"I can always get it reversed"....a bit of a warning

I'll post the gory details including updates, of my situation tomorrow.  In a nutshell, I had my bypass in April.  Due to complications arising from ulcers I had it reversed in August and have had a slew of complications since.  One of the reasons I had the bypass was I was told pre-op that it could be "reversed"  This was a comfort in case something went wrong or I just completely hated it.  Let me be the first to tell you that having it reversed does not mean things go back to normal.  So, make your decision with that in mind.  They will NEVER be able to make your anatomy the way it was pre-op.  Naiively I believed this was possible until I found myself having a reversal.  I think the anatomy varies post-reversal depending on the situation causing the reversal.  In my situation, I still have a pouch.  My espohagas is attached to the pouch and that is attached to the "remnant" stomach which is then attached to my small intestines which are patched together to resemble "normal".  In my situation I had severe ulcers in my intestines so that portion has been removed.  Post-op I've had digestion problems, developed a bezoar, had a leak and developed an abscess as a result.  

I'm not saying this to scare anyone, but I think pre-ops should know that there is no going back.  Your digestive system will never be normal again.  If I had it to do over again I wouldn't, but that is only due to my complications.  The RNY is still a wonderful surgery that goes off without a hitch most of the time.  I knew about the complications, but who ever thinks that they will be in the minority that has problems?  Just keep in my mind that it is always a possiblity and what you are doing to your body is permanent.

Wow, I'm sorry to hear you've had so many problems.  I was aware that reversing the RNY was a difficult procedure and that sometimes the stomach does not go back to functioning normally.  You may be right about the anatomy varying depending on the situation.  Do they expect you to continue having problems with your digestion and stuff, or should that get better now?

I don't think anyone really knows if it is is going to continue to be a problem.  My surgeon told me the day after my reversal that in his 20 year career I'm his 4th reversal.  I wish I had known that beforehand.  Since the EGD on Thursday where they found the Bezoar I've been able to eat some.  I have only gotten sick once since then which is a vast improvement. 

I am so glad to see you.  I have wondered how you were doing.  I know all too well that the surgery can't be reversed.  When I went to see my surgeon in July, 2010, begging for a reversal I was told that the surgery I had couldn't be reversed, only revised.  I had a sleeve at the time and I knew I couldn't have that reversed since part of the stomach was gone but I thought my intestines could be put back the way they were.
I found out 6 months after my surgery that when they gave me a RNY pouch they removed the remnant stoma*****luding my pyloric valve.  That really upset me because I knew then that I could never get my stomach back.  And believe me when I dump I really miss my pyloric valve and it scares me that there is nothing that can ever be done to change that.
I will always have some malabsorption.  The extent is unknown.  I was told after my revision that I wouldn't have much but given how much weight I have lost I think there is more then I thought there would be.  It is hard to get to a healthy weight with a pouch and malabsorption.  In order to get in more calories I have to eat higher calorie foods like carbs and fats and I dump when I have too much of either.  I, too, wish I never had WLS or at least I hadn't of taken it as lightly as I did.  I thought that malabsorption was great, that meant I could eat more food.  I didn't worry about the vitamins.  I figured I could just pop a few pills and all would be good.  I didn't realize how hard it would be or how expensive it would be to get all my vitamins and the protein I would need.  I was willing to do anything to lose the weight.  I have since learned that there are worse things then being fat.  I was healthier 9 years ago when I weighed 240lbs then I have been in the past 9 years since my WLS.  There is nothing more important to me now then being healthy.
Oh well, it is all over and done and I just try to make the best of the way things are.  Can't change the past.  
I wish you well and I hope things get better for you.

 I was told pre-op that in very rare cir****tances they would reverse it, but to look at it as though it is permanant.  I love my RNY and I had complications early on, but in the end it has all been worth it.  

I am appalled that your surgeon apparently tells patients that the RNY can be reversed!  Both of the surgeons I went to info seminars for stressed that the RNY should be considered permanent unless some type of life-threatening condition develops (and only one of those two surgeons will do a reversal).  This is the first instance I have heard of where a surgeon has tried to make people feel better about having surgery with that kind of FALSE comfort.

Does your surgeon have a support group that pre-op patients attend?  If so, I would strongly encourage you to share your story with them so that they know what the REAL deal is with a reversal!

(The description of your "reversed" anatomy is what I have read is usually the approach for a reversal since trying to reattach the esophagus to the remnant stomach is problematic.)

I'm sorry you have had to go through all of this.

Lora

I actually went to a support group meeting a few weeks ago and was asked to leave.  I don't think they want my story getting out.  During the seminars they emphasize that the RNY can be reversed and the Sleeve cannot be.  Maybe that is a scare tactic to get more people to do the RNY since that is their surgery of choice.  

I feel stuck because I have to see this guy.  No one else will see me.  I've called every specialist and surgeon in my area.  They don't want another surgeon's problem.  

Good grief.  Amazing that theyt would ask someone to leave for telling the TRUTH!   Yes, it sounds like they may be trying to steer people to RNY, but -- in my book -- not being honest about the realities of a reversal is pretty much the same as lying to them.  Your surgeon should be ashamed of himself. Someone should report him to the state medical board (but I understand that no current patient will take that on).

It IS unfortunate that many times people ARE stuck with their original surgeon.  I can understand why surgeons are particularly reluctant to take on a patient they did not operate on who is having issues, but it really does put patients in a difficult position.  BTDT, but fortunately, in the end, my surgeon chnaged her mind and agreed to do the surgery to find and fix my problem.

Lora

    So happy to hear from you and know that you came through the surgery. Sorry to hear of your ordeal pre and post surgery.  I know that you're not at 100% now. My hope and prayer is  that you get better with each passing day.


Sadie

I was so worried about you and am glad to see you back. Your situation sounds so horrible. I'm sorry you've been through so much. Please keep us updated. I hope everything works out.