For 2 yrs I have been blunt and open about what can go wrong with wls...that complications can happen ( I am living proof). And that back sliding can happen.
On my journey I asked to be tolod the plain truth I didnt want rosy colortred glass version.
TONIGHT at a pre op support group meeting I was told not to be blunt or speak the plain truth that it scared pre ops..
So peeps and peers what would you want to know..thr truth or the rose colored glasses version

I prefer the truth.. People need to realize that surgery is not going to be like the show the Biggest Loser. That you can't eat everything and still be ok. I can handle the truth.. I want it.

same with me I wanted to know..and thank GOD I asked cause i HAVE had 12 complications that turned in to my having to have surgery and now facing number 14

If I can ask, what were your complications?

In the Truth vs Rose-Colored argument, I can't help but think that the person should do a LOT of checking on their own before they even consider surgery.  I know I did research for several months so I would understand the risks and benefits.  If they still have questions, then they obviously WANT the truth, don't they?

I would advise is that any patient checks out their doctor REALLY carefully.  From what I've seen, there is a MAJOR learning curve for performing this surgery.

The day after surgery I kept losing boood the nurse said it was normal..i was told to stand to do the leak test and bloood poured out. I kept telling my nurse I had a horrible headache she said for me to take more morphine. My surgeon came in to see late in the evening and started screaming I remember him calling a code. three nurses  came running in and started giving me blood transfusions. Four pints later. I was told the nurse that wouodnt do anything got fired and that my surgeon screamed and cussed her out for being so careless. I was in the hospital for 9 days. the day befpore thanksgiving I went to see the surgeon about removing my drain tubes and showed the nasty brusie  that was leaking...I was informed Monday I would be taken into the OR for a least 7 days to clear the infection out was given a prescription for a 1500.00 antibitoic. 3 days of surgery and having to be loeft opened those days I wasrushed out of the hospital because of the influenza... found out 2 weeks later I had MRSA.2 months later the incision had busted loose and I had a hernia...3 months after that another hernia had formed that was stranglating me back in to surgery...then my gall bladder decided to explode back into OR....I developed MRSA again so another surgery  2 more hernias each bigger than the last...skin hanging down casung infections and since I am hgh risk for MRSA they did a tummy tuck ..during recvery from that I had a popping sound I knew stitches had popped and I had another hernia...and another surgery for that...my last surgery was august 17,2009 for as stranglating hernia. In December a stomach muscle was protruding had a ct scan and was told it was where the muscle walls had no elasticity..and walla another hernia was born.
I researched wls for years..asked questions met some awesome folks who understood where I was coming from.
The ABS states 2 out f 200 can have complications or death..As a friend said to me the other day I am the 2 out of 200.
Would I have wls again and know that I woud have these complications...HELL Yes

I love your brutal honesty, Tell it like it is. However, what i admire most is that you informed your self early on and knew thier could/would be complications and yet today you still dont regret your choice, I'm sure you could have done without the pain but here you are.

Your post makes me think of two things...  First off, your surgeon is running a business.  Of course he wants the watered down version.  Otherwise, it will frighten off many potential clients who will go elsewhere where MRSA infections and nursing issues are not so prevalent.  I am not saying those issues are prevalent but your story of multiple MRSA infections following surgeries concerns me.  MRSA can be kept out of the OR but it is extremely difficult to do so.

Second, it sounds to me that you are relating your experiences (indeed terrible) as if this is something other than rare.  If your surgeon keeps honest records (as well as the hospital), the number of serious complications per surgical event should be honestly reported to those considering surgery.  For example, out of 6,000 surgeries, my surgery had one fatality.  And, his rate of serious consequences from surgery is about 2%.  If your surgeon's stats are the same, then it should be made clear to those in attendance that your situation was quite rare indeed.  On the other hand, there may be serious sanitation issues with the hospital and it may not be so rare.

How many of you were given two bottles of Phisohex surgical soap during your hospital registration and instructed to go home and have clean sheets on your bed, clean pajamas, shower with the surgical scrub from head to toe, and take another shower with surgical scrub in the morning right before you depart for the hospital?  I had to for Scripps Memorial.  Cleveland Clinic also requires the same regimen.

Pattye,
I feel like I need to say one more thing...the complications that you and I and many others have/have had are not that rare.  I think anyone thinking about having the surgery needs to just read the surgery complications board.  I am a huge fan of this surgery, contrary to what it sounds like, I don't have any regrets.  I read that complications board, and it is like reading my own medical file sometimes.  I think that people look at this as an older surgery, it's not "new" anymore, but here is the common thread I have found (in my opinion), there are many skilled surgeons that are so good they can do these surgeries with their eyes closed, but when the complications come up (beyond leaks/infections), most seem to falter, they don't know what to do.  I actually had my surgeon say to my husband and I, "I need help", but he never got any, and that is where you have to be your own healthcare advocate, you can't wait around for someone to help you.

I so agree! If I had not pushed this I think it would have been pushed aside. Surgeons dont know how to handoe complications like this..they feel like they didnt do nsomething right and are baffled as what to do.
I actually felt some pity for him when he examined  me...He said DAMN another DAMN hernia! ANd its huge....
I just worried that my insurance wont cover another surgery.
I even went and saw a general surgeon who told me he wouldnt touch me...that I have had to many surgeries for the same thing...

nothing wrong with the truth

people need to know what could happen but also need to know bad stuff doesn't happen to everyone too

but a support group telling you how to be talk and what to say?  Yeah, that wouldn't sit well with me

I was told over a yr ago the same thng...now they have a baratric coordinator that had rny a yr ago and shes having a power trip..jokes on her...she can stop me from talking in neeting sbut she cant stop me from being on here and blogging

I prefer a happy medium, personally.

I wanted the good, bad and ugly; but I didn't want the doom and gloom. 

Not all sunshine and rainbows, but not twenty inches of neverending snow, either.  Partially cloudy, maybe?

You know, where everyone knows someone, who knows someone, who heard about someone that: died, gained all their weight back, took the easy way out, etc...

Crap happens, and surgery...ANY surgery carries risks; to gloss over that is unfair to pre-ops.  However, a majority that I've spoken to or read posts here still say it was worth it.

--Danelle

i agree, the whole point is they dont want the plain truth to be told..apparently its suppose to be all good.
that complicatiosn dont happen, people dont die, and at the sdame time folks dont gain weight back....

so what is the bad side of your story?

I've seen your post over the past few years and you've always had a positive...I'm glad I still had life saving surgery attitude. BTW...finally a picture of YOU!  Geez, I remember having to sign a consent form that had ALL complications typed out...including the DEATH...because I jokingly asked if it was multiple choice and I could just circle the ones I prefered. I've had several life complications...and I am usually quick to point out say my DVT was 18 months after surgery so it wasn't related but the hernia was, the wound issues after hernia surgery...were real complication, etc. But I get knocked down, pick myself up and go on...and the sheer fact you choose to attend these meetings is a sign you're still moving forward....how many other longer term post ops show up?

Sarah,
thats the sad part there are usually 2 of us...one who is 5 yrs post op and myself. Sometimes you get newbies but they are like a few weeks out to a month.
I will always be psoitive wlos saved me from a loife of misery and I think that if pre ops are scared its cause they are not sure they want the surgery.
I heard all the horror stories read the  facts none of it made me nervous. I knew the odds and felt that if I died having the surgery I did it my way my choice. If I survived it was meant to be..and with that i am to pay it forward..thats all I am trying to do..
BTW  I didnt recognise your pic! wowowoW

Hmm...I know there are risks...I think most anyone with half a brain knows there are risks.  I am very sorry that you have had such problems, but I would have to guess that your situation is most likely unique and really is there any point to scaring Pre Ops???  I dunno...tough call.

Personally, I think there *IS* a point to "scaring" pre-ops....

Some people, even with all the information readily available these days, DON'T research and don't have a CLUE of what the possible complications may be, let alone what post-op life entails.

If it takes reality to wake them up to that, then I say go for it!

I don't think anyone should be silenced from telling their own personal story.  My only caveat to that is, if you are going to tell me that, please also tell me what (if any) underlying medical issues you are or were dealing with... it's only fair to give a complete picture.

~wendy

I have such an awful way with words....But here - Jessica says it really well:

""I like the complete picture to be sure, but, like a previous poster said, I want it to be a realistic view tempered by what statistically generally happens.""


And to the OP = after having been through all that you have been through - would you do it again??



Suzy

Suzy the answer is YES! I wanted to be healthy size weight didnt matter and still doesnt. I wanted to be able to be off all meds and cpap to be able to walk and not start sweating after a few feet and be lookig for a place to sit when I am out shopping. I wanted a life