Question:
Profiles of those who nad problems & nearly didnt survive now doing good!

My friend Wanda Smart is still in ICU on a vent and improves some days then gets worse again.Its been 2 months of this. This has taken its toll on me. She said I was her inspiration for surgery. Her surgery page tells the sad story. <P> http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/status.phtml?N=S1007516003 <P> I am looking for profiles of those who had similiar problems that made it OK. I hoped that such a list would help her family at this time and give them some hope for the future Thanks for your help.    — bob-haller (posted on April 2, 2002)

April 1, 2002
Dear Bob ~ I know how hard it all must be weighing on you and I'm so sorry for that. We're keeping Wanda in our prayer group and praying for something really good to come along quickly to help her heal. I feel bad for all who are close to her...I know how it's affected me and I'm at a distance. Remember, if you can, how miserable of a life it is to be 'living' when your extremely morbidly obese & health issues are all around you. To me, it's worth the risk - I've left a comment on my profile so my family will know how I feel about this and there will be no questions left unturned if something goes wrong w/my surgery next week. May God bless you all. Sorry I didn't have an answer to your question but I wanted to share my comments. Bright Blessings.
   — Lisa J.

April 2, 2002
My husband had a post-op leak, collapsed lung & pneumonia (though mild). He had to have a second surgery to repair it on Day 5. He survived and after a few weeks, had no indicators that he'd gotten off to such a rough start. It was life threateing and the docs were not very hopeful when they went into repair it. He is fine now. He'd even do it again. Another story.... a patient who came here, also had had a leak (we're talking 6 yrs apart here), also had collapsed lung & pnuemonia, also required a 2nd surgery, and then had a marginal ulcer, too. She is FINE, perfect, fabulous now, and was within about 8 weeks. She's very enthusiastic and has lost very well, like 97# in 4 months! I could go on & on. There are many who survived BOTH their obesity AND the treatment of it, and have gone on to have successful, fulfilling lives. Who knows? Maybe those who have such a rough start treasure their success just a little more than those of us who didn't struggle as much? I don't know. I know that I am happy my husband survived his obesity, which was not likely, and then the complication. I've had him a long time because he had this surgery.
   — vitalady

April 2, 2002
I have experienced several serious and life threatening complications as a result of having had weight loss surgery.. I have survived all of them and am leading a happy, and healthy lifestyle now.. I am not done losing weight, but well on my way to my personal goal. I had a marginal ulcer that perforated,causing peritonitis.. which can be fatal, and also spread to the backside of my liver. Due to the acids in my pouch, my staple line was compromised and totally unzipped.. this happened at 4 months post op from open RNY.. At 10 months post op, I was still experiencing daily nausea/ vomiting... and didnt feel well at all.. I flew to another state to get a friends/ surgeon/s opinion.. underwent two separate endoscopies while there.. The first endoscopy revealed a partial small bowel obstruction.. fortunately, reachable through the endoscope and dilated.. The second endoscopy revealed a rather enlarged and atonic pouch.. which caused me to go into malnutrition, and have to be placed on IV nutrition ..I developed an infected IV line.. a nasty staph infection that landed me back into the hospital for another 8 or so days of IV antibiotics.. I was well enough to fly back to my friends/ state and have a successful revision surgery in early Feb.. However, I do believe, that I would not have survived without these two surgeries.. I am glad that I have been able to successfully overcome the complications and go on to positvely encourage those who are in similar situations.. I firmly believe in the power of prayer, and that without God beside me each step of the way, I wouldnt be here typing this to you.. I am praying for your friend, and our member, Wanda Smart each day..I sure hope that she is improving.. Take care
   — Gina Landers