Post op from a total reversal of my gastric bypass

Hi Sandy.. .welcome back to the boards. I'm so sorry that your surgery didn't work for you, as well as for Angela Gormley. Hopefully everyone that is here researching isn't turning a blind eye to what could happen if they opt for surgery.  I know that I read all of the memorials... I wanted to know the good, the bad and the ugly!

There are certainly risks with any surgery, and you can't be more right in warning people to really research their surgeons and not just go with the easiest or the fastest!  We've all seen what can happen in that scenario! I hope that you will participate with us here and share your insight.  I hope that you have come to some sense of peace over your situation.  Surgery definitely isn't the answer for everyone. I look forward to reading your posts. Wendy

Sandy - thank you for posting this.  I am so sorry you've had so many problems.  I truly believe you are right.  WLS is not for everyone.  Much research needs to be done and doctors need to be selected carefully.  While I am more than happy with the outcome of my surgery, visitors here should know that all outcomes are not good.  We shouldn't push surgery on people who aren't ready for it either. All the best, Linda

Linda you are so right.  It is so important to take your time and really hear all sides, and pick a wonderful doctor who has lots of surgeries under his/her belt. I truly believe that God is keeping me here to guide others.   Email me personally if I can answer anyones questions. Sandy P

Sandy I do believe I remember you..you posted here before I had surgery. I am glad you posted this, as it just goes to show you can have NO problems for years then BAM! Please, can you tell me, did your doctors give you an explanation as to why you have all these bowel obstructions?  Why did it suddenly onset out of the blue?  What causes it?   Were you dilligent about taking your vitamins?  I am 30 months postop and have postural hypotention (BP drop upon standing) but no significant other issues.  Labs are good. Is it a fluke this happend to you? Is there somthing we as postops can do to avoid the issues you and your friend are having? I am greatful to people like you who can warn others about issues like this. I am truly sorry you have so many problems and to regain to boot. Please know you are in my thoughts.. Donna

Queen, your numbers are incredible!!! God Bless, Leila

I was the vitamin Queen actually.  I used to work for Vista Vitamins,Vita4life, Vitamist, and Real Meals.  I took in all the protein I could stand, and vitamins. They ended up bypassing 2 1/2 times what they should have.  Causing me to have almost 0 absorption.  My levels were horrible. One thing ALL bypass patients need to assist on is when you get your levels checked every 3 months, insist that they check your B1(Thiamine) level.  If this is to low, it can be fatal. My surgery was performed open.  So, everytime I had an obstruction, I had to be cut open again.  Adhesions just keep growing causing me to have more and more surgery. It's imparative that you all have BM's very frequently.  If you notice that you stay bloated a lot, and are popping gas-x a lot, see a doctor right away. Sandy

Hi Sandy.  Let me preface this by saying I am terribly sorry that you have had such a horrible result from your surgery.  I'm sure you have suffered terribly, and I certainly hope that things improve for you soon. With that said, I think it is unfair to have posted this the way you did - that is, WITHOUT saying that your surgeon made a HUGE mistake during the surgery.  Your original post implied that your complications and poor outcome were the result of a NORMAL surgery, which may scare off many pre-ops who may not have read this whole thread. Your complete malabsorption and tube feedings are not at all typical of complications of a properly performed procedure.  They are the result of a mistake made by your surgeon.  With two and a half times the appropriate amount of intestine removed, of COURSE you would have complications and malabsorption.  And a surgeon who made THAT mistake is likely to have made other, yet undiscovered mistakes that may also be contributing to your problems. What pre-ops need to know is that researching their surgeon and his success/complication/mortality rates is THE MOST IMPORTANT PART of this whole process.  As a patient, you must be your own best advocate.  The best way to get the best surgery is to be sure you have found the best, most experienced, most respected surgeon available.  I hear so many folks here on OH (mostly self-pays) scouting for the best deal, the lowest price, etc. - which I totally understand, don't get me wrong - but finding the lowest price or the closest facility is NOT the way to ensure the best outcome.  That is the most important thing for anyone considering surgery to bear in mind. It sounds to me as if your surgeon made two mistakes - first, bypassing too much intestine, and second, tangling and wrongly placing the intestines he left behind - hence your obstructions.  I send my most powerful energy, well wishes, and positive thoughts your way, and sincerely hope that your medical concerns are corrected soon.  All the best to you. Amy K

Sandy I am truly sorry for any complications you have, I hope you are oka, how much did they bypass?

Hi Sandy! I guess I'm one of the post ops to whom you're speaking. Do you blame your problems on your surgeon or on the surgery itself? Based on your last paragraph, it sounds like you blame the surgeon.

Also, the bowel obstructions, I really hope I don't offend, but were you still following all doctors' orders? Eating slowly, chewing well, avoiding certain foods, etc.

I had my surgery done at what was called the Bariatric Treament Center of Columbus, Ohio on 1-4-01. I was the vitamin queen.  Between Real Meals or Atkins shakes, lots of water.  Eating 6 times a day My surgeon from that center left there and moved on to PA.  I never got to see him at my six year mark, 7 or 8 yrs. As for vitamins, I truly thing after many years of reading abels, that Vista  Vitamins, B1 in a bottle at GNC, get B12 shots once per month at the PCP's office. But one last important thing- Please take your vitamins and eat your 6 mals a day. I miss being in the "Weight loss surgery" world.  I want to help you get through your journies like I did mine.  Thank God everyday for what he has given you in your life.  My biggest struggle in life, is finding a doctor that will even look at me. I finally found a wonderful GI surgeon out of Cincinnati, Ohio named Dr. Martin, wonderful pain docor in Klickovich, an amazing PCP with a name that I can't spell. Find yourself a good doctor, don't settle on one.  Do lots of research on our own, or contact me and I can help.  I am totally disabled now due to my illnesses.   Thank God I have a wonderful husband of 9 years now to support me.