Question:
Can you ever research TOO much?!
I went to my first support mtg today and think I've experienced 'tunnel vision', as was mentioned today in the mtg. I've been aware of some of the 'side effects' of the surgery, but have had the attitude/hope that nothing serious would happen to me. It never does, right? I guess my question is, is there EVER a time when you can sit back and enjoy the success of the surgery, or could you still have complications, 5+ years down the road? Also, I've read that there is a bacteria produced in the small intestine that is usually expelled through your BM's. Since it's not attatched anymore it has nowhere to go, and build up of the bacteria can end up causing long term damage to your immune system. Is this true, or are people on the Internet just trying to scare us pre-ops? Please post answers or email...Thank you — Erin C. (posted on February 9, 2002)
February 9, 2002
Since WHAT is not attached? Your colon? No, it's still there. Not usually
touched during routine WLS. Your small intestine? It's still attached to
SOMETHING at both ends, just differently than you were born. I think
they're trying to twist your brain around the old JIB (intestinal bypass).
But even so, that description is not accurate, either. I think you hit the
nail on the head: fear tactics. Yes, you can have post-op complications,
from this surgery, or the ones resulting from your comorbs. OR perhaps you
will NOT. Perhaps you will just end up with a tidy list of comorbs you USED
to have, a stack of ever improving lab work, and a healthy glow about your
normal weight self. It's POSSIBLE that you might surive it and succeed,
though I know there are movements afoot to say it ain't so.
— vitalady
February 9, 2002
Hi. I have read the same thing that you are speaking of in your post. The
bacteria, in rare cases, has been found to build up in the
biliary-pancreatic flow..the length of intestine left that goes from your
gallbladder/pancreas/liver to your small intestine. I spoke with Dr.John
Husted about this potential problem at his seminar and he felt that the
risk of developing this complication was miniscule (sp??). I am planning on
having the BPD/DS after I successfully finish with the insurance company.
:o)) hopefully! Hope this helps..good luck!
— Theresa A
February 9, 2002
Ya know, I think you can go overboard with research. It gets to the point
where all you see and hear is the negative because you started out so up
about everything.
I am almost 8 yrs post ops and am healthier than I have ever been and no
*side* effects except being able to shop in normal size stores, buying
clothes off the rack without trying them on, actually experience having to
return clothes because they are too big, having a ton of energy, being
percieved as a normal person (If the public only knew the truth
BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!)and I can go on and on.
The only crashing truth I found out at around 3 yrs post op is that the
surgery is not a magic pill/panacea and I had to change the way I lived my
life if I want to lose more wt or maintain....
I agree with Michelle, and she is 7+ yrs postop. Start looking for the
longer term post op stories and read them. This will give you a big boost.
— vt_rita
February 9, 2002
Interesting question. I am also pre op, with a surgery date and addicted
to this board, and any information I can get my hands on. I dont think you
can research or know too much, however I do believe it is possible to
become too single minded about this process.
It has become important for me to balance this process with the rest of
life, though it feels like it is the most important decision in the world,
that is only to me. Other people in my life have their own issues and
priorities, and I can not always expect this to be number 1 for them. Also
I need the distraction and routine of the "rest of my life".
And those distractions will become twice as important post op, when food
will no longer be the center of my world.
Take care,
— Nene B.
February 9, 2002
I researched so much before surgery, I could have done it myself if they
would have let me.
— Goldilauxx B.
February 10, 2002
The problem with researching too much, is that you'll come across
information that's not accurate. Of course, you can come across that even
with little researching, but the more you look, the more you'll find. It's
best to look at the source of the information, and try to limit it to
people who've researched this through responsible and respectable methods.
Even first hand knowledge from people who've had the surgery is subjective,
not objective. As for the internet...you can probably find a web site that
will prove the earth flat. Doesn't mean it's so.
— Cyndie K.
February 10, 2002
Yes! I know this is going to sound weird, but you can research too much.
You need to get all the info you can before you made your decision. After
you have learned all about the surgery and the good the bad and the ugly,
you need to sit back and let it sink in. If you don't you will start to
think about nothing but the surgery. I know this is a big step. I can
relate because for 6 months solid all I did was research! It got to the
point that all I was doing was getting the same info over and over. My best
friend finally said that enough was enough and I needed to take the info I
got and decide weather or not I was going to do it. I agree with her. I
still come to this site once or twice a week, but I'm not on it all the
time. Good Luck.
— Sarah K.
February 10, 2002
I researched for 1 year, before having surgery. I feared everything, from
dying of the operarating table, to throwing
daily and not being able to hold down anything. Well.... I my doctor calls
me the"poster child" for WLS. I was up the next day walking, ate
soft solids while in the hospital, have only thrown up once, can eat
anything in small portions. I feel so much better than before, and by
/June
I'll be at my goal. I even have amazed myself, as to how easily I recovered
from surgery, and am back to normal. One thing I did was skip over
questions/articles that might be scary to me. I don't now, i almost read
everythiing, Good Luck!
— Cindee A.
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