Any Regrets? Complications? - ThinnerTimes

Melody · 07-08-2004, 02:24 PM

Hello Everyone! I have been following the board for a while now and have always been curious to know if any of you have had any regrets of having the surgery and also if any of you have had any complications with or from the surgery. It sounds like everyone is pretty happy and glad they did it.

Thanks,
Melody
Pre-op (Dr. Callery)

Christina · 07-08-2004, 02:35 PM

Melody,

I can't speak for everyone but I have absolutely no regrets about this surgery.. maybe other then I didn't do it sooner.

I had minor complications but nothing that put me down for too long. My complications included being opened up again the day after surgery due to a stitch being too tight. (The only person to date with this complication so don't worry about that one.. lol) I also had a lot of fluid in my abdomen I guess which caused me to have a drain but it wasn't in my old tummy just in my abdomen. After the drain was removed fluid started to come out of my incision site causing it to have to be opened up and I had to pack it for a week. Again it sucked but it wasn't infected so I got lucky. After that a lot of nausea and vomiting but all of that is over with now and I am doing great!!! You're going to do wonderfully.. just don't stray from us and you'll do good.. lol

bridgetgirl · 07-08-2004, 03:45 PM

i have no regrets. I feel freaking fantastic! Im a new person! I got pancreatitis. Dr. C isnt sure if it was post operative pancreatitis, if it was someting that was going to happen regardless or if stones had passed from my bile duct during surgery. It was very painful... but I am over it now.
One tip dont ignore your symptoms.. if you feel weird, dont ignore anything that feels too different. you can never talk to Kelly or the doctor too much... for your sake! Im sure you will do fine... only the bad asses have complications!

Melody · 07-08-2004, 04:10 PM

Haha! Thank you guys. It sounds like no matter what you had to endure that it has been worth it. Thats what I like to hear. I'm done with all my tests! I just need to get on the GYN to fax over my pap results, it was normal, but now I am just waiting to get an ultrasound on my ovary because I had one a month ago and they found a mass the size of a fist on it. The doc put me on progesterone and said that there was a 75% chance that it would help to shrink it. Hopefully I won't need to have that removed. I'm ready to get on with this surgery so I can be on the way to a new me like you girls! :-)

annieb · 07-08-2004, 07:24 PM

I have NO regrets about this surgery. It was a scary decision especially after Dr. Callery's lecture about the possible complications and the mortality rate. I work for a group of Internal Med docs and have watched their patients get this surgery. Most all have minor or no problems. A very few had complicated post op experiences. But for me, besides being uncomfortable (on a scale of 1-10, maybe a 4-5) for a week, my recovery was truly a breeze. I have only "dumped" twice and the fear of dumping has kept me honest. Once I lost the first 25 pounds, I seemed to find the old me and I have never looked back. I am 8 months out and 90 pounds lighter and 100 years younger. The way I look at it is this way; if I had continued to gain my 10 pounds a year, my life span would have been very short. Even if by some God awful chance this surgery will cut my life by a few years, it has given me quality time and healthy time. I was headed to a bad place. I no longer feel that doom. Everyday is a wonderful day now. Good luck on your journey. Anne

Karen Wright · 07-08-2004, 07:35 PM

No remorse...no regrets!!!!

I did have to go back to the hospital for 2 days after surgery because of starnge chest pains. They thought I had a heart attack....but I didn't!!

At first, when I was in my first 2 weeks or so..I regretted it.
..always thinking..."what did I do??" But I found out that I was mourning a loss.....the loss of my friend (food) and it was difficult to deal with. It has gotten MUCH better and I feel wonderful....it does help a lot to have support and friends that know exactly what you are going through!!

This group has been invaluable to me. The friends I have made here, I feel closer to than some people I have known for years! They just know!

brutherford · 07-08-2004, 08:50 PM

Seriously. I'm lucky in that I had no complications, and other than being tired until 5 weeks, I felt fantastic the entire time. My energy level is amazing (especially for an average of 800 calories a day!), nothing in my body hurts, I'm more confident and a hell of a lot more happy.

The change is not only positive for me, but for my family and friends too. My husband has dropped almost 20 lbs since my surgery, my sister has lost almost 30 lbs. My friends and I now do active things together rather than going out to eat. We walk, hike, play tennis, and go swimming - everyone's looking better than they have in a while!

Less than two months after the surgery, I have a great new job and am restarting my art career. My husband and three of our friends have all decided to pursue other careers that they've long dreamed about.

Of course, nothing is perfect. Healing from surgery is frustrating and uncomfortable. Adjusting to your new pouch takes time. Dealing with the loss of food as a coping mechanism is rough. Getting used to being looked at more and accepting compliments is difficult. People who are critical or non-supportive can drag you down.

BUT... It's all worth it.

lealphachienne · 07-08-2004, 10:49 PM

No regrets and just one tiny little mystery. At the first week post-op visit, Kelly wasn't able to pull out the stitches. I had healed too quickly. They were left in place and I've had no infection or problems with leaving them in. In fact, I can barely see the scars.

Stuart · 07-09-2004, 01:28 PM

Melody,
I too had a complication, but mine was nowhere a serious a Chritina's or Bridget's. I had gastromegaly, a condition where the "old" stomach swells with gas and fluid due to a blockage downstream. This complication occurs about 1% of the time. The treatment for this was the insertion of a gastrostomy tube for pressure relief, four more days in the hospital, and what Dr. Callery calls "Tincture of Time". In other words, the condition resolved itself in time. As for regrets, like Christina, my only regret is not having done this sooner. I am 8 months out, havd lost 140 pounds, and I feel like a new man. Overall, all of the hassles with my insurance company, waiting nearly 3 months for my chart to be dictated, and the medical complication are minor when compared with how well I feel and look now. Hang in there, Melody, and feel free to ask questions...as you can see, you will always receive an abundance of replies!

Melody · 07-09-2004, 02:59 PM

Thank you all again for your replies. It just encourages me that this is the right thing to do. I am glad to hear that no one has any regrets. Please anyone who hasn't responded I'd like to hear about your experiences as well. This is a great support group. I'm going to try to make it to the picnic and i look forward to meeting you!

Melody
(Pre-op Dr. Callery)