Replies to 'Pros and Cons of Gastric Bypass Surgery'

Quote From: lynn2574

Nearly 5 years ago, I was 28 years old, and weighed over 400# (I'm only 5'5").  I had a duodenal switch gastric bypass surgery.  I did great with recovery, and the weight started to melt off.  My diabetes and malignant hypertension disapeared.  I thought I was on my way to a new, healthy me.  After about 1 year, and 130# weight loss, I started having "fainting spells".  My dr. ran every test in the book - including a stress test for my heart.  Everything was normal.  Out of desperation, he ordered an EEG to rule out seizure activity.  Surprise!  It was positive for seizure activity.  I started on medication for them, but they continued to be unstable.  At the same time, I noticed a large, painful bulge in my stomach area.  I had a ventral hernia.  I was scheduled for and had surgery, with a large mesh sewn into my abdominal wall.  The seizures continued, but I thought the hernia was repaired.  A year and 1/2 later, and the hernia recurred.  My weight loss had stopped with me at 240#, but not gaining anything.  I had surgery again in 6/06.  The seizures continued.  Then, my neorologist did a blood test to measure the Vitamin B12 in my system.  It was so low she was surprised I was still functional.  I went on Vit B12 injections daily for a while, then weekly for months, now every 2 weeks forever.  My seizures have stabled out as we explore the malnutrition problems.  Then, My hernia recurred.  I had surgery again on 2/1/07, with a 13 1/2 inch incision, and a large mesh put in.  I thought I was done.  I was wrong.  The hernia has recurred, and I am scheduled for surgery (yet again!) on Tuesday (5/1/07).  Would I do it again?  I dont know.  I just know that I have paid a very high price for my poor eating habits and binging that got me into this situation.  I am frustrated when people talk about WLS being the "easy way out".... there is NOTHING easy about it!    Take if for someone facing major surgery #5 in that many years.  Only the 1st (the WLS) was elective.  Now we just keep trying to put my body back together again.  Not to mention that since my surgery, I fell in love and got married.  And now the complications from my surgery will likely prohibit me from having a child.  I certainly didn't know that was a price I'd have to pay for this surgery!