I am worried now - ThinnerTimes

espoir · 04-04-2005, 12:37 PM

I have been going through the threads today and I am starting to be worried about my gastric bypass surgery. I have read that alots of people are not feeling well after, they have nausea and other symptoms. Is this usually going away after a week, months, etc???? What other side effects do you having when you have a gastric bypass? Don't take me wrong I really want the surgery but I need to know what to expect when I will get it. Anybody can help me?

Christina · 04-04-2005, 12:48 PM

This is major surgery. There are many risks involved and many different types of side effects.. most patients probably fly through without complications at all.. however, some of us do have minor to major complications.. and if you ask any of us a year down the line if we would still have had the surgery knowing that we would have gone through the complications.. most would probably say yes..

if you go to the gastric bypass section of this website it lists the different types of complications that can arise.. and you can also do a lot of research on www.obesityhelp/morbidobesity.com or just www.obesityhelp.com

Good luck to you and ask away with any questions you may have.

Personally I have had the following complications.. I think I got them all listed.. lol (I've had a plethera)

1. Next day back in for second open proceedure due to an obstruction or extra sutures being put there..
2. Nausea and vomiting unable to eat solid food for 6-7 months after surgery.
3. Neuropathy (Low B1 Thiamine)
4. Back pain (due to excess skin and a disc out of place.. not wls related just found afterwards)
5. Excess skin - Being removed 4/25
6. Ulcer at the anastamosis site
7. Constipation causing probable tear in lower colon - seeing a specialist for that.
8. Two areas on incision having to be opened and packed due to leakage.. (I didn't let it get infected though.. thank Goodness!!)
9. Vitamin deficiencies.. (Beta cerotene, B-1, B12)
10. Malnutrition..
11. Temporary hair loss.. (not noticable.. and I have very thin hair to begin with.. only I noticed it unless my hair was on my clothes.. lol)

I'm doing great now though.. I'm over a year out.. (barely) and feel and look incredible.. so it was all worth it in the long run.. and knowing these things and what I went through.. I think it will make me appreciate what I had more than if I didn't go through them.. I am hoping that is the case anyway.. because I do NOT want to go back there.. not now..

Hope this helps..

bridgetgirl · 04-04-2005, 01:15 PM

and remember for every one thats having a problem, there are 200 doing fabulous... quit searching for the bad stuff... look at all the benefits! look at all the great things that happen! See how many people post about how terrible it is or how they feel and then see how many people are a mamber of this forum, its a small amount of people. What ya need is new perspective sugar pea! keep your eyes on the prize...... optimal health!

JohnsWife4Life · 04-04-2005, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by espoir

I have been going through the threads today and I am starting to be worried about my gastric bypass surgery. I have read that alots of people are not feeling well after, they have nausea and other symptoms. Is this usually going away after a week, months, etc???? What other side effects do you having when you have a gastric bypass? Don't take me wrong I really want the surgery but I need to know what to expect when I will get it. Anybody can help me?

READ EVERYTHING. Good and Bad. Then make your choice.

I did well. No complications. I developed an ulcer at the anastamosis, and I take an acid blocker. I drink alot of milk.

Dr. Callery's office called me Friday and said my labs were perfect except my beta carotene. She said I could stop taking thiamine. I haven't ever taken anything but my sublingual B-12, prenatal vitamin, and acid blocker. Calcium once in a while, but I drink so much milk I don't think I need the supplement. Iron and calcium do nasty things to me. I just don't take them, and never together. I take iron and B-12 when I feel weak, or after my cycle I do take the Iron.

I do not drink soda, and I have not bought sugar in over two years. I do eat sweets, but I have not added sugar to anything in a long time. Splenda is great, and lured me from equal.

Right now I am headed for my cycle, so I am picking up weight on that alone, and then my bad choices are adding to that too.

This is a major lifestyle change, not just a surgery. The anatomy will be forever altered. There are risks and complications as with any surgery. Some get and some don't. I will say though on this forum, although a few annoying complications, some worse than others, everyone has come through and are here to tell it.

Some people bring on their own complications, eating wrong, doing wrong, not keeping their incision clean and dry. Not sipping, not walking. There are many things that can go wrong, it is just a fact of life. I am saying though that there are alot of complications that can be avoided by adhering strictly to the rules.

In my research I found that the most serious complication that can be avoided is a pulmonary embolism. A blood clot. Depending on your threshold to pain, the pain degree is variable with each person and their threshold to pain. It does hurt, and it hurts to walk, and cough, and sneeze, and breathe. But if you do not force yourself to do these things, you may be making a fatal mistake. If you do not force yourself to get your fluids in, you may be making a fatal mistake. Some things are your responsibility.

May you find peace in the valley.

Hugs,

Traci

espoir · 04-04-2005, 03:53 PM

That's right I also have to see the bright side. I really want that surgery more then anything else. I am worried , scared, but excited and really happy to have the chance to get that surgery. I guess I am confused in my feelings. I will do my best to make sure I follow all the rules. Thanks for answering me.

HapBird · 04-04-2005, 07:32 PM

I'd kinda worry about anyone who didn't get a bit scared facing major surgery - it's a normal reaction.

I myself chickened out on a tonsillectomy when I was in my 30s - the doctor wanted it done, we scheduled the surgery, and then I heard so many tales of how horrible this surgery is for adults, I called up and cancelled it. Fortunately I never had tonsillitis again! Lucky break on that one.

Now, if I got that scared over a set of tonsils, you can imagine my horror at the prospect of major stomach/intestinal surgery. I DID NOT WANT to do it at first - but I came to realize that I should have been afraid NOT to have the operation. My doctor gently persuaded me by saying, sure, you'll have some discomfort and some pain after the surgery, but think about all the pain, both physical and emotional, you're going through EVERY DAY as a morbidly obese person.

This advice made me decide to go ahead with it. Yes, I had some problems, but they were minor in the grand scheme of things - and I'm more than twice your age, Espoir... so you CAN do it, but be sure you really want it first.

No reason to jump into a hasty decision. Find out what the real dangers and downsides to this are, then find out all the benefits and positive things. Maybe write them down on a list side by side - perhaps you'll get a balanced picture that will help you decide.

Whatever your decision - good luck, and God bless...

LizardQueen · 04-04-2005, 08:46 PM

Take your time and research, research, research! I put over a years worth of thought into it before I ever even talked to my primary care doc about it. His sister had it done and he was a great help to me on my journey. This is a VERY VERY BIG DEAL! Any major surgery is. There are risks and benefits. You are the only one who can decide if this is the right step for you. I'm six weeks out and it has been hard at times, but I wouldn't go back for anything in the world. I am on the road to getting my health back and it feels damn good. I wish you the best of luck in whatever you decide to do!!

espoir · 04-05-2005, 08:34 AM

Like I said I want that surgery more then anything I ever wanted in my life. And I have to know the bad and good sides of that surgery. Feel free to share good and bad things with me, I want to know and I need to know those things. I am kind of getting mentally ready to go through anything right now. that's why I am asking you to tell me the good and bad things