Newbie...
Hello,
I am in the pre-op phase. I have been researching the heck out of this surgery, reading everything I can on the internet, books, etc. to try to prepare myself. However, came across this site:
Anyone read this complications site before? I know that there are risks with surgery, but some of the problems these folks have I am just amazed. If it was such a bad surgery, why would insurance companies allow it? Why would surgeons do it?
I wish I could know before having the surgery how my body would react to the surgery. I've read about bodies "rejecting" the surgery, blood transfusions, iron infusions, strictures, ulcers, etc.
How did you come to make YOUR decision? Any comments are appreciated.
Half of those are risks associated with ANY surgery and the others are things that most of us suffer with anyway pre-op or have from not taking the correct form of vitamin/nutritional supplements.
Glad you are doing your research. For me the risks were nill considering I may not die from my quickly developing Diabetes. Nearly all of my chronic pain is GONE.
Would have preferred the VSG, but RNY is the only one that will help those that have severe GERD.
Glad you are doing your research. For me the risks were nill considering I may not die from my quickly developing Diabetes. Nearly all of my chronic pain is GONE.
Would have preferred the VSG, but RNY is the only one that will help those that have severe GERD.
Pre-op 260.8#...Surgery 242#...Current 190#...Lowest 166#...Goal 155.8#
There are risk in every single thing that we do. I strongly suggest that you attend a support group and hear first hand from people who have had the surgery and maybe even the same surgeon you are considering.
Good luck!
Good luck!
LaToya
www.youtube.com/user/lmscrogg
Twitter: @ScrogginsFamily
I suggest that you find a bariatric center of excellence and go to an informational session. At those sessions, many of the risks are clearly stated.
I worked with my surgeon, and chose RNY on the basis of the reflux issues I was having, combined with pre-diabetes, sleep apnea, escalating cholesterol etc. The risks that I was aware of when I made this decision, were risks associated with any abdominal surgery (infection, blood clots, cardio and pulmonary problems, etc) which are made worse by being morbidly obese. And the post-surgery complications, such as malnutrition caused by not taking vitamins. My doctor had a great emphasis on safety, and I had to get evaluated by a pulmonologist, sleep doc, cardiologist before I had surgery. I noted that infection control practices were followed in the hospital. It also helped that I excercised a lot pre-surgery, and have followed my doc's instructions on everything.
All in all, the benefits outweighed the risks for me. You'll have to make that decision on risk/benefit for yourself.
I worked with my surgeon, and chose RNY on the basis of the reflux issues I was having, combined with pre-diabetes, sleep apnea, escalating cholesterol etc. The risks that I was aware of when I made this decision, were risks associated with any abdominal surgery (infection, blood clots, cardio and pulmonary problems, etc) which are made worse by being morbidly obese. And the post-surgery complications, such as malnutrition caused by not taking vitamins. My doctor had a great emphasis on safety, and I had to get evaluated by a pulmonologist, sleep doc, cardiologist before I had surgery. I noted that infection control practices were followed in the hospital. It also helped that I excercised a lot pre-surgery, and have followed my doc's instructions on everything.
All in all, the benefits outweighed the risks for me. You'll have to make that decision on risk/benefit for yourself.
Eliza
Consult:239 SW:217 1mo:195 2mo:182 3mo:169 6mo:139 9mo GOAL CW: +2 from underweight
Consult:239 SW:217 1mo:195 2mo:182 3mo:169 6mo:139 9mo GOAL CW: +2 from underweight
Hi there and welcome to OH. Deciding whether or not to have wls can be overwhelming. Any major surgery can have complications. For me I made the decision based on my co-morbidities. I have had complications from my surgery, but I am still glad I did it. I feel so much better both physically and mentally. It was a lfe changing surgery in many ways. You are right to research both the positive and negative aspects of wls surgery. Only you can decide if it is worth it to you. I was sure I wouldn't have to worry about complications because I had never had any complications from previous surgeries, but it didn't work out that way. I had an intestinal blockage last year and an exploratory surgery just last week. I don't like the fact that I have the complications but I would do it again. Just remember the surgery is just the beginning.
Best wishes to you as you make your decision.
Debbie
Best wishes to you as you make your decision.
Debbie
I am just 3 weeks post op. my diabetes went away just a couple days after being home. I have so many medical problems and I want to be healthy. I want to be able to get around, to walk, to be normal. I wont be able to get off all my meds, but most of them I will. I have a history of blood clots so I was even more at risk than others going into this surgery. but it is so worth it!
HW: 314 SW: 297 CW:166
I read the memorial board a few day before my WLS - wanted to make sure that I knew as much as possible ... scared the bejeebus out of me, but I thought logically, weighed the risks that I would be one of them (very very slim) and went ahead!
I think this forum can be pretty negative, unless you are positively searching for reasons NOT to have surgery then BINGO - it's the place for you!!! Most threads are bemoaning ulcers, strictures, the taste of protein shakes, weird pains and sometimes just general "what the heck did I do"? Does this mean that everyone goes through all these? Not at all! It's just that if you don't have something to moan about, how often are you really going to start a (yay, me!) thread?
You do get some postive posts here, but they are usually from people who are a bit further out and have overcome the "buyers remorse" phase ...
And then there are people who have been around for years, lurk a lot, but don't feel a need to treat OH like twitter ... they'll chime in if there is something they can contribute to, but maybe like me, have no suggestions on which protein drink is the best and how many calories should I be eating at 3 weeks (no clue!).
I don't feel that OH is particularly representative of people who have had WLS - it is, however, a good place to come and ask questions, vent and whine about what ails you that day, and hopefully, eventually, stick around and offer support and encouragement to people coming up behind you!!!!
I think this forum can be pretty negative, unless you are positively searching for reasons NOT to have surgery then BINGO - it's the place for you!!! Most threads are bemoaning ulcers, strictures, the taste of protein shakes, weird pains and sometimes just general "what the heck did I do"? Does this mean that everyone goes through all these? Not at all! It's just that if you don't have something to moan about, how often are you really going to start a (yay, me!) thread?
You do get some postive posts here, but they are usually from people who are a bit further out and have overcome the "buyers remorse" phase ...
And then there are people who have been around for years, lurk a lot, but don't feel a need to treat OH like twitter ... they'll chime in if there is something they can contribute to, but maybe like me, have no suggestions on which protein drink is the best and how many calories should I be eating at 3 weeks (no clue!).
I don't feel that OH is particularly representative of people who have had WLS - it is, however, a good place to come and ask questions, vent and whine about what ails you that day, and hopefully, eventually, stick around and offer support and encouragement to people coming up behind you!!!!
Proud Feminist, Atheist, LGBT friend, and Democratic Socialist
Insurance companies pay for it and surgeons do it because while serious complications do occur, they occur rarely. Most people have no problems or only minor problems and most are much healthier after surgery.
The complications are scary. I suggest not reading sites that are just full of horror stories. Not because I think you should avoid learning of the risks, but because you don't really get accurate information on sites like that. Read sites with statistics instead, sites where they information provided is backed by scientific studies or the like.
For instance, on the site you linked to, I saw it said that most patients are unable to tolerate certain foods after surgery. That's not true. Some patients are unable to tolerate too much sugar, but that's only about 30%. Small percentages of patients are unable to tolerate other foods, too, but most people can actually eat just about anything they want.
I definitely think you should learn all about the risks. Just get accurate information, not horror stories.
The complications are scary. I suggest not reading sites that are just full of horror stories. Not because I think you should avoid learning of the risks, but because you don't really get accurate information on sites like that. Read sites with statistics instead, sites where they information provided is backed by scientific studies or the like.
For instance, on the site you linked to, I saw it said that most patients are unable to tolerate certain foods after surgery. That's not true. Some patients are unable to tolerate too much sugar, but that's only about 30%. Small percentages of patients are unable to tolerate other foods, too, but most people can actually eat just about anything they want.
I definitely think you should learn all about the risks. Just get accurate information, not horror stories.
Kelly
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
I have been thinking about WLS since 2001. Since then, I've tried to lose the weight on my own. I had lost some weight but it would creep back on because I wasn't able to sustain the strict regimen it takes to lose 150+lbs. I need a tool to help me and that is why I am choosing weight loss surgery.
Believe it or not, there are some bad surgeons out there. Surgeons who aren't going to give you the teaching tools you need to make your sugery successful. Your success is going to be based on how well you have been educated on how to live after your weight loss surgery.
There are people out there who unknowingly sabotage their health because they just didn't know what to do and not do. You are doing great by doing your research. Find out what life is going to be like with a 2cc pouch. What you can and can't eat. Why can't you drink when you eat. Why you don't want to eat raw fruit. What to do when your body can't tolerate solid food yet. Why it's so important to take your supplements. Why do you have to eat your protein first. Why you will never drink a margarita again. It's never a bad idea to be as educated in something as possible.
I also sugges****ching post-op youtube videos of people going through the process, the highs and lows. It gives you a good idea first hand what the first few months are going to be like. But then you can watch newer videos and see the same people much thinner, super happy and healthy.
If I stay at 300lbs, my quality of life is going to be much worse off if I don't get a surgery where there is a very small chance of complications.
Just remember, this surgery isn't the "quick fix" some people try to pretend it is. Days after surgery you will feel like utter crap. You will regret your decision. You will need to re-learn how to eat and if you don't, you will dump and vomit and it will be hell. But remember this is a tool. This tool is going to help you control the amount of food you can consume so you can lose weight. You still need to cut out refined carbs, sugar and exercise. You will learn how to eat, you will lose weight, you will exercise and you will look and feel amazing. You will probably ask yourself "why didn't I do this sooner?"
Weight loss surgery is a tool that can allow us to have a second chance at a life filled with energy, health and happiness. We still have to work just as hard as that little pouch works hard for us.
Sorry I wrote a novel. I'm bored tonight :P
Believe it or not, there are some bad surgeons out there. Surgeons who aren't going to give you the teaching tools you need to make your sugery successful. Your success is going to be based on how well you have been educated on how to live after your weight loss surgery.
There are people out there who unknowingly sabotage their health because they just didn't know what to do and not do. You are doing great by doing your research. Find out what life is going to be like with a 2cc pouch. What you can and can't eat. Why can't you drink when you eat. Why you don't want to eat raw fruit. What to do when your body can't tolerate solid food yet. Why it's so important to take your supplements. Why do you have to eat your protein first. Why you will never drink a margarita again. It's never a bad idea to be as educated in something as possible.
I also sugges****ching post-op youtube videos of people going through the process, the highs and lows. It gives you a good idea first hand what the first few months are going to be like. But then you can watch newer videos and see the same people much thinner, super happy and healthy.
If I stay at 300lbs, my quality of life is going to be much worse off if I don't get a surgery where there is a very small chance of complications.
Just remember, this surgery isn't the "quick fix" some people try to pretend it is. Days after surgery you will feel like utter crap. You will regret your decision. You will need to re-learn how to eat and if you don't, you will dump and vomit and it will be hell. But remember this is a tool. This tool is going to help you control the amount of food you can consume so you can lose weight. You still need to cut out refined carbs, sugar and exercise. You will learn how to eat, you will lose weight, you will exercise and you will look and feel amazing. You will probably ask yourself "why didn't I do this sooner?"
Weight loss surgery is a tool that can allow us to have a second chance at a life filled with energy, health and happiness. We still have to work just as hard as that little pouch works hard for us.
Sorry I wrote a novel. I'm bored tonight :P
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