2 years out now major complications

first off i would like to say originally lost 154 but since complications now down from 398 date of surgery to 287. Very upset. Since being out from work for almost 2 months..( had open RNY) November 17, 2004. The week I returned from work I was getting a stabbing pain in area of new stomach. Went from cat scan to any other test you could imagine, even pain management shots. Gastro Dr found nothing. Someone at work told me to look up H pylori. I did and had same exact symtoms of that but then gastro dr did endoscopy and found I didnt have H Pylori (ulcer). Missed tons of work since this surgery. Last 3 weeks I've missed all but 1 day of work and made an emergency appt with gastro dr. 3 days later did another endoscopy and saw a band that broke from RNY and food is leaking into old STAPLED STOMACH. How can this be. 1st off why do I have a band in around my stomach when both stomachs are stapled shut and seperated from each other. By the way my original surgeon retired 1 month after doing my surgery. The surgeon that replaced him only does lap band but he did do my hernia repair. Saw him 2 times this past week after sending me for upper GI which is showing food entering old stomach. He says it will be digested. I asked how when all was reconnected to new stomach. He never answered that But said I may have to live on pain killers the rest of my life. What a bunch of ****. Should I make appt to see some other dr that still does open RNY for a 2nd opinion? Why do I have a band when i shouldn't. The way i am going it seems im gonna gain it all back and i really dont eat much. My thinking is old stomach is getting all the food with no place to go making it look like im gainin weight. Now that the band broke I basically live on percocets to ease the pain. I have every known pain med here even 8 hr morphine pill called opana which i hate, vicodin-yuck. even was on fentanyl patch for 2 months. 1st month was great but 2nd didnt work and dont want to raise the mg on it. dont want to be addicted to drugs. PLEASE HELP ME ON THIS MATTER. Thank you Eric Druckman [email protected]

Eric, It never hurts to get a second opinion. I would recommend calling another doctor immediately to determine if anything can be done to correct the issue and the pain. Good Luck!!! Dreama

Eric tried to look at your OH Profilr but you've made it Private so we can't see your whole Journey's story. But if your passing food from the new pouch to the old stomach then thety only placed a staple line through your Stomach and did not detach the pouch from the stomach otherwise the food would be going into your body's inner cavity. The ring at the openning into your pouch is the old way RNY was dine. RNY has been revised since then and the pouch & stomachs are now seperated. You'll most like have to go in for a Revision or live with it. My girlfriend had just about the same problem (with a ring too) and thus my Surgeon, Dr.E.Rehnke went back in and fixed everything as it should have been done. And is now losing again. She originally received her RNY in Boston. Maybe you'll come to the OH Conference to learn more. Mike

Hi Eric, Did your doctor mention a gastrogastric fistula? It is an uncommon complication but can sometimes occur. It is identified through an upper GI. A fistula is an abnormal connection between an organ, vessel or intestine that results from trauma or surgery. In gastric bypass the separation of the gastric pouch from the main stomach decreases the incidence of fistula formation and stomal ulcer but does not eliminate it. Leakage of ingested food through the fistula may allow the small pouch to empty faster, leading to increased volume of meals and increased appetite. Patients stop losing weight or begin regaining weight. Surgical intervention may be necessary to correct the fistula so you can get off the pain meds. Are you now experiencing reflux? You will want to consult with a bariatric surgeon who is comfortable with revisions. One of our surgeons at US Bariatric Orlando, Dr. Robert Marema, is an accomplished bariatric revision surgeon. Let me know if you need more information. HTH, Kristen

my gastro dr did an endoscopy on me and the pathology report showed a fistula so i made appt with surgeon. yes i still fill up quickly but do get hungry more offen. Gastro dr told me i need to be on reflux meds the rest of my life. If you know of any surgeons down here in south florida, heard of a dr rosenthal in ft lauderdale which is still a long drive for me. I live in palm beach county. I was told that once you have RnY you couldnt do it again. The new dr ive seen did my hernial repair and said he couldnt open me up again. He now only does lap band and replaced my other retired surgeon (dr Liem) Thanks for the response and will be waiting to here from you again TC Eric

Hi Eric, If you have surgery to correct the fistula you will most likely not need reflux meds. Yes, one can have RNY more than once (well, one RNY and after, revision surgeries). As far as a "band" inside you, he probably was referring to a silastic ring, *not* a laparoscopic adjustable gastric band. You will need clarification on all points. Second opinions are valuable. Call around for surgeons who have a solid reputation in revision surgeries. Go to the best you can find - not the least expensive. HTH, Kristen

money is the least of my worries since i have bcbs federal of florida. Been searching near and far but trying to keep it as close to my area as possible. someone mentioned dr wizman. According to my insurance I cant go to his office in boca but can see him in Margate. Think thats for the surgery if there is one (hope so). Also a few in Ft Lauderdale. My gastro dr told me I need to stay on a reflux med (gerd) for the rest of my life. I did have reflux before surgery just to let you know. lol. I search for a bit, get anxiety from all this then lay down. Since I work nights till 1:30 am there is little i can do during the day cause im mostly sleepy but in the morning (tuesday) I do have a dr appt and either on way there or after appt will go to hospital and get the ball rolling on getting medical records. Thanks all for caring so much. I do appreciate it. Keep em coming lol Eric Druckman

Hi Eric, In Ft Lauderdale, consider Michael Perez at US Bariatric. I am familiar with his work and am also comfortable with the referral (I work for US Bariatric Orlando). HTH, Kristen

think i was trying to contact dr perez before i left for work. Didnt have enough time as the time for work starts at 5pm and with rush hour I was rushing myself.

you amaze me!