Folks Who Have Had Complications

[IncredibleShrinkingViolet 22]

The surgeon went over the possible complications after surgery (leak, infection, bleeding) and said they were rare; less than 2%. I ended up with all three, was septic and had a 5-week hospital stay. I nearly died twice during that time. The surgery was on April 25th and I am just now getting back to work.

After a 400-mile ambulance ride across the state, the specialists inserted a stent to cover the large tear near the esophagus and I had severe nausea with vomiting the entire time it was in. So grateful to have it out!

I have managed to lose over 50 pounds so far and am learning how to get in enough Protein and Water daily, but still have the feeding tube since my physician couldn't figure out how to remove it. There appears to be a balloon or something holding it in, so I will have to have someone else do it later on. As it stands now, I am worried about it being an infection issue.

The surgeon's nurse said, "Well, one day you will look back over this as just a bump in the road and you will do very well!" I wanted to say it was more like a gigantic sink hole! It's been a long haul!

[swimbikerun 1,039]

{{{Hugs}}} and lots of prayers.

[SkinnyDreamer 3]

I was hoping some of the people who have listed problems with their surgeries could let us know where they had them done? I think a lot of people are in the process or researching Doctors and this may help with our search. I am heading to Mexico in January and would like to know if the doctor I've chosen has had any issues. He's very honest with me and told me that every doctor has had a patient with issues but the percentage is very low. Any information would be great!

[swimbikerun 1,039]

I'm in Hampton Roads but I have a good idea on several of the doctors (actually most all of them) from various sources for the Hampton Roads and some for the Peninsula doctors.

Good and bad.

[samehmmm 1]

Thanks for the really informative and supportive infos. I had my op at 5.Aug. 2014 , every thing till now is still within expected and no worry from serious complications. My main problem that sone i start eating some simi sold ( this week) i find that i can not eat more than 2 small spoons and start having this annoying epigastric pain. It is not sever pain , just mild or moderate one but i can not eat any more . I wait for about hour and try to continue eating but it is the same. So i returned to Fluid intake again. And i have really worry about the futur. Yes i am loosing weight but i am not having a normal life.

Can anyone , tell me if this is also within normal or not. Does it will be better with time. I hate being in pain. And what is the normal accepted amount of food i will be able to eat , less then 50 gram is not sufficient to maintain normal life and i do not want to be for the rest of my life on fluids and shakes :-(

[macman 603]

My sleeve surgery was on 12/23/13. Two weeks after surgery I developed a DVT which travelled and became a Pulmonary Embolism. I spent two weeks in UMass Medical center, one of which was in Cardiac ICU. Doctors told me it was the largest PE they had seen. I was a lucky guy but one of my criteria was to have the surgery at a center of excellence that was equipped with everything necessary to help me if I had complications. UMass Medical Center in Worcester, Ma was that facility and more. Can't say enough about the Doctors, staff and level of care I received as part of the treatment and recovery.

The complications were reviewed with me prior and the surgeon had no record of issues. Nor did I. I was not predisposed to developing clots, It just happened. At my six month visit the surgeon told me that based on my DVT occurrence, he had changed the protocols to include blood thinners before surgery for every patient.

Given all that, I would do it again. In most cases, you can not predict if a complication will occur to you. You have to be aware and make the decision if surgery is worth the risk. For me, I have too much living ahead of me. I want to be around to see my grandchildren and to grow old with my wife. The risk of surgery was well worth it !

[swimbikerun 1,039]

Call your surgeon.

[woo woo 872]

@@samehmmm have you called and talked to your surgeon about this issue?

[utahgirll 81]

I appreciate this thread. It has been very informative for me. For those of you pre-surgery folks, reading this thread and wondering if there are other ideas out there, well there are. Here on Bariatric Pal there is a section on other, less invasive methods of weight loss that do not include surgery.

OTHER less invasive ideas for Weight Loss: (NO SURGERY)

Here's some info on bariatric weight loss medications: What I have found in reading the user reviews I have posted and also doing my own research, is that some folks can lose up to 40 or 50 pounds with medications. Why not try it and follow it up with another method of weight loss? This, for me, seems a real kick-start to my weight loss. Or try it, come off for a while, go back on for more weight loss.

http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/1096-weight-loss-medications-new

----------------------------

Please feel free to go there and have a look around. There are various types of gastric balloons that have been successful and my favorite, alternative procedure, which is going through FDA Trials here, a surgery free procedure that imitates a by-pass and is very successfully being used in other countries. It is called the ENDO BARRIER and you can actually sign up to be in the USA trials of this method. I am NOT associated with any of these bariatric procedures, I am just like you, PRE SURGERY and seeking ideas before venturing into something that you can't 'undo' ... surgery.

http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/1015-gastric-balloon-endolumenal-bariatric-procedures-forum-new/

[ArthurTower 3]

Hello

I was sleeved on September 9th...and I have already been endoscopic dilated twice due to a stricture close to my pyloric valve.....Im still having a hard time eating and drinking so my surgeon wants to put a stent on to try to fix the stricture....

Im terrified....but I don't know what to do, to try to ride it out and see if the stricture dilates with time, which is possible or get the stent put on.....

Any comments of anybody who has had a stent after the gastric sleeve are very welcome!

Thanks!

[ProudGrammy 8,322]

endoscopic dilated twice due to a stricture close to my pyloric valve.. surgeon wants to put a stent on to try to fix the stricture....

@@ArthurTower

how about starting a new thread with your story so people can directly respond to you instead of this large thread regarding others - you are the important one now (just a thought)

i was lucky not to have a stent - or any recovery/post op problems - so can't give any advice

i'm soooo very sorry you have been going through all these "issues"

i can't give you any advice on that

i just wanted to send caring/healing thoughts your way

i hope you post again and tell about your progress

i am very optimistic/hopeful that things will/must turn around in your favor sooner than later

take care

good luck

hugggggs

kathy

Edited December 12, 2014 by proudgrammy

[ArthurTower 3]

Thanks proudgrammy, I will do that

[phantompouch 19]

Has anyone here had serious complications from the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy done by the surgeon in nyc: Dr. Daniel Herron at Mount Sinai Hospital ? If yes, please write to me ...thanks....

[swimbikerun 1,039]

@@phantompouch Might be an idea to post out in a NY or regular forum. I'm not sure everyone will see it here.

[phantompouch 19]

How is that done