Re: Subject: new & a big fat scaredy-pants

March 9, 2004

Heidi-

I don’t usually post here (I just read a lot) but I just felt the need to

respond to your post. First of all I want to say how sorry I am about your

marital situation, it must be hard.

I had an open RNY with a doctor I totally trust and respect. Formerly he

was a cardiac surgeon and is responsible for teaching bariatric techniques

to almost every other bariatric surgeon I have researched in this area. The

man is absolutely awesome at what he does. As good as he is, I had some

problems with my surgery. My spleen was ruptured (one of the things they

warn you could possibly happen) slightly (just a very slow bleed) but it was

not realized until they went to close me. It was determined at that time

that I had probably bled throughout the entire surgery. They super glued my

spleen and closed me up. It took me a little longer to get my strength back

but with some mega doses of iron things turned out OK. I was released from

the hospital on schedule and was fine at my 1st post-op visit.

Approximately 1 ½ weeks after surgery I developed a low grade fever and was

readmitted to the hospital where an internist assisted my surgeon in

fighting what apparently was an infection. We still don’t know where, we

just know I was one of the lucky ones and the IV antibiotics took care of

the problem.

While I was in the hospital the second time a man who had a lap RNY three

days prior (different doctor) was admitted. He had been released from the

hospital but got hungry, ate a cheeseburger and ruptured his pouch. All of

that food, etc., was in his abdominal cavity. I’m not sure what the outcome

was with him.

Just last week one of the doctors at the hospital I went to lost a patient.

The doctor is very good at what he does and has an outstanding reputation.

The patient had a lap RNY and did very well until the next day when he

developed a high fever and died shortly after. To the best of my knowledge

they still don’t have the answers as to what happened.

The bad side effects are there. Only you can weigh the odds in your

particular case and decide what is best for you. Since I have had my

surgery I have had many people ask me if I thought an RNY would be right for

them. I NEVER ENCOURAGE IT!! What I do encourage is education. People do

in fact die from this and you must be prepared for the worst. Everyone who

chooses this surgery should not only be very knowledgeable about the

procedure but both confident and comfortable with it as well. Additionally,

people need to research their surgeon and not be afraid to ask him/her any

question they can’t find the answer too. If you don’t have complete

confidence in both the surgeon and the procedure you have chosen then it’s

time to back up and learn more. I encourage everyone to join an in-person

support group and meet other patients who are willing to share their

experiences…..good & bad. I can’t begin to tell you how much I have learned

from my support group both pre and post-op.

One last thing and then I will shut up. Please don’t feel like you are in a

“now or never” situation. Your divorce does not have to end your medical

insurance or the possibility of gastric bypass in your future…..a good

attorney can help you with that.

CJ

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March 9, 2004