please beware

I really have wrestled with the idea of coming back here to post an update on my situation but I feel a strong need to let people know who are considering this surgery there are some drawbacks.

My GI doc pretty much agreed with the bariatric surgeon that I should consider reversal.

I just want people to know you can still develop micronutrient deficiencies even when taking vitamins post op. And have serious problems as a result. There is a significant amount of bariatric surgery patients developing small bowel bacterial overgrowth. This uses up any nutrients you have including any supplements. This appears to be what has happened with me. I have a number of sequels attributed to malabsorption and vitamin deficiency now.

Here is a link to an article that briefly describes this problem.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071015081505.htm

I have real mixed emotions right now, I am in a damned if you do... damned if you don't situation. There are no guarantees either way.  I really think the medical community is becoming more aware of the problems associated with WLS and are just now  beginning to see an influx of negative results. It's just the impression I have gotten from the many specialists I have seen.

It's a crap shoot... just make sure you are well aware of the risks. I was considered a light weight ..I lost 130 lbs, I did not have high blood pressure or diabetes. I had some other issues but nothing as serious as I have now. For some it is the right decision.. for me..not so sure.

So just wanted you to be aware there are people out there who haven't faired as well with this as others. This is not to be a deterent to anyone making the decision to have or not have gastric bypass, it's just something for you to consider.

Faith

THanks for posting Faith.. it is so true.. ALL candidates must understand the risks.. benefits & true realities of  a major surgery..

I am sorry to hear you are having trouble.. but know that at the very least.. You have LEARNED.. you have learned tons I am sure.. portion control.. better exercise.. better relations about food.. Honey.. it will take work.. but you can continue what you have learned to live a HEALTHIER lifestyle..

Good Luck & best wishes,.... hope you stil come visit the board.. ANY and ALL experiences are helpful to those considering surgery, newbies & post ops..

I appreciate your knowledge you have shared..

Take Care
Helen

Thanks Helen... I am so on the fence right now... I just feel like No body including the doctors really know what is best. Iam not going to make any rash decisions..I have one more specialist to see ..but she is out on maternity leave and won't be bac****il January. The GI doc agreed that I was stable enough at this point to wait for that. In the meantime I am going to use this time to really think it all over and do everything I can to get better.

Faith

HI FAITH 

I AM SORRY TO HEAR THAT YOUR HAVING PROBLEMS. I'M NOT SURE IF MY PROBLEMS ARE DO TO THE SURGERY OR NOT.
I DO KNOW THAT IF THE DOCTORS KNEW I HAD CROHNS THE SURGERY WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN DONE.

MY GI DR. SAID THAT IF IT HAD BEEN KNOWN I HAVE ULCERATIVE COLITIS AND CROHNS THAT MY WLS SHOULD NEVER HAD BEEN DONE.
 
NOW ONE DR. SAYS A REVERSAL  IS A POSSIBLILTY TO BE DONE AND MY GI SAYS HE MIGHT BE ABLE TO CONTROL MY CROHNS WITH OUT HAVING THE REVERSAL.

YOUR SO RIGHT BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD SPOT.

TO TOP IT OFF I NEVER MADE IT TO GOAL. MY GI DR. IS GREAT THO AND IS TRYING TO KEEP ME UP BEAT AND HOPEFUL THAT WE CAN FIX IT ALL.

AND NOW I AM SEEING A RHUMITOLOGIST FOR RA AND CARPAL TUNNEL AND HE SAYS IT'S VERY COMMON THAT ANY BOWL DISORDER COMES ALONG WITH ARTHRITIS AS WELL AS FIBROMYALGIA.

THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS WITH THE MEDS THAT HAVE TO BE TAKEN. THEY EITHER DON'T ABSORB OR THEY MAKE YOU GAIN WEIGHT OR YOUR HAIR FALLS OUT AND SO ON AND SO ON.

A LOT OF THE MEDS THAT I NEED TO TAKE DON'T ABSORB PROPERLY TO HELP MY PROBLEM.  SO WE SHALL SEE WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.

IT IS GOOD I THINK THAT EVERYONE KNOWS THE GOOD, BAD AND THE UGLY WITH THE SURGERY. BUT YOU KNOW EVEN THO I HAVEN'T MADE IT TO GOAL AND A LOT OF THE PROBLEMS ARE NOT AS EASY TO CONTROL WITH THIS SURGERY, I'M STILL GLAD I HAD IT AND THAT IT IS THERE FOR THOSE THAT WANT OR NEED IT. THOSE THAT HAVE TO LOSS OVER 200 LBS ESPCIALLY NEED THAT HELP. I WAS WHAT WAS CALLED A LIGHT WEIGHT ALSO BUT ANY A,MOUNT OF WEIGHT IN MY OPINION IS AWEFUL WHEN YOU JUST CAN'T TAKE IT OFF.

 PLEASE KEEP US INFORMED ON WHAT YOU HAVE DONE AND HOW IT ALL GOES. GOOD TO SEE YOU POST FAITH.

TAKE CARE AND BEST OF LUCK TO YOU.

HI Jodi!

I'm sorry to hear you are having problems..  I just wanted to say Hi and I hope you are feeling better soon...

Take care darlin!

Renee*

Hi Renee*

Thank you so much for posting to me. I really appreciate your wishes.

Hope everything is going good with you and yours.

You Take care also sweetheart

Much love to you.

sorry to hear you have chrohns..that is not fun.. i know of a few people who deal with this. You are right it is common to get arthritic type conditions with things like chrohns... autoimmune problems seem to come in bunches.
keep me posted.
So do what meds do they have you on for your rheumatoid arthritis? were you dxed with that AFTER RNY? Do you have it in other joints or just hands? curious to know?

Faith

   Faith,

yea the dr. said that it was common... who knew?? not me. .lol  Your right tho, it comes in bunches,

They have me on Lialda for the Crohns and believe it or not Cymbalta for the depression,Fibromyalgia and the arthritis along with prednisone, celebrex and percocet.  I'm hoping for the best that I don't have to be on the prednisome to long. Steriods you know what they do.

The pain can start at my hands and works it's way up to just about any part of my body.  I must admitt that one of the meds seems to be working for me, as I am feeling better then I was.

The pain is anywhere from feet to legs,hips, back, neck,knees, shoulders, elbows and so on. You name it it's hurts from one day to the next, so I am up for any relief. 

I sure hope things go well for you. Take care and keep us informed.

Much love to you my friend and have a great day.

It doesn't sound like they have you on any meds to keep the RA erosions of joints from happening... that's really IMPORTANT if you have RA. ( like methotrexate, embrel, humara and such) You might ask your doc about that. They can be given by injection and do not have to be absorbed.
Faith

Sorry I forgot to tell you that we just got started on the whole process and I see him again on Monday. He was talking to me about getting the shots or transfussion every 6 to 8 weeks. Not fun, don't think this is going to be something I am real thrilled with.

Thanks Faith. I will let you know what happens. I do know if they don't do something about the numbness of the 3 fingers on my right hand I'm going to to crazy. He says that's prolly carpal tunnell... when it rains it poors for most of us.

I did read an article that 4 of the top drugs for RA have been showing signs of fungus growth. My oh my hell if you do hell if you don't.

I will know more on Monday and let you know.


Take care and have an awesome weekend.