onastartrek

I hope and PRAY things go well for you. A friend made a point once when she said " why would you go and cut up a perfectly working organ?"
I wish I would have known her before I had the surgery. I would still be working and functioning unlike now.
while my getting my rny reversed has done wonders for my health, never having it done in the first place would be my choice, if, i could go back and choose.
grace

ardita

It seems an important lesson in this is to go in being well aware of potential complications. They are a very present reality, close or farther post op.

It is also important to embrace the bariatric lifestyle post op. It is a lifestyle change, not a surgical event that happens and then you go on. It is only part of a much bigger embracing of a new, healthy, properly nourished and exercised life.

It is also important to learn about the different options and to know that some come wih more work but less risk. As a vertical sleeve gastrectomy patient, I have not come across any meaningful post op issues for VSG patients. I am sure there are some, but my biggest frustration has been the slower weight loss. That is manageable compared to the severe complications stories which have come through for some post RNY, and as a big part of this is learning to make a whole lifestyle change, I know that the weight will come off over time if I continue with better lifestyle choices. Not as quickly as with the malabsorption associated with RNY but also not with the complications. It is an option worth researching for those who hae not yet had their surgery.

Noholes, thank you for your supportive response to our friend who has gained 8 pounds. That will happen to any one of us at any time. That can be reversed, one day at a time, making good choices. You have made them before and can do it again. Just make the commitment to yourself to do it today.

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mistymee

Amy.. my guess is, based on what many say, that your friend could've said that pre-op and it'd have gone in one ear and out the other.

And though you have suffered terribly (I simply cannot *imagine* dealing with what you have, and stay as positive as you do most of the time) but you were also at risk for severe problems at 359 so you did what you thought was best for you *at that point in time*. Hindsight can be 20/20 but you don't know what your quality of life would be now either, if you remained at 359. There really isn't any point in wishing to go back, as you can't.

I'm glad that you're feeling somewhat better, though I'm sure that it is fairly relative, and I'm glad you're here and hopefully getting the support you need for your ordeal.

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poet_kelly

You should certainly consider all your options. And the possible complications are scary. But do be aware that serious complications can come from the band. Josephine's body rejected her band, causing chronic pain. And when they tried to remove it, they had to leave the port in because it was stuck to her stomach tissue and could not be removed. So she is now stuck with it forever.

Kelly

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RNY 11/4/08

surgery/current/goal
270/147/130

jerseygrl684

That isn't something common, as the malnutrition and the rny complications seem to be. 99% of bandsters have an issue with slippage and the band not being filled enough or eating their way through the band (ie: not losing weight).

Complications can happen with any surgery, even gallbladder as well.

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Age: 25/5ft 2 .Lap RNY- 11.26.07
248/227-highest & day of surgery
109(eek)-current


Let's cure her with sunshine and puppies!- HOUSE

hit my doctor goal 6/30/08/100lbs lost *5.23.08/ONEDERLAND 1.5.08

noholes

You are right,

I am a supporter for people who seak out a healthier life. I went into surgery to have a healthier lifestyle. I was fairly healthy prior- I had the weight, but no co- morbs(Sleep Apnea,HBP,Diabetes- nothing). Part of my reason to chose surgery was because I felt that I was healthy and reviewed my options. My Doctor said I was the perfect candidate. I searched out and talked to several different Doctors- I can't say that I was "prepared" for problems, I don't see how anyone can be for such dramatic changes that happen in ones's lives.
The percentages of complications of my type or surgery are low- you don't hear alot about the sleeve because it hasn't been on the "market" as long. I am not saying that you are going to, just that time has away of bringing all things good or bad to the media.
As someone who was considered a "perfect" candidate,when my insurance turned me down(due to the lacking co- morbs) I still felt that it was the choice to make. I think most of us are a little green when we go it- we know about the pain of the procedure, the awful liquid diet, the nurses making us walk the halls. We read about what we will be eating, how we need to exercise, sip, sip, sip and don't snack, snack, snack. I felt ready for those things. I really wouldnt expect someone to go into a procedure "thinking" somethign was going to go wrong. Just make sure you are ready for it, have your body in the best shape possible for surgery day.
One thing I suggest is- if your insurance says no, find a new insurance policy that will accept it . It may take another 6-8 months, but- believe me- you don't want to be a self pay if the 1% happens to you. Hospital bills for 2 years and surgeries are not cheap.
As Misty said- go into the surgery prepared to follow a new way of not only eating, but thinking about food. It is a life time commitment that does get easier as the days go on.
As I said earlier, this post was not intended to scare possible surgical cadidates away. I think people only get scared if they dont't do the complete research.
Its kind of like Full- disclousure- know all and as much as possible and make your decidion based on your research, friends you know who had the procedure and others who have used the same Doctor..support groups,Check out the hospital, Doctor, bariatric wing(see if they are obesity friendly) You do these things when you check out a car, or when buying a house, you should do them when deciding about surgery as well, Nothign scary about it...(Unless you were like me and had been a self pay with 2 years worth of hospital bills. That would scare anyone.
Most of my friends who have had surgery have done well. Mors people who meet me don't knwo about my problems and say I am doind fantastic. Its all about how you present yourself, How can I be a positive person if I bumm about my bad forune all day? So I don't, I take what I can get and now, work with what I have,
Enjoy every moment.

Wigglypoo

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Amy aka NOHOLES
Open RNY 2001 plus lots of yucky stuff

358/138

Wusang

Got to tell you as a newbie on the block and 4 months into my R&Y reading this thread has got me scared shitless. I haven't had one complications to date, knock on wood I never have one. My operation was painless as well my recovery from it. I am really hoping it is all true and not too good to be true now. Now I truly wish I went for a the lapband instead.

To those who have suffered the complications they share here, my heart goes out to you and I wish you all the best in resolving them.

What is nive to read howver is despite many of your complications, many of you still do not regret the surgery and resultant weight loss and lifestyle change.

Thank you for sharing, knowledge sometimes can be a powerful healer.

rsw

I just have to join the others to say thank you, thank you, thank you for all of you who have taken the time to detail your trials and tribulations. I have no idea what decision I will make now about my GB scheduled for feb, but I have some time to think about it, and LOTS of info to consider. Thank you.