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Scheduled for Jan 12th and getting cold feet. Is VSG "worth it"?
Ltdanfan replied to JennyO526's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I am 2 weeks out and worried that im going to regret it. I think about food more than i ever have and im still in a lot of pain around one of the incision sites. It burns every time i change position or cough and i cannot use my core muscles without pain. I'm also freezing all the time. Im down 14 lbs so far, although it doesnt feel like ive lost anyhing and its starting to slow down. But i know there will be starts and fits with regard to the pounds coming off. I dont regret it yet but ive gotten close. Maybe once ive lost more weight (and actually feel like it) and i fit into jeans that i havent been able to wear in years ill feel more positive about things. But i dont regret it yet. point is that you wont really know until you do it. I keep thinking of the positives and the reasons im doing this- to be healthier able to more fully participate in my life. maybe ill regret it if i dont achieve my goals or maybe ill realize that im still healthier even if i still weigh more than i want and cant eat all the things i could before. I wont know or be able to say, if i regret it until im farther away from surgery and back to somewhat of a normal life. in looking at why others regret surgery or not, you have to consider why they regret it. Is the regret due to a temporary complication or long term failure to achieve goals, or something else. i had the support of my family but not of my best friend, however i had to make the decision for myself, just like you. Regardless of what you decide, you have my support. And all the people here. -
How much liquid are you drinking, and how? 2.5 weeks out...
idk4w posted a topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I am really nervous about getting dehydrated, which I heard can lead to kidney stones and other complications after WLS. I'd love to hear how everyone manages to get in enough liquids during the day, and what's considered enough at this point. One strange thing for me is that I see others are having a hard time drinking more than a few sips at a time and I have no problem with 2 oz in one shot! Why is this? -
Seven years out - experiences and lessons learned
SleevedK replied to shriner37's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I am sorry that you have to go through another surgery but hope it helps your problems. Unfortunately, I have come to realize that it seems EXTREMELY COMMON over the long term that Sleeve patients end up developing hernias and reflux. I suspect that, as we get more info about the long term with this surgery, it will become clear that something needs to change about the surgical technique to prevent this from being such a common complication down the road. Knowing what I know now, personally I wish I had never gotten the sleeve - if I had gotten bariatric surgery, I wish I had gotten the RNY instead. At least the RNY has been around long enough that the surgical technique has been perfected and we know a lot about how people do with it over the long run. I really regret that I didn't realize what I was getting myself into when I had the sleeve. You guessed it - I too have a hiatal hernia and reflux. People need to be aware that this is an extremely common scenario after a few years with the sleeve. -
Hi Nat theres so many great private options in the U.K. and yes it’s a lot of money! And a loan I will be paying for the next three years. But I’m so happy! I don’t regret it one bit. (Had my surgery July 2021 and i reached target weight feb 5th - total loss of 6 stone) i got a loan via my bank as the finance offering was better than the finance options the hospital was doing. So I would say just shop around for that. also I interviewed three surgeons from three of the top named hospitals before I decided which one I felt was best for me. so spend some time researching the market. I went with Mr Sutton at woodlands hospital - part of the Ramsey group. I’ve had no problems at all. After care team was top level, no complications, surgery was quick, team were amazing. No complaints one bit!! i highly recommend. Paid £10k with 2 years after care from surgeon and team and a lifetime support line (dietitian)x
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Normal Bites?
heddenturner replied to heddenturner's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
When I went I first met to discuss surgery my BMI was 35.5. My family has a history of diabetes and high cholesterol. Heart complications from the diabetes have been an issue and it all seems to start about age 50. I’m 47. After much discussion with my nutritionist and my doctor - with a million times trying to lose weight my entire life - we decided on surgery to ensure these genetic issues would not be an issue. I had a vertebral artery dissection (spontaneous - had been is great health) at the age of 40. After the stroke I gained weight AGAIN and never could lose it. No matter what I did. Bypass because after an endoscopy it was discovered I have A typical reflux - I had NO idea! I felt nothing and my esophagus was burned badly. I also found out I had a hiatal hernia. So long long story short - there you go - :) -
February 2022 Surgery Buddies
LJB777 replied to MeganMyers's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Day 4 from my DS surgery. I'm having some difficulty walking and sitting as I have a pain on my right lower side that insists on staying with me but I'm handling it the best I can. When I'm in bed I don't feel it and thankfully I have an adjustable bed so I stay sitting up for a long time. I stayed 2 nights in the hospital, no complications whatsoever and now I'm glad to be home. I'm on Phase 2 now, trying the thicker liquids so little by little. Day by day is all I continue to tell myself. Hang in there, the hardest part is already done haha!! 😁 -
My guess is that there haven't been enough people with a partial bowel removal who have also had bariatric surgery to be sure what the results will be. I have had IBS with both diarrhea and constipation during my life due to medications I take. Diarrhea can make your life really complicated, as I'm sure you are aware. When I had diarrhea predominant IBS, I was told to eat more carbs and less fat, veggies, and meat. I don't know if that is true for UC, but I know that would be really hard for me now - I am supposed to do pretty much the opposite! I would get second opinions from another GI doc and another bariatric surgeon at a bariatric center of excellence. Personally, I'm not sure I would take the risk in your situation, as the sleeve is not reversible. Maybe instead of trying to get thin, focus more on healthy activity and things like therapy for binge eating, if that's an issue for you. I'm not saying these will make you lose a lot of weight, but losing weight is not the end-all be-all in life. Being able to live your life without always looking for a bathroom is pretty important, too.
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Should I even try
I♡BypassedMyPhatAss♡ replied to Jean123867's topic in Pregnancy with Weight Loss Surgery
At 345 you would be a super high risk OB patient. You don't want that. It might put you on bed rest early in the pregnancy or preeclampsia. Or any other of the many possible complications. You want to be as close to a normal BMI as possible, to lessen complications to you and your baby. I agree with the others that said to wait. This is a conversation you should have with your surgeon. -
Another Tummy Tuck Experience
Toesinthewater replied to Toesinthewater's topic in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
I looked into going to Miami, FL (Dr. Alex Earle) because of cost but when I took into account all the additional expenses needed for travel (airfares, lodging, food, Uber/taxi) plus my husband was not thrilled once he did research on the possible complications (necrosis, DVT, infection, seroma, hematoma), I went to a local surgeon. TT: $10,700 Lipo (knees, thighs, saddle bags, flanks): $5,600 Even though it was more than I had estimated ($15k), I'm glad I went with a local surgeon because I did have a couple of minor complications (small hematoma and a suture knot that needed to be trimmed). -
I had my TT (muscle repair, no lipo*) on 1/10/22. Recovery was what I expected pain wise but not time wise. For some crazy reason I thought I would bounce back in a couple of weeks - NOPE! The first week I needed help doing everything (except wiping my hiney - thank God). The drains were removed on day 8 which did not come quickly enough. I haven't had any major complications, just a minor (small hematoma) that resolved on its own. I'm still a bit tender but I can now sneeze/laugh/cough without my eyes tearing up. My scar is healing ahead of schedule (per surgeon). I tried silicone tape (week 3) but it made me itch so I just massage my scar with coconut oil daily but I do forget some days. I will be having scar revision in the future but that was always part of the plan. I have a high belly button and I also had a tattoo around my belly button. Not one of my smartest moves but what can I say, I was 20 something at the time. My surgeon does not make "T" incisions due to blood supply concerns. Also, since the entire tattoo could not be removed, I didn't want a totally distorted tattoo. So my scar at this time is higher than both he and I would prefer. The scar revision is an office procedure with local anesthesia so I didn't object. I chose to "stage" my lipo after my tummy tuck. I'm scheduled for lipo on 2/28/22. Why you may ask. I'm having multiple sites done (knees, inner thighs, saddle bags, and flanks). By doing it in "stages" the lipo of the flanks can be more "aggressive" than if I had it with the TT.
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Lots of complications after bypass..... anyone else???
JessiPhoenix replied to Lem32's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Yes! Thank you for putting it that way "helpful to share so that others have a realistic view of the risks instead of assuming sunshine and rainbows". I was prepared for getting the sleeve. Dr told me yesterday I have to have bypass so now I'm reading all of the bypass forums to get a realistic view on how that's going to go. I know everything surgery can have complications but I want to be prepared for things that can happen that way I'm not panicking over something that might be normal. Or to even be prepared for something not so normal (then at least I'd know what to do right away and know what can possibly come of it). I like to hear all of the good AND bad! -
Was ready for sleeve, medically necessary for bypass, now need advice
njlimmer replied to JessiPhoenix's topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
I understand. I said the same thing to my doc, and he said that on our end, it was the same. It's more technically complicated on his end and it takes about 45min longer, but other than that there's no real change. I really do understand about the fear. I was the same, and not trying to freak you out, but I had a complication the next day that my doctor says there's not even a percentage for. I had a freak reaction to the Levonox shot and started bleeding. I ended up back in surgery, but by then I had stopped bleeding but they didn't know that till they went in. No lie - it was scary, but I was in amazing hands. The nurses and staff were unreal. AND... knowing what I know now... and knowing what would happen the next day, I'd still do it. I'm down 139lbs, but more importantly, I'm diabetes-free. I have been able to do more with my kids in the last year than I have in the past several. I've been fortunate (or unfortunate depending on my mood) that I don't have problems with any foods. Even though I had that bobble the second day, my recovery was so easy that I asked the clinic staff if he'd actually done anything. They laughed. The nutritionist said 90% of people have no problems - that's how it should be. You hear most about the problems because of people posting and looking for advice/help but most people have little to no issues. Ultimately, you have to do what works for you, but if bypass is what they've told you is your only choice because of physical issues, then you have to decide if it's worth it or not. Honestly, something could just as easily have gone wrong with the sleeve. I get it though. I was scared poopless. I think the great majority of us were. Good luck!!! -
Was ready for sleeve, medically necessary for bypass, now need advice
catwoman7 replied to JessiPhoenix's topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
things can go wrong with the sleeve, too. Or with tonsillectomies. Or with wisdom tooth extraction. It's just one of those risks of any surgery... Overall, bypass does come with somewhat more risk since it IS more complicated, but the difference isn't that significant. And it's super low for both surgeries. -
Was ready for sleeve, medically necessary for bypass, now need advice
JessiPhoenix replied to JessiPhoenix's topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
Thanks! I wanted the sleeve because it wasn't as complicated as the bypass. I guess I'm just nervous that something is going to go wrong. When it comes down to "that 1% of people have this or that happen", I usually have it happen. I hear all the time from my doctors "it's rare but we'll check to make sure". Then I'm diagnosed with that "rare" thing. -
I just got home from the hospital. My surgery went smoothly and my surgeon said I am at least risk to have complications so I'm happy with that. I did a lot of walking in the hospital and got fluids down. The most bothersome part of all this is the pain in my chest and throat. Something is weird and swollen in my throat causing me to sound nasaly but it isn't my noise. My esophagus spasms every now and then and I burp a little bit which is uncom. I also have a lot of pleghm I can't get out because it hurts to cough and take deep breaths. How long does the acute pain last? At this point I'm just looking forward to taking a pain pill and drifting off to sleep. Does sleep help? Thanks for the support also. It still feels surreal that I did this! Sent from my SM-G975U using BariatricPal mobile app
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Hi Shelley, cheers from Texas! I'm somewhat new to the forums and 55 days post sleeve surgery. In my honest opinion, this website is much better than most resources as the people here have more than likely experienced what you will be going through. I know that has been the case for me. Similar to yourself, I thought about surgery for a long time and finally took the plunge. Now, almost 2 months post-op and its the BEST decision I've ever made in my life. Once I had picked my surgery type and started down the path, the best advise my doctor gave me, which I will gladly share with you: "stay off the internet searches of the procedure (ie: what happens, complications, side-effects, etc) and focus on you and the changes the journey ahead will bring." That info was really important because the internet is full of articles that will make you question things...lol. Enjoy the journey and kick some butt!
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Revision from VSG to RNY with hernia repair
southernbanded replied to shriner37's topic in Revision Weight Loss Surgery Forums (NEW!)
I am happy to hear you are seeing much success since your revision. I received notice that my biopsies came back showing Barretts Esophagus. Insurance is still denying saying that it was caused by acid reflux which was a complication caused by having VSG. As if I wanted to have Barretts Esophagus when I had VSG... ridiculous. -
Just venting, gastric bypass in 1 day.
shriner37 replied to fourmonthspreop's topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
I'm set up for surgery the day after yours. However, mine is a revision so I went through the process of having a sleeve in 2015. I too was concerned about complications. I have a family member who works at the bariatric practice and sees patients every day both before and after their surgeries. She was 100% supportive of both my decision for initial surgery and the revision which was comforting to me. I also realized that the horror stories we read online are a tiny percentage of all who have these surgeries. I believe the vast majority go smoothly and once they get past the initial discomfort of the early healing process most folks are glad to have done it. -
Just venting, gastric bypass in 1 day.
catwoman7 replied to fourmonthspreop's topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
major complications like that are extremely rare. I had make myself stop reading the "horror stories" because they were scaring the daylights out of me - and I knew in my head that those rarely happen. The vast majority of us have no complications or only minor ones that are easily "fixed" (like strictures. They're the most common complication of bypass surgery, yet they only happen to about 5% of patients. I would hardly call something that only happens to 5% of patients "common", but there ya go... Plus they're an easy fix. I had one - it was easily fixed and I was on my way again...). Things like constant nausea and vomiting are also very rare. you'll be fine. Having cold feet before a surgery is normal - and I think most of us have read those "horror stories". But there are "horror stories" with every surgery - even tonsillectomies and wisdom tooth extraction. But how often do those things happen? Almost never. Same with this. I hope you can calm down. I was nervous before mine as well, but everything went extremely well and I don't know what I was afraid of. I'd do it again in a heartbeat -- one of the best decisions I've ever made! -
Just venting, gastric bypass in 1 day.
GradyCat replied to fourmonthspreop's topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
Believe it or not, we all got cold feet right before the surgery. It's a natural thing to be scared about being put under anesthesia and any complications. If you weren't worried, we'd be worried about you. 😀 But take comfort from the thousands of us here on these forums who survived and thrived after WLS and are here to share our experiences and information with you. Take some deep breaths. Try to get some sleep tonight before your surgery tomorrow. It'll be a rough couple of days after surgery, no doubt, but a month from now you'll realize how much worthy it was to do. -
Just venting, gastric bypass in 1 day.
fourmonthspreop posted a topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
Surgery is coming on Monday, Feb 14th. I'm getting gastric bypass. I'm in a really dark mental space. I'm so scared I'm going to have complications. I don't know what I'd do with myself if I willingly make myself sickly with surgery when I feel great and healthy right now as I'm slowly but surely losing weight without it. I know I need to and want to lose all my excess weight but I'm so scared that I'll be sick after. I've never dealt with long term health issues or feeling severely ill. What if it happens to me? I read about all kinds of terrible things and I panic. I'm really trying to focus on the positives but as it gets closer, I don't know... it's like I want to scream to the sky. I'm on the verge of having a panic attack and I think it might happen when I'm in the hospital. I have a hard time expressing my emotions but something is seriously bubbling under the surface. There's no way of knowing anything I guess yet. It's just so frightening. I feel like I'm alone and I feel sad and scared. I'm not even upset about food or eating. I'm scared of becoming sick, needing emergency surgeries or having chronic nausea or vomiting. I couldn't forgive myself if that ended up happening. I sound like a broken record but I need to get it all out. Part of my weight loss journey has been learning how to express my emotions instead of numb them. I feel terrible and I'm a day away. How do you deal with this stress and panic? Sent from my SM-G975U using BariatricPal mobile app -
I was in a similar boat where my surgeon told me that either RNY or VSG would be fine and left it up to me. I considered the pros/cons and worried about the effects of RNY. I ultimately went with RNY because I wanted the surgery that gave me the best chance to lose the most weight. If you know you will be self-accountable for your Vitamins, you have already drastically reduced the chances of long-term bad effects. Obviously, there are no guarantees that everything will turn out OK (and that weighed on my mind when I was on the gurney, waiting for my surgery to start). But long-term complications are relatively rare in people who are committed to taking their vitamins, hitting their Protein goals, etc. I am very happy with it. I am 41 and am in the best health/shape/weight I have been since college (it has been at least 20 years since my weight was so low).
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February 2022 Surgery Buddies
LaTiaV replied to MeganMyers's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Hello all, I just discover this forum, it is great to have a group of people sharing experiences, I found that no matter how much I thought I read about the surgery, it is different when you are living it. I had my surgery on 2/3/22 my weight was 253 I was loosing weight fast but yesterday and today I slowed down, I am 235 today but not complaining. I am having issues drinking the recommended amount of water and since today I can have non clear liquids, I will have some oatmeal for breakfast, I am excited, the complication so far is that maybe one of the medicines gave me an allergy my face was all red and it was painful but that is going away now, I started working from home yesterday and sitting for long periods hurts my incisions I have to remember to stand up more often, but that was one of the contributing factors to my weigh. Good luck to all of you who are going trough this, a friend of mine who had the same surgery keeps reminding me that it will get better soon. -
After surgery am I doomed to a life of throwing up???
BigSue replied to Jersey Girl in Tampa's topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
Everyone is different, so there's always a chance you'll be one of the unfortunate ones to have complications (which are pretty rare for weight loss surgery), and you have to weigh that risk against the benefits of the surgery. I will say, though, that this was one of my biggest fears that made me hold off on WLS for years, but I am a year and a half out from gastric bypass and have not vomited even once since surgery. -
Recovering from gallbladder surgery took me about 2 days (just had mine out on Thursday) and isn’t a great cover story. If you are getting a hernia repaired that’s a)not lying and b) much more similar in terms of recovery since it’s a rougher surgery and affects what you can eat for weeks. I didn’t tell anyone at first and then had complications post surgery that made it really obvious it was a bigger surgery than I had let on. So now my family knows. But I’m still glad it kept it to myself at first. Arguing with me pre surgery is more fun than after I’ve already done it and lost 50 lbs. 😅
