theantichick

Saying that the rate of complications isn't as high as it would appear on this board is not the same as saying people shouldn't discuss their complications and support each other. I have witnessed a certain degree of "just hang in there, you will feel different later" when people talk about their issues, and I disagree with that sentiment. All I have said is to realize that complications appear much more common on a board like this than they are in total. And to discuss any concerns with your surgeon. Gina, I know we are being terribly US-centric, but as a nurse I can tell you that your experience would be VERY outside the norm here in the US. There are bad docs out there who dismiss their patient's concerns, but they are not the norm. I feel very safe in saying your experience would have been COMPLETELY different here, if in no other way than the c.diff would have been handled very differently here. That is not to say you should be quiet about it, I absolutely think you need to keep raising awareness of not only potential complications, but also the potential deficiencies in the bariatric system in the UK (or at least in your network). All I want is for people to not get a skewed idea of the rates of complications.

I don't think they are. I'm in several WLS groups and yes, there are complications, but nothing like reported on this site. I've been involved in many online support groups since the AOL dial-up days. People tend to join when they need things - usually information or support with issues they're facing. Once have the information they need, or their issues have subsided (or they've just learned to accommodate them), they tend to fall away as other things in their life become more important. The people who stick around long term tend to do so because they form relationships that are important to them, they feel a drive to "pay-it-forward", or they are having longer-lasting issues than the majority (or a combination of the above). So you end up with a core group of "evangelists", a group of "dissidents", and a rotating group of newbies on any board. And of course, the drama llamas and trolls, but I tend to discount them, LOL. That's why if you hang around a board for any length of time, you can predict fairly reliably who will respond to a given post, and what they will say. There are also a LOT of people who get their information needs met by their surgeon's team, have a good support group in person, and just don't have any complications to speak of. Those people never even sign on to a board like this. That's why I say if you want information about how common a complication or side effect is, talk to your surgeon. They report to agencies about that sort of thing, and they know the real numbers. Complications like nausea and vomiting are common, to be sure. But it's not common to have intractable nausea/vomiting (meaning not responding to meds). It happens, sure. But nowhere near the incidence rates one would think just reading this board. For example, when my daughter developed alopecia, we were both very active for about a year on alopecia boards and groups. As we figured out how to deal with it, got all the research information we needed, and determined there wasn't any treatment just living with it, our time got filled with other things and neither of us have been on those boards for years. When I was trying to get a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, and then for a while after, I was very active on several RA/auto-immune boards and communities. Now that I have a diagnosis and am on a treatment plan, I don't have a lot of needs that the online community can meet. The deficits that I'm dealing with are fairly stable and I've had to accept them or accommodate them. Despite how it feels, boards like this are not a true cross-section or random sampling.

I agree that we shouldn't try to keep people from posting about their complications. First, they need support - especially from people who have already been through it. Second, we shouldn't be painting any surgery as a rose garden that is 100% safe and free from complications. Every surgery has risks. Some of them can be minimized and avoided, some can't. I agree that hearing many people's stories is important. I just caution that sometimes the nature of a board like this can make it seem like complications are more common than they are.

This is what makes these kinds of posts so dangerous sometimes. This isn't to take away from anyone who has had legitimate medical issues post-op that have nothing to do with them making poor choices. Some people will have issues, but others will not. I can tell you that I had a practically seamless surgery and recovery. I had one little infection with the incision inside of my belly button. I took antibiotics for a week and it cleared right up. Other than that, everything has been routine. I encourage you to think about the facts. Eating and drinking, as you have known them, will change forever; you will have to follow the guidelines of your plan to be healthy and successful; any positive change in your life requires sacrifice, perseverance, and grit. If you are willing to rise to the challenge, you should be fine. Please don't let anyone's particular experience derail you from what could be a life-changing experience for YOU. Good luck. Yes, you hear more about the complications on a board like this due to its very nature. And the stories of complications stand out in your mind. I do not want to detract from the very real complications people sometimes have. I believe it's good to know what kinds of complications are possible. But do keep in mind that many, if not most, people who have the RNY or VSG have a smooth recovery with very little complications. I had nausea, but no vomiting. I'm a little over 3 months out and I had heaves for the first time Thanksgiving Day, but didn't actually throw up (and yes I ate something my sleeve didn't like, but mostly was because I was having horrible gas pains and had to drive 45 min home before I could do anything about them). I had very little pain, and a pretty fast recovery. The worst of it has been a mini-dumping kind of reaction when I eat too fast, too much, or something my sleeve doesn't like. And constipation, but I had IBS-C to start with so that didn't surprise me in the least. I also was very fatigued for about 3-4 weeks, but I have auto-immune arthritis, so it's hard to suss out what was sleeve recovery and what was auto-immune. So don't let yourself get too freaked out, and discuss your concerns with your surgeon and team. Most minor complications like nausea/vomiting and pain, they have meds to manage. Some people don't respond to the first nausea med that's tried, but there are several options, so even if you have issues, don't give up just stay in contact with your surgery team.

I am so sorry you're having issues. Some people have issues moving their diet along to purees/solids as early as others. When you have issues, go back to what worked for a while before trying again. If liquids are what works, stick with that for a while. Just be sure to work as hard as you can to meet your Fluid and Protein goals with protein shakes/powder. Sip-sip-sip all day long, you do have to keep your nutrients and fluids up in order to heal. Keep pressuring your medical team to stay on top of it. Sometimes nausea meds don't work or quit working, but others might still work. Ask them to change your script to something else. I hope this resolves quickly for you!!

My PCP won't be for it, luckily she isn't part of the decision. My rheumatologist perked up when I asked her if it would be a good idea, and she started telling me benefits to the surgery that I hadn't even heard of. She referred me to a surgeon who I meet with tomorrow. My PCP probably won't know until it's over, if I decide to go through with it. Funnily, my PCP is the one who's been on me about my weight forever, but she thinks Atkins or gluten free is the way to go. Not for me.