update

As you guys know I am not really any better so this is probably going to happen. I went to the surgeon this morning and here is the deal. I am keeping the date for the 24th. They cant do it any earlier b/c both him and his partner are going to operate on me and both of their time needs to be cleared. The surgeon says this complication is quite unusual. Of course. In the meantime, I am seeking a second opinion.(which I told the surgeon I was going to do) I have an appointment with another surgeon(for the second opinion) in the city next Weds. My surgeon suggested I see his partner, which I told him "that isn't much of a second opinion, now is it?" This does look like it is going to come to an end very soon for me. I just do not want to be in the hospital(like last year) on my birthday again. That was one sucky birthday! He suggested if I wanted to wait until after my birthday(feb. 13)...no way just get it over with already! I am going to speak to him on Monday to give him the name of the second opinion surgeon whom he wants to speak to. Then I am going to go see him in a couple of weeks to finalize everything, meet with his partner and he wants to speak with my husband. The surgeon says he loves my husband and I told him everyone loves my husband, nothing new. He is the heart and I am the armour. heehee. The only thing is he says they want to do it "open" so they can make sure they "really get in there to find the problem". Boy, what fun I have in store. What a birthday present this will be! I have to take my son to a birthday party this weekend, so I have something to keep my mind alittle more focused on why the hell I did all of this. Take care everyone and have a great weekend! Tavia

Hi Tavia, I think a second opinion is a great idea. As for the Open surgery, don't fret hun, I was not in hardly any pain, a little as to be expected, but nothing I couldn't handle, my C-sections were much much more painful. And hopefully they give you the thing where you can administer your own meds while in the hospital. By the time your birthday rolls around you should be feeling mighty fine. As for your husband he sounds like one of a kind, you are sooooo lucky to have such great support. And why you did all this, was to be healthy and you will be, you look great, and after the surgery you should be feeling great as well. I just know in my heart that you will be ok. You are a wonderfully sweet person and have a great sense of humor. I will keep you in my prayers for a perfectly successful surgery, and a painless as possible and speedy recovery. Have your hubby keep us posted as to how you are doing. Hugs to ya sweetie, Shannon Arnold 257/229 (stuck)/130???

Hi Shannon, Thanks so much for you kind words, really. It does mean sooo much to me! Nice people do really exist! My second surgery turned open when it turned into an emergency. My lungs collapsed during it and my heart rate went through the roof. That was no fun. I also had a C-section with my son. I am not scared of the pain, it just means a longer hospital stay. I am not a fan of that hospital, it's my least favorite place to be! They suck over there.(I mean who likes to be in the hospital?) I just have been back and forth, operation after operation, its enough. Anyway, thanks again and I'll let you know how it goes w/the second opinion. Tavia

Tavia, I have to agree with Shannon, it is always good to have a 2nd opinion. Just think once this is done then you can get on with your life! No more things getting stuck every time you try to eat something. I have to say hun that you are really awesome that with going through all of this stuff that you still have your sense of humor and that your hubby does support you. I only wish great things for you hun and like Shannon said you will be back to normal for your birthday. If you ever need ANYTHING please feel free to email or call me. Debra P

Tavia, I know it sucks having to have another surgery . You have been through enough of them already ! I hope all goes well for you sweetie. Thank goodness you have your husband for support as you need someone to be your rock in times like these. It sounds like if you get your surgery on the 24 th that you will be home by your birthday and well on your way to healing . So hold your head high as you always have and remember those days when you were a obese person and all the things that you could not do being obese and think of how much more you have gained by doing this . You will be finally free from this complication real soon , then you can finally be at peace with what you have done . Remember your AMOS family loves you and you are a major inspiration in all our lives . You have helped so many to realize that this surgery is very serious and complications can and do arrise , rare or not they do exist . You have shown us that we must think long and hard about this and what and how we will handle the situation if it should occur with us . As for the ones that have already had their surgery's and are on the other side they to have been shown by your tremendous bravery with what you have endured. They now have hope where they might not have, had they experienced such complications . God..... I hope I am making sense here Or is the drugs that I had yesterday making me I do know that you are a great friend and a strong supporter here and I am very glad that I have you for support . You take care ,I hope you enjoyed the Birthday party ! You are always in my thoughts and prayers . and Carol

Tavia: I had a complication 4 weeks out of my Lap RNY. Had adhesions form that wrapped around my Y connection. Causing a stticture so whatever I ate in past 3 yrs came back up, it would go down, back up into old distal unused stomach, onnce filled I'd vomit food/fluid and/or acid. The reflux was HORRID! It had gotten slowly worse over a few weeks, from vomiting food (when previously having NO issue) to even pilss then plain old WATER! No one could FIGURE IT OUT? Xray didn't show a bowel obstruction, CT scan with and without dye, upper GI w/ barium showed fine also....Finally had to sign for emergenct surgery open if needed to explore, they thought I either had a strangulated bowel up through the mesentary that would pop up now and again or adhesions cutting off things somewhere....lSo on a Sunday am surgeon came in (my wls surgeon) from a vacation to operate. Was I scared? HELL YEAH! Although I had not been sick as long as you I JUST WAANTED IT FIXED! Luckily they were able to lyse (cut) the adhesions that were wrapping around the small intestines near Y connection and I was all set. I think 2nd opinions are fine, BUT in this case it may be best to go with original surgeon, and even if you could find another BARIATRIC highly experienced surgeon to TOUCH you (cause many won't touch another surgeons patient let alone pt with issues or complications) not sure that is always best. Of course this is your life and body and is up to you! I wish you an uneventful surgery and speedy recovery and hope they can fix your issue. I think Id want an open procedure to see what is going on vs lap, in your case.. no sense in going in more than once if not needed. The pain/length of recovery isnt all that different they say either! HUGS of support! Take Care, Jamie Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh 320/163 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery) Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King "Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"

Jamie, No offensive(really) but I wasn't asking for anyones opinion on here whether or not I should get a second opinion. I do not think you know me or my whole story, so its ok. No worries. I have had two exploratory surgeries already. Then there and done that. I do not have adhesions around the Y connection. The problem is w/in the intestines, which is why he needs to open me up to see exactly what is going on. this is the reason why nothing has been showing up on CT-Scans, endoscopies, exploratory surgeries, normal upper GIs, blood work, X-rays, numerous types of nuclear medicine tests etc etc. The surgeon I am looking for a second opinion is well known in the field for handling complicated cases(which werent his own) to the point he does reversals(not what I am looking for btw). I have talked to him via email a few times and he seems like an understanding man and is willing to help. This is his website: http://www.gastricbypassproblems.org/ I am not choosing to have another surgery by anyone but by my surgeon(for many reasons) but seeking (like I stated) a second opinion. I want someone who is not deeply involved in my cases view, that is all. This is considered another major operation, so I just want to be 100% that my surgeon and I are making the right decision. I know it is my body and my life, but uhhh thanks I guess? Right. Tavia

Tavia: I surely did not mean to offend (& u didnt offend me w/ your response), or I guess only offer my opinion....U R right I do not know you, the whole story as I only briefly glanced at our OH profile>.. I was simply sharing my story of complications etc with you, your not alone, I KNOW I cannot compare our 2 issues (*didnt mean to allude they were the same) I do however appreciate the struggle u r going through and wish you well. sometimes to know others have survived some issues is all I guess was my point. I am happy u r getting other opinions and that u found an experienced bariatric revisionist to work with! It is rare!'Jamie

Best of Luck! KB

Hi Tavia - I'm sorry to hear you're having yet another surgery. I'm crossing my fingers and everything else cross-able for you to have a smooth journey this time, and an ultimate resolution. Wishing you all the best, and a great birthday celebration at home! Mary