Obesity Surgery WP Blog

Hello Everyone,
I had my rny in Columbus by Dr P Choban, May 1999.
1.) What was the diet for us after we left the hospital for the
first 6 weeks? Do you remember what the portion size or measuring
amounts of broth we were allowed to eat and how often?? I am trying
to find out.
Was it two weeks liquids, and 2 weeks soft? Enlighten me please.
2.) How are the rest of you out there that are a few years post op
and longer like I am? Are you holding your weight down? Are there
any revisions?
3.) After 5 years I am curious.
Have they made any changes on HOW they do this surgery and improved
it?
Interested in updates.
Thanks
(more…)

I can’t blame any one for being concerned about the death/complication rate
associated with WLS or ANY surgery. Ask the surgeon what HIS stats are…the
two issues that I think are VERY important are percentage of patients that
have leaks and death rate. BUT…remember, a surgeon who operates on 350+
patients is going to have MORE deaths because of the size of his patients.
Generally speaking, research bears out over and over that docs who do a
procedure in the highest volume have the lowest complication/death rate. My
risk of dying WITHOUT the surgery were MUCH greater than my risk of dying
BECAUSE of the surgery…I am so glad that I TOOK that risk…I didn’t take
it lightly, but I wanted to LIVE!
Best of luck to your daughter!

I am soliciting direct E-mail. A public post is okay, but considering
the nature of what I’m asking, I believe that requesting private
E-mail will provide me with a much higher and more reliable response rate.
For starters, I do NOT want to hear from anyone who is less than 2
months out from surgery. You have way too many other things going on
to make your response of much interest to me. Hey, enjoy the thrills
of your new life. (Really, I think most of us are just jealous of you;
–
If you are significantly past the initial post-op phase, then I
request that you send me private E-mail answering these questions…
-1- Type of operation
-2- How far out
-3- General Demographics (i.e., M/F, Marital History, Age, Race, Kids,
Whatever you think matters)
Then the two essay questions…
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My pouch has stretched….I know this because I can eat 3 oz of pureed
chicken and last month I could just eat two and a half. Is there some way
to reduce it back, or is stretching normal, because I am very careful not
to force too much in there. I always stop before I am completely full.
Thanks
Nona
–
Why isn’t there mouse flavored cat food?

Has anyone here ever heard of this product? I’m in the process of
researching it and wondering if anyone knows anything about it.
Please send your answers to me at cherylsmith@…
Thanks!

I am considering wls and would like to know as much as possible
about life both pre-op and post-op. This is a great site (OSSG) and
very informative but I haven’t seen many post by men. Is there a site
or support group for men? Thanks for any help.

As my surgical date (2/23/04) gets nearer, my life gets more complicated and
I start stressing more. So, I thought I would pose questions to the group
in the hopes of combating some of my stress.
1. I will be traveling 510 miles by car for my surgery, all but 150 miles
via freeway. Has anyone with Lap RNY (or open RNY) taken that long of a
trip the day (or day after) you were discharged from the hospital?
2. An unbelievable job opportunity has been presented to me, however the
timing just sucks. Has anyone with a Lap RNY (or open RNY) returned to a
desk job a week after their surgery?
3. Am I [(a) stupid, (b) uninformed, (c) too optimistic or (d) reasonably
optimistic] to think I can do these two things?
Wanda Schaffer
5′1″ 240# 54 y/o

What contributes? Heart attack, stroke, blood clots, complications, etc.
A better question is what is the mortality rate for ALL surgeries? Mortality
rate for all surgeries is about 1%, for WLS is about 1.5%. And remember that
ALL WLS patients are morbidly obese, a population which has a higher mortality
rate for any procedure. And lots of patients are SMO . . . huge risks!
Literally.
The stats I quoted above were what I found about 18 months ago . . . your number
1:200, is .5%. One half of one percent. Hardly high risk . . .
Pray if you do that, calm down, and support your daughter. She doesn’t need to
be stressed by family’s attitudes. Surgery is stressful enough.
Maybe doing some research will make you feel better?
RAchel
From: “Susan” <la1787@…
Subject: 1 in 200 Deaths
My daughter is schedule for the surgery in 2 weeks and lately the
(more…)

I faxed my medical group to see what the status of my file submission was
this morning. they called me back about 10 minutes later with the news that
I have been approved for surgery Feb 11th at UCSF. As the day goes by, the
more excited I get. I went right out and got a perm. so, although I look
rather like a poodle, and smell pretty damn stinky from the solution, I will
go under looking good If you are fighting your insurance, KEEP IT UP! it pays off.
signed Julie In Lodi, one who knows…….

Hello Everyone,
I had my rny in Columbus by Dr P Choban, May 1999.
Question: What was the diet for us after we left the hospital for the
first 6 weeks? Do you remember what the portion size or measuring
amounts of broth we were allowed to eat and how often?? I am trying
to find out.
How are the rest of you out there that are a few years post op and
longer like I am?? Are you holding your weight down?? Any revisions???
After 5 years.. I am curious. Have they made any changes on HOW
they do this surgery and improved it?
Interested in updates.
Thanks,
Tink :]