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Showing results for 'Complications'.
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The weight loss center I had my operation at has only had 1 death and it also was a heart attack not from the surgery itself. I did do alot of research before operation and at the semenair I had to go to is where I made my final decision on which surgery I was going to have. The sleeve seemed to be the best choice for me because of less complications. Good luck with you surgery. I do love my sleeve!!!!
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I would recommend taking as much time as you can. I was extremely lucky to be able to take a full six weeks. I was fortunate that I had no complications too, and my recovery was pretty much text book perfect. If pressed, physically, I probably could have gone back after one or two weeks. The hardest part was the exhaustion that stayed for about the first six weeks. It helped too having the extra time to get used to everything. It was very much like having a brand new gadget without the user manual to go with it. I still feel that way sometimes. ???? Unfortunately no one can predict how their recovery will go, but barring a major complication, you should be alright. Good luck!
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Worried I’m abusing my sleeve - 5 weeks post op / 2 week stall
Once Upon a Sleeve posted a topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
This may sound like a silly question, but I’m able to tolerate basically everything at almost 5 weeks post-op, and this makes me worried I’m somehow abusing my sleeve. I started soft solids at 3 weeks and regular solids at 4 weeks per my doctor’s orders. The only thing I am still working through is coffee - large half-caf over the course of several hours put my stomach in twists. A small decaf over several hours was fine. I am a busy mom with two active boys at home, and at least once a week we have pizza for dinner. At week 4, I was able to have a small slice with veggie toppings with no issue. I can basically eat whatever my kids eat, just in very small portions. I bought some 3.5” Asian dipping sauce bowls as my portion bowls, so I’m getting 1/2-2/3 cup of food at a time. If I eat too much or something that doesn’t agree with me, I get hiccups, so I stop. I’m trying to keep what I eat moderate fat, moderate carb. Lots of broth and lean meats and tofu and veggies. A little noodles and rice and quinoa (very little). From reading the boards, it sounds like a stall around 3 weeks is normal. I was also terribly constipated for a couple days. But now I’ve been in a stall for nearly 2 weeks! My energy is moderate - I can make it through the day but tend to fall asleep this week while my kids are playing board games after school. I stopped logging my food when I started solids because it was too complicated to log things I cooked since I used so many different ingredients. I started at 199, and have been between 181-183 the past 2 weeks. Do I need to do something differently, or is this part of the normal stall? I have an appt with my NUT in 2.5 weeks. Thanks!! -
Let me start off by saying that I dislike going to that area of the board, however as a prebander I feel it is necessary to hear the good, bad and ugly about this from all view points. However, I have noticed that a lot of people begin having problems years out and dont immediately seek medical care from their surgeon. They live with problems for months and then finally decide to go back to the dr. I guess my question is to those of you that are a success story -- how often do you see your surgeon? My surgeon requires monthly visits for the first yr - regardless of if you want/need a fill. After 1 yr post op your follow up visits are up to you but it must be at least once a yr. So my response to him was "so i can come monthly for the rest of my life?" he said yes. I look at my relationship with my surgeon as one i will have forever. Perhaps all newbies think like that though, then they make it to goal, life get in the way and before you know it you havent seen your doc in 2 yrs. My dr did say that while the majority of his long term post op patients dont come in monthly they do come in regularily-- quarterly, every other month, etc. But when i think about it how does he know the success of the other patients if they dont come in? If i end up having problems with my band i dont want it to be because of something i did. I want to follow the rules and to me regular follow ups with your dr is part of the rules.
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You need to do what you feel is right for YOU! It's great that your hubby is supportive; it sucks that your parents don't support you. However, I'm betting your folks are more worried about losing you than really intending to be negative about the surgery. If it's truly important to you to have your parents' support, then show them the statistics for death and complications and explain how low they are. I've read that you're in more danger driving every day than having the sleeve, yet we all still get in our cars daily. Once you're post-op and doing well, I'm sure your parents will come around, even if you don't choose to show them the stats.
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Family Ties Band Together?
justduckie replied to winner's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
My DH was very supportive after I took him to a wls seminar and we looked at all the stats.....especially after we look at the rny vs. the lapband. My mother was VERY worried and though not negative, definitely wasn't very supportive. She thought it was unnecessary, that I just needed to exercise more and eat less. Even though she has been heavy her whole life and knows it's not as simple as that. My dad, on the other hand, was all for it! It was and still is, very excited for me. My children were worried, but they like the progress they see and are very supportive. My older sister was very supportive and thinks I made the right and smart decision, going with the band instead of the rny. She is a nurse and sees a lot of the complications with rny. My younger sister, who needs to lose more than I do, is.......well, distant. I think she thinks that I took the easy way out and comes up with tons of excuses why she can't lose weight, won't lose weight, refuses to look into the options.......I hope she realizes that it can be life changing and very much worth the hassles. My friends and co-workers are all excited for me....even if my partner supervisor at work is the "food nazi". He's always saying, "can you eat that? Should you eat that? Why are you eating that!!!!!" Sometimes I wish I had never told him! -
5 Months Out Only 30 Pounds Lost! My Story
Lmom1980 replied to xxjosettexx's topic in Gastric Plication Surgery Forum
Ana, It is funny that you mentioned internet rumors. You do not have your facts straight, and are spreading rumors. The Doctor in Ohio had done nearly 50 plications when his patient had the necrosis. At that time Dr Ortiz claimed that that had done nearly 200. Any Doctor can have complications and patients with weight loss failure. The difference that I see is that the Doctor in Ohio actually came on here and posted about his complication. The OCC sweeps any complications they might have under the rug. I know for a fact that they delete negative posts off of their forum. Josette Best of luck in whatever revision you decide to do. I felt very discouraged many times with my progess, or lack of. I am 18 months post op and weight loss has been very slow. I have lost about 95 pounds since my pre-op diet, and I have about 20 more to go. I have finally made peace with my my choice for plication. The weight loss has been so slow, that not many people would ever assume I had WLS. So what if it takes me almost 2 years to reach my goal? As long as I can keep the weight off, I will consider it a success. I paid $9000. plus another $2000. in travel expences. Then I had some complications that I had to have fixed, and that cost me another $8000. That is a lot of money for me, but my husband said it is the best money he ever spent. Even if I never reach my goal. I feel and look so much better then I did 95 pounds ago. -
5 Months Out Only 30 Pounds Lost! My Story
Ana replied to xxjosettexx's topic in Gastric Plication Surgery Forum
Hi, I had my plication done at the OCC as have 10 of my friends and we are all happy. I recived top notch medical care and every question or concern I may have had pre and post op has been satisfactorily addressed. I saw manwithkids post about his wife also and have not heard of others having that complication. I don't think it's objective at all CeeBelize to blame the OCC or people's misconceived notions of Mexico's health care for one person's problems, manwithkids wife could have had existing factors that influenced her illness, and there could easily have been other factors specifically related to her that caused her outcome. I wish her speedy healing. Also there could be other issues occurring with a person's personal health that can affect slow results. I know some pretty frighteningly ineffective medical Doctors in the US, incidents like that happen in all countries and again, I have not heard the majority or even 3/4 of Dr. Ortiz's patients complaining. Dr. Ortiz has a fine surgical standing. He has performed over 500 procedures, so consider what a small percentage that is that a couple of people had complications or did not lose as fast. There is a Doctor in Ohio, USA who had a huge patient complication and this was the result of his lack of experience. He had only performed 3 plications. Some Canadian and US Doctors go to Dr. Ortiz for their plications. There are other factors to consider that could be affecting results. It's very easy to start an internet rumor or make a snap judgment based on little to no facts. All i'm saying is I think it is very short sighted to come here, read a few negative or slightly informed stories with no other facts, no updates, and draw that conclusion that it must be ok to blame a Doctor and a whole entire country (I.E. don't trust Mexican Surgeons) for a couple of people's experiences. Think about it. Josette, it could very well be your complications causing the slow down as CeeBelieze said, or it could be other factors. I am glad that you contacted the OCC. Don't let 48 hours go by without calling again if you have not been contacted. Take Care All. Great Success. -
My Surgery and a Series of Unfortunate Events
orionburn replied to orionburn's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
Forgot to post earlier this week to update my 6 week follow-up appointment. So far so good on everything. Getting back to regular foods has been wonderful of course. That 2 weeks before surgery and the 4 weeks of liquids & pureed was rough but it also was a valuable learning period to know the difference between real hunger and head hunger. My appointment was uneventful. My weight loss has tapered off a bit in the past two weeks. It had been about a pound a day but for the past week or so my weight had been stuck around 285 with some back and forth. Today I came in at 283 and that puts be at 35 lbs down in 6 weeks. I'll take it! I admit I was starting to mildly freak out with the stuck scale but I knew things would slow down a bit at some point. I got my old gym membership going and will be hitting it for the first time in a long time starting today. Since my sciatica is doing better I'm hopeful I can have a decent workout for once without being in terrible pain. And I'm also not dreading going to the gym. May sound dumb but when I'm focused on going to lift and build muscle I love going to the gym. When it was all about weight loss and doing cardio I loathed going, so I'm actually excited to be getting back at it. I won't see my doc again until 12 weeks out and am pretty much cleared to eat all foods again. Our office has a support group meeting once a month and will be going to that in a few weeks to see some old faces and keep some accountability going for myself. At this point just knocking on wood for continued improvements and fingers crossed that my initial complications were just a matter of getting that out of the way a head of time so I don't have any future episodes. -
hi gals I'm waiting to have my band on 4/10. Really anxious. I look so awful now I can't imagine what it will be like after the weight comes off. It took a while but I got the insurance to pay for mine. I have had multiple(like 9) abdominal surgeries in the last five years. the surgery doesn't scare me but I worry about complications from the other surgeries and believe me a couple took a year each to heal up from. I know I am ready to do this and can use the tool successfully just going to need a little help along the way. Since I live in a rural area finding a local support will be tough, so here I am. :thumbup:
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Can someone please enlighten me.
Orchids&Dragons replied to damonlg's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
A surgeon discussed this at our last support group meeting. He said that while by-passes are "technically" reversible, it's still another major surgery, it can have complications just like any other, and there may be a lot of scar tissue on the portions of the stomach that you'd like to rejoin. It is a very major undertaking and really shouldn't be considered one of the "pros" of bypass. -
Need a June 15, 2015 buddy!
sarahbee replied to rhines10's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Congrats grandmaofone! I was a June 16ther --- going well - I was 280 @ surgery time, and 232 now. Looking forward to onederland someday! Otherwise, I've really had no complications, and can eat most anything, though fats and sugars in excess make me feel crummy - but that's a good thing -
HELP! serious complications 3 months post op
TashaB88 posted a topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
I have been having nausea and,vomiting since 2 weeks post op. I had a stricture that kept coming back and had to be dilated 3 times and I'm only 3months post op. I have been in and out of the hospital several,times as well. I was in the hospital 2 weeks ago for over 2 weeks. I was unable to take anything by mouth. They put a picc line in and started me on TPN (IV nutrients). Thy had to pull my picc line a week later cause it went bad. I was eating a clear/full liquid diet. Now I'm vomiting again and this time I'm having sever abdominal pain as well. I'm unable to keep much down and it all hurts even water. My surgeon has me on several medications but they aren't helping. He suggested I might have to have a revision done. Has anyone had a b anything like this? Or had a revision? Any advise would be greatly appreciated. I'm extremely weak physically and emotionally drained from all this. -
I regret this surgery
bowenmom2 replied to QueenTiff's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I understand completely. After doing a band to sleeve I wish I had never done either. In fact, after a few complications- I weigh more now than I have in 8 years. Keep your head up and believe me when I say the break up with food is a process. It's actually like grieving. It will pass- your health will improve and you will feel better. Best of luck to you. -
I regret this surgery
Travelher replied to QueenTiff's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
what you are feeling is normal. Some people get the feelings of dread and depression and some do not. Just know and take to heart that it is usually temporary. Remember that we used to eat to soothe our feelings and now we cannot. Outside of the physical stress your body is under recovering from surgery that is huge! We need to find other ways to deal with stress (mine is shopping...don't follow in my footsteps ). You will adjust, you will heal. you will be on here in a couple of months saying you would do it again 10x over. that is the experience of the vast majority. I was a revision from a lap band and even knowing how the healing process goes, I still went through moments of feeling like "OMG I will be burping non stop for the rest of my life" (I'm not). or "I'll never be able to drink water again!" (drinking some now). I will tell you that on another board there is a 3 day post op patient spending his days reading horror stories and researching reversals. no complications, no issues...just extreme anxiety and buyers remorse. people are counseling him to get emotional therapeutic help because he is not thinking rationally and could do something that would actually harm him. You are doing 200x better by comparison. I sincerely hope he will get help. You will come out of this. This too shall pass. -
Don't be too stressed that is not good for you, do as the Dr. Says and it will probably straighten out. There are always a few complications tho minor with most surgeries. I had red incisions and used the antibiotic cream, then I had itching and a rash, then I had to have an unfill, but after losing 82 lbs I would endure this all over again. God Bless you and I am praying for you to be well and get on with life after the band.
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Leaks and complications first hand i want to hear from you.
HHHappy replied to lc6342's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
I'm so sorry y'all had complications!! I can't imagine the scare and disappointment. There is a support section for people who have had or are experiencing complications that you might find helpful. Hugs!! http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/429-gastric-sleeve-surgery-complications-support-group/ -
Oh...my...god. I have never heard of such an extreme complication. Holy cow. I'm telling you - your story right there would've been enough to have scared me into never getting one in 2007. I wish I never had gotten mine. My journey hasn't been anywhere that bad and I can't wait to get rid of the stupid thing (1 more week). I'm so sorry to hear of all that you are left to deal with - the aftermath of the damage the band left in its wake. I hope you can find some way to be able to cope with the BG instability. Whether that's a service dog or whatever. Best wishes to you. I strongly encourage you to keep sharing your story. If even one person could be saved from complications, I'd say it's worth it. Hang in there.
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I so know what you are saying about being scared to drink. I was that way on my two days of liquid. I didn't have any other complications like you do. Just keep sipping! It get's better!
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Holy sleevies, I love some of the responses in this thread. They speak to me a great deal, and I feel so vindicated! I love my sleeve, and I could talk about it all day long. I love that I have a new life because of it, and that it has taught me so much about making my health a priority. Yes, I worked my butt off to educate myself. Yes, I revamped my whole outlook on food and nutrition. Yes, I had to become super honest with myself about my bad habits, and change them. But, this was all a learning experience. Not everyone realizes the work it takes from the start, and unfortunately some never realize it.To those people I want to give them a good smack and tell them to take a hard look at themselves. Why would you cut out half your stomach if you weren't ready to adapt to that change? Why would you undergo this procedure without knowing what you were in for? Why would you complain about something without taking the steps to fix it? There are so many amazing vets here that have not reached their "goal" (I say that with quotes because honestly how you feel and live is much more important than the number), and are still going strong. They keep tracking their foods and continue to face their inner demons on a daily basis. We all do. I will forever be a bariatric patient, there is no denying it. And, honestly, I'm the happier for it. I LIKE this lifestyle. I'm not on a diet, I'm eating as I should have been eating my whole life. I walk the perimeter of the grocery store because I'm aware of the dangers that lurk in the middle. I acknowledge my faults and weaknesses. Like so many in this thread, I did all my research before the surgery, so I knew what I should expect. I knew that this was not a quick fix and that this surgery was FOR MY HEALTH. Who cares if I lose slowly or quickly, or if I can't stuff my face full of junk anymore? I will take the slow sips of Water, the weird gurgles, the loose skin, the thin hair, the wonky poops, and the strict regimens any day over a life of complications due to obesity. This doesn't answer the OP's question at all, but I felt inspired to express myself! Like Butterthebean (who always has great advice), I appreciate the people who are optimistic and excited... I appreciate those that look for answers. I don't pay much attention to the complainers or whiners that don't seem to have their priorities straight.
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255 lbs to lose. Can it be done?
jjsmiles replied to hopefulmom25's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
Who told you that? If it was your wlc, then yes it is true, although I wasn't held to that BMI for my surgery (I was a 55 at the start of the process, around 50 at the time of surgery, but the surgeon didn't know that until I weighed in about 30 minutes before surgery). The issue with a BMI over 50 is the concern of complications due to high BMI. On the other hand, usually the lapband has way fewer complications associated than gastric bypass, and is considered a safer surgery. I wouldn't go by anything else than what your wlc tells you. I would hate to find out that I based my decisions on what somebody told me and then later finding out it wasn't true. If it is true for you, then you can develop a plan of attack to get to 50. -
Mid-Twenties Sleevers - Continuing life with the sleeve
AlexaLasVSG posted a topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Hey all, I am meeting with the surgeon tomorrow to discuss any final doubts before my gastric sleeve procedure. Then I will make a surgery date. But here is my dilemma... I am 25 years old and the path I am on in life is a little complicated. So far, I have traveled to almost a dozen countries doing volunteer programs and teaching English as a way to build my future opportunities. I just love to travel and see the world. However I continuously feel held back because of my size and the judgement I give to myself and receive from others. I have dreams to do bigger things and to have a lifestyle I can enjoy, but I am afraid that this procedure will really hold me back from getting myself in a good place both professionally and financially because I am actively looking for a career job here in New York. My question is--is the surgery worth it as I am on the job hunt, an active traveler, and someone who is just dreaming of moving out from her parents house? I am worried I will be stuck once I get the procedure. I will be out of commission for a while, I don't know how easy it would be to make a complete lifestyle change amidst other lifestyle changes. I know this is for LIFE and all together my quality of life will improve after time. Maybe I am just too worried about the present. What am I really scared of? I could use some reassuring words from people. I want this procedure, I've done immense amounts of research, and I've been tremendously overweight for my entire life and I don't know anything else. Just some words of encouragement would be helpful. Thanks, Alexa -
Can someone please enlighten me.
damonlg replied to damonlg's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
I did a huge amount of research before making my decision and one of the main reasons I went for a gastric bypass is that if you get complications you can reverse the operation as nothing is taken away. With a sleeve you remove most of the stomach so once it’s done it’s done. I found very few advantages to the sleeve and the Acid Reflux is a major reason why it soon became a no go for me. Another big factor is if you have diabetes a sleeve doesn’t really change that much, where a bypass can reduce it hugely or in some cases eliminate it completely. That is a huge reason to seriously consider a bypass over a sleeve. I am not trying to say that everyone should have a bypass, but every day I read more and more people who say Sleeve to bypass for me. Something seems wrong about that. I think you are right James, it seems to be on trend right now, which is extremely worrying. I get the feeling that most people get told what to have, rather than make there own decision based on evidence. I bet if the patients are told with a sleeve is final or with a bypass it’s reversible if you have complications, most would go for a bypass. Anyway rant over 🤣🤣 -
Can someone please enlighten me.
Matt Z replied to damonlg's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
https://obesitynewstoday.com/bariatric-surgery-reversibility/ "In addition to reducing the size of the stomach, the gastric bypass also rearranges the digestive system, which is why it is usually not reversible." https://www.realself.com/question/gastric-bypass-reversible "Gastric Bypass surgery is considered a permanent operation but can be reversed for medical problems only. The risks of a reversal are extremely high." So, "potentially" reversible, but reversing is almost never done due to complications. The band can be removed, the sleeve, your pouch can and will stretch out, but the bypass, the restriction plus the rerouting of your intestines, this surgery should not be considered "reversible" as a justification for getting it. -
How long has it taken to get to surgery
sil replied to hallelujah.girl's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I had to do a six months supervised dietian classes. i started in march 08. had surgery in january 09.i had to do all the pre op testing.part of my problem was not making my own appointments i was waiting on the doctors office to do it for me.no you have to follow up on your own make sure you call them an ask is their anymore tests you need. then i had to wait because of the holidays. but in all i had it on january 13th.with no complications thank goodness. in all its took me 10months.good luck on your new life journey.
