LOOKING FOR ANSWERS...............................

OK....Looking for some real answers here....I am set to go to a WLS seminar on Mon. Jan 29th.in Lex. Ky and I know they will answer all my questions, I am sure!! I would like to have some input from someone who has traveled this journey already...or at least on this journey at this time....:-) OK 1st *Q*, what is the survival rate for someone who has complications, (if there is complications I'm sure I 'll be the one) and another *Q* is this particular clinic and St.Joeseph's East WLC equiped to handle complications & how do they deal with issues, what to expect here. Eveything I'v read sounds good and the Doctors seem to have it together but I would like to know this from someone who has been to this clinic. and *Q #3*: Is this surgery more life threatening than other surgeries? I know all surgeries have their amount of risk but is this the most life threatening? My reason for this *Q* is that years ago, 20 or more A family member of mine (cousin) who was very over weight I mean probably 400lbs. went thru WLS and died on the table during surgery....(being a young kid I never got any info, as to why or what happened)..and with that in mind I'm very concerned more so than normal.....but I really feel that this is my last hope for some normality....thanks :-S

To tell you the truth, all surgeries have just about the same risks, unless you are going in with some major health issues beforehand. All the general risks associated with WLS are the same with any surgery. But, you need to go in it with a positive attitude. Do you have any other health issues that may be life threatening? If not, then I think you will be fine. Please voice your concerns to the doctor during your first visit. He will be more knowledgeable than any of us out here. I had the lap band put in on Dec. 5th and done just fine. I was in the recovery room, immediately after surgery, sitting up, reading my Danielle Steel book. ha ha People were kind of shocked that I was doing such a thing, but I did!! And, I'm feeling better day by day. My energy is low right now, but overall, I feel better than I did BEFORE surgery. I have lost 32 lbs in 6 1/2 weeks. Just feeling lighter and seeing smaller numbers on the scale keeps my spirit up. I'm so glad I decided to have surgery!! It is already making a difference in my health!! But, everyone is different! What kind of surgery were you thinking about having? What other health issues do you have right now? How much weight do you want/need to lose? Have you researched any of the doctors you will be seeing? (You can't do enough research when it comes to surgery and choosing the right doctor for you.) Well, I wish you well. Let us know how things go. Good luck to you! Hugs, Sharee

Yea!! Thank you for reply!! It feels good to know someone hears me!!! OK as for health issues I done really have any, well not big ones anyway I mean , my knees hurt alot and I dont sleep well and I hurt, (like my lower back) but thats been something that I have dealt with for years so thts not really what I would call a medical condition....as for my weight I am at 237 and 5'4 1/2" tall so my BMI is 40.1 or so and I am not as concerned with the amount to lose as I am being able to play ball with my kids or breathe when I tie my shoes and feel good about going to family outings and etc. I could go on and on...but you the picture...lol and I have been researching the Clinic in Lex. and the Doctors as well (well as much as I know how to research).....but I dont know where else to turn for answers.....and I SO APPRECIATE everyone here at OH...........THANKS again!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's true there are risk with any surgery..RNY is a high risk surgery as there could be complications from Leaks to infections after surgery..HOWEVER, things have changed in the past 20 years so please do not compare your surgery with a family member who died long ago. Surgeons as well as the industry have learned and improved so much since that time. I am in awe of the changes I have witnesses since I have been involved.. I would suggest going to a laparoscopist..having lap surgery is much safer with lower risk than most. I was trained as a patient advocate and had the privilege of attending at least 50-60 cases with Dr. Sonnanstine and a few more with surgeons in your area.. I am familiar with the procedure and feel extremely confident when it comes to laparoscopic procedures.. WLS is open heart surgery of the belly, as Dr. Sonnanstine states.. it is serious and should not be taken for granted as a quick fix. Do your home work, do all you are suppose to do before and more so after surgery...follow the guidelines..if you do not have high risk problems now your chances of complications are of course lower..Just don't be fooled, there are risk anytime you go under anesthesia..I don't care what they advertise or the type of procedure done. you want a well trained surgeon..someone who has done this many times as well as someone who has undergone extensive training in bariatric procedures. Some surgeons spent a year in fellowship training at the best institutions while others were taught procedures over a weekend course..it's our responsibility to seek out the best..you can find some things out by reading a little about the surgery on the professional board. I had RNY bypass in June of 03..best decision I ever made, fortunately I had no complications.-- I had health problems with diabetes that effected my kidney..I have not had one problem of any kind since that surgery.....I did have plastic surgery in Nov last year and still not sure I am glad I did it....but I am feeling a little more positive about it now that I am finally healing well.. If there is anything that I can help you with..don't hesitate to contact me direct... Brenda

Welcome to the board.............well i am a st joe east patient,i had surgery through another doc that up and left town,and i had no doc,in june of 06 i got sick on vacation in myrtle beach and came home,i was in terrible pain,so i went to St.joe and DR.Steiner came in,he is with the clinic also Dr.Neighbert and Greenlee.Well i had not even joined there program and i was rushed off to surgery i had 8 blockages and a hernia and adhesions.......Dr.Steiner took care of me fully........then i got sick again in nov and i was rushed into surgery again but this was a scheduled surgery i had another hernia. And i was taken care of. I can tell you that there office is busy. But Dr.Steiner and Neighbert always call me back when i am having probs,i mean they call not a nurse.I have had a rough way but i am back on track. The office is great and there always there. I just wish i would have went to them first but it was ment to be. And as for complications i no alot of people that are 4 and 5 yrs out that have not had any and i also no of some that are still sick from having wls,so the question i had to answer was does this all out way what i want...............i wanted to run and play with my daughter,ride bikes,go swimming,and get off all my meds and have a great sex life. I was so misrable that i hated myself.............well i Knew that when i decided to have this i was gonna make it the best choice i ever had made.....well i have done it all and i have lost 130lbs ,i meet my goal at 8 mo out and passed it and now i am 110bs and loving me and my family can see that i have changed,but you no what i still have scary thoughts about what is in the future for me, so i decided one day to leave it in the lords hands and thats what i did............you just take your time and you will succed..............vickie

hi i had my wls done a st joes east i got sick and had to have surgery to take out my gallblatter and he had to fix my intestants dr steiner fixed me all up ant had any trouble since im so glad i picked the center for weight loss it is the best and u will be happy there the dr there will be there for you if u have any complications at the seminar ask about the survival rate they will be glad to tell u the after care at st joes is great i went to 4 other places before i picked st joes im so glad i did i hope i have helped start goal now 228 138 129