Question:
How long do we have to worry about complications?
I want to know if we have to worry about complications for several months, years? I'm hoping that it's months! — Kelly C. (posted on July 31, 2001)
July 31, 2001
Hi Kelly, I think I'm safe in saying months....my incision became infected,
twice. Then I got something lodged in me and was tube fed for 4 days.
Then I had to be scoped out as the top of my stoma closed...all this in the
first 4 months. I read somewhere that 20% of people having WLS develop
some type of complication. Yep we're talking one of the poster children
for things that can go wrong....would I do it again - in a HEARTBEAT :-)
Best wishes~
— Gail R.
July 31, 2001
Hello Kelly. To me, this question has a two-part answer. First, there are
possible complications from the "Surgical Procedure", and then
there are possible complications that result from "The Surgery"
(and its effect on our body). Relative to the former, if any problems are
going to occur, it will be fairly soon (a matter of a few weeks for most -
a few months for some). Most of the really serious ones (life-threatening)
will likely show up within a couple of days. Many of these, however, are
not specific to WLS - they are common to all major surgeries. Relative to
"life after WLS", there are potential problems for years to come.
I'm not sure if you would call them "complications" or not.
But, for example, the need for Gall Bladder" extraction is fairly
common in WLS folks (mine came out at 7 months - I think it usually takes
longer than that). For those who don't get in enough water, problems with
the kidneys can arise. For those who don't get in enough protein, tissue
deteriation can occur. And, of course, for those who don't get in enough
calcium, bone problems are likely. I'm sure there are many others. Now,
would you classify those as "complications?? Maybe not. But the fact
that these (and other) problems may not rear their heads until years down
the road is something that all WLS patients need to prepare themselves for.
Good luck to you! Kevin
— meilankev
December 27, 2003
I believe things can happen at any time no matter how little or long it has
been since your surgery, just as anything in life. I am just over 2 years
out and have regained just about all of my weight back. The first year I
did great and was on my way down to a thinner me, then I started having
stomach pains not getting any answers because the doctor here had little
knowledge of this surgery and I was also on state medicaid with very little
income so I had to deal with this problem. I began gaining weight about 1
year ago slowly putting the pounds back on, I became unsatisfied with the
small portions that I was eating and started eating more until I was full.
Before I knew it I had toppled back over 300 pounds and finally I convinced
my doctors to do some sort of test to see what was going on inside my body.
They found that my pouch and stomach had completely reattached itself and
there is not even a pouch anymore, I had the Roux En Y LAP and thought this
was not possible but it happened to me. So yes, things can happen for no
apparrent reason at any time, i feel there is really no safe period after
having this surgery, I know people who are 3,4,5 years out and still have
complications.
Regards,
Michelle
— Michelle G.
December 27, 2003
My surgeon says the first month is the hazardous time. Leaks, bloodclots
etc, the very dangerous ones. Once that first month is past the risk goes
down dramatically:) and the chance of a serious comoplication is low. With
OLAP the hernia risk is near zero according to my doc. Dont worry, stress
is bad for everyone. Long term risk is very low as long as you get your
labs done and see your surgeon yearly.
— bob-haller
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