Vision issues - can I ask opinions from post-oppers? - ThinnerTimes

Shannon · 02-17-2008, 02:36 PM

Obviously this article is pretty anti-gastric bypass but I am wondering if anyone here spoke with opthamologist prior to surgery or after.

Vision problems would terrify me but I have to balance that with the visual risks of diabetes or a stroke.

http://www.mercola.com/2006/sep/9/do...de_effects.htm

Intestinal surgery can result in your body becoming unable to properly absorb vitamin A.

This can lead to eye problems that can start many years after the surgery. Vitamin A deficiency can result in dry eye, softening of the cornea, damage to the retina, and night blindness.

The link was discovered when the records of four patients with ocular problems were reviewed. One patient developed symptoms within months of gastric bypass surgery, but the other three did not experience any symptoms until at least 18 years after surgery.

Their complaints included night blindness, decreased vision in one eye, and decreased vision in both eyes. Lab tests confirmed vitamin A deficiency in all four cases.

There have also been other reports that a number of patients have experienced severe visual complications, including blindness, following gastric bypass surgery.

British Journal of Ophthalmology August 2006; 90(8): 955-956

British Journal of Ophthalmology August 2006; 90(8): 931-932

Yahoo News August 21, 2006

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Dr. Mercola's Comment:

As the number of gastric bypass procedures have surged, so have reports about all the dangerous side effects. The long-term success rate of gastric bypass surgery borders on 10 percent, and it is fraught with possible complications including:

Bone loss
Liver failure
Immune system damage
And it also carries a good chance of simply killing you outright.

I'm not surprised in the least by this latest complication, especially considering many patients don't get enough vitamin A to being with, so any decrease can make them very prone to problems.

A reminder: Your best sources of vitamin A are natural ones, including:

Cod liver oil
Raw egg yolks
Raw dairy products
As I've said before, when you use the wrong tool to "cure" any medical condition -- especially when it's a lifestyle-related medical concern like obesity -- you're virtually guaranteed to have problems. Of course, that hasn't stopped people, like the former half-ton man, from doing it anyway.

People tend to forget that they didn't gain all those extra pounds in a short time, and it will take considerably longer to lose it safely and smartly.

Gastric bypasses and balloon procedures provide permanent and very problematic solutions to a condition that can be more safely treated by making better lifestyle decisions. If you really want to treat obesity in a healthy way:

Eat the foods your body burns best according to your body's unique metabolic type.
Start an exercise plan, with the knowledge you must treat it like a drug that must be prescribed precisely to have the optimal effect.
Treat the emotions that contribute to your poor health by learning an energy psychology tool like the Emotional Freedom Technique that can very effectively help resolve the underlying emotional cause of the overeating problem.

Ettie B · 02-17-2008, 03:00 PM

I'm pre-op but my surgeon warned me that I must be very careful and sure to take vitamin and mineral supplements post op. I think if you do that then you'll be ok

Vitamin A is the one that matters for eyes I think

MiladyB · 02-17-2008, 04:28 PM

I know for myself my vision has actully improved since I had my surgery. I have no idea why but I've heard others say the same thing.

Shannon · 02-17-2008, 06:07 PM

Well, going blind is a pretty awful side effect. I just can't see any thematic evidence for it.

Princess · 02-17-2008, 10:51 PM

It's Ophthalmologist!

Anyone that has had a gastric bypass is going to have issues with absorption as this is part of how the surgery works. That's why we have to take vits and mins daily. Vitamin A is good for eyes and so is Lutein. Icaps or Vitalux are both good multi spectrum/vitamins that are good for your sight.

fisher1000 · 02-18-2008, 05:29 AM

I'm not sure I trust this article. It looks a little like one of those books you might buy at 3:30 in the morning when your guard is down. There are spelling and grammatical errors, and the numbers that are cited seem to be WAY off. (Long term 10% success rate?)

Before, during, and after this surgery, you'll be working with a doctor. If you notice any complications, that person will work to correct them, especially if it's a vitamin issue. If you do what the doctors tell you and don't skip vitamins and protein, many of the side effects you're worried about won't happen.

That said, since the surgery, I have had an issue with "optical migraines." However, they are not related to vitamin deficiency as I've had blood tests to confirm that I'm not deficient. I've had migraines in the past, and they seem to be re-manifesting but are not necessarily related to the surgery. They only cloud my vision for a few minutes or up to an hour, but do not affect my overall vision. I'm seeing a doctor for the issue, but I'm not scared of going blind from them.

When one does research to find out about this surgery or related side effects, it's never a good idea to look at just one article, or just one person's experience. You need a body of knowledge, multiple articles, multiple people's experiences in order to make an informed decision. I wouldn't put too much faith in this article, it doesn't have a "genuine" feel to it. If it matters to you, though, I would certainly continue researching it, and base whatever feelings you have about it on whatever multiple and corroborating sources you find.

Good luck,

Mike

markntia · 02-18-2008, 08:05 AM

Vitamin and nutrient balance is key to everything, and something that should be monitored for the rest of your life. This is true whether you've had surgery or not.

Two things jumped out at me on the article:

Quote:

One patient developed symptoms within months of gastric bypass surgery, but the other three did not experience any symptoms until at least 18 years after surgery.

Okay, so the total amount of patient in the study is FOUR? And only one of them "within months" of surgery? The rest more than 18 YEARS afterwards???? So say that isn't a statistically relevant sample size would be an understatement.

2. For these four that the article is based upon, how do they know that it is in any way related to the surgery? Did the patients actually follow the doctor/nutritionist guidelines? Unknown.

3. The study is regarding "intestinal surgery". Does that necessarily mean gastic bypass, or is it any type of surgery having to do with the intestines?

4. The long term success rate nationally, by the U.S. government, for gastric bypass (not lap band) was that 80% of patients lose 75-85% of their excess weight.

Fisherbear Mike had some excellent advice when he said:

Quote:

When one does research to find out about this surgery or related side effects, it's never a good idea to look at just one article, or just one person's experience. You need a body of knowledge, multiple articles, multiple people's experiences in order to make an informed decision. I wouldn't put too much faith in this article, it doesn't have a "genuine" feel to it. If it matters to you, though, I would certainly continue researching it, and base whatever feelings you have about it on whatever multiple and corroborating sources you find.