Had My RNY Completely Revised!

Thanks Guys! I went through TWH for my initial surgery and they required us to use Pantaloc (stomach acid reduced) for 3 months after surgery. After that, nothing else was required. 

Back in March this year Dr.Jackson repaired my Petersens space defect (hernia) and an umbilical hernia. During the surgery he put a scope down just to check things out on the inside. That's when he found the bleeding ulcers that I didn't know I had. Since March I have been on Pataloc twice per day, sucralfate four times per day, and Ranitidine twice per day. 

Despite all this treatment the ulcers continued to the point where I was vomiting blood several times per day. One time was so bad my husband had to call 911 as we thought I was gonna hemorrhage to death. 

Dr.Jackson finally said enough is enough and made the call to clip/cauterize them or remove the ulcered portion of my pouch and small intestines. We tried the scope but he knew right away it wasn't going to work....they were too deep/bleeding and when he even attempted to touch them they broke apart and bled more. So we walked to the OR and off to sleep I went. By this time it was like 6pm on a Saturday and I'm sure the last thing Dr.Jackson wanted to do was start a 3 hr. Surgery. But he always had a smile!

so, in short, yes I was on LOTS of meds to heal/prevent them but nothing worked. Once the ulcers were there, they did a lot of damage quickly. 

The hope is that since all the ulcers are now gone, I will stay on acid meds for LIFE now. 

I also had no ther risk factors: never smoked a cigarette in my life, no alcohol, not even one NSAID after surgery, no spicy foods etc. 

i am one of the mystery cases. Rest assured though...the stats I was given Said that these late onset ulcers ****urring 1-2 years post surgery) are rare...like less than 1%....BUT the late onset ulcers tend to be more aggressive and not respond to treatment.

Oh and I got to TWH at 5am Friday and I'm still here! ...now I keep spiking 103 fevers so I can't go home until that clears up. 😢

Could your risk of ulcers be greater because you became pregnant so soon after your rny surgery?  Did they mention anything about that to you or do they feel it is no related?  How is your little one doing?  Hope you heal up fast and have no further issues.  Hey, maybe the super small pouch will be even better at keeping your weight down in the end?  

I'm not sure how a pregnancy would cause someone to become more susceptible to ulcers?

Wishing you a speedy recovery and thanks for the warning to stay on top of any concerns!

They don't think the pregnancy so soon after my original RNY has any bearing on this. We sailed through that pregnancy and both of us did amazing with no complications at all...however I was very lucky, as someone else may not have done so well. Speaking of which, my little man just turned one on the 6th....that was a fast year!!

i am just one of the mysteries as to the cause of ulcers. But at least I know now that I will be on PPI's for life. Hopefully that will prevent future problems. 

So happy to hear your little one is doing well, and already 1 year old.  Hopefully this is the last surgery and you will have smooth sailing from here on out.  Thanks for sharing your experience, very helpful to know that if this happens there are surgical options.  Let us know how things are going with the new smaller pouch.

Very speedy recovery to you! What an ordeal this has been. Hopefully the surgery will do the trick. xo

OMG you have been through so much. I hope this finally resolves it for you. Sorry to beat a dead horse but from what I am reading in your message you took PPI for 3 months post op, then none for at least a year and then your problems started up?. Doctors (or centres) will never admit when they make mistakes and I only hear the best things about Dr Jackson but why don't they prescribe ppi's  for  life for all bariatrics when they know that post ops are prone to hernias?

I plan to stay on my prevacid fastab for life as Dr Hagen told me to and keep my fingers crossed. I am glad that you are staying on yours as well.

thank you for sharing your experience and congratulations on your baby! Something to be really happy for.

I too just recently had a revision, due to ulcers.  I was on a PPI the entire time, and even while on meds to treat the first ulcer I ended up getting more.  I don't smoke, don't drink caffeine, no carbonation etc..

I had two surgeons and both told me that sometimes people just get them.  It can be from irritation from the staples from the initial surgery, or the fact that your pouch just produces too much acid. There is not always a concrete reason.   (My surgeon actually hand sewed my pouch so that I don't have staples anymore, and it is now approx. 30% smaller).  I also had a petersens hernia at 5 months out.  Sometimes things just happen, even when you, the clinic and everyone involved has done everything right.

edited for typo

I developed an ulcer 4 months out, with peritonitis. I had to have emergency surgery. No reason has been discovered for this ulcer. I was not smoking, drinking or taking NSAIDS or aspirin. It just happened. Because it can. Recovered, feeling great, however learned how much water weighs in your body after surgery and recovery. 25 lbs gained, with a feeding tube, and nothing by mouth for 6 days. It's well gone now though. Still on the good downward.