Complications specifics? - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

Sunmaid · 11-23-2009, 12:17 PM

I know that folks can have complications, but the statistics seem to indicate that they are more common for folks who are older, or who have a host of co-morbids.

I'm just wondering how accurate this is and would like to gauge specifics. Yes, I know that it's a risk you take and that there is no guarantee, but I'm just curious.

If folks could post answers to the following, it would greatly help:

Age (at time of surgery):
Co-Morbidities (at time of surgery):
BMI (at time of surgery):
Type of Surgery (RNY; Lap-RNY; Sleeve; Lap-band):
Complications:
Vitamins (if you regularly took them or not and what kind):

Thanks and sorry if I'm being a pain with all the questions!

Corrine · 11-23-2009, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunmaid

I know that folks can have complications, but the statistics seem to indicate that they are more common for folks who are older, or who have a host of co-morbids.

I'm just wondering how accurate this is and would like to gauge specifics. Yes, I know that it's a risk you take and that there is no guarantee, but I'm just curious.

If folks could post answers to the following, it would greatly help:

Age (at time of surgery):
Co-Morbidities (at time of surgery):
BMI (at time of surgery):
Type of Surgery (RNY; Lap-RNY; Sleeve; Lap-band):
Complications:
Vitamins (if you regularly took them or not and what kind):

Thanks and sorry if I'm being a pain with all the questions!

Can you point me to those statistics - I'd be interested to read them because I don't believe that to be the case.

To answer your questions:

Age (at time of surgery): 52
Co-Morbidities (at time of surgery): none
BMI (at time of surgery): 37.4
Type of Surgery (RNY; Lap-RNY; Sleeve; Lap-band): RNY
Complications: B12 deficiency (resolved), Iron deficiency, Vitamin D deficiency, adhesions
Vitamins (if you regularly took them or not and what kind): Initially Centrum chewables as recommended, then Celebrate. B12, calcium citrate, omega-3, B100 (plus other non-WLS specific). Took them religiously. Things have improved since taking Celebrate multivitamins.

poet_kelly · 11-23-2009, 01:04 PM

Age (at time of surgery): 37
Co-Morbidities (at time of surgery): none
BMI (at time of surgery): 46
Type of Surgery (RNY; Lap-RNY; Sleeve; Lap-band): Lap RNY
Complications:severe pneumonia a few weeks after surgery (in hospital for 19 days, on respirator for four days, required surgery to drain left lung), gall stones at 7 months post-op
Vitamins (if you regularly took them or not and what kind): took them regularly- started with chewable Centrum, 1000 mg calcium, and B12 at recommendation of surgery- later learned that was not adequate. At the time I developed gall stones I was using Celebrate multis, 1500 mg calcium citrate, B12, and D3.

Kelly

Sunmaid · 11-23-2009, 02:12 PM

Thanks guys!

Corrine, I honestly couldn't tell you, as I've been researching this for a year or so now, but even the TT page about complications mentions it with regards to mortality rates. "Clearly people who are older, have more severe comorbid problems, and are heavier are much higher risk than younger, healthier, less obese counterparts." Gastric Bypass Complications | Gastric Bypass | Weight Loss Surgery

Kelly, did they say what caused the pneumonia? I've heard of that complication before, but no idea what causes it. Just a result of the surgery? Also, what is the correct dosage for B12 and calcium? I've heard we need a lot of B12, but no idea how much.

Thanks, this is great info!

Corrine · 11-23-2009, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunmaid

Thanks guys!

Corrine, I honestly couldn't tell you, as I've been researching this for a year or so now, but even the TT page about complications mentions it with regards to mortality rates. "Clearly people who are older, have more severe comorbid problems, and are heavier are much higher risk than younger, healthier, less obese counterparts." Gastric Bypass Complications | Gastric Bypass | Weight Loss Surgery

.........

Sweetheart,

I think they're talking about the risks during actual surgery. And it does state that at the beginning of the same paragraph:

Quote:

Gastric Bypass Mortality
The death rate (mortality) from gastric bypass is about 1 out of 350 people (1/350). The mortality rate for gastric bypass is similar to the mortality rate for other major general surgical procedures done on a group of patients who are obese and have multiple health problems. Risk of dying from any procedure depends on the general health, age, and weight of the individual. Clearly people who are older, have more severe comorbid problems, and are heavier are much higher risk than younger, healthier, less obese counterparts. The most common causes of death after gastric bypass include infection secondary to staple line or suture line leaks, pulmonary embolism, and respiratory problems.

You have to weigh the risks of the actual surgery against the risks just being morbidy obese carries.

poet_kelly · 11-23-2009, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunmaid

Kelly, did they say what caused the pneumonia? I've heard of that complication before, but no idea what causes it. Just a result of the surgery? Also, what is the correct dosage for B12 and calcium? I've heard we need a lot of B12, but no idea how much.

Thanks, this is great info!

I don't even know for sure that the surgery caused the pneumonia. I was diagnosed with pneumonia about three weeks after surgery, but I suspect I actually came down with it within a few days of surgery, because I was trying to walk every day and was getting out of breath really, really easily. But I thought I was just really out of shape and didn't realize I even had pneumonia. I got dehydrated and went to the ER for IV fluids and they told me I had pneumonia. They gave me antibiotics and IV fliuds and sent me home. A week later I was much, much sicker and returned to the ER. They admitted me, did lung surgery, and put me on a respirator for a few days.

I suspect I caught a drug-resistant strain of pneumonia when I was in the hospital having my gastric bypass, but I don't really know that. I do know hospitals are really full of nasty germs. And I suspect I might have had a drug-resistant strain because after a full week of oral antibiotics, my condition had gotten much, much worse. And even on IV antibiotics once they admitted me, my condition continued to worsen for several days. I also think my immune system was compromised because I was not getting enough protein after my surgery, and we need protein in order for our immune systems to function properly.

The correct dose for calcium is 1500 - 2000 mg per day, and it needs to be calcium citrate, not carbonate. For B12, I think it's 500 mg (or do they measure that in mcg? I forget. But it's 500 of whatever it's measured in) per day, if you use the sublingual. If you use the patch or the nasal spray, the typical dose is once per week. Or once a month, if you get injections.

Kelly

Captain Hornet · 11-23-2009, 07:43 PM

I was age 65 when I had my surgery last year . I had uncontroled diabetes, high blood pressure, high colustrol and high triglicerides (blood fats). I had the gastric reflux that required nexium every day. Also had the sleep apneupia. I weighed around 300 and had lost to 288 at the time of my surgery. I was short of breath and totally felt miserable. I was on seven perscription meds, some very powerful and all very expensive. I had lap RNY in July of last year and it fixed everything. I take no pescription meds now, only a aspirn every day. All my comobities are cured. I weigh 190 now and would still like to lose ten more but it's not necessary because my HUGE belly is gone. I had absolutely NO problems with my surgery, not even a hang nail. The surgery added 25 years to my life and is the best thing I ever did for myself. Go for it, I'm really happy with my surgery and I know you well have the same happy results. David

hollycerniglia · 11-23-2009, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poet_kelly

I don't even know for sure that the surgery caused the pneumonia. I was diagnosed with pneumonia about three weeks after surgery, but I suspect I actually came down with it within a few days of surgery, because I was trying to walk every day and was getting out of breath really, really easily. But I thought I was just really out of shape and didn't realize I even had pneumonia. I got dehydrated and went to the ER for IV fluids and they told me I had pneumonia. They gave me antibiotics and IV fliuds and sent me home. A week later I was much, much sicker and returned to the ER. They admitted me, did lung surgery, and put me on a respirator for a few days.

I suspect I caught a drug-resistant strain of pneumonia when I was in the hospital having my gastric bypass, but I don't really know that. I do know hospitals are really full of nasty germs. And I suspect I might have had a drug-resistant strain because after a full week of oral antibiotics, my condition had gotten much, much worse. And even on IV antibiotics once they admitted me, my condition continued to worsen for several days. I also think my immune system was compromised because I was not getting enough protein after my surgery, and we need protein in order for our immune systems to function properly.

The correct dose for calcium is 1500 - 2000 mg per day, and it needs to be calcium citrate, not carbonate. For B12, I think it's 500 mg (or do they measure that in mcg? I forget. But it's 500 of whatever it's measured in) per day, if you use the sublingual. If you use the patch or the nasal spray, the typical dose is once per week. Or once a month, if you get injections.

Kelly

A lot of people get pneumonia after any kind of surgery. That is one reason they give you the incentive spirometer to use after surgery. It helps to expand the lungs which can help prevent pneumonia.

hollycerniglia · 11-23-2009, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunmaid

I know that folks can have complications, but the statistics seem to indicate that they are more common for folks who are older, or who have a host of co-morbids.

I'm just wondering how accurate this is and would like to gauge specifics. Yes, I know that it's a risk you take and that there is no guarantee, but I'm just curious.

If folks could post answers to the following, it would greatly help:

Age (at time of surgery):
Co-Morbidities (at time of surgery):
BMI (at time of surgery):
Type of Surgery (RNY; Lap-RNY; Sleeve; Lap-band):
Complications:
Vitamins (if you regularly took them or not and what kind):

Thanks and sorry if I'm being a pain with all the questions!

Age 34
Co-morbidities: sleep apnea, hypertension, high cholesterol
BMI: 43.1
Type of surgery: Lap-RNY
Complications: Vitamin D deficiency, B12 deficiency at 2 1/2 mo. post-op
Vitamins: For the first 2 1/2 months I took Flinstone complete, Foltrin (B12 & iron combined), Vitamin D. Now I take Celebrate vitamins, additional B12, Foltrin, and Vitamin D.

Sunmaid · 11-24-2009, 07:27 AM

Thanks guys, this is great info!

David, you're funny re the hang nail! LOL