Question:
Who has had POSITIVE post-op experiences besides weight loss?
Virtually every question I read is about pre or post-op problems. I know some problems come up after any surgery, but I'm reading so many negative comments. I would like to hear from people who have had smooth sailing after their surgery. — Arlene S. (posted on September 2, 2002)
September 2, 2002
ME! See my profile for details. My biggest problem is being so busy I
havent had time to update it:(. I did have some sklow healing port sites
and Suzie our dog thought my JP drain bottle was a ball and tried to run
off with it:( OUCH THAT HURT! WLS doesnt fix your finances but truly was a
miracle for me and my wife Jen who also had it. She is nearly a century
club member and doing great!!
— bob-haller
September 2, 2002
Hi there...I had open RNY 2/11/02 and I have had a very positive
experience. For anyone the first couple weeks are rough...but I have to
tell you I would do this again in a minute. Not only have I lost 132
pounds, but I have never felt so energetic. Pre-op I never wanted to go
anywhere or do anything; mostly because I was embarrassed, but also because
getting up and doing something would require me to actually get off the
couch. :) Now I am RARELY parked on the couch. I have such a desire to live
life to the fullest and 'make up' for what I missed. Physically I have had
no problems; I consider myself very fortunate. Take care!
— Jennifer G.
September 2, 2002
I've had my blood pressure medication discontinued along with my
cholesterol medication.
My blood pressure is normal now and my cholesterol is blow 100 so My
cardiologist is using
me as a model to recommend others who could use this procedure to regain a
healthy
profile. That to me is a success and I'm happy about it. Janet
— Janet S.
September 2, 2002
It's so true that a lot of time you just hear about the negative not the
positive. This is a very complicated procedure and is still fairly new so
it's understandeable that there are going to be complications. I have had
some problems that seem to be very common however the results outweigh
these problems so much that they seem minimal. The only major thing I had
happen was developing Acid Reflux. I take my pill every day and viola! it's
gone. Every day I thank God for giving me this opportunity to have my life
back. I started at 260 lbs and now weigh 135. I can't even begin to
describe how incredible this makes me feel. So great that no matter what
complications I have had I would do this a million times over. I try to do
the best I can sticking to eating the right things and drinking my water,
excercising as much as possible all of these make a difference. After a
year I pretty much know what is going to make me feel bad so I avoid these
things. It takes time to learn this and as we go through it questions do
come up. I use to ask a lot of questions because I wanted to know if anyone
else was going through the same thing. Turns out everything I experienced
was very normal. I think it's important to be very informed before going
through this and know what to expect. Having this surgery is not like
having your gallbladder removed or tonsils. It stays with you and is
something that changes the way you live....completely. That's the part
that's really the hardest to deal with. You have to adjust yourself to a
different way of life but believe me it is soooo worth it!
— kristen H.
September 2, 2002
I haven't had any problems since surgery. In fact, it has been everything I
expected. Sure I wish the weight would come off faster, but I'm doing very
well. The best thing besides weight loss is the confidence I've found
within myself. I never liked myself before, but now I'm starting to. It's
been great.
— Sarah K.
September 2, 2002
My husband had lap RnY on August 7. Was up and walking about six hours
after the surgery. Used the pain button the first day and night then only
once the second day. He came home on the 9th and requested we stop at the
home improvement store on the way home. His energy level was about 75% of
his previous normal the first two weeks. He was back to work ten days
after surgery (although on light duty). He followed the diet of clears,
full liquid, and regular food and has never been sick. There have been
some foods that don't "feel" good and he has stayed away from
those, but pretty much eats anything he wants now. It's pretty amazing to
see a 360lb man eating so little and getting full. This surgery has been a
miracle. I hope my surgery is just as uneventful.
— Teresa B.
September 2, 2002
hiya
i've read negative and positive things about the surgery, for me i've had a
minimum of problems and i would most definetely do it again in a heartbeat!
it has saved my life and actually given me a life - instead of just an
existence.
i had open rny 6-14-01, pre op was 268lbs and am 5'1/4"...i had tried
everything to lose weight, only to lose and regain more. i had sleep apnea
so bad i would almost fall asleep driving to work, would come home from
work only to fall onto the couch - no energy to do anything. i had
uncontrollable high blood pressure even on meds, severe acid reflux, really
bad lower back and knee pain, headaches, fallen arches, high cholesterol,
sick all the time and a pulmonary artery aneurysm that was a hair away from
needing surgery to repair.
my pcp was the one who suggested the surgery and i was on the operating
table 4 months after the referral was submitted. i got super scared tho
the night before surgery (was convinced i would die on the operating table
since this was my 10th major surgery!) but my hubby and nurses were
great...and i sailed through!
the first few weeks were hard, i don't remember too much tho my hubby says
i was in a lot of pain. the worst thing i had happen was at 2 weeks post op
i started throwing up my protein drinks...so my doc let me move up to soft
foods and i was fine. i've had dumping on and off but after i reached one
year post op my body seems to have stabled out some.
i can eat sugar and fats no problem, i don't drink milk - it didn't agree
with me pre op and it still doesn't! but i use vitamite instead and am
fine.
about 4 months post op i realized that with the weight coming off i could
do whatever i wanted with my life and didn't have to be chained to my desk
as an administrative assistant. so 7 mos post op i went back to school and
completed school for a new career - graduating #1 out of 50 - into a
physically demanding new profession. i have more self confidence and
esteem than ever. and it's not just because i "look good" but I
FEEL GREAT!!! i hardly ever get sick, have more energy than sometimes i
know what to do with...
i am off my b/p meds - it is totally perfect now, no more acid reflux, my
back and knees feel fine, (turned out my gallbladder was majorly diseased
which can cause back pain!), the only headaches i get are from allergies, i
can walk 5 miles without getting winded, i can push over 200# with my legs
on my bowflex!
i have gone from a size 3x-4x and worrying i wouldn't be able to find
clothes big enough to wearing 6/8's and sometimes even smalls are too big!
i have a life now! and i love it!
if you are considering the surgery i urge you to join a wls support group -
studies show patients need a minimum of 3 years post op support...if there
isn't one nearby you can join an online group - there are plenty on yahoo
and msn.
please feel free to write me [email protected]
good luck and take care!
{{hugs}}
kate
pre op: 268lbs
goal weight: 135lbs
current weight: 130lbs
— jkb
September 2, 2002
Dear Arlene,
I had open RNY six weeks ago today. I have lost 60 pounds. But you asked
about positives besides the weight loss - there are many:
1) I dropped from a size 50 to size 44 pants.
2) I can now wear a an XL shirt, instead of 3X or 4X
3) I can easily walk 3 miles, used to have problems walking three blocks.
4) Don't bang my butt into doors and things.
5) Much easier to use the bathroom! (I won't go into detail)
6) Like other posters, my blood pressure is down, I no longer need diabetes
meds, and best of all, I feel much better about myself and kicked the
anti-depressent drugs.
7) Best of all, my wife can wrap her arms all the way around me and tells
me she loves me!
— John P.
September 2, 2002
Hi Arlene...I'm 3days pre-op, I have read about post-ops' problems,
concerns, and solutions here every single day for the last 4 months. THANK
GOD FOR THIS WEB SITE. I don't read the Q&A's for anythimg BUT these
complications, worries, and concerns! INFORMATION is POWER. Now I will have
less worry and concerns after pre-op. I think this is the whole reason for
Q&A. Now I can (realistically) hope the best and "be ready"
for the worst. Also,
I wouldn't expect people to have questions like:
* Why am I feeling this great?
* Why don't I get nauseous?
* On my God, why isn't my skin sagging?
* Could it be that this was the best thing that ever happened to me?
* Help! My insurance only took 2 weeks to approve my suregery.
I could go on & on, and I'm only playing (no sarcaasm intended)but you
get my point. Gog bless and good luck and keep getting info!!
— Debby M.
September 2, 2002
On a scale of 1-10 of WLS being "pleasent" 10 being the best,
mine was a 8-9 I only had a migraine on day 2 that I can actually complain
about. I thought WLS was EASY and I would do it again today if I had, to
without ANY pain meds. Good Luck!
— ZZ S.
September 2, 2002
I had my open RNY on May 20, 20002 and I've not felt this good in over 20
years. I'm off my oxygen with C-PAP with a setting of 18 and was wheelchair
bound for 3 years prior to surgery and didn't drive my car for 3 years. No
I'm off all meds. except Vioxx and I'm driving daily, doing housework, and
sleeping all night without oxygen or C-PAP. My life is just great now. I've
lost 112# and gone down from 30/32 slacks to 2x ad from 4x in tops to 2x. I
have more energy and a zest for life, like I haven't had forever. My
surgery was easy and I have no regrets. I would do it again in a heartbeat.
I've joined a gym for women and walk 1 to 2 miles daily.
— kysunshine
September 2, 2002
I have had almost 0 problems. My surgery was on 05/13/02. I have only
been nausted 1 time, and for a few days had a "metal" taste in my
mouth. I know that I have been really lucky, I read all of the problems
some people have. My BP is down to 120/69 from 140/90 and my blood sugar is
down to on average 70-80 from 180-200. I am down from a 26/28 pants to a
20 and an 24 shirt/dress to an 18 or 1X. I have more energy and feel better
than I have in 15 years. I am doing better at work, doing the things
around the house I should have always done but just couldn't. This is
TOTALLY the best thing I have ever done !!!!
— Sharon H.
September 2, 2002
ditto the last post, i was a diabetic and had high blood pressure too. My
one and only prob is hair loss, which is relatively not a complication.
All meds preop have stopped and i have much more mobility. I can actually
do a good workout. Before, I got winded walking. I started at 382 and
have lost 80 of that since April 15, 2002, my surgery date. There are
plenty of people that don't have problems and some problems you read aren't
directly a result of the surgery, it could also be how a person takes care
of themselves afterwords, or something not related to the surgery at all.
the surgery is a tool, but we have to make the change to a healthy
lifestyle afterwards for it to be effective. The mind problem for me, and
remember the surgery is a tool, but doesn't change all emotions, is that I
was a volume eater preop. I could eat everyones food and keep going, but
if I overeat now, it makes me sick, which again isn't a complication of the
surgery, it is how I take care of myself. So I just don't do it. I have
had no complications.
— stacey1273
September 2, 2002
I am 3 months post-op from LAP RNY and besides being donw over 55lbs, I
have more energey than I ever did. I am 22 years old, and I couldn't walk
to class at college without huffing and puffing and getting there drenched
in sweat. I was so embarassed. Now I walk 2 miles and barely breathe heavy,
and I am cold all the time instead of hot!! What a relief!! This surgery
has been a blessing. I had no complications from the surgery, everything
has healed well! And I have even found that many people who have had
complications are still glad they had the surgery, because it changed and
even saved their lives in the end. Overall, many more people DO NOT have
complications than do (in terms of strictures, blood clots, etc) If you are
speaking of nausea and vomiting, that is something everyone has to deal
with at first, it is major surgery! Although, i have only thrown up once!
Goodluck to you!! :)
— Lezlie Y.
September 2, 2002
I had Lap-rny on July 24, 2002. I have done great!! I came home the day
after surgery. I went to the grocery store the next day and have been
going ever since. I am walking 2 miles a day which would have been a joke
before surgery. I felt like the more I did, the better I felt and still
do. Best of luck!
— melanie M.
September 2, 2002
Looking for positive post-op...well...I kept waiting for the ax to drop on
me...I had surgery Sept 7, 2001 and I have had ZERO problems. I have never
dumped. I have only been a tiny bit nauseous if I ate too fast or
something I shouldn't have had. (and Tums solves that problem) I have lost
128lbs so far and I have gained my life. I go boating with friends, I
rented bicycles on my last trip to Key West, I fit everywhere I go, I
actually love to shop now and I still love food...I just don't let it rule
my life. I am definitely a positive post op experience.
— Ilene M.
September 2, 2002
I had a combination Open RNY and panniculectomy on 4/1/02. So far, I have
lost 155 pounds, 33 of which were removed at the time of surgery. I have
had no dumping, have not vomited once since surgery, and only rarely get
queasy, and only if I eat too much or too fast. Pre-op, I had diabetes and
took three different pills for it - I have since reversed the diabetes. I
also had high blood pressure pre-op and was on meds for it - now my blood
pressure is fine and I'm off my meds. I have experienced some wonderful
things since losing so much weight. For example, I finally fit comfortably
in an airplane seat and did not need a seatbelt extender. Today, I went to
the movies - the new theaters with the built-in cupholders - which I
refused to go to before because my butt didn't fit and I would sweat
profusely because of the efforts I needed to take in order to try and get
myself situated. Today, not only was I remarkably comfortable (and saw a
great movie - My Big Fat Greek Wedding), but I was actually COLD in the
theater....who woulda thunk it?!? I am so grateful for this surgery. I
have absolutely no regrets. I know I am one of the lucky ones, but there
are lots of us out here!
— Michelle M.
September 2, 2002
I just wanted to say that (speaking as a pre-op) you all are a wonderful
example of what can be. Each one of you are heros to your families, your
friends and yourselves and to the pre-ops here as well. It has been a
pleasure reading all your stories. Thank you!!
— thumpiez
Click Here to Return