Bypass Questions

Hey all! I am new to this site. I am currently in the process of getting Gastric Bypass. I am currently going to meetings monthly (I just did my second meeting) at my hospital for weight tracking, food tracking, and to learn about surgeries. I'm sure a lot of you know what I'm talking about. However, I do have some questions for you bypass veterans. I was fine about this surgery until I found a forum on a different website and people were talking about this mysterious pain on the left side that no doctor can figure out what it is and some have said their loved ones died from it and some say they almost died. Does anyone know if they've figured out what this is and is it fixable? Correct me if I am wrong but on there it seemed like all bypass patients do is live in hospitals, I'm having this surgery to help me get my life back not make me live like that, you know? I am just scared of something going wrong on me and I'm wondering now if this is the right choice for me, I don't want to wake up 5-10 years from now and regret having it. Do any of you regret it? To give you guys some background information about my hospital and surgeon, my hospital is a center of excellence, my surgeon has 21 years of experience, she does 70% of all WLS, and I don't think they've ever lost a patient or anything like that. If anyone can answer my questions and/or offer any information you could think of that would help me, I'd greatly greatly appreciate it. Thanks, :)

The mysterious pain on the left side is where they cut through the muscles to insert the stapler during the operation.  Mine went away after about a week.  I have not heard of it being fatal.  I had bypass in 2007 and have had no complications or trips to hospital from RNY.  We do not live in the hospital, although some of us have a tendency to live at the gym.

I will be 10 years out in July and I'm doing fine.   I've never had any problems that have resulted in my being admitted to hospital and as long as I keep on top of my vitamins etc, am hale and hearty!

I've never had one minute of regret ...

I'm only 5 weeks out, but I had no pain whatsoever after the first day in the hospital. Any of these surgical procedures are permanent (with the exception of the Lap Band, which has its own horror stories). As you know, with any surgery comes some risk that something could go wrong. Be sure this is what you want to do, and be committed to it. I had my own reasons for surgery in general and bypass specifically, and so far I'm seeing huge benefits. 

I"m glad you're asking, because watching those headlines can be very scary.  Here's the thing.  On many forums, you will see many people with many complaints and problems speaking up a lot.  Behind them are oodles of people having no problem whatsoever, not posting on their own, but answering questions and offering assistance.  Pay attention to those familiar facees and avatars you see in the threads.  Why don't they post?  Because they have nothing to complain about and have their questions answered along the way, too.  I'm more than 8 years out from the duodenal switch.  I don't post much, but I'm out here when I can answering questions.  There are a lot of vets out here like me.

Well said. I was going to post the same response.

I am over 5 years out and no problems here.

I don't live at the hospital-as a matter of fact, I am healthier than ever. I haven't had any complications post RNY with the exception of needing my gallbladder out, and that could have happened anyway. I don't regret it at all. The internet is full of nervous nellies, henny pennies, and woe-is-me attention seekers. Most people don't post to say all is well, as Valerie pointed out.

Hang around here and you will see what post op life is like

You are the only one who can decide if this is right for you. Good luck.

I've been a member of the RNY forum on OH for several years and don't recall seeing anything about a mysterious left side pain, especially not a fatal one.  Some people do die from RNY, though.  People die from any surgery, include cosmetic surgery, gall bladder removal, tonsil removal, etc.  The rate of death from RNY is similar to that of other abdominal surgeries in morbidly obese people.  Morbidly obese people, especially those with other health problems, are more likely to die from any surgery, as compared to normal weight, healthy people. 

I've only seen a handful of posts in the several  years I've been on this forum from people that regret having RNY.  I don't see many people regretting VSG or DS, either.  Now, I see LOTS of people that regret getting the band.

I recommend talking to your surgeon about what complications she sees in her patients and how often she sees them. 

I am blessed that after my surgery I didn’t felt any pain, as long as you take your vitamins and you follow all the advices of the doctor, you will not feel the pain.