9 years after vsg having problems

I had my VSG in 2010. Lost over 150 lbs and ended floating around the 350 mark.

The past few months have been very tough and doctors are not finding answers. Over a month ago I passed almost 2 pints of blood and passed out but that passed. Spent the day in emergancy room thinking it was a heart attack. Pain and couldnot breathe and feinting.

My lungs and and heart were in perfect health. So it was not a heart attack.

They think there is sometype of problem with my stomach, the pain of reflux and whatever is wrong with my stomach under my ribs had them concerned. The pain comes on whenever I eat anything and lasts for more than an hour.

This is actually bankrupting me, I can't do manual labor and the pain, breathing issues and fatigue is constant. The ER doctor said the breathing was actually hyperventilation becuase of the pain. Anyway they said I should go back to a primary care for a referral to a specialist.

This may or may not have anything to do with VSG, but is probably related to the severe acid issues that follow.

MOney is a serious issue as I dont have health care but I am wondering if I shouldnt just head to specialist instead.

Oh my, that sounds terrible! I've been living in Ireland the past 20 years, so I don't know much about the U.S. healthcare system under the Affordable Care Act. With it being Christmas Eve there may not be many people on the forum. I don't have any suggestions for you, but I wanted to reply just so you'd know someone was listening.

Can you go on disability until this medical problem is sorted?

In the USA it takes years to get on disability.

This happened a couple years back and a tear in the colon had occurred.

I assume its a similar thing. Except it feels like the pain is in a few new places. I think I wont get a real answer without getting a endoscopy done. I post these things here as a way to track what happened to me after the surgery. And reflux has been such a terrible battle.

BTW I have Irish on my dad's side and would love to see the Emerald Isles.

Thank you for listening and Merry Christmas. :)

I would try to see an gastroenterogist as soon as you can.

My coworker recently told me she had the surgery in 2013(vsg) and she said it was a failed surgery. That she currently has a grapefruit sized hole in her sleeve that is the reason for her weight gain...she said she was scoped and everything but current insurance wouldn't approve her for any more weight loss surgery related surgeries. Some of your problem's seems similar to hers but truthfully I don't know how anyone can have a grapefruit sized hole in their sleeve for years and not be dead.

I had similar symptoms when I had gallstones.

That's a good point. I would hope that the doctors ruled that out, because gallstones are very common after significant weight loss. But the OP should check to make sure.

Some people develop severe GERD after gastric sleeve surgery. Dont ignore GERD. It can cause Serious damage to your sleeve, your esophagus (Barrett's esophagus - precancerous lesions) and when aspiration acid - it can cause a severe permanent damage to the lungs.

The pain you describe - under the ribs - can also indi5liver - gallbladder issues. I had not working GB, and when I ate, I would hurt a lot (sometimes crying in pain). Breathing was really difficult when I got GB pain.

In any case - you probably need to see a specialist. Gastro doctor, and get some blood labwork. When you losing blood as you describe - you may have passed out because you lost the blood, and became severely anemic almost instantly. It is critical to do blood work, to determine if you are anemic now. That can cause shortness of breath, heart palpitations during any exertion. When my iron level dropped and my body became anemic, even 1-2 flights of stairs could leave me gasping for air. After I got iron infusions, I could run up that stairs without getting winded.

I hope you find what is going on.

Thank you.

I'm having severe GERD 6 years out. May have to have a revision to gastric bypass. Just waiting to get the ok. Tough road.