Bariatric Surgery....years later

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So....how are you/ your patients doing? I've taken care of a few now (LTC...they were short stays after the hospital and many were on TPN because of complications) What are the problems or sucesses you are seeing. I'd like to gather some info on what we need to expect in caring for these patients in the LTC setting.

Anyone give me a link or two?

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Specializes in ob/gyn med /surg.

i've had a couple of these patients and they have had alot of gastric problems. they have been placed on TPN and one girl developed a bowel obstruction several times. she told me she never had any problems until her surgery. i also have a friend who had the lap band and it slipped and she had to quit nursing and her legs became very swollen and she just had so many health problems after the lap band slipped. she was in icu for a long time after they had to take her lap band off. it was just horrible.

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Specializes in Stroke Seizure/LTC/SNF/LTAC.

I've taken care of more than one pt post bariatric surgery. They had loads of medical complications like needing TPN, suprapubic cath, malnourishment, decubs, etc. I have a friend whose dd had lap band. So far, she's lost about 50 #. I don't know of any comps she's having.

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Specializes in L&D.

I had Roux En Y gastric bypass surgery 6 months ago, and other than needing vitamin supplementation and iron supplements, I'm doing very well! I'm also only 33 years old, and didn't have any long term chronic medical conditions (diabetes, heart conditions, etc) prior to surgery.

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Specializes in icu, er, transplant, case management, ps.

I believe since this type of surgery has gotten so popular, physicians doing it no longer screen patients the way they once did. And this has lead to more complications. I was overweight, by more then 100 pounds, for more then two years. I opted not to have this type of surgery, even through I am a Type 2 diabetic.

Woody:balloons:

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See, the thing is, in the hospital setting, the only bariatric patients you see are the ones having trouble. I had my surgery almost 4 years ago & except for needing my gallbladder out 2 years ago (often caused by rapid weight loss) I am doing just fine if you don't count a moderate weight gain caused by falling back to bad habits during nursing school.

I know lots of paople who have had the surgery & yes, there have been some complications, mostly minor but some have been pretty serious. However, the vast majority have little or no problems.

By the way, I have recenly read that addictions tend ot be a problem. We give up one addiction & replace it with another. One of my friends has trouble with alcohol. Alcohol affects us differently & she quickly became addicted. Fortunately, with treatment she is free & clean for several months now & has spoken to support groups about it.

Dixie

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I have read about people having health problems develop years down the road because of malabsorption issues, I remember specifically one woman losing her eyesight.

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Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, Home Health, Oncology.

Hi

I had Gastric Sleeve Surgery a bit over a year ago. Nearly 100 #'s down now.

I can't really say I've had any horrible complications. I do get some nausea after eating--even tho I eat very little. I also have a problem with coffee, so I just stay away for the most part. In fact, I would say that is the worst of it--cause, I LOVE COFFEE!!!

Anyway, no problems; I was out of the hospital in 2 days--no problem then, either. My only problem is that I feel like I'm not losing enough.

I think the one poster got it right--you only see the people with problems. Otherwise, the rest of us just go along day to day & you all don't even know who we are!!

It's the same with my Oncology patients--when they do well we never know it, cause we don't see them; However, when they don't do well, we see all the complications!!

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Specializes in DOU.

One of my first patients was a woman who developed a bowel obstrucion a few years after bariatric surgery. I don't know how she did it, but she was still very obese. She was supposed to be NPO, but her family brought her in a box of sweets.

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Specializes in Ortho, Case Management, blabla.
Hi

I also have a problem with coffee, so I just stay away for the most part. In fact, I would say that is the worst of it--cause, I LOVE COFFEE!!!

!

Hey, coffee is low calories. Plus it decreases your risk of developing diabetes. More power to you.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

I had RNY over 2 years ago and have to agree best thing I did and try to stick to making sure I eat enough protein before I eat anything else. No real health problems since and lost just over 100lbs. We tend to hear the bad stories not the successful ones. When I looked at some of the bad stories I found either lack of follow up support, lack of dietitian support and also the patient not following the rules

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.

Thank you so much for starting this thread. I had RNY over 9 years ago and am very concerned about the long term implications of RNY. I have had many chronic issues that I suspect may be secondary conditions to poor nutrition and poor digestion even though I take all the supplements I am supposed to take.

I deal with chronic infections, last winter I kept getting bronchitis and just really wasn't able to shake it for over 6 months. I already have osteoporosis and I am not 50 years old yet. I take Boniva. I get lots of cavities which I find very bewildering since I do the same dental care as I ever done. I do have receding gum lines which I as sure has something to do with poor protein.

What is REALLY frustrating is that none of my Physicians know anything. I am doing Google searches and am looking for some Holistic Practioners who may have some ideas. I think I don't produce enough hydrochloric acid to properly digest my food and have started some OTC enzymes to try to help with digestion. My energy level is way down. I have great determination though and am pushing myself through this... The problem is that nobody knows anything, at least not anyone I have found so far. I feel as if I am alone searching for some answers.

Thanks again for starting this thread... perhaps some others are struggling with the same issues.

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