Is there anyone here who has had sleeve surgery who regrets it? If so, why?

I regret it. I had Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty which was supposed to be noninvasive because they go through endoscopically. So it's not truly considered surgery. They put sutures in your stomach to make it in the shape of the sleeve so there's no cutting. I knew five people who had this procedure before me with excellent results and no complications. My stomach was perforated. The doctors tried to repair the perforation themselves. These doctors are not surgeons they were gastroenterologists. Too much time passed before a surgeon was called in as I lay there becoming septic. I have very few memories of that time as I was in incredible pain and doped up on pain meds. By the time the surgeon got to me I was in septic shock. I was hospitalized for two weeks and just discharged myself after this time. Three months and I am still not 100%. I see a therapist on a regular basis for PTSD And severe anxiety. Have I lost weight, absolutely. But I still regret doing this. I put myself and my family through a lot. Something happens to you when you are faced with a near death situation and all I do is blame myself for something elective that I did not need!

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I regret it. I had Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty which was supposed to be noninvasive because they go through endoscopically. So it's not truly considered surgery. They put sutures in your stomach to make it in the shape of the sleeve so there's no cutting. I knew five people who had this procedure before me with excellent results and no complications. My stomach was perforated. The doctors tried to repair the perforation themselves. These doctors are not surgeons they were gastroenterologists. Too much time passed before a surgeon was called in as I lay there becoming septic. I have very few memories of that time as I was in incredible pain and doped up on pain meds. By the time the surgeon got to me I was in septic shock. I was hospitalized for two weeks and just discharged myself after this time. Three months and I am still not 100%. I see a therapist on a regular basis for PTSD And severe anxiety. Have I lost weight, absolutely. But I still regret doing this. I put myself and my family through a lot. Something happens to you when you are faced with a near death situation and all I do is blame myself for something elective that I did not need!

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So sorry to hear about what has happened to you! I have not heard of that sort of surgery.

I do totally understand your feelings about having had an elective surgery that was life altering for you and your family.

I pray for peace for you and your loved ones.

How was your stomach left? Did they have to do a conventional sleeve?

Or has your stomach been repaired but not altered?

How is your physical health now?

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Thank you very much for your kind words! I just read your story and it is just simply unbelievable! I also wound up with C diff while in the hospital as well among many other things like pleural effusion, fluid around my spleen etc. The surgeon repaired the tear in my stomach and the sleeve was completely intact so I didn't need to have the actual surgery for the sleeve. He also had to do a full wash out because of the septic shock.

I forgot to comment on my health now I'm three months post surgery and I'm still dealing with some issues and have been on and off steroids a few times to reduce inflammation, also wound up with vertigo a few months ago. I am not 100% but I am doing so much better. My newest upset is the amount of hair I'm losing!!

oh no! That's awful! No wonder you are distressed. It will take some time to recover from all of that! Please be kind to yourself and rest, rest, rest!!!

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I have been an unequivocal proponent of VSG, but after reading these stories, I must add something. Surgery is an art and a science. There are great surgeons and teams and some that aren't so good.

I drove past a half dozen wls hospitals to go the hour and a half to Newton Wellesley because they are the best. They had 9 surgeons do my operation and it took less than 30 minutes. I think anyone considering elective surgery should research their surgeon and their team.

Edited July 31, 20169 yr by Cape Crooner

And sometimes even that doesn't work so just be mentally and emotionally prepared for the time you might need to recover from the surgery itself, any further treatment you might need and getting used to your new life.

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"@@Crochet Queen" Your type of surgery is "new" and not yet covered by insurance, correct? If you were to do this again - would you have gone with the traditional sleeve?

Edited July 31, 20169 yr by KristenLe

I regret it. I'm sicker now than I ever was obese.

How are you?

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@@Crochet Queen I am so sorry ! Just reading your story gave me a feeling of trauma! I hope you are able to move on and enjoy the success of weight loss. What a nightmare scenario, thinking you are getting a safer procedure only to realize that may not be true.

I have never even heard of this - I am curious why this is even called sleeve?

I don't know thelesson to be learned, since we trust the experts, but I feel strongly about finding surgeons with proven track records of both safety and results and then following their program.

I was in the hospital most of last week for C Diff. I was able to finally tell my husband my regrets. I didn't tell anyone for fear of their reaction ("I told you so" "that was a lot of money wasted" "you chose it".)

I am sick when my sleeve is empty or has food in it. I prefer it to be empty so I hardly eat. It's easier. Eating is a chore and being with others when they eat makes me sick too. It's come between me and a lot of people including my husband.

I was in the hospital most of last week for C Diff. I was able to finally tell my husband my regrets. I didn't tell anyone for fear of their reaction ("I told you so" "that was a lot of money wasted" "you chose it".)

I am sick when my sleeve is empty or has food in it. I prefer it to be empty so I hardly eat. It's easier. Eating is a chore and being with others when they eat makes me sick too. It's come between me and a lot of people including my husband.

Have you spoken to a counselor or your surgeon about this?

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I have spoken with my surgeon and his PA about it. I see my psychiatrist tomorrow. The PA said what I'm feeling is normal (he also said the diarrhea was normal but that turned out to be C diff). The surgeon wants me to eat 1000 calories a day and eat 2-3 ounces every two hours. I told him when I force myself to eat I throw up. I had a bit of an appetite at the hospital and ate 3 meals there (over 4 days). Since I've been out (2 days) I've had 1 ounce of jerky, 1 tbsp of peanut butter and celery and an ounce of tilapia. Which is more than the 2 weeks I was sick with C diff.

@@Tssiemer1 Maybe going back to full liquids would help. I'm not allowed celery for sometime due to the stringiness of it. Stick with soft foods - you will not feel better until you get enough protein and fluids. Hopefully your Psychiatrist can help. Good luck.

We all had the same team but different surgeons. We are in Yorkshire, England. Why would I have an attorney?

I have read of complications here on these forums. Perhaps the ratio of people having WLS in the States compared to the population makes the incidence sound smaller.

I also think that people on forums don't want to sound negative so skim over complications etc.

We signed for a surgical complication rate of 1%.

But that is the issue. The statistics are split between actual surgical, post op, ward care, etc.

We feel that this program should be halted until we all are treated and are well and the reasons for all the abscesses etc are dealt with. But obviously, we are still under these surgeons care for the next two years so can't really complain.

I am lying here now with agonising spasms, cramps and diarrhea which I have had since Saturday.

No one from that team is interested so it will be up to my GP to investigate then send me to a gastro consultant. All which will take weeks.

As they didn't alter my bowels in surgery and the dietician doesn't think it sounds like a gallbladder issue, I am just left out here with no help.

This worries me.

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The attorney suggestion is for malpractice. While there is a complication rate and you signed papers it doesn't exempt them from doing things wrong. And with all for you having such serious issues from the same surgical team means that maybe they're doing things too rushed. You may have a case which then get help financially make up for some of the time off of work.

Totally regret it! My three friends also regret it. But we can't change it now.

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No, you're right. You can not change it now.

SO--

What's the plan for the "Fantastic Four"?

Together you have a wonderful opportunity to join together and adapt your lives to your sleeves.

Let your sleeves work for you. Learn to listen to it---respect it and your sleeve will guide you to a healthier life.

I fought mine for 4years. Finally, I have "made up" with my sleeve and we have become a team worth reckoning with.

You can't change "it", so you have to change "yourself".

Once you do that, you will not only healthier, but also more content within your own body.

That's a win/win anyway you look at it.

Take care of yourself. Be kind.

"Fantastic Four"----I like that!

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