Question:
Isn't anyone here concerned that there are no studies to show long-term risks?
I have been researching the long-term effects on a persons life after surgery and have found nothing to comfort me in the fact that 5, 10, or even 20 years down the road I could die of a leak or an obsruction. All I have found is that long-term studies are absent! I have however found plenty that states that even if a person survives the surgery itself, one could die at anytime later in life, AND it is not counted as a WLS death because it happens so much later! Doesn't this scare the hell out of you? — Tiffany A. (posted on September 19, 2003)
September 19, 2003
Hi Tiffany- If you'd like to read something really scary, check out the
mortality rates of the morbidly obese! WLS is a very personal choice, and
many (like myself) feel we aren't "living" in our obese bodies.
This is a great website, and I'm sure someone will be posting quickly where
to find more info about long-term post ops. Good Luck :o) Mea
— Mea A.
September 19, 2003
I felt the same way. That is why I decided to get the lap-band. Since the
lap-band is reversible and doesn't require cutting the intestines, it has
fewer risks than the bypass surgeries do. If you're interested in learning
about it, try http://www.lapbandtalk.com
If you're not comfortable with the risks of surgery, by all means, don't
get it. You need to be sure of your decision. If you can succeed by dieting
alone, good for you! Unfortunately, I myself couldn't stay on a good diet
without some physical help from my lap-band, so the surgery was a necessity
for me.
For some people, quality of life is ruined by their obesity to the point
that the risk of dying from surgery is far less scary than staying obese.
Frankly, it's true that WLS may shorten your life. However, the odds are
that it will improve your QUALITY of life for however long you live
afterwards.
— K M.
September 19, 2003
Life for everyone is a day-to-day thing. I don't know how long I'll live,
or what I'll die from. What I do know is that as an obese woman my
diabetes was getting steadily worse. I do know that dying from the
complications of diabetes is an ugly way to leave this world, and one I
didn't want to do. I know that as an obese woman, I had high blood
pressure and high triglycerides, which could lead to heart disease, stroke
and/or death. I know that as an obese woman I was in pain every day; my
feet, ankles and knees constantly hurt. I know that as an obese woman, I
was limited in the activities I could partake in, and the vacations I could
enjoy. I know that as an obese woman, I was becoming increasingly
reluctant to participate in social gatherings because of my weight. I know
that as an obese woman it was becoming steadily more difficult to buy
clothes. I know that as an obese woman both the duration and quality of my
life were at serious risk. Surgery was the only solution. It would be
better if there were longer-term results available, but the surgeries are
being improved every day. To get a 20 year study on the RNY procedure I
had done, I'd have to wait another 10 or 15 years. My obesity would surely
have killed or crippled me by then. It's a risk, but one I am gladly
taking. It is for precisely the reasons you pointed out that people should
not jump into this surgery, and should not do it except as a last resort,
and to improve health. It is not for everyone, and is not guaranteed.
But, hey, I'm going to die from something. I would rather it be as far in
the future as possible. I believe this surgery gives me a shot. Lap RNY
4/1/03 290/206/168
— Vespa R.
September 19, 2003
Leak rate drops fast after surgery. My surgeon says that by a month out its
near zero. Obstructions can occur after any bowell surgery. For ME
remaining MO was way riskier than having surgery. What with high blood
pressure, high cholestrol, severe GERD, out of control diabetes and a
myriad of other problems.
— bob-haller
September 19, 2003
Not really. I could have dropped over dead any day of the year at 442 lbs.
I figure there is no more risk now than before but I have a much better
chance of not dying from something weight related. My surgeon said
something that was very reassuring to me. He said that he has been
resecting small intestines and reducing peoples stomach for year in
relation to stomach cancer or bowel cancer etc. and that is one of the
reasons surgeons over time were able to figure out that doing something
like this was safe. They would see significant weight loss and maintenance
of it in these people. As long as something reasonable is done as far as
bypass length the risk is minimal. Yes something can happen and I will
have to deal with if it does, but I am not going to lose any sleep over
it.
<p>I think for SMO people as myself, that this is their only chance
at living and therefore any risk is worth it. It will likely buy them more
life than they would have had and certainly a much better quality of life.
I can live with the risk and whatever happens I enjoyed the time in my
smaller more mobile body. What I would like to see is some sort of study
started now that starts tracking all of these people for future reference.
I am committed to taking my vitamins etc. for the rest of my life as well
as getting blood tests and other tests to watch what is going on. There is
no guarantee without WLS that you won't have some problems. A leak or
obstruction can be fixed. Yes it takes a surgery but so do many things
that come up in life. If you are not comfortable with the info out there
then I would recommend waiting a few years to see if more info becomes
available. Remember it is for the rest of your life and don't plan on
being able to turn back.
— zoedogcbr
September 19, 2003
there are no long term studies because this surgery is relatively new. I
did find on a site somewhere last (don't remember where) a study that went
back 13 years.
— Delores S.
September 19, 2003
I know what you mean by being scared but I take what Vespa Rider wrote to
heart: I was not truly living my life, I was just existing-- there's a huge
difference. As someone who works in cancer research, the same argument used
to be made for bone marrow transplants: it was too risky, not going to
work, not going to last. You know what? All the skeptics (including the
insurance companies who are now reaping the benefits of it) were all wrong.
And as for what counts as a WLS death, the same thing happens to breast
cancer and leukemia patients: if you survive for 5 years after your
treatment, and then drop dead from the same disease at one day past 5
years, you aren't counted as having died from that disease.
— lizinPA
September 19, 2003
I guess it depends on what type of surgery you have, actually if you ask me
I know people that has gastic Bypasses 20 years ago and they failed, they
have actually gotten better in my opinion.
09-25-03......WOOOO HOOOO
— Saxbyd
September 19, 2003
Have you read the history of weight loss surgery on the American Society of
Bariatric Surgeons site? I think it is www.asbs.com. Gives you a good
idea of where this surgery came from and how much it has improved along the
way.
Nina in Maine
— [Deactivated Member]
September 19, 2003
Tiffany~ It would be scary to not be able to find any info on the long term
effects of wls.But what is even scarier to me was finding out all of the
current and long term effects of being morbidly obese.It is a very personal
and individual decision to pursue wls...I researched the surgery for a year
and got very honest with myself.Personally I know that it would have been
very difficult for me to get the weight off and more importantly to keep it
off without the surgery.
— jennifer A.
September 19, 2003
Sorry -- the American Society of Bariatric Surgeons address is www.asbs.ORG
(not COM). Nina in Maine
— [Deactivated Member]
September 19, 2003
No, I was only concerned about the studies of long-term risks of obesity
and morbid obesity. I had the RNY recently at age 47 - have lost 60 lbs so
far - and no longer worry that I'll die at 53 like my overweight mom did,
or 56 like my overweight dad did. My chances of dying from the surgery,
judging by the amos-ers and others I've been following, are a lot less than
my chances were before the surgery!
— Postop_nurse
September 19, 2003
The research is out there, some at www.asbs.org. Aside from mechanical
failure, the main long term consequence is nutritional deficiency. Usually
left untreated too long or addressed incorrectly. I had a bowel
obstruction after my first (normal deliver) pregnancy, long before any
abdominal surgeries, so that can happen any time. My lungs were coming to
a halt at age 44. I couldn't even see myself reaching 46! I'll be 54 in a
few minutes, and really did not think I'd live long enough to whine about
grey hair & wrinkles. Yes, I may have problems with my surgery. My ex
died in 1996 at age 49 due to his obesity. Our grandson did not arrive
until 1998. That alone was worth waiting for. At 9 yrs out, I'm still ok.
Maybe I won't see 15-20 yrs. I don't know. Lots of other ways I could go
other than those related to my WLS.
— vitalady
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