Question:
Has anyone had problems from having wt loss surgery?
Ok, my brother just came to visit. He told me to come here and ask post op's if they have had problems as a result of having weight loss surgery. So, I am asking. (I keep telling him the positive aspects of having surgery but he still does not buy the idea that there aren't people that end up w/ problems as a result of having this surgery.) He believes that the one's that have had problems do not post on this website. — kathy S. (posted on June 24, 2000)
June 24, 2000
The real issue here is not pointing out people who have had problems, but
rather it is making your brother comfortable with your surgery. This is
something that may or may not happen. First of all, there are some people
who have complications and issues. To deny this would be misleading. And
if you read through the MANY MANY postings on this site, you WILL read
about them. Nothing is sugar coated here just to make the surgery seem
like a breeze. But the vast majority of us do NOT have complications.
This surgery is no different than having heart or cancer or any other type
of life saving surgery. If you were having a heart bypass, would your
brother still be questioning the validity of the surgery after hearing
someone had died on the table of a heart attack? It's unlikely. There are
numerous web sites with WLS info that he should research. In the meantime,
keep in mind that this is YOUR body, YOUR life, and YOUR ultimate decision.
I hope your brother will ultimately support your decision, but you must be
prepared for the fact that he may not. And you shouldn't put a lot of time
and effort into trying to convince him otherwise. Speaking for myself, I
am 6 weeks post-op and have lost at least 31 pounds (I only weigh myself
once a month). I had an open RNY and have had no complications whatsoever.
Good luck to you!
— Paula G.
June 24, 2000
The only adverse effect that I can attribute to the WLS surgery was a
bleeding ulcer on the suture line. Most of my health problems have cleared
up or are from being morbidly obese for most of my adult life
— snicklefritz
June 24, 2000
Although, I now have some problems with the great weight loss that I have
had, some of those problems are due to my own self not taking the vitamins
and minerals that I should have. I had no problems after surgery and up
until very recently, (which is a year later), I had no problems. The only
two problems that I have are that I have lost much more than I thought I
would, and hopefully, I will gain some of that back (maybe 10 pounds or so)
and I have a problem with my blood counts but again, that is due to me
discontinuing my vitamins around the 7th month. If you follow the doctor's
instructions, and have a positive attitude, I am sure that the problems
will be minimal if any at all. Most people have no real problems other
than those simple ones associated with any surgery ie: pain, tiredness,
etc. These problems fix themselves within weeks.
Good luck to you and please make this decision for yourself not for your
family.
— BARBARA R.
June 24, 2000
I can only speak from the short-term pointof view. I am only 8 wks post-op
and I have lost 52 lbs. I did not have any complications at all. I am only
taking my daily vitamins and calcium, and I feel fine. I still cannot take
in 24 ozs per day of food, usually around 16 ozs daily does it for me, plus
lots of water! I have recently started eating regular foods. I have been
worried about not getting enough protein, since I cannot drink the powder
stuff, but my doc told me not to even worry about that since I am now
eating regular foods and he thinks I will get enough protien from those,
even though the portions are tiny. I have not spoke to the dietican yet,
and not sure she will agree with him. Anyway, that has been my only
concern.
— rosemary I.
June 25, 2000
I am one month post op and my biggest problem is trying to keep from buying
new chlothes everyday. I was in a size 3X, sometimes sqeezed in to that
size I must add,now I'm a 1X heading straight for a large. Not a problem
but an other bonus is all the extra money I have. To maintain a weight of
286 took a lot of food and beverage. Preop I'd spend 5-10 dollars a day at
work for junk food, pop and lunch, now I pack my lunch and don't spend a
dime. It is great.
— MARY E.
June 25, 2000
Hi Kathy: I have a horrible side effect of WLS, I'm exhausted! From my
husband chasing me around the house, that is. Geez, you'd think that after
20 years, losing 110 pounds wouldn't be a big thing! LOL! All kidding
aside (except that I'm NOT kidding.....)the few minor side effects that I
have to deal with as a result of the surgery are things that are well
within my control. For example, sweets give me a stomach ache, but I still
have an occasional treat. I know it'll be a problem, but I try to not
deprive myself too much. Same thing with salads. That's pretty much the
worst of it. You need to be comfortable with your decision to have
surgery. If it's important to you that your brother really understand,
have him come here and check out the library. He can find answers to any
question he has there. Yes, there are people who have bad things happen.
But fortunately they are few and far between. WLS has been a life-saver
for me, and I know it's been the same for many others here. Jaye Carl, RN,
open proximal RNY (divided) 7-29-99. 110 pounds gone forever......it's a
MIRACLE!
— Jaye C.
June 26, 2000
I am 21 years post-op. I have never reached my "goal" weight. I
had jejunoileal bypass in 1979. My adverse effects have been bacterial
overgrowth in the blocked-off portion of intestine. This causes arthritis
symptoms and stomach problems. It is pretty much controlled by antibiotics
but this year it has really been a challenge. I had to have my gall
bladder removed about 5 years after surgery due to gall stones...and a
kidney stone removed from my left kidney...but those could have been caused
by something else (though my surgeon listed those as things I was at higher
risk for post-surgery). I had a successful pregnancy and a healthy baby
girl in 1986. Wonderful pregnancy! Write me if you want more info.
— pmscom
August 31, 2000
I am very satisfied with my surgery which was an intestinal bypass. But it
was done in the 70's and I understand they don't do that same surgery
anymore because most people did not make it. I was one of the lucky ones
and lost a lot of weight and wouldn't have been alive today if I hadn't had
it done, however. now I'm beginning to have problems with losing weight
again and not wanting to eat. The doctors say I just need to eat and I'll
be ok. Thats easy to say, but not easy to do. Again, though I say it was
worth it for me as I got to see my sons grow up and am seeing my grand
children. I wouldn't have, as at the time I weighed 410 lbs. Good luck.
— Lorraine T.
November 13, 2000
I had my surgery 17 years ago I lost 174 pounds in about 8 1/2 months. All
was well for about 7 years then all of a sudden I was so weak that
I almost passed out while driving a school bus. I was taken to the
hospital and after blood tests, found out that my red count was only 4
(normal is around 16), I was given a blood transfusion and put on steroids.
I was on them for 6 months and they caused my to over eat and
I gained weight about 10 pounds. I was alright for about 5 years then it
started all over again. That time my body filled up with water I
"gained" 75 pounds in about 3 weeks (I lost this weight in 3
days) and was rushed to the hospital. They put me in just in time, I went
into
a coma for 3 days. That time I was very close to death. Since then I have
learned that I should eat more protein and if there is room a small
amount of vegies. I rely on supplements for everyting else. I have had no
more problems since then and would still reccomend it to any one
who is struggling the way I was.
no problems since,but I am very careful. I would still recommend the
surgery
to anyone. I feel great now and have not had any more problems since.
— Rexanna V.
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