Just a reminder to everyone considering WLS. This is a major, major surgery. A life changing surgery. You must explore everything about it. There are alot of complications after surgery that you may or may not hear from your surgeons...

I was the victim of complications that I had NEVER heard of before my WLS three years ago. I also had complications severe enough that I had to have my surgery reversed one year ago, and am left with alot of side effects that will not go away.

Please don't anyone take this surgery lightly.

Eileen

you're right, Eileen - and that's one of the major points we keep making around here. i'm sorry that yours had to be reversed and that you suffered so terribly. in my support group, there was a woman who had terrible problems as well, and had to have the surgery reversed. i hope she regained her health

and that you will regain yours as well!!!! it sounds like your healing is taking time - i hope that you will become healthy again.

and, you are more than welcome to hang out with us. people need to know all aspects of this surgery - and to actually talk with people who have something other than the 'best thing in my life' attitude.

Thank you jiffypop! I had expected maybe to get flamed for not having that "best thing in my life" attitude. I'm also from the northern new jersey area. Nice to meet you!

well, darlin - it's like this - people have died from the surgery. people have ended up in wheelchairs, in nursing homes, with serious other problems. fortunately, the vast majority of people come out just fine, but there's ALWAYS a risk of something bad.

where did you have your surgery? did the same surgeon do the reversal? what do you have to do to take care of yourself these days?

I had my surgery in Chilton Hospital, and yes the same surgeon did both. He is a wonderful man, and kept close tabs on me all following my surgery and assorted complications. I had surgery for an ulcer, had two emergency surgeries for intestinal hernia/adhesions...and then he placed me on TPN (tube feeding) while I was malnourished and had mutiple vitamin deficiencies, resulting in lots of nerve damage and peripheral neuropathy, which I am stuck with now. I was out of work for about 10 months.

In fact, I did an interview for SELF magazine, as they are doing an article on various gastric bypass complications which comes out in the August issue (which should hit the stands next month). I have gotten back to work, but still tire very quickly and do have the neuropathy and nerve damage which is painful. I was 290 lbs before surgery and ended up being 104 lbs. before being placed on tube feeding. I was on TPN for 4 months before my reversal. I have gained weight since then. I do try to watch my diet, as I don't want to gain it all back. I swore I didn't care if I gained it all back, I just wanted to feel better, but now that I am gaining....it does matter....but at least I'm alive.

Jiffy is right Sister, everyone needs to know all the possible things that can happen. That is what this is all about. It is a place socialize and LEARN all one can to make an informed descision about WLS. I am sorry that things did not work out well for you. I wish you all the good health you can find and glad to have you here.

I second that Whitelion and Jiffy!

Sister

I too am from Northern NJ... I have good friends who live in Greenwood Lake

I'm so sorry to hear about your surgery I also agree, before going into surgery people must know the good, bad and ugly... there should be no surprises.

Glad you could join us

Sister I am so sorry to hear that the GBP surgery was not a success for you and that you became very ill because of it. That is one of my biggest fears. You see, my surgery is scheduled for August 4th, and I am like a sponge right now. I am just soaking up all of the information I can get. Although it is unfortunate what has happened to you, think of it this way, because of you coming here and doing an interview in SELF magazine, so many people will read the words you have to say and become more educated on the GBP surgery. Both good and bad results. I have read online many articles about vitamin deficiency, and that is probably the biggest thing I am worried about.

On another note...Im not far from you guys either. Im right across the Tappan Zee Bridge in Yonkers, NY....so please allow me to extend a "Howdy Neighbor" to you!

Thank you, Sister, for all of the valuable information you are relaying to us folks who are considering the surgery.

Best wishes to you and your family,
Cheryl

Hi Cheryl and

Congrats on your surgery date

Is yonkers really right across the bridge? I work right off of exit 14 NYS Thruway so I never go over the bridge (which is good so I hear...traffic).

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Well it is not right across the bridge but I am about 15 - 20 minutes South of the Tappan Zee.