Heartbroken

[endingyoyo 28]

One of my best friends and I decided to embark on the WLS journey together. We both kept it very private and really only talked to each other about it.

I had lap band on May 9, 2013, she had gastric bypass on July 2, 2013.

I am absolutely heartbroken to say that she passed away this week as a result of the surgery (just over 2 months after the surgery)

I'm lost. I've devastated. I'm so sad for her husband and two young children.

This doesn't change the statistics. We all know the dangers of WLS. It just sucks that it was SO close to home.

[stephwellman 131]

I am solo sorry to hear of your friend was there complications from her surgery?

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

Oh my gosh, I'm so incredibly sorry!! ((hugs))

May I ask what happened??? What went wrong?

[n2win 123]

I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts & prayers go out to you & all her family.

[GoingforGoal 1,734]

My friend's daughter also passed away from Gastric Bypass. She suffered complications immediately afterwards and never recovered.

I know we often hear anti-band arguments, but I just can't get around how drastic and invasive this procedure really is.

I am SO sorry to hear of your loss. Just to think all she wanted was to be healthy.

Please, in her memory, live your life to the fullest. Lose every other pound in her name. And may you see the band as the gift that it really is.

Again, so sorry

[NaNa 878]

One of my best friends and I decided to embark on the WLS journey together. We both kept it very private and really only talked to each other about it.

I had lap band on May 9, 2013, she had gastric bypass on July 2, 2013.

I am absolutely heartbroken to say that she passed away this week as a result of the surgery (just over 2 months after the surgery)

I'm lost. I've devastated. I'm so sad for her husband and two young children.

This doesn't change the statistics. We all know the dangers of WLS. It just sucks that it was SO close to home.

That is really sad, I am sorry that happened to your friend, people really need to know that weight loss surgery is serious business regardless of which path we take, none are nothing to play with, and each surgery has its own set of issues.

Again, I am sorry for your friend, that must be devastating.

[Sharpie 3,306]

My prayers go out to your friends family... and to you.. losing a good friend is always difficult.. I had a friend who died from by pass surgery complications also.. He never felt good or healthy after his surgery.. actually had malnutrition.. he made me promise not to have by pass.. this is why I went with the lapband...

[gowalking 10,790]

My condolences on your loss.

[aggiemaggie 26]

I'm very sorry for your loss! That is terrible! I will say an extra prayer for you and her family!

[dylanmiles23 2,198]

Very sorry to hear about your friend. Trying to get healthy and it failed her. My heart goes out to her children, husband and family and you too,

Very sad.

[kll724 3,055]

I am so sorry to hear of your friends passing. Great hugs for you and prayers for your friend and her family! We all know that surgery has its risks, but when you hear this, it brings reality too close to home!

[cingee72 15]

One of my best friends and I decided to embark on the WLS journey together. We both kept it very private and really only talked to each other about it.

I had lap band on May 9, 2013, she had gastric bypass on July 2, 2013.

I am absolutely heartbroken to say that she passed away this week as a result of the surgery (just over 2 months after the surgery)

I'm lost. I've devastated. I'm so sad for her husband and two young children.

This doesn't change the statistics. We all know the dangers of WLS. It just sucks that it was SO close to home.

My sincere condolences to you and your friends entire family. May God give you strength, peace and serenity during these difficult times. Blessings!

[endingyoyo 28]

Thank you so much for your support. Your words mean more than you'd know.

She had surgery on 7/2/13 and, immediately following the surgery, felt great. (She lost 85 lbs in 2 months). She was shocked at how little she could eat or drink (only a sip of Water every 10-20 minutes) and was told that was normal, that her new pouch had to stretch a bit. She never seemed to be able to eat more and then, as she added solids, she started to have unbearable acid reflux and vomiting. She couldn't go a day (and sometimes a meal) without vomiting.

She had an endoscopy about 6 weeks after surgery and found out she had stomal stenosis. Basically the hole from her stomach to her small intestines was tiny, too tiny (most likely from scar tissue building up from the surgery). She had to have the hole stretched via endoscopy. She had that done and was beginning to feel a bit better. Then, 9 days later, she had horrific abdominal pain. She went to the ER at 10:00 am and found out she had sepsis, which is a leak of bowel matter into the bloodstream. She passed away just after midnight.

There's no doubt I'm on this mission for the both of us. Each and every pound lost means more today than it ever did.

Good luck on your journey and count your blessings!

[PrettyThick1 1,860]

I'm so very sorry about your friend, I will pray for her family and for you. I also knew someone who died from an obstucted bowel brought on by gastric bypass surgery and the bad thing about it is that it occurs very suddenly and with little or no warning. She had the surgery two years before her death and had lost about 400lbs, so by all accounts it was a success until the last hour of her life. One minute the person seems fine and the next they are being rushed to the emergency room but by then the damage is irreparable.

She was a writer, you can google her: Joan Fountain, her before and after pics are amazing...her book was a best seller and she was well on her way. You will likely have to use the title of the book - it's been so long, she's wayyyy back in the google search pages.

Joan Fountain - Nothing Bad Happens, Ever

[dawalsh 919]

My prayers and hugs for all involved. I'm just curious as to why she opted for gastric bypass over the band. God bless you on your endeavor and do it in memory of your friend.