ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum - View Single Post

Dyann · 09-03-2007, 05:57 AM

I am not in disagreement with what you said about seriously thinking about all of these possible complications post op. They need to be thought through with a great deal of serious comtemplation.

But here is the flipside. NOT having the surgery has is own risks as well and why do you feel those are any less serious or expensive? Below is a list of complications of obesity that many of us already had, and this surgery is a way to improve them or cure them. Granted sometimes we are trading one disease (lets say diabetes) for malabsorption of vitamins. Being a doctor, I would take the vitamin malabsorption ANY DAY over anything on this list.

It is a question of knowing your evils and what you are up against. One is an active decision (to pursue surgery) so you have more control of putting yourself in harms way. Which is why you need to think seriously about it as knowing your evils doesn't protect you from them.

I knew what I would face if I didn't lose the weight and some of the immediate risks, which I am well aware of, were worth the risk for ME.

Type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes
Cardiovascular disease
Stroke
Hypertension
hypothyroidism
Dyslipidemia
Hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance
Congestive heart failure
Angina pectoris
Peripheral Vascular disease
Possible amputations
Venous statsis of lower extremities
Varicose Veins
Deep Venous Thrombosis
PE
Cholecystitis
Cholelithiasis
Osteoarthritis
Gout
Fatty liver disease
Sleep apnea and other respiratory problems
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Fertility complications
Pregnancy complications
Psychological disorders
Uric acid nephrolithiasis (kidney stones)
Stress urinary incontinence
Cancer of the kidney, endometrium, breast, colon and rectum, esophagus, prostate and gall bladder
Death

I went into this not looking at the 2%-10% risk of all the surgical complications, but as 50/50. It was either going to be me, or not me. Thank goodness that coin flipped in my favor and the only "bump" I had was I needed my gall bladder out. I have had some of the things on your list and I don't consider them "complications" such as eating something and it gets stuck for an hour or two. That is part of the design and 2 hours of discomfort is worth 16 extra years with my kids.

There are many who have had a more rocky path and I do feel for them and I thank god every day it isn't me....yet. I am still at risk for a bowel obstruction, but I had pelvic surgery prior to this....that put me at risk for it as well.
We all need to make this decision based on our own situations, value system, and lifestyle. We need to do it with our eyes wide open as to the complications of surgery as well as the complications of not having it.