Gastric Bypass Nightmare

Hi Dan,

I am so sorry that you have had so many surgeries and that you are still having difficulties.  It looks like your surgeon did not do a very good job.   Share your story. 

Kim

Hi Dan! I am sorry to hear about your problems. I also had problems with scar tissue blocking the opening of the stomach. This was in no way my Dr.s fault,,,,it is just how my body reacted to surgery. Fortunately it was caught very soon, but I did end up in the ER suffering from severe dehydration. I had emergency surgery the next morning to cut away the scar tissue and wha la...problem solved and have been in perfect health since. I hope you have the same outcome!!! I feel your pain....it is not a fun situation!

I have lots of questions for you.
When did you have your surgery ?
When did you notice you had blockage problems ?
How long before the Doctor confirmed it ?
How long before they did the surgery to repair it?
Did they cut you wide open again or did they use an endocopy with a cutting tool on the end of it. ?

They tried a dozen times by trying to cut away the flesh from the inside of my mouth by sending down an endoscopy tool.

They finally after 9 months cut me wide open again and removed scar tissue, and plastic ring that he uses to make RNY pouch. No other doctor uses that ring to make a pouch.

Sorry for all the questions, but you are the first that I have heard other than my self with scar tiisue. I feel better I am not alone

Dan

I had laparoscopic gastric bypass (RNY) surgery November 10, 2008. I started throwing up everything I ate and drank 3 weeks later (now the doctor said it was very rare to form scar tissue that fast and that most patients don't have a problem with scar tissue until about 2 to 3 months out) I went to the doctor beginning of December and told him what was going on. I had an endoscopy on December 5th to confirm that it was a blockage. They said that it could not be fixed with baloon dialation and I would need to be openened up. I went home and they said that my surgeon would call me the next week because he was on vacation at that time. By Sunday (my endoscopy was on Friday) I was very sick and dehydrated. I was admitted to the hospital where they ran several more tests and when my surgeon came to see me on Monday morning he did surgery right away. They went through the same laparascopic incisions they had made for the initial gastric bypass. I stayed in the hospital 6 days because I was low on all of my vitamins, especially potassium. I have since made a full recovery and feel better than ever. I thank the quick reactions of my doctor/surgeon. I can't imagine going through what you have had to endure all these months. IF you have any further questions feel free to ask.  And yes we are alone. The doctor said this problem is very rare and he has only seen 2 patients suffer from this.

Dan,......dang I am so sorry you had a really bad surgery. Soundsl ike he/she done nothing right, you should tell your story, LOUD and proud. Let everyone know about this doctor. WARN them.

I Hope that things start looking up

Lu

Thanks I need all the support I can get.

Dan

I think I would go see another surgeon right away and see what can be done to correct what has already been done.  I am really sorry to hear that you are having so many problems.  There is a link on top of this page for finding surgeons, I am sure you can find a good one in your area.  They also have reviews from patients.  Good Luck in this and I hope you feel better soon.

I went to other surgeons. I found the best surgeons in Los angeles at Cedar Sinai. They all agreed I needed surgery. I asked and begged many surgeons to help me. They said while they agreed that I needed surgery again, they could not perform it no matter what.  It would be a liability for them if they touched me. They documented the case and forced my original surgeon to fix me. I was told that surgeons do not fix other surgeons problems.
Again know I was told that I need surgery, but the GI doctor said I would probably never get it, because of this unwritten code of conduct surgeons have, not to fix other surgeons surgical mess. I would have to go get that good insuarance again, and then find Dr Valles

I am so sorry.  That is so wrong.  I wish I had an answere for you.  I will keep you in my prayers, but I know that does not give you much hope.  I feel so bad, you need help and they will not give it to you.  I don't know what is wrong with some people.

"I want everyone to know that the checklist of complications that they say will not happen to you is is a lie."

No reputable surgeon will give you a list of "complications that will not happen to you." Heck, I had to initial and sign and paraphrase a 10 page document about every possible complication that could happen to me.