and can't help but feel that your success is due in great part to how educated you've become. I just wish I could find more about how the stomach functions in relation to all the other body systems and how reducing it's size can affect things through aging. I'll keep looking, though. THANKS!
   — antiques55

July 8, 2003
My dad had wls in 1962. He is 78 now. He has not had any "aging" problems, that would be linked to his wls. I have not found any others that are that far out. I know this wont help you but we can answer any questions you have.Feel free to email any time. He is my support person and my water police.:)
   — Autumn

July 8, 2003
Below is a link to some information from the ASBS that gets very specific about the surgery done 1963-1980 years ago and how it is not the same as what is done today. Bypassing the entire small intestine is no longer done, and the effects on malabsorption rate, damage to organs, etc. is significantly different. I disagree, therefore, that it is just different because patients are better informed and doctors are better at it - the anatomic changes are considerably different than what is being done today. You may want to check the ASBS site further to find the outcome of the patients who started the current version of GI bypass in the past 10-20 years. http://www.asbs.org/html/story/chapter2.html
   — bethybb

July 8, 2003
Hi Lori, You might be able to find it at asbs.org. You did not ask about duodenal switch, but Dr. Hess, who developed the procedure in 1988, has been tracking his patients since then. Unfortunately he has no website, but he will send you info or even discuss it with you on the phone. Douglas S. Hess, M.D., 640 South Wintergarden Road, Bowling Green, Ohio 43402. Telephone: 419-352-1452; Fax: 419-352-1244. You can probably also get some info by emailing Dee Tinkle, Dr. Keshishian's patient coordinator, at [email protected] or calling 800-816-6647. I used to have a lot of this info but recently cleaned out my computer and don't remember much. I did research extensively and decide that DS would have better long term results for me. Great question!
   — Chris T.

July 8, 2003
Beth is correct, the types of WLS surgery done today are not the same as the stomach stapling of 25 years ago. Who told you that it was? Surgery today is much safer, and your right,it does have to do with the expertise and knowledge of the surgeons-in other words, they learned from past problems how to do it better and safer. Believe me, many of us share your frustrations with not finding any long term health info on post-ops. There are some who are 8-10 years out, but thats about as far out with the newer surgeries as it gets. Researchers/surgeons are just beginning to study and collect some long term data and interpret it, especially since the surgeries are so popular now, and approved by NIH. In other words, we are the test subjects for the future. As others have said, there were alot of problems in the past when the surgeons bypassed too much intestine...however, even today, varying lengths are bypassed and therefore different amounts of absorption are taking place requiring varying amounts and discipline to regularly supplement to stay in good health. Sorry i couldn't be more helpful.
   — Cindy R.

July 8, 2003
I was just at the clinic today for a consult and to have everything submitted to the Insurance Co. And just as my husband and I were leaving, my mom who was here to babysit asked a very similar question...She said to make sure we ask ONE MORE TIME how this surgery will affect me when I am 60. (Can you see now why she did not go along?) :o) Anyway, my husband did ask the nurse just before leaving at the end of the visit...and her answer was: 'If you DO NOT have this surgery, you MAY NOT see 60!' How true!! I guess I would much rather have some slight nutritional issues that I can correct with proper diet, than be 6 feet under at age 60! Hope this puts a better *spin* on things! :o)
   — Cher B.

July 8, 2003
I would highly recommend the Grad list. People there are from 1 to ?? years out. You see, the good & bad. There WILL be nutritional issues. There will be body image issues. Some of us have wandering blood sugar or sleep issues. I would not trade my insomnia for my sleep apnea for ANYTHING. I would not trade my blood sugar issues for the certainty of diabetes, either. I lost 150 lbs and they have not found me yet. I have to work hard to maintain my nutritional well being, but none of it is as devasting as what my co-morbs were doing to me. On this group, you can lurk but not post til you're 1 year out. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG It's important to accept early on that one you have disconnected your digestive system, food will not deliver the same value as it did. Of course, it's also not delivering as many calories (except sugar). Mixed blessing. Osteoporosis and anemia are very real threats if they are not addressed aggressively right up front. I personally am addicted to my protein supplement for my well being, as well as to keep lab levels steady.
   — vitalady