I need a favor--WLS outcomes survey

Hello!

I need to ask a favor of this forum.  I am trying to gather some data on how many people in the real world who have had WLS have had serious complications or died this could include you or others in your life.  I would also like to know how many of you have overcome serious medical conditions by having the WLS. 

You may be wondering why I need this information. Well, I am taking an Abnormal Psychology class and this week we were talking about eating disorders and obesity.  Well as I guessed my professor is very biased in his opinions on obesity and emotional eating but more importantly in his view on WLS.  We were not able to get through the whole chapter yesterday which meant we didn't talk about WLS in class, but afterwards I mentioned the fact that we hadn't and he advised me that we would be talking about it next week.  Then he told me that in the real world people have a lot more complications and die than in the studies.  He came across as very negative about WLS.  So, I have decided to come prepared with ammo to combat his negativity next week.  I am also going to prepare a slide show of some beofre & after pictures of myself and tell my own story in class. I hope my professor will be open enough to allow me the floor to tell my story because I believe it is worth sharing to help people really understand why WLS is as important as it is.

So, my wonderful friends if you are willing to share the information with me that would be FABULOUS.  Please feel free to either reply to this post or PM me if you would rather have it be private or for those of you with my email addy feel free to email me responses as well.

Love & Hugs
Nicole

Huge Thanks and Appreciation!  I am trying to promote WLS as a healthy option for those who struggle with obesity to educate society!

Edited to add: Also if any one would be open to me sharing some before & after pics that would be wonderful or just toal amount of weight lost.  I know at some coffee or support groups we have tallied up the weight lost and it has been over a ton!  I am bound and determined to be a good ambassador for WLS!

I am nearly 5 months out.  Down 145 lbs overall, 85 since surgery.  My surgeon repaired a large hietal (sp?) hernia during my lap RNY surgery.  No significant symptoms of that problem had shown up.....yet.  My blood pressure was 140/90 on two bp meds before....I am off both of them and my last BP check was 112/72.  I got seriously run down about 3 months out with memory problems, lack of focus, borderline depression.  Too much exercise with two few calories and a liklely Thiamine deficiency.  Upped the calories, started taking a B complex supplement and all is well.  Thus, no complications to date, but serious incipient health issues avoided.

If your instructor is still an ass about WLS after next week, tell him that I will challenge him to a wrestling match and the loser has to shut up and go home.

RP

HIJACK to RP:
Just want you to know that I find your contributions so right on!  And I laughed so hard about your escapade deer hunting. Elmer Fudd!!!  Indeed!
And how cold did you get?!  
Thanks for joining the board!

RP,

Thank you for being the first to share!  I will definitely keep the werstling match in mind!  I am hoping to get across that often, not always the complications can be easily corrected, as in your case with an increase in calories and vitamin supplement.

Keep up the great work!

Nicole

Hi Nicole~
I applaud you for taking on your instructor!  Sounds like the dude needs serious re-educatin'!  Of course, the ignorant ones are the ones who defy being informed.....

I am one of the blessed ones who have had no problems.  However there is one woman here in Thunder Bay who had serious problems, but that was through the ignorance and stupidity of the doctors here. Her appendix ruptured, but the doc was certain that it was WLS-related and did not treat her correctly. She was in ICU for a month or so, and has definite cognitive deficits from her ordeal. All because the powers-to-be did not send her to Duluth where there is definitely more knowledge about WLS.   This is pretty sketchy, but this is the basic story.

Sue,

Thank you for sharing this.  Yep I am hoping to make my case well enough to impact his future class lectures on this topic as well.  I am going to have all the materials in hand (no names will be mentioned) so that after I make my case I can give him the information to let him use in the future. 

Yeah, stupid doctors....I hope that she has been able to recover.

Hi Nicole-

I am almost 4 months out and down 70 pounds.  Let me tell you what WLS has done for me..... I was taking 220 units of insulin + 60 units of insulin sensitizer to control my diabetes pre-surgery.  I now take a total of 18 units per day with the chance of being off of it completely for the first time in 20 years.  I have a fused ankle and was unable to walk up a flight of stairs or a full block without major pain and heaving breathing- 4 months later I can walk 1.75 miles on the treadmill in 30 minutes (going at an 8.0 incline the whole way).  Self-esteem wise I can't measure what WLS has done for me.  It is great to know that I am getting healthier- even though I know that obesity will always be a part of my life.

Thank you for being willing to educate this professor- sounds like he doesn't have all the facts about obesity as an eating and health disorder.

Reenie

Reenie~

WOW!  You are doing amazing!  Thank you so much for sharing.  I agree with you on the whole self-esteem aspect, just ask some of those who knew at the beginning of my WLS journey and they will tell you that I have litterally become a butterfly in terms of my self-confidence and socialization!

Keep up the great work!
Nicole

The difference in Nicole from when I first met her till now.. is like night & day. She was very quiet, reserved etc. As she lost the weight, her whole demiener changed. It was like she said, it reminded me of a butterfly coming out of the cacoon. Her's is one of the most amazing transfermations I have ever seen. We all change to a degree.. but Nicole's... was amazing!!!!!!!

HI Nicole, is this the same girl? I honestly don't think you would have taken something like this on when I first met you.. Bravo for you!!!!!!

My story... or at least a sinopsis. I was twice the size I am now the day of surgrey. My hips were bigger around then I am talll. I got pnamonia 3 weeks after surgrey, and had to educate the er doctor the limitations on me due to my surgrey. (3 weeks post op and he wanted me to drink gator aid!!!!!) I ended up having to drink Pedialite to get my fluids in. I honestly think that was the sickest I have ever been.

As far as before and after health complications....I couldn't go up or down stairs, my ankles and knees hurt constantly. I couldn't reach the bottom of my washing machine... I couldn't even reach my own bottom to be able to wipe properly. I had incontenace (sp?) The seat belt in my car was so tight I had to be a contotionist to get it buckled.

Now... I run up and down stairs both at work and at home about 30 times a day. my knees and ankles still hurt from time to time, but it is not contant any more. Reaching the bottom of the washer is not a problem.. and yes I can wipe my own bum now. and the incontenace is gone. There is plenty of room between me and the seat belt now.

I have found myself trying new things, or retrying things I shyed away from before I lost the weight. I bowled a couple of weeks ago.... (never wanted to stick my butt up in the air.) Because of having a smaller body I did better since I could get better alignment. Hiking, camping... am even willing to try snow tubbing again. along with cross country skiing.

Does this help?

If I had copies of my before and afters... I would definately send them to you.