Question:
Profiles of those who nad problems & nearly didnt survive now doing good!
My friend Wanda Smart is still in ICU on a vent and improves some days then gets worse again.Its been 2 months of this. This has taken its toll on me. She said I was her inspiration for surgery. Her surgery page tells the sad story. <P> http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/status.phtml?N=S1007516003 <P> I am looking for profiles of those who had similiar problems that made it OK. I hoped that such a list would help her family at this time and give them some hope for the future Thanks for your help. — bob-haller (posted on April 2, 2002)
April 1, 2002
Dear Bob ~ I know how hard it all must be weighing on you and I'm so sorry
for that. We're keeping Wanda in our prayer group and praying for
something really good to come along quickly to help her heal. I feel bad
for all who are close to her...I know how it's affected me and I'm at a
distance. Remember, if you can, how miserable of a life it is to be
'living' when your extremely morbidly obese & health issues are all
around you. To me, it's worth the risk - I've left a comment on my profile
so my family will know how I feel about this and there will be no questions
left unturned if something goes wrong w/my surgery next week. May God
bless you all. Sorry I didn't have an answer to your question but I wanted
to share my comments. Bright Blessings.
— Lisa J.
April 2, 2002
My husband had a post-op leak, collapsed lung & pneumonia (though
mild). He had to have a second surgery to repair it on Day 5. He survived
and after a few weeks, had no indicators that he'd gotten off to such a
rough start. It was life threateing and the docs were not very hopeful when
they went into repair it. He is fine now. He'd even do it again. Another
story.... a patient who came here, also had had a leak (we're talking 6 yrs
apart here), also had collapsed lung & pnuemonia, also required a 2nd
surgery, and then had a marginal ulcer, too. She is FINE, perfect, fabulous
now, and was within about 8 weeks. She's very enthusiastic and has lost
very well, like 97# in 4 months! I could go on & on. There are many
who survived BOTH their obesity AND the treatment of it, and have gone on
to have successful, fulfilling lives. Who knows? Maybe those who have such
a rough start treasure their success just a little more than those of us
who didn't struggle as much? I don't know. I know that I am happy my
husband survived his obesity, which was not likely, and then the
complication. I've had him a long time because he had this surgery.
— vitalady
April 2, 2002
I have experienced several serious and life threatening complications as a
result of having had weight loss surgery.. I have survived all of them and
am leading a happy, and healthy lifestyle now.. I am not done losing
weight, but well on my way to my personal goal.
I had a marginal ulcer that perforated,causing peritonitis.. which can be
fatal, and also spread to the backside of my liver. Due to the acids in my
pouch, my staple line was compromised and totally unzipped.. this happened
at 4 months post op from open RNY..
At 10 months post op, I was still experiencing daily nausea/ vomiting...
and didnt feel well at all.. I flew to another state to get a friends/
surgeon/s opinion.. underwent two separate endoscopies while there.. The
first endoscopy revealed a partial small bowel obstruction.. fortunately,
reachable through the endoscope and dilated.. The second endoscopy revealed
a rather enlarged and atonic pouch.. which caused me to go into
malnutrition, and have to be placed on IV nutrition ..I developed an
infected IV line.. a nasty staph infection that landed me back into the
hospital for another 8 or so days of IV antibiotics..
I was well enough to fly back to my friends/ state and have a successful
revision surgery in early Feb.. However, I do believe, that I would not
have survived without these two surgeries.. I am glad that I have been able
to successfully overcome the complications and go on to positvely encourage
those who are in similar situations.. I firmly believe in the power of
prayer, and that without God beside me each step of the way, I wouldnt be
here typing this to you..
I am praying for your friend, and our member, Wanda Smart each day..I sure
hope that she is improving..
Take care
— Gina Landers
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