Bariatric Doctors and the media/commercials glamorize Weight Loss Surgery and you hear that all of the problems you now have will go away, promising that you will either be off this or that medication, along with some of the other “assumptions” that a patient hears while going thru these pre op processes. The facts are: most doctors are prepared for the actual surgery and immediate post op care, but don’t have the long term information available or have answers to things that come up far out from the surgery.
It’s misleading to paint a rosy picture, especially when there are no guarantees that issues like nutrient non-absorption or sugar levels going haywire aren’t going to come up at some point in the future. If Doctors or researchers haven’t gotten all of the answers, then it’s still their responsibility to at least tell patients that there could be complications down the road.
This surgery comes under “cosmetic” categories, and while Drs. are in this for the money that’s potentially earned, they still have an oath to uphold. They still fall into the guidelines of any other licensed medical professional. Yes, it’s great the first 1-4 yrs and then things start going down hill either with people regaining weight, malnourishment, B-12 issues, Low Blood Pressure, Low Pulse, Bone Loss, Adrenal Gland problems, Calcium issues, Iron issues, seizures, Insomnia, to name a few issues currently happening to WLS patients beyond that initial period. It’s time to stop ignoring people like me, who find themselves in this situation. It’s time to include these potential issues in the PRE OP discussions between Drs and patients and have a real solution if this arises.
Some are going to say I sound like a negative person and maybe I do come off a little bit harsh, but from the bottom of my heart I do not wish this on anyone who has had this surgery…I only want your success and nothing more…I’m not going to tell you after having so many complications that I would do it all over again..Hell no, is my answer…Why would I punish myself like that again…And if your still saying that this will not happen to you, stop and ask yourself this “how long have I been out of surgery”…Take it from someone going on 6 yrs and maybe we will talk when your a little longer out…But in all honestly I hope we don’t because I don’t want this to happen to you or anyone else…
Their is no magic pill, diet or surgery that will fix all of your problems…It’s up to you to lose the weight and keep a healthy lifestyle…The surgery only fixes one piece of a bigger picture…
Heather - I’m a newish post op and I really appreciate your candor. So glad to have someone to talk to about these new changes going on in my body for both the short and long term. It’s helpful to have someone who’s been there for the long haul and to get a different perspective. I think there’s a lot of folks who might have issues going on but are afraid to speak about it. We need the whole truth not just the rosy parts. Thank you.
Thank you for saying that…It’s hard to put yourself out there even in our own community of WLS people cause they want to judge you, or even worse sometimes they think your trying to compete with them…My only goal is I want to challenge the Medical community and help people who have problems like mine or might in the future and find a solution…And if I have to bare my soul I will…
Thank you again for saying how you like this site…If you have any suggestions that you might like to see or for me to write about let me know…I’m always here..
Heather aka”berrigirl”
This is YOUR blog and you can say dang well whatever you like! For God’s sake please be honest; we need more of it. It’s refreshing. Keep it up. Your experience is an asset to the WLS community and they should all be holding their tongues.
Andrea Says:
I started reading some of your blog this afternoon and I would like to tell you that I think you’re very courageous for doing that and putting it all out there for everyone. It brings tears to my eyes and makes me think of Caryn. She was never healthy again after that surgery. I wish she would have had your blog before she ever had surgery. Thanks for shedding some light on this subject.
Wls has been a great thing in my life so far. But, I am experiencing “issues” that I know are wls related, the most bothersome has been neuropathy (my right leg & foot are numb & tingly all the time, I did have foot drop but that has since resolved, portions of my left leg are “dead sensations”) and I can’t get a neurologist to do micronutrient testing cause he thinks its a quack. The wls doctor told me to take more B vitamins, which I do… but nothing has changed. I can deal with the low blood sugar at this point. But its hard to not be validated and made to feel that I’m making more of things than what is… Anyway, I think people who say you are negative just haven’t had problems, or are far enough out to get over the “ga-ga over wls” phase. Time… it will tell.
Hello and Welcome…
Have you tried an Endocrinologist? I have had no luck with Neurologist, they dont’ understand us period…Don’t give up, pressure your family doctor or someone to listen to you…You are experiencing something that needs to be taken care of…You deserve better care and that is why we have to make Bariatric Doctors accountable for things…At least have a solution to problems instead of saying I don’t know…That is not an answer…
I’m here if you ever need to talk or have questions…
Heather aka”Berrigirl”