Question:
I am 8 months poast op and I have seen also of post about people

who had WLS surgery in the 70's. I know its a different surgery then the RNY, but did you ever think what might happen to us in 30 years or so are we going to be malnurished and have renal problems? I'm just curious ro see if anyone thought of this after their surgery. I still would do it again in a second but would you if we could have these problems too?    — Bonnie S. (posted on September 6, 2002)

September 6, 2002
I'd say yes at this point. I don't think I would've lived much past 96, or if so, in a bed. Lungs not working. My ex died in 96, 2 yrs before we had a grandson. I would've missed that. He died of high cholesterol, basically. He was only 100# over. People ask if knowing that I would have osteoporosis, would I do it again? Well, of course, if I'd known, I mighta been able to prevent it! But even so, comparing non-working lungs (which also gave me mush for brains) to crispy bones, I have to say I choose the crispy bones. I can BREATHE. Will we have kidney & liver problems? Who knows? Would my lungs & heart have functioned long enough for me to make choices? I dunno. Knowing what I know NOW, I say yes. Who knows what I'll say on my 20th anniversary. I did talk to someone who is 20 yrs post-op from RNY. Slightly bad bones, a little anemic, but she said, OH YEAH. She'd do it again in a heartbeat.
   — vitalady

September 6, 2002
Good question, Bonnie. I have wondered that myself. there are not enough of us post-ops yet that far out nor studies conducted for us to know the answers. Michelle is one of the longest post-ops on this Board that has had the current version of the RNY. There are some older postops but their surgeries were different. Probably by the time we reach our 20th anniversary, they will have created a pill that will do the same thing as our s urgery has done...who knows?
   — Cindy R.

September 6, 2002
I think Cindy and Michele hit the nail on the head. I've pondered all these questions, and more. But I've always come to the same conclusion - the benefits far outweigh the risks. This is so true for me, the risks aren't even risks anymore. True, I'm still pre-op, but I'm getting closer every day to "the other side", and I won't regret it one bit. That's why I'm thankful for everyone here at AMOS - we get to hear the good, the bad and the ugly.
   — [Deactivated Member]

September 6, 2002
Hi My best friend Sandy had the ileau juneo (sp) bypass 23 yrs ago. She is healthy as a horse now 47 yrs old strong as an ox to boot, this lady can out work 10 people and keep going when everyone else gives in to exhaustion, She has regain none of her weight and eats a really nice completely balance diet and takes her vitamins religously..so mabey thats the key dont miss out on the vutamins and protiens you need and be sure to get enough calcium
   — BBD

September 6, 2002
My mom had what she was told was the mason shunt in 1976. From what I have read, and finding info on that is difficult, it is very similar to the RNY except where the actual staple line is located. She has not had problems with calcium, but she has been very good about watching for that. She did have a serious problem with absorbing her iron, which has been corrected. She originally lost to 125 and has regained 35 lbs over the 25+ years. I grew up knowing all about this surgery and have seen what problems she had because of it. I had RNY last october and have had far more complications over the past year than she has had over the past 25. go figure.
   — RebeccaP

September 12, 2002
My father had cancer of the stomach and the procedure they did on him 15 years ago is very comparible to the open RNY I had in april, except they did remove his stomach, not just transect it cause of the cancer. That is the only difference we found. I look at his medical and my medical records regarding our surgeries and I would say that when his was done, it was more of a risk to him because it really wasn't being done then, not the same procedure. Today, he is still cancer free, takes a multi vitamin everyday and he has more strength and energy than i do, he is 28yrs older than I am. What's funny is we get to compare stuff since I had my surgery like what foods bother us, he gives me tips on what to eat that didn't bother him and etc. I never understood what he went through after his surgery, but he understands when he sees me get sick on something not agreeing with me, or if I get tired easily and says now I know what it was like for him.
   — stacey1273