Question:
How many POST OPS have had problems?
I am getting a little nervous about having surgery. Not really about the surgery but the after effects. I just wanted to know how many people have had problems (any kind that relate to WLS) since surgery. — Jaime Moore (posted on July 25, 2006)
July 24, 2006
I know about 12 people, very well that have had WLS sugery and only one had
complications. I have met maybe 30 or more and again only that one had
complications. The hospital where I had my sugery puts you thru and entire
program. Psych exam, nutrition classes and so one. She had none of that. I
was told to to a complete cleansing 48 hours before my surgery and eat
NOTHING but water and sugar free jello for the 48 before sugery. She was
told to eat nothing after midnight the night before. My point is, every Dr.
and/or program is slighting different. I went to what I felt was the best
place on the east coast to have this done. I had no complications other
then I went under expecting bypass and woke up with a VBG. This happens to
maybe 1 in 20, I just happened to be the one. My anatomy would not allow
for a bypass. Other then that I was fine. On my last day in the hospital I
was running a fever, they kept me an additional night and sent me for an
Upper GI the next morning to make sure everything was ok. It was and they
sent me home later that afternoon. They felt I was not doing my breathing
exercises enough post surgery and that is what caused the fever. I went
back to work (part-time) 6 days later and full-time 13 days post surgery.
— WMKaisla
July 24, 2006
the only problem I had after surgery was a bad case of dehydration and I
had to be admitted in to the hospital. It is imortant to add this was my
own stupid doing. When you hear drink.. drink.. drink.. after surgery
they are not kidding. Keep that water coming in and you will be great!
Best of luck to you!
— KimY
July 24, 2006
I am not a post op but I am 2 weeks away from my 6 month supervised diet
with my insurance being finished. I am also a little nervous and from what
I hear it is normal to have these feelings. We are making a life change,
how exciting is that?!! I know I can't wait to be on the healthier side.
— Tanya1992
July 25, 2006
I got dehydrated, as it was not only hard to drink my water but it was HOT!
Also, I had a few problems with medications that had to be changed to
liquid meds instead of pills. The pills made me ill and I was nauseous
until we figured out what it was. Other than that, no real complications. I
did take antinausea meds for the first two weeks though, not sure if that
was because of the other meds or just because of the surgery.
I'm 6 weeks out now and doing well!
— oceanrayne
July 25, 2006
I had a leak when my intestines were reattached to my new stomach. I spent
a month in the hospital and came home with a feeding tube for 3 months.
That was 15 months ago and I am doing great now. Lost 196lbs as of today
and feel so much better.
— Louise P.
July 25, 2006
The vast majority do very well. Even those who have troubles early on
improve with time. Theres the risk FROM surgery, but theres also a usually
larger risk from remaining MO, which on average takes 15 years off our life
expectancy:(
— bob-haller
July 25, 2006
Hi Jamie,
Try not to be nervous. Believe me you will not regret it. I am 2 months
post op and I have lost 50 pounds. I have started living a new life and I
am so very happy and I think you will be also. Good Luck Jamie! Keep us
posted. Vickie
— vicke1375
July 25, 2006
Jamie I am two weeks post op...I have had no problems at all...I keep
asking if everything is ok...lol Two of my freinds are 1 week each and
the only problem they had was back ache from anastheisia. Good luck.
Rawnie
— southernnmdreamer
July 25, 2006
Jaime,
My advice is follow the doctors advice exactly. Don't try to experment
with food. Remember, you have a new pouch with staples and the better
chance it has to heal, the less scar tissue you will have. Some people
just have allot of scar tissue and it causes Strictures. This is an easy
fix and done as as outpatient. Just remember to follow the rules that the
doctor and nutrition outlines for you. It is worth everything that you
have to go through to get where you want to be.--Judy Harris
— jk_harris
July 25, 2006
Thank You everyone that answered my question. I really just wanted to get a
sense of what to expect, sorta what could happen, what I may feel. So for
those of you that took the time to answer my question you really helped. I
know what to do as far as doctors and nuts as I realize I am playing with
my life. I will take every precaution I can but there are still things that
may go wrong. I am very excited to be having this surgery and hope to be a
healthier and sexier me. So again thank you all for being so kind and
answering my questions. I am 14 days away from being a POST OP!!!!!!!!!!!!!
— Jaime Moore
July 25, 2006
I had a incisional hernia. I had to change my entire lifestyle ...no sugar
no pop very limited carbs, lots of exercize, no more whinning. Surgery was
the best thing I ever did for my self ...it was well worth it all.
— debmi
July 26, 2006
The only problem I had was bad constipation and not being able to eat as
much as they wanted me to eat. Good luck!
— Novashannon
July 26, 2006
I spent the first 6 months post op extremely nauseated and they could not
find a cause, I almost lost my 20 year job over this because the nausea was
so extreme that I missed a lot of time from work and when I was there I was
only about 50% of my usual. I still have to keep phenergan on me at all
times because the nausea returns on occasion, sometimes I get by a few
weeks with out any, sometimes only a few hours or days. I feel like my
life is limited because I never know when I may have to take the phenergan
which works only because it puts me to sleep. I am afraid to change jobs
or get to far away from home. I feel disabled from my surgery. My surgeon
says he has about 1 patient a year (oh, lucky me!) that does this and he
has no idea why. He reversed his last patient that did this and her nausea
did not go away. I am very glad that it is not as bad as in the beginning
and i am hoping the further out I get, it will get better, but I certainly
don't recommend the surgery to anybody who doesn't understand that you may
be like the few of us out there who did not improve their life with
surgery. I only had 95 lbs to lose, I have lost 65. I am 1 yr post op. I
did not have diabetes or any other life threatning illness. I did have
arthritic knees which the surgery has helped by getting the weight off of
them. At any rate, I do hope you will be like most others who don't
experience any problems and I wish you good health and a speedy recovery.
— teresagrooms
July 26, 2006
I am post op since July 11th; I had the gastric bypass done
laproscopically...with NO problems and NO pain!!! After surgery I just felt
uncomfortable due to the gas they have to fill you with for the
surgery...it was like I felt stuffed from overeating at a buffet!
I was up and walking within an hour and spent only one night in the
hospital. I could have gone back to work in a week, but I'm off for the
summer since I'm a teacher.
I don't think you'll regret your decision if you do and listen to what your
surgeon tells you!
It's a great feeling having the pounds melt away....I'm on an all liquid
diet until Aug. 7th; I only have protein drinks (3) a day, miso, broth,
sugar-free popsicles, and jello....
— zoeysgrami
August 1, 2006
I'm almost 2 1/2 yrs PO, with no major complications resulting from WLS.
However, a woman in my support group always points out, that those that
have had major complications, don't come back on OH or most groups anymore.
I think its good to remember that it does exist, and to go into WLS with
alot of research under your belt, and know it could happen. Not to scare
you, but if you do a search under yahoo groups, I'm sure you can find some
more information that your looking for. Hope that helps. Good luck!
— SJWendy
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