Questions About Surgery - ThinnerTimes

SoBelle · 01-20-2006, 09:00 AM

Hi, my husband is considering having the gastric bypass, his doctors have recommended it. It scares me, but after reading some of the posts, I feel a little better.

The past 3 years he has been in the hospital probably 20 times with kidney issues. He has diabetes, kidney stones, high blood pressure, takes 8 medications a day and he is losing the right kidney. He is 39 and weighs 400 lbs and we have three boys. THe doctors think if he had the surgery that it would help him live a longer life and get him off all the medications. I love him so much and the thought of him not being here with me and boys is sheer pain. But I am not sure this could be any worse than what we have been through together in the last three years, so maybe it would be better. It is his decision, but I am a very linear person and just researching everything, so I can be better informed and prepared for whatever happens. I know everyone will react differently and not always have the same experience, but I am just looking for info from real live people and not reading some doctors own publicity.

Questions:
How long were you in the hospital?
How long did it take you to be able to return to work at a desk job?
Did complications arise?
What did your family do to help you?
Did you develop more kidney stones? I have read that on other sights?
Did you have kidney problems before the surgery?

Thanks for your honesty and help.

Gina · 01-20-2006, 09:19 AM

Hello and welcome.

First I think that given your husbands medical problems this is something he might benefit from.

I can't speak to the kidney issue. I can speak for diabetes, I quit them the day before surgery and haven't had to take the meds since. My physical pain is all gone, my back doesn't hurt, my knees and ankles don't hurt.

As to the hospital stay... that depends on the person and the type of surgery. I had the lap type and was home in 2 days. The open ones I think stay an extra day.

I could have returned to a desk job after about 10 days, however you get very tired. Although again this is a person to person thing.

I personally had no complications, as yet. There is still always the possibilty of stictures. (a closing of the stoma leaving the tummy ... easily fixed )

I will say that I feel better than I have in years and I would do it again in a heart beat, and the best is still yet to come for me.

This is an amazing group of men and women and they will be able to help you with anything that you need to know. Good luck to you and your husband.

Cinerbelle · 01-20-2006, 09:25 AM

As I am pre-op I can only answer a couple of your questions...but I wanted to say Good Luck in your research.

How long were you in the hospital? If the surgery is LAP, then it is typically 3 days, 2 nights.

How long did it take you to be able to return to work at a desk job? Again, LAP is anywhere from 1-6 weeks depending on the person...but if you HAVE to go back to work, then it would be 1-2 weeks.

Did complications arise? Research "complication" under the search button on the forum and you should be able to see some of the complications people have had.

What did your family do to help you? Currently my Hubby is my stregth in helping my coop with all the hoops I have to jump through. He calms me...after surgery he will be there for me every step of the way!!

Hope I helped!!

eyesthatkissu · 01-20-2006, 09:48 AM

Welcome! It's very good you are doing all this research, it's the key! Now, to your questions...

I was in the hospital for three days. I checked in Sunday night at midnight and came home Wednesday morning around 10 am.

I was pretty miserable for the first week. Much better by the second and dramatically better by week three. Week three I got on a plane and visited with my sister.

I'm one of the lucky ones. I've had no complications whatsoever. But each case is different. And complications can arise.

My father came up and stayed with me that first week. And I highly recommend someone being there to help your husband. He helped maintain the house so it didn't fall apart. He got me soup, and reminded me to walk. It was nice to just have someone close by .... in case.

I've never had a problem with kidney stones, so I can't really help there. I know that some doctors do not prescribe Actigal. Our doctor does at around 6 weeks to 2 months post-op. This medication helps with prevention of gallstones.

Any significant, permanent weight-loss is going to help your husbands health. Deciding if THIS is the method to that end is the hard part. Good luck on your journey!

Dave · 01-20-2006, 10:04 AM

"Questions:"
"How long were you in the hospital?" 2.5 days. Not much pain at all.

"How long did it take you to be able to return to work at a desk job?" I had surgery on Tuesday and could have worked on Friday if I had too. But since I didn't have to I too off the following week so I was off two weeks.

"Did complications arise?" No, but they could.

"What did your family do to help you?" They have everything I've needed. My mom was very worried but felt better after attending a support group with me. Now she wants to have it done!

"Did you develop more kidney stones?" I have read that on other sights? I haven't had kidney stones yet and I don't think I will because my doctor puts you on medicine to avoid those. I would think they would remove your husbands gall bladder during the surgery so he shouldn't have any problems after that.

"Did you have kidney problems before the surgery?" No, that's why my doctor didn't remove my gall bladder. If I had had kidney stones in the past he would have removed it.

I really suggest you and your husband attend some support group meetings. You will learn a ton and you'll feel much better about the entire process.

Leanne · 01-20-2006, 10:25 AM

Welcome! You are doing the right thing in looking for more info for yourself. My husband read everything he could get his hands on so he could support me better and understand what I was going to go through.

Questions:
How long were you in the hospital? 3 days
How long did it take you to be able to return to work at a desk job? 2 weeks
Did complications arise? no, none
What did your family do to help you? support, support, support
Did you develop more kidney stones? I have read that on other sights? i have never had any kidney stones personally
Did you have kidney problems before the surgery? no

Mavisavis · 01-20-2006, 10:56 AM

[quote=SoBelle
Questions:
How long were you in the hospital?
How long did it take you to be able to return to work at a desk job?
Did complications arise?
What did your family do to help you?
Did you develop more kidney stones? I have read that on other sights?
Did you have kidney problems before the surgery?

Thanks for your honesty and help.[/QUOTE]

I had my surgery on a Wed afternoon and left Friday. I think I could have went back to a desk job after 2 weeks (assuming you can get up and walk and can have access to beverages and supplements). I had no complications. My family helped me by being positive and offering emotional support and by helping take care of my family while I was in the hospital and a few days after. I had no kidney problems now nor prior to surgery. Welcome to the board........this is a great place to get info and support. I wish you and your husband the best!

exit88 · 01-20-2006, 10:45 PM

I had severe pain a few weeks after the surgery and was diagnosed in the emergency room with kidney stones. I had a follow up CT and apparently have quite a number of them and will be following up with a urologist.

I was not aware of any stone problems prior to the surgery, but did have gout and some problematic blood test measurements that were kidney related.

Alleusion · 01-20-2006, 11:02 PM

Hi there! Everyone is a bit different, so I thought I'd throw in my answers too.

How long were you in the hospital? I went in on Tuesday and left on Friday.
How long did it take you to be able to return to work at a desk job? Hmm, can't really answer this one, as I'm a stay at home mom, but I was on my own at 2 weeks.
Did complications arise? Other then a week of stomach flu, no complications.
What did your family do to help you? My mother watched my kids while in the hospital and I stayed at her house for a week afterwards.
Did you develop more kidney stones? I have read that on other sights? n/a
Did you have kidney problems before the surgery? No kidney problems here.

HeatherT · 01-20-2006, 11:03 PM

just wondering where did you have your surgery - mine was done at Hills Physician in Burlingame, CA (near San Fran)....by Dr Sanches in Dr Wetter, & Dr Fosters office