ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass and Lap Band® Forum - View Single Post

kittens4 · 09-02-2007, 08:50 PM

It's good for people contemplating surgery to know all the facts. Still, I remember being all gung ho about the surgery, and glossing over the many possibilities. People will read this, and breeze right on with life..because once you decide you want the surgery, nothing will stop you. You know the risks, but you always think it won't happen to you. Chances are it won't happen to you....but there's always that possibility. Once it does, it sucks, and there's no turning back! I remember thinking how healthy I was...and how I'd sail through that surgery and be back to work in a week!! Well, I was out of work 2 and 1/2 months! I felt so great that first week after surgery. I woke up on Halloween morning last year, feeling great, and by night fall I was vomiting continually, in a lot of pain, and in the ER being admitted for an obstruction! I spent another week in the hospital, no food, just IV fluid and pain meds. I had to have a 2nd surgery, then went home, only to be re-admitted again 3 days later with pneumonia! (no breath sounds in the left lung! very serious!). So, I know all about "complications" and the sadness it brings. I remember thinking what the hell have I done! I was obese before, and at risk for major health problems, but I wasn't having any problems...so why did I do this to myself? I went through depression/anxiety. I still take Paxil and xanax for those issues. I was/am one of the VERY lucky ones. I've not had one moment of pain/nausea/or vomiting since that revision surgery. My weight is stable. I'd actually like to drop about 20 more pounds, but am happy for now. I eat pretty much anything in small doses, and am feeling great! I joined Golds Gym in January when I went back to work. It took me awhile to build my health and lungs up, but I have to say, today I feel better than I've ever felt! Even when I was younger and this thin, I didn't feel this good, because I smoked heavily back then. I quit smoking 8 years ago, and now have lost 107 pounds, so overall, I am WAY healthier than I was last year at this time. That being said, I think everyone does need to really weigh those risks and have a plan. I had savings and co-workers that donated time for me when I was off. You need to be prepared financially if you end up being off work for an extended period of time. You also need to make sure you have good insurance that will cover things like home heath/oxygen/etc. etc. My insurance covered all that, and even waived the co-pay for my last 2 admissions due to Physician errors..which I won't get into here...This post is already turning into a novel. To make a long story longer....I agree with the previous post...people need to be aware of complications! It's serious stuff! Not to be taken lightly. When you are the one having life altering complications, I don't think you are being "bitchy" by posting this...I think you are trying to make others aware so they can make an informed decision. People should appreciate it and take it to heart.