Lots of complications .. why? - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

Grauntie · 11-20-2006, 06:19 PM

Hi everyone. I dont know about you, but all these stories of horrible-even life threatening complications are scary. I had open RNY 6 1/2 years ago (Dr Callery) and did not hear of these complications. I did attend support meetings and many of us had surgery within a month of each other, however, we did not have the awesome experience of this forum, so maybe there were complications but I didnt hear about them. Some of these complications are not with just "new" patients but ones who have had the surgery in the past

The philosophical side of me is wondering why they are happening. I am thinking (hoping) that overall the ones we hear about on this forum are relative given the total number of surgeries being done nationwide. Obviously, many many people are having this surgery without complications. Also, I am wondering how much the surgery has changed since 2000..?

Any thoughts

bridgetgirl · 11-20-2006, 07:22 PM

Hey Karen, good to hear from you.

Well if you think about the risk for complications being 1 in 100, and there are well over 6000 members on this site, you are bound to hear about "stuff" happening.

Also, the Callery/Potts and other SD area peeps have great support systems and post op protocol put into place by our physicians. Many of stapler bros and sisters dont have the same fortunate post op and support care like we do. So we are here for them, paying it forward. I cant imagne how things would be if this forum wasnt available to these peeps who dont know what to do post op.

Thats my 2 cents n stuff

justawoman · 11-22-2006, 06:29 AM

I agree Bridge~ The surgery was not very popular in my area at the time so I had no support. My surgeon was over 4 hours away so I looked for you all to help me along my journey and you guys did an amazing job and kept me on track and healthy. I am grateful I had no complications and I am healthy as can be! I also believe it is everyones personal experiences, I had surgery with 3 other ladies and keep in contact with them and I must say 2 of them have had major complications since the surgery but as I looked into it deeper it was by my assumption they did not follow doctors order and pushed everything to the limit ~ eating a fish sandwich 5 days out of surgery is ridicilious to me and you get what you deserve if you are going to take those chances. I believe I followed my doctors orders and that is why I am healthy today and 124lbs

sdgrrl · 11-22-2006, 02:46 PM

I respect your opinion that you were complication free due to strict adherence to the "pouch rules" and am pleased that it worked for you.

Unfortunately, those sorts of statements imply that anyone who has complications has them because they didn't or don't follow pouch rules. My body didn't seem to understand that apparently--as I too followed the rules and ended up with bowel obstruction, bowel perforation, and a 4 unit GI bleed that I shouldn't have had......please remember that not all of our body parts operate the same way, and I don't think sweeping generalizations are appropriate.....JMO

WantToRun · 11-22-2006, 03:18 PM

Ya there are always going to be the "huh??" cases... some people follow the rules to the letter and have serious issues with everything from strictures to bowel issues... some people are total idiots and break every rule there is and never suffer for it... well.. not right away at least. I think we all know in the long term those who follow the rules are the ones who really reap the benifits of the tool.... even if there are unexpected bumps on the way.

kittens4 · 11-22-2006, 03:53 PM

It's funny how life works out sometimes...you do the right stuff, but still, crap happens..there just are no guarantees in life. I went in to have my surgery 10/23....I was healthy...no co-morbidities...BMI just over 40...I had the surgery, went home the next day, felt great...walked every day..went to my post op appt 1 week later...I was on cloud 9 and planning on returning to work the next day! I got home, and 2 hours later, begain to vomit, couldn't stop, ended up in ER and the x-ray determined I had a blockage..layed there vomiting for 5 days, and FINALLY they went in and did a 2nd surgery to revise the roux limb...then 1 week later, I developed a critical case of pneumonia. So, here I am, 1 month out, still not working, on oxygen 24/7..breathing treatments..2 antibiotics...definetly not where I expected to be at this point. Still, my 2nd surgery was a success. I am VERY careful about what goes in that pouch though~I think once you have a blockage and go through that..you'll always be extra careful! I haven't had any problems with vomiting or pain at all. I eat a little chili...had a scrambled egg today with some salsa and that sat just fine...soups, puddings, all the soft stuff is what I'm sticking to...probably for life! lol! Still, even with all the trauma....I'm so glad I had the surgery. Believe me, I had regrets when I was laying there vomiting bad stuff in the hospital....but now, I've dropped 25 pounds this month, and even with this setback, I do know in the long run...I will be healthier. So, to make a long story longer.......You just never know how the surgery will go, or what complications may arise. Sometimes no matter how good you are, things just happen. Have a Happy Thanksgiving. I'm looking forward to blending up some turkey/potatoes/greenbean casserole! Yummy!!!

WantToRun · 11-22-2006, 05:46 PM

Lol Elaine... when i first read that "turkey/potatoes/green bean cassarole" blended up my first reaction was "Eww! Gross!" ... but as i sit here and think about it it is sounding better and better! Like a turkey smoothy! If i did that i could probably keep it down lol.. poultry = bad for my "her highness" Course i might have to toss in some cranberry sause too... but that may be just one thing too many hehe

kittens4 · 11-22-2006, 06:33 PM

Yes, that cranberry sauce does sound good. Perhaps a dash of it...I'm sure it's loaded with sugar. Still, I'll toss it in there and see what happens! lol! Since 10/23...I've been on clear liquids 1 week...then vomiting with no food 1 week...then back to clear liquids 1 week...and then cream of crap in the hospital for 1 week again....so now that I can have stuff...like chili, scrambled eggs, etc. that Turkey dinner blended sounds like heaven to me!

Sunday night when I got home from the hospital I opened up a can of peas/carrots...put 1/2 cup of those down....and I gotta tell you....it was like having a NY steak! Tasted soooooo good after what I've had lately!