Did You Have Complications After Weight Loss Surgery?

[Alex Brecher 10,516]

One of the biggest barriers to getting weight loss surgery is the fear of complications. From mild ones like nausea and Constipation to more serious ones like obstructions and leaks, complications are common among bariatric surgery patients.

Did you have complications after Weight Loss Surgery?

• Nope, aside from a little soreness during the recovery, things went great!
• Yes, but nothing serious. I just had some stomach issues.
• Yes, somehow I developed some nutrient deficiencies. See below for which ones I had and how I fixed them or whether I’m still dealing with them.
• Yes, I ended up back in the hospital. See why in the conversation below.
• I haven’t had weight loss surgery yet, but I’m crossing my fingers that nothing serious happens to me.
• Other. Read my answer in the discussion below.

Mark your answer and give us the details in the conversation below. Sharing your experience can help other members who are making their own decisions about weight loss surgery.

[catdaddy 232]

Yes I had to go back to the hospital. After I went home from gastric bypass I started to bleed internally and had to go back for four days.

[Zoey716 98]

4 weeks after I had the sleeve, I had a small leak that they think happened from a small ulcer that formed on the incision on my stomach. I ended up having a 2nd surgery. It was a bit of a scary ordeal. I had a drain put in, was not allowed to eat for 5 days - but was hooked up to TPN (IV nutrients/lipids), had so many tests and procedures to try and find out what was going on and why. I was in the hospital for 6 days.

About 2 weeks later I ended up back in the hospital with a kidney infection that was a result of not being able to get in enough fluids to flush my kidneys properly. So I was back in the hospital for another 2 days.

With the complications that I did have put aside - I have had a fantastic experience and results from having the sleeve done. I have been very happy and pleased with my results, and have progressed very well. My doctors are all very happy and pleased with my progress. At my 6 month post op appointment I had already meet their 1 year goal for weight loss.

I had a rocky start but am so very happy I had the sleeve done and never have regretted getting it done.

[macman 603]

Hi Alex

My gastric sleeve surgery procedure went without a hitch, except for the blood clot I developed post surgery. There was nothing to indicate I would be a problem. No extraordinary precautions were taken ahead of time. The blood clot started in my leg and progressed to become a pulmonary embolism. I spent two weeks in the hospital, one of which was in the Cardiac Intensive Care at UMass Medical Center in Worcester, MA. I count myself as very fortunate. I am thankful that my surgery was at a Bariatric Center of Excellence with a level one Trauma Center. Happily there do not appear to be any lasting issues related to the clot.

[carolk36 142]

Just some constipation. It was pretty easy, otherwise.

[lisacaron 5,075]

One of my incisions became infected about 2 weeks after surgery. I am short waisted and so pants and seat belts and desks hit right about that incision site and cause some irritation to the stitches and ultimately cause a bit of an infection.

The Dr. removed a stitch that was left behind and the wound was left open to drain and heal. That is the only scar that was wider then the others because of the opening of the stitches. It took a good 4 weeks after to fully heal but I would do it all again in a heart beat.

[JamieLogical 8,727]

I chose "no" as my answer, as I didn't experience any nausea, dehydration, vomiting, or worse yet, a leak or infection! However, I did have oral thrush that I believe was caused by the liquid antibiotic my surgeon had me on post-op. That took a while to go away.

[imsoglad56 402]

My husband and I were sleeved together and neither one of us has had a bit of trouble. Fast, easy recovery. I'd do it again in a heartbeat!

[Djmohr 6,965]

I have not had any complications from surgery at all. Of course I have had a lot of Constipation from eating high Protein, low carb diet. I would not call that a complication.

[Alex Brecher 10,516]

My original AP Lap-band slipped a few years in. I had it repositioned and it's been great since. At the same time, I also had my port replaced but that was for cosmetic reasons. The original Lap-band ports looked like a periscope sticking out of my belly I moved over to a low profile port and you can't see it sticking out any longer.

[Jonathan Gleich 5]

Yes, I had many problems after the LapBand, spent three years suffering.. BUT...

I would do it again in a SECOND.

[Cgraham0397 3]

Any good suggestions for Constipation? Experiencing it now (15 days post op).

I have not had any complications from surgery at all. Of course I have had a lot of constipation from eating high Protein, low carb diet. I would not call that a complication.

[Zoey716 98]

@@Cgraham0397 - I add benefiber to my shakes and it definitely has helped me.

[utahgirll 81]

Suggestion from me as a preop:

STICKY near the top of each operation classification, for each TYPE of operation. Each person can write, delineating their complication, and individual story. Then, like this other lady did, keep track of totals:

Leaks: 35

ulcers: 3

Edited January 28, 2015 by utahgirll

[Momof2inIowa 195]

I had some issues in the hospital after surgery with vomiting, I think that was because they were giving me WAY too many pain killers when I was never in any pain, once I was released from the hospital I was able to go home and really start recovery.

I had Vitamin dificiances with A, D and Potassium and still today 9 months later I take an extra supplement for A and D.