Re: Patti--Pre-Ops Need To Know The Down Side of DS

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 11/25/01 2:36:04 PM, duodenalswitch writes:

<< Research is to learn the good, the mediocre, and the bad. I wish I could

read more about things that can go wrong on this site--but I do go to the

other DS sites to get a rounded view.

My 16 y/o daughter wants this surgery--Max's experience has made me re-think

allowing it. Not to say I won't--just to re-think; and I'll send to

the post-op complications site, too. I found one person who has had a baby

after DS-- needs more input on that, but it is not really a worry,

because I know supplements work.

>>

Dianne: I know --- there were a lot of complications that seemed to be

happening right before I had my surgery this January. There was someone who

had severe complications (necrosis of the small intestine) and required more

than a month's stay in the hospital... She almost died. She was from

Michigan (her name was Bridget) and never anticipated on such an extended,

painful recovery (who would??), even though she was prepared for the thought

of death.

Another woman, Sandy, whom I was an angel to had a leak, blockage which

required a second surgery and also developed pnemonia. She had it especially

rough because she was a revision from a band and had to get an RNY (this was

discussed between her and the surgeon beforehand but it still was a shock

when it happened). There were at LEAST two other people I visited who

required emergency second exploratory surgeries due to an immediate post-op

leak or blockage. :(

I even recall a few people dying of WLS surgery (on the AMOS boards - I think

they had RNYs but it happens with the DS, too) right before my surgery date.

It was pretty scary.

I also found out that one woman I met at the original consult (she had an

RNY), who also had the same surgery date as me ended up in a coma and had a

bad infection after her surgery!

Then, a lot of people seemed to be experiencing nausea and inability to keep

food down in the first weeks post-op whereas I was eating without problem. I

felt like a total MUTANT!

So, yes -- preops need to be TOTALLY prepared for ALL possibilties. I've

heard that on a scale of 1=10 (10 being the most complex open heart surgery),

the DS is an 8.

All the best,

lap ds with gallbladder removal

January 25, 2001

Dr. Gagner/Mt. Sinai/NYC

almost 10 months post-op and still feelin' fabu!

preop: 307 lbs/bmi 45

now: 204 lbs (gained again! AGH!)/size sweet 16/large-MEDIUM in normal

people's clothing!

[Guest guest]

Diane--

There were 2 16 yearolds that had thier DS in SPain. They both did

wonderful.

Not that there could be complications, but when they are young they

heal faster, they also have none of the serious comorbidities that

complicate things. They also have stronger healthier hearts, Max died

of a massive heart attack if I remember.

Some people were telling me--that I wasn't heavy enough--I knew that

I was heavy enough for it to be impacting my health--and if I waited

longer--the riskier the srugery would be.

It is scary to do somthing like this for our kids---but the risks are

markedly lower for them. The biggest risk would most likely be a

wound infection. Look at Ford Ivy, the weight and years took a huge

toll on his body--the risks went way up for him--50% chance of living

through the surgery---that risk certainly wouldn't apply for your

daughter. If your daughter qualifies for this surgery by her BMI or

her overall weight--this surgery is something that can stop alot of

the degeneration and comorbidities from even starting. Especially

the toll on the joints, diabetes, and cardiac funtion.

Look at all the pros and cons---risks and lack of risks--she

deservses an honest consideration, and hope for a healthier life 10

years from now.

Pammi