Ok I have been open about my surgery (gastric bypass) and people know at least one person who has had it. One lady I spoke to knows a woman who can't eat solids and it's been two years! Then another was a man his staple was put in a wrong place and popped open... Is there always something bad going to happen or are these normal issues to some? Do they happen a lot? August will be here soon and I don't want to die if I can't eat or staples pop or leak

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I'm 4 weeks out and couldn't be happier. I think you need to listen and follow the rules CLOSE. It's important not to eat something tooooo early. U have to wait until you are told. That causes lots of problems.

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Of the hundreds of people in my support group at the hospital I had my RNY at, I know maybe one person who has had these issues, and it wasn't something that persisted past 6 months or so. I myself am nearly 10 months out and I'm doing really well. I've lost 159 pounds since surgery and have no complications. The girl who shared a room with me on surgery day had a leak, and was rushed back to the OR to fix it. She's now perfectly fine and doing great. So I would say that MAJOR complications like the ones you've described are pretty rare, compared to the number of people who have no real problems, especially if they follow the rules to the letter.

Unfortunately, I think the complications and issues get talked about much more than they actually happen --- everyone seems to know someone who knows someone who...

The people who have no complications aren't nearly as interesting.

I would hazard a guess that the vast majority of people having the surgery today, as contrasted to people who had surgery 10 or even 20 years ago, have very few complications if any.

I have a person at work that her husband had RNY and has had a lot of complications over the last 3 years.

Talking with her, I learned he did not follow hardly any directions from Dr. post surgery. Not enough protein, eating solids too early, and not taking any vitamins. He will not even talk to Dr. about his complications, or go to support groups.

I really agree that following the process properly and getting Dr involved with any issues early is the way to go.

I had Revision from VBG, and it was more complicated than regular RNY, but I could not be happier, and the person at work is feeling better about WLS for herself now seeing her husbands problems is isolated and not a general issue.

The problems you cited are not very common. On the other hand - no risk/no reward. Within 2 weeks after surgery, my high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea, severe acid reflux (GERD) and several other medical problems went into remission and have remained there. I am over 3 years RNY gastric bypass surgery.

First of all, I hate it when people do that. They are sharing anecdotal stories and almost certainly leaving out relevant information. It's akin to sharing horrific birth stories with an 8 months pregnant woman.

Second, it's normal and smart to be concerned about the potential risks. Asks your doc any questions you have and make sure you follow their guidelines. I was self pay, so I was terrified of complications, not just for health reasons, but for financial as well. But I have stuck to the rules and everything has been fine. Zero regrets here!

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I'm glad you all told me these things. I am one who will follow the rules and not do what is not to be done like lifting heavy objects. The doctor I have did my gallbladder so I trust him. I see him in a month so I'll ask lots of questions, I'm starting to write them down in my notebook so I don't forget.

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One thing to keep in mind, many years ago some doctors were performing wls who didn't have the experience. Risks were higher. Then changes were made to the system so that only properly trained, experienced doctors perform the surgeries. Today, wls had been perfected. The risks and complication rates are lower than ever. Yeah, there is a chance something might go wrong, but it is pretty small, and even if you do have a complication, most will be resolved without long term consequences. The risk of complications from morbid obesity is higher than the risk of surgery. The surgey itself, performed by a qualified surgeon, is as risky (or less risky) then other routine procedures like knee replacement or gall bladder surgery.

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@@Cervidae You are amazing!

After surgery, I had a burst blood vessel, I was rushed back into surgery to fix it and lost a couple of units of blood.

It meant just a couple of extra days in hospital, and maybe an extra week in my recovery.

I would do it all again to escape a life time of obesity. Anything can happen but if you have a good surgeon and a good hospital they will look after you.

Or you you maybe like the majority of people and have no issues at all.

Good luck !