Question:
Risks of surgery?

Hi I am still new to this site, but I have heard all the wonderful stories out there of all the weight loss, but the only bad thing that I have heard is the "dumping". And also the few people that have passed away from this. I am so scared when I read that. I am from Ohio, and have a insurance Company now looking for Insurance for my family and me. I am wanting to have this done so badly, but when I read the bad things, or people's journals that I get a knot in my stomach. But I need to know what the risks are before I jump into this. Also, when you get a insurance company, how long do you have to wait before going too the BTC? If I didnt post this right, Im sorry, first time posting a question. Thanks. Allison    — allison F. (posted on August 5, 1999)

August 5, 1999
Allison, I know just what you are going through. I am having surgery at the BTC in Addison, MI on 8/19, and I have had the same thoughts. From my research, the biggest risk is from blood clots. They put you on blood thinners, and get you up soon and often to combat this. Yes it is still a real danger, but it happens only in less than 1% of cases, and if we do everything to cooperate, the danger is minimized. Moving around post-op is not fun, but it is very important. Personally, yes, I'm scared, but I'm willing to take the risk. I think not doing it will be riskier in the long run.
   — Stephanie S.

August 5, 1999
One week before I went for RNY, I read the posting from the widow of a member of a board I was reading, stating that he had passed away. Boy was I nervous. I rationalized to myself that if I died during the surgery, I would never know anyway, and that I should just go for it. After I woke up from anesthesia postop, I realized, that the danger was actually in the postop period, not so much during surgery. (I failed to consider that in advance.) Fortunately I survived without any major problems (many minor inconveniences and some pain, but nothing beyond my threshold). The main risks in this surgery are the risk of blood clot to the lungs, and the risk of leaking or perforation of the pouch and the resultant infection and the risk of wound infection. When you meet with your surgeon, ask what contingencies he/she has made to minimize the possibility of these complications. My surgeon went over each item before surgery and it helped to calm my fears, just knowing that he was already looking out for them. I hate to say it, but some of the complications came from doctors who are not as conservative as other surgeons and as such, end up taking shortcuts (such as not bothering to test for leaks postop), removing the NG tube too soon, or not bothering to put a greenfield filter in the inferior vena cava in patients that they know are prone to blood clots. The best thing you can do for yourself is to familiarize yourself with the operation, with the postop course and the postop diet. This way, you will know to look out for fever, unusual pain, etc. The more informed you are, the more control you will have over your own life.
   — Deborah L.

August 5, 1999
Allison, I had a Roux-n-Y done on May 7. The initial surgery went very well, but I did develope post op complications. 11 days after surgery, I developed bleeding at the site of the Y connection. It required that readmission to the hospital, and the surgeon had to go back in to correct the problem. I don't say this to scare you, but to let you know that there is ALWAYS a chance of complications with surgery. I am a blood bank supervisor, and have worked in hospitals all my adult life (30 years). Even though I required repeat surgery, and blood transfusions, I have absolutely NO REGRETS about having surgery. I was 340 lbs, a diabetic on insulin, had sleep apnea, chronic joint pain, and required a handicapped sticker for my car because I couldn't walk any distances without fatigue. So far, I have lost over 80 lbs, require NO medication for diabetes (blood sugar is absolutely normal), no longer have to sleep with my C-Pap machine, joint pain is gone for the most part, and am walking 2 miles daily. Before surgery, my primary care doctor told me I had from 10 to 15 years of life left, that would steadily worsen. I didn't want to end up a blind amputee on dialysis, which was a definite possibility. To me, the risks of living as an obese person were far greater than the risks of surgery. The quality of my life has improved so dramatically, so quickly, that I am convinced I would do it all again, even if I had to go through the bleeding episode again. My one caution to you is to check out the surgeon you choose carefully. Is he a member of the American Bariatric Society. Where did he train for this. How many cases has he performed. What is his rate of complications. The best place to find out about any doctor, is from the people who work with him. If have a friend that is an RN in surgery, or an Anaesthisist, ask them if they would have the surgeon you select operate on them or their family. If they wouldn't, you shouldn't.
   — Bob M.