Question:
I JUST HAVE TO KNOW! - Is it the norm to have some type of problem after this surgery?
The more I read the more I am wondering what is normal. Do most people have some type of problems, or are there more people that get through this with no problems at all, and you just never hear from them because they are doing so well. I guess I am wondering what is the norm here. Still scared 4 weeks pre-op. — Diane S. (posted on October 5, 2003)
October 5, 2003
I am over 2 years out. I have 2 problems. My backside is sore, hard seats
hurt, I lost all my padding. I am frequently cold. This is a huge change
from pre op when I was always hot and didnt wear a coat unless it was below
20 degrees. I started at 313, got to goal in 6 months mid 190s. Got
underweight at 179 helping a friend gut a fire damaged house. All that
debris shoveling was excellent if dirty exercise. I weigh 199 these days
after gaining a bit eating junk food. Lost 6 pounds getting off the oreo
cookie bars:( My health problems are nearly all gone although I am still
diabetic but much improved. <P> Most of us do fine, its important to
pick a good surgeon with strong aftercare. Surgery is but a few hours,
aftercare is the rest of your life!
— bob-haller
October 5, 2003
I'm only 5 months out but I have had no problems whatsoever, other than the
typical nausea. But even the nausea hasn't been that bad. I see it as a
tool that helps me stay in check. Now, I hardly ever feel nauseous and
love life! Good luck to you, I'm sure you'll do great!
— [Deactivated Member]
October 5, 2003
When I first dicovered this site it scared me to death then I realized that
the majority people that have the surgery get busier and don't get on site
as much. Those with problems tend to look for answers here and I guess
that is regretfully what we see most. I am as guilty as most at not being
here much but I am loving living my life. We all have problem but would we
mot have had then without surgery. My husband is 140lb and always has been
but he works hard in his job and if he logged all his aches and pains then
that would be all he would have time to do. Maybe if we all logged our
blessing since surgery it would look better but we are here to help and
without asking about problems then there are no answers....be happy that we
share our experiences so that others may learn from them. Even with the
small problems I have had....I had many more serious ones before surgery.
— Oldsoul
October 5, 2003
You never hear from the people who have no problems...which is why this
site seems FULL of people with issues. I've had no problems, and (thinking
I was special) asked my surgeon if he was proud of my case because I seemed
to be the exception to the rule. He quickly brought me back to Earth when
he let me know that most of his patients are just like me, without any
problems.
— thekatinthehat
October 5, 2003
I haven't had any problems to speak of. The only times I've even thrown up
(twice) were my own fault for eating something I wasn't ready for and for
eating too fast. I've never ever been nauseous...something that shocked my
surgeon at my 4 month checkup lol!! I had an open RNY, not even a trace of
a hernia. My wound healed right up...no seeping or leaking of any kind. I
was back at work in 3 weeks after surgery. I'm about 9 months post op
now...I'm sure I'm not free of the risk of complications just yet, but so
far things have gone amazingly well.
— Rhoni333
October 5, 2003
Problems? Umm well no not really any problems. I haven't enjoyed some of
the gas and occasional loose bowels I've gotten, but that's usually my own
darn fault for eating something I KNOW I shouldn't have eaten anyway (a
couple of cookies or chips) and I (like many) do get cold easier than
before, but gee I fit in coats now so that's not a big problem :>).
I've become a bit fanatical about my house being clean now that I've the
energy to clean it...and that's driving everyone nuts. My interest in sex
is GONE...that sucks. But there is hope it will come back someday when my
hormones straighten out. But my husband has a great attitude and we're OK
with this. When I am interested though, it's grrreat :>) We just have
to be careful of position as penetration is much deeper than before - sorry
if TMI. I can eat pretty much anything except white bread makes my stomach
hurt - but who needs white bread anyway lol. hmm I've had zero
<i>complications</i> and have many more reasons to smile.
Today I am 14.5 months postop and have lost 200 pounds. So I'm a bit on
cloud nine, but giving serious thought to your question - nothing I've
endured (bathroom issues, gas, the nausea and eating issues early out, etc)
can even come close to comparing to my new quality of life. I hope this
helps you some. If you want drop me a line :>) Good luck!
— [Deactivated Member]
October 5, 2003
Not a single, tiny, itsy bitsy little problem to speak of at ALL. I am not
lying or exaggerating.. I have just been lucky and SMART about the choices
I make. I am down 130 lbs in 8 months and I have about 25 to go. I couldn't
be more thrilled with my new life. Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!
— SarahC
October 5, 2003
Pick a good surgeon, make sure there is nutritional counseling afterwards.
I havent had any problems other than the most "god awful gas and loose
bowels from artificial sweetners an/or greasy foods --my fault! I worried
and worried prior to surgery that I would be sick all the time --didnt
happen. I would do it all over in a minute. I have lost 117 lbs. Good
luck to you!
— debmi
October 5, 2003
I had a very minor infection at one of the incision sites, that I was able
to treat at home with over-the-counter ointment and gauze (per my surgeon's
advice). No big deal. I have thrown up less than a dozen times. That has
usually happened because I either ate too much or didn't chew well enough
(so pouchy is doing her job keeping me in line). There have been a few
times that I threw up for no apparent reason. I've just learned to stay
away from buffet/catered chicken, pork roast and peanut butter. Pouchy
doesn't want them. I can live with that. Even if I had had more problems,
I would still do this again. Hands down. Best wishes to you. Lap RNY
4/1/03 290/199/168.
— Vespa R.
October 6, 2003
There are too many variables to predict whether one will have complications
or not. I agree with the previous poster about picking a good surgeon (ask
about his complication and mortality rate) and a good hospital. I had my
surgery (open RNY) 20 months ago and did great. My surgeon expected some
problems because I was so heavy (BMI 57.6) and had me scheduled for ICU
following surgery but I did so well that I went from recovery straight to a
private room (all bariatric patients in this hospital get private rooms if
there is one available). I had no complications from the surgery at all.
Six months out, I started having problems with nausea and vomiting and had
an endoscopy done. A small stitch had worked it's way into the pouch and
had to be clipped and that was the end of the nausea. I have lost 181
pounds, had hernia repair and tummy tuck if February of this year and in
July had a total knee replacement. Life is grand!
— Patty_Butler
October 6, 2003
I had a minor bout of pancreatitis just after surgery (antibiotics and it
went away) but no major problems. I think everyone has some nausea, perhaps
some vomiting as they heal and learn how to deal with the pouch. There is a
learing curve of what and how much you can eat, what kind of supplements to
take, what kind of or if you can take protein supplements, how/when to
exercise-- it's different for everyone. Don't forget about the
psychological and emotional changes-- you may very well be losing your
coping mechanism, your comfort foods, etc,your relationships with different
people may change and that can be very difficult to deal with. It is truly
a journey both physically and mentally. I have found it to be a mostly
enjoyable one. Good luck to you in yours.
— lizinPA
October 6, 2003
I have had absolutely no complications. The only problem that I deal with
is the gas odor. This means that my food choices often depend on what
social function I may have to attend in the next few hours! If I am going
to be around people, I will often just eat protein before going, or wait
and eat at the function or afterward. My gas problems seem to be more
frequent in the evening/nighttime (an accumulative effect?). I think the
fear of this happening sometimes prevents me from snuggling with my
husband. I find when I am shopping, if gas happens, I will often just
quickly walk to a different area of the store. I hope I am not making this
sound like it happens that often. Most of the time, I am just a normal
person leading a normal life. Sometimes, I have really foul smelling gas
and need to make adjustments to hide my embarrassment. It has become an
inconvenience that I would still choose to have, if given the option. I've
loved my surgery. I still worry about my future, but not much I can do
about it now. I take my vites, etc... in hopes of avoiding problems. Good
luck to you!! Shelley
— Shelley.
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