Did anyone NOT have a miserable recovery?

[Dub 9,922]

Great Jeebus......this thread has made it 8 elfing pages ????!!!!!!!!

Yes......Damnit YES......MOST OF US HAVE MADE IT WITHOUT MISERY !!!!!!!!!

[KristenLe 5,979]

And we all regret Gina's surgery at this point!

[GinaCampbell 434]

@@GinaCampbell

Hence the reason my statement begins with "From my perspective".

I think you're just saying that most people don't have a negative experience, we just hear about them a lot because those are the people speaking up. I understood.

This forum doesn't have the statistics to qualify that statement unless I am missing it somewhere.

We would have to poll all WLS throughout the global community to see how many have had negative experiences and factor in how many are reluctant to speak out about them due to fear etc.

We will not be able to get a true representation because so many people suffer in silence for their own personal reasons.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

[blackgirlfat 14]

the first couple hours after surgery were pure hell and i vowed to never do surgery again. after the painkillers kicked in and the nausea went away, i was good and have been good since. just some general discomfort and fatigue the few first days. i am struggling more with living on disgusting Protein Drinks than the surgery itself.

[ShelterDog64 2,364]

@@GinaCampbell

Hence the reason my statement begins with "From my perspective".

I think you're just saying that most people don't have a negative experience, we just hear about them a lot because those are the people speaking up. I understood.

This forum doesn't have the statistics to qualify that statement unless I am missing it somewhere.

We would have to poll all WLS throughout the global community to see how many have had negative experiences and factor in how many are reluctant to speak out about them due to fear etc.

We will not be able to get a true representation because so many people suffer in silence for their own personal reasons.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Now you're inventing data compilation issues to suit your own preferences. There are numerous large cross-sectional and longitudinal studies showing morbidity and mortality rates associated with WLS, as well as showing the rates of most common complications, weight lost/regained with the different WLS options and regarding patient satisfaction with the surgeries. They are overwhelmingly positive in favor of WLS...the mortality rate alone when compared to the mortality rates of the co-morbidities most WLS patients have is stunning in and of itself, particularly when you factor in the reduction or elimination of many of those co-morbidities that occurs BECAUSE of the weight loss surgery.

You, by your own admission, had a raft of other health issues that have undoubtedly contributed to your post-op issues. I can't recall which you have, IBD or IBS, but either alone is likely an enormous factor in many of your problems and it seems as though you're not getting appropriate treatment for those problems. Being a healthcare professional myself, I absolutely hate that you aren't being seen by a GI, that your surgical team is not responsive or concerned and that you're left to the care of your GP, who sounds like a great practitioner, but has no additional training in gastrointestinal issues.

BUT, none of YOUR problems are likely to occur in someone like me, an otherwise completely healthy 51 year old woman whose only co-morbidities were hypertension and sleep apnea. In the end, it looks like you're trying to scare others into feeling that WLS isn't for them, despite a huge amount of data, collected in the US healthcare system, that shows WLS to be VERY safe and VERY effective.

[ShelterDog64 2,364]

the first couple hours after surgery were pure hell and i vowed to never do surgery again. after the painkillers kicked in and the nausea went away, i was good and have been good since. just some general discomfort and fatigue the few first days. i am struggling more with living on disgusting Protein drinks than the surgery itself.

Life improved drastically for me after I was able to start eating 'real' food. I'm 7 weeks out and I feel normal (whatever that is!) except when I grocery shop, because I spend a LOT of time reading labels. Congratulations on completing your surgery!

[CLN.BK 165]

Mic drop *boom!*

@shelterdog64

[GinaCampbell 434]

@@GinaCampbell

Hence the reason my statement begins with "From my perspective".

I think you're just saying that most people don't have a negative experience, we just hear about them a lot because those are the people speaking up. I understood.

This forum doesn't have the statistics to qualify that statement unless I am missing it somewhere.

We would have to poll all WLS throughout the global community to see how many have had negative experiences and factor in how many are reluctant to speak out about them due to fear etc.

We will not be able to get a true representation because so many people suffer in silence for their own personal reasons.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Now you're inventing data compilation issues to suit your own preferences. There are numerous large cross-sectional and longitudinal studies showing morbidity and mortality rates associated with WLS, as well as showing the rates of most common complications, weight lost/regained with the different WLS options and regarding patient satisfaction with the surgeries. They are overwhelmingly positive in favor of WLS...the mortality rate alone when compared to the mortality rates of the co-morbidities most WLS patients have is stunning in and of itself, particularly when you factor in the reduction or elimination of many of those co-morbidities that occurs BECAUSE of the weight loss surgery.

You, by your own admission, had a raft of other health issues that have undoubtedly contributed to your post-op issues. I can't recall which you have, IBD or IBS, but either alone is likely an enormous factor in many of your problems and it seems as though you're not getting appropriate treatment for those problems. Being a healthcare professional myself, I absolutely hate that you aren't being seen by a GI, that your surgical team is not responsive or concerned and that you're left to the care of your GP, who sounds like a great practitioner, but has no additional training in gastrointestinal issues.

BUT, none of YOUR problems are likely to occur in someone like me, an otherwise completely healthy 51 year old woman whose only co-morbidities were hypertension and sleep apnea. In the end, it looks like you're trying to scare others into feeling that WLS isn't for them, despite a huge amount of data, collected in the US healthcare system, that shows WLS to be VERY safe and VERY effective.

Totally agree that the US appears to have a better handle on hygiene, best safe practice and post op aftercare!

Being American, I have had time in both systems and abhor some of the neglectful practices here.

Again, my point is this, if a program has this many patients with serious post op complications, why not halt the surgical schedule, concentrate on all the sick post op folk, then do a review to find out why this is happening?

We suspect it is the haste in which we were pushed through the surgical system on surgery day.

Totally agree that my pre existing IBS - d will now be aggravated by C Diff etc. My IBS was totally under control prior to surgery because I have been on the low FODMAP diet for years and used loperamide where necessary.

I was told that this surgery would not have an affect on my bowels as the sleeve does not touch the bowels.

I have been showing signs of C Diff since a couple of weeks post op. I have presented dozens of times with obvious signs of C Diff. Yet I was told that bowel problems are "expected".

And statistically, you have to remember the difference in population between here and the US.

If so many of us in my area are so sick post op, that means that there is a remarkable amount of patients in the program now ill. During my surgical week, there were more than 50% of us re admitted with life threatening post op problems and are still sick ten weeks out.

There are also more morbidly obese people in the US because there are more people.

I can and am, only discussing WLS in the UK in detail because I did not have surgery in the US.

I simply want our bariatric program here to become transparent about their pre op and post op issues and to improve their pre op education and post op aftercare and support.

There is one nutritionist and one nurse practitioner for aftercare support for all of us. That's it.

Not good enough.

Thanks so much for your concern.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

[GinaCampbell 434]

Mic drop *boom!*

@@ShelterDog64

lol how cute! It's always funny when over fifties try to be "down with the kids"!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

[ShelterDog64 2,364]

BUT, none of YOUR problems are likely to occur in someone like me, an otherwise completely healthy 51 year old woman whose only co-morbidities were hypertension and sleep apnea. In the end, it looks like you're trying to scare others into feeling that WLS isn't for them, despite a huge amount of data, collected in the US healthcare system, that shows WLS to be VERY safe and VERY effective.

Totally agree that the US appears to have a better handle on hygiene, best safe practice and post op aftercare!

Being American, I have had time in both systems and abhor some of the neglectful practices here.

Again, my point is this, if a program has this many patients with serious post op complications, why not halt the surgical schedule, concentrate on all the sick post op folk, then do a review to find out why this is happening?

We suspect it is the haste in which we were pushed through the surgical system on surgery day.

Totally agree that my pre existing IBS - d will now be aggravated by C Diff etc. My IBS was totally under control prior to surgery because I have been on the low FODMAP diet for years and used loperamide where necessary.

I was told that this surgery would not have an affect on my bowels as the sleeve does not touch the bowels.

I have been showing signs of C Diff since a couple of weeks post op. I have presented dozens of times with obvious signs of C Diff. Yet I was told that bowel problems are "expected".

And statistically, you have to remember the difference in population between here and the US.

If so many of us in my area are so sick post op, that means that there is a remarkable amount of patients in the program now ill. During my surgical week, there were more than 50% of us re admitted with life threatening post op problems and are still sick ten weeks out.

There are also more morbidly obese people in the US because there are more people.

I can and am, only discussing WLS in the UK in detail because I did not have surgery in the US.

I simply want our bariatric program here to become transparent about their pre op and post op issues and to improve their pre op education and post op aftercare and support.

There is one nutritionist and one nurse practitioner for aftercare support for all of us. That's it.

Not good enough.

Thanks so much for your concern.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I absolutely agree that there seems to be a huge problem at your particular location and it's truly awful. My surgical program would have been suspended with such a tight cluster of pinpoint issues, as well as the post-op floor being emptied and deep-cleaned. And I think it's great that you continue to be a vocal opponent of your program at your location...I just think that at times, you're extrapolating your experiences to completely non-similar situations and I don't think that's fair, nor do I think it's your true intention.

I wish you nothing but the best in your recovery...chronic illness can be so debilitating and demoralizing, I hope you reach some sort of livable place with all of this soon.

[jessjames 234]

I wasn't miserable.. I was home the next morning, pain was minimal, came off the pain meds on day 2.. Weigh loss has been incredible, no stalls, 60 pounds down in under 3 months.. I can gulp Water fast, and I have zero regrets. Everyone's experience is different but it's a chance you take.. In the long run no matter what the outcome, it will be a small price to pay for the new you & happiness.. You deserve it.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

[GinaCampbell 434]

BUT, none of YOUR problems are likely to occur in someone like me, an otherwise completely healthy 51 year old woman whose only co-morbidities were hypertension and sleep apnea. In the end, it looks like you're trying to scare others into feeling that WLS isn't for them, despite a huge amount of data, collected in the US healthcare system, that shows WLS to be VERY safe and VERY effective.

Totally agree that the US appears to have a better handle on hygiene, best safe practice and post op aftercare!

Being American, I have had time in both systems and abhor some of the neglectful practices here.

Again, my point is this, if a program has this many patients with serious post op complications, why not halt the surgical schedule, concentrate on all the sick post op folk, then do a review to find out why this is happening?

We suspect it is the haste in which we were pushed through the surgical system on surgery day.

Totally agree that my pre existing IBS - d will now be aggravated by C Diff etc. My IBS was totally under control prior to surgery because I have been on the low FODMAP diet for years and used loperamide where necessary.

I was told that this surgery would not have an affect on my bowels as the sleeve does not touch the bowels.

I have been showing signs of C Diff since a couple of weeks post op. I have presented dozens of times with obvious signs of C Diff. Yet I was told that bowel problems are "expected".

And statistically, you have to remember the difference in population between here and the US.

If so many of us in my area are so sick post op, that means that there is a remarkable amount of patients in the program now ill. During my surgical week, there were more than 50% of us re admitted with life threatening post op problems and are still sick ten weeks out.

There are also more morbidly obese people in the US because there are more people.

I can and am, only discussing WLS in the UK in detail because I did not have surgery in the US.

I simply want our bariatric program here to become transparent about their pre op and post op issues and to improve their pre op education and post op aftercare and support.

There is one nutritionist and one nurse practitioner for aftercare support for all of us. That's it.

Not good enough.

Thanks so much for your concern.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I absolutely agree that there seems to be a huge problem at your particular location and it's truly awful. My surgical program would have been suspended with such a tight cluster of pinpoint issues, as well as the post-op floor being emptied and deep-cleaned. And I think it's great that you continue to be a vocal opponent of your program at your location...I just think that at times, you're extrapolating your experiences to completely non-similar situations and I don't think that's fair, nor do I think it's your true intention.

I wish you nothing but the best in your recovery...chronic illness can be so debilitating and demoralizing, I hope you reach some sort of livable place with all of this soon.

Thank you for your support!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

[Pescador 1,374]

I often wondered if I was sleeved with the lack of problems. Easiest thing ever. Life has changed tremendously at the age of 70, kayaking, boating, shopping and loving life. Hair loss was the worst part, but finally resolved. Wish all the best!

[GinaCampbell 434]

I often wondered if I was sleeved with the lack of problems. Easiest thing ever. Life has changed tremendously at the age of 70, kayaking, boating, shopping and loving life. hair loss was the worst part, but finally resolved. Wish all the best!

That's great news!

It is also great to hear that your hair grew back!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

[Dub 9,922]

I wasn't miserable.. I was home the next morning, pain was minimal, came off the pain meds on day 2.. Weigh loss has been incredible, no stalls, 60 pounds down in under 3 months.. I can gulp Water fast, and I have zero regrets. Everyone's experience is different but it's a chance you take.. In the long run no matter what the outcome, it will be a small price to pay for the new you & happiness.. You deserve it.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I often wondered if I was sleeved with the lack of problems. Easiest thing ever. Life has changed tremendously at the age of 70, kayaking, boating, shopping and loving life. hair loss was the worst part, but finally resolved. Wish all the best!