Question:
OK, I want to have RNY but now I am realizing wow how many are actually having compli
— caskid6 (posted on December 27, 2002)
December 26, 2002
What kind of complications? I haven't read anything out of the ordinay
that related strictly to the RNY. Some people have had tons of
complications but it has nothing to do with the gastric bypass surgery and
instead other cor-morbidities. Please clarify as I think it will be easier
for people to respond.
— zoedogcbr
December 26, 2002
Cassie, any major surgery will have the risk of complications and th RNY is
no different than other surgeries in that respect. There is a small risk
of blood clots, human error by the surgeon, hernias, heart problems (for
those with heart problems to begin with) etc, etc. And I have heard the
statistic of 1 out of every 200 WLS patients dying during or right after
surgery. Not surprising when you think that many who have this surgery
have been morbidly obese for years with many co-morbidities making them a
higher risk for any surgery. Now weigh all this against continuing to
remain morbidly obese and what all that extra weight is doing to your
health and quality of life, both mentally and physically. For me and many
others the risk was worth it. I had a complication after RNY surgery that
resulted in an open emergency surgery 5 days after the lap RNY. I had a
hernia which sucked my small bowel into it and kinked it. Even after a
very rough beginning, I do not regret this surgery as I am now a size 12
and loving every minute of life. Research carefully before making your
decisions and do whats right for you.
— Cindy R.
December 26, 2002
Sadly bad things can happen. But studies have shown remaining MO is more
dangerous than WLS. Just look at what diabetes, high BP, high cholestrrol,
sleep apnea, and others can do. Studies awhile ago indicated that for MOs
with these sorts of troubles remaing MO shortened their life by 15 years. I
believe these studies watching my family die early. You might want to get
Barb Thompsons great book, she is a member here and had WLS and then wrote
this book.<P>http://www.wlscenter.com/<P> I would of died
WITHOUT wls and so would my wife. Have friends started telling you horror
stories?
— bob-haller
December 27, 2002
Cass, I can understand your concerns, but personally speaking, I can truly
say that I have not have any complication(thank God) and I feel
greeeeeaaaaatttt.
I was so meserialble, in pain all the time, asthma, shortness of breath,
knee and back ache. Now nothing, I get up early full of energy.... boy
what a few pounds can make such a differenc.God and This surgery saved my
life. Now you can do what you want, but personally, I feel like a new
person and you will too. Just put your trust in God, and think of the
positive. Everything we do in life is an risk but the rewards sometime is
worth the risk. Good luck
— Rebe W.
December 27, 2002
I am a nurse so I see a wide variety of surgical complications. If you were
researching appendectomies you would also find many of the same
complications. For example, there would be a fair amount of wound
infections, some incisions that came open, post-op pnuemonia, blood clots,
etc. etc. I believe that all my research has shown that compared to other
surgeries this has a very low risk of complications. Some people will tell
you horror stories about so-and-so who had this done and died of
malnutrition or couldn't ever eat normal foods again or had diarrhea all
the time and some of these stories are about the way WLS used to be done.
It used to be fraught with complications post-op but that was before the
RNY procedure came along. It is interesting to note that not many people
will bend your ear with stories such as, " Poor Old Aunt Martha died
because she was 350 pounds and her little heart just couldn't take
it." But obesity has greater risks than the 1/2% death rate with the
RNY surgery. There are far more good stories on here although there are
some bad ones and those have to be weighed (no pun intended) against the
good and looked at as a whole picture not simply a part of what may happen.
I believe for me that the complications I have and will continue to have
with obesity will hurt me a lot more than this surgery.Things like
arthritis, diabetes, hypertension...they are real killers! Hope this helps!
— Joy A.
December 27, 2002
I was afraid to have my tubes tied after my doc told me all that
"could happen". But I did it anyway. I had my WLS despite the
fears of "what if". All surgeries have these risks. But like
the previous posts I feel that MO is a far greater risk. I am another
lucky person who has been complication free. I am now 5 months out and
down 85 pounds. Good luck in your decision.
— Laurel C.
December 27, 2002
If you read the book I mentioned some of the most dangerous omplications
can be avoided by YOU. Picking LAP minimizes the risk of a hernia, lots of
walking minimizes blood clots, the most likely killer of new post ops. We
are trukly our doctoirs partners, and as such can help ourselves to a
thinner safer self.
— bob-haller
December 27, 2002
I think that like anything else the bad side of the issue always gets
greater attention! Can anyone remember the horror stories they heard about
giving birth while pregnant with their first child? There are complications
with all surgeries and there are complications with being MO that are just
as, or more, scary! Like bloodclots are not only a post op complication
they are a complication of morbid obesity. I wholeheartedly agree with what
Bob said about minimizing our own risks. The book he mentioned is awesome
and is a great place to find statistical answers to these questions in
plain english. I am scared to have my surgery but mostly because I have
small children and that makes me worry about everything!!! Ah the joys of
motherhood!
— Carol S.
December 27, 2002
hi there :) open rny feb 8 02, did wondeful with surgery and doing
wonderful now! :)i knew that anyone is taking a chance when they go under.
but to help me, i just looked at it as, " im not really living now,
merely existing" " could die of a heart attack or anything
tomorrow" my family was almost wiped out by a drunk driver on nov 12
00 so even driving down the road is a gamble. being that i survived that,
which is a miracle, i figured im suposed to be around for a while yet! LOL
best of luck in your decision. youll find it just search within yourself :)
— carrie M.
December 27, 2002
Let me clarify my previous answer so you don't all think I've lost my mind.
I interpreted the post as saying 'that she felt that RNY patients had a
lot more complications than other WLS patients'. That is why I was looking
for specifics that made RNY a lot worse than others. I do not feel RNY is
riskier than the other surgeries I considered which was DS.<p>In
reality the poster was referring to complications of WLS in general and not
specifically RNY. As we are all aware there are many serious complications
of WLS. Personally some of the potential complications I do not relate to
WLS as they would apply to any open surgery - incision infections, blood
clots etc. Some problems relate to serious co-morbidites that a particular
patient has. To me the risks that relate specifically to WLS are leaks and
small intestine problems, staple failures etc. Those complications are
fairly small from what I have been able to find.<p>To me the big
difference between WLS and any other major surgery I would need is that I
am chosing to put myself in the position for these risks, but when I look
at the overall picture, I am putting myself at great risk every day of my
life because of the weight. I know this is no riskier than every day of my
life. I could die during surgery and I could die tomorrow - both related
to my weight. I just try to focus on the fact that the odds are in my
favor that the surgery will go well and any complications will be able to
be resolved without major problems. I have to trust in my surgeon to bring
me through this life changing operation. I have to have faith in myself
and God that I will be okay. Beyond that I can not control the outcome. I
certainly am not ready to die and pray it is not my time. Sorry for any
confusion.
— zoedogcbr
December 27, 2002
The best way of minimizing your risk of complications is to (1) Pick the
best surgeon you can and (2) follow your surgeon's instructions. Then look
at yourself and your "co-morbids" to determine if you are at any
great risk. <br>
The general death rate statistics are just mumbo jumbo. You want a surgeon
whose own death rate and rate of complication is low. You get this by
finding a surgeon who is experienced, not only at surgery but at WLS. Ask
how many times she has operated on a MO person, and how many have died.
Find out why they died. Find out how many patients had leaks from the
surgery. If the doctor has a good record, you are likely to get the same
service. <br>
Once you find a surgeon you can trust, then trust him. Follow his
instructions. If he says to lose weight before surgery-- do it. If he
tells you that after your surgery you must get up and walk around-- then do
it (lessens the chance of clots). Your doctor's instructions are developed
to maintain his low rate of serious complications. <br>
Finally, look at your own co-morbids. Do you have a life-threatening
condition (e.g., sleep apnea)? Make sure your doctor knows about it. Most
doctors can provide emergency back-up to prevent complications that they
know are likely to happen. Alternately, a doctor may reject you for WLS if
she feels your chance of dying in surgery is high. Don't put her down for
"worrying about her mortality rate"-- instead thank her for
having your best interests at heart.<br>
Finally, if you have the surgery, call your surgeon if you think something
may be going wrong. If your doctor isn't willing to help you, then find
another surgeon, even though you have already had the surgery. You need to
have peace of mind, and a surgeon who is willing to back up his
handiwork!<br>
I am following these rules, and will continue to do so, after my surgery
with the best surgeon I can find, scheduled for 1/15/03. Good luck, and be
at peace with whatever decision you make about weight loss surgery.
— Beth S.
December 27, 2002
Wonderful post Beth!
— zoedogcbr
December 27, 2002
The only complication I had was related to an undiagnosed co-morbidity
(sleep apnia) that resulted in an extra five days in the hospital ICU on a
ventilator. I never had any surgical complications and very little pain
from the surgery itself. I am 13 months post op and down 150 pounds. I
wish you the best in your journey.
— Julia O.
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