10 years post op complications

Hello out there. I haven't been here in a long time, but I still love reading all the posts from everyone.

I have some questions for post op folks.

No one ever explained there would be new and strange complications that come up YEARS after surgery. I am terribly anemic and I have a Hematologist that is happy to give me IV iron every few months. I have B12 shots once a month.  I have gotten used to that problem, but there are others that no one seems to understand. I can't even get anyone to believe it is a REAL problem. I can't find one single thing that sets it off. The pain is intermittent, but extreme! I sometimes have vomiting and diarrhea. Then the next time, there is only pain. It is so hard to describe to someone. The pain is in my lower right and left quads and sometimes it is in my back. My bowels are leaving me in the dust on a daily basis. I can't get to the potty fast enough sometimes. My bm's are jelly like and always a lot of matter! I haven't had this problem until about a year ago. I have been to the ER twice for CT's. I don't have a gallbladder and it is never my appendix. They can never find any type of bowel blockage. I have been to a gastroenterologist. He did a colonoscopy and it was great! I seem to keep going downhill. I just don't bounce back anymore. Every time I am sick to my stomach, my husband makes me feel silly for worrying. Does anyone have any similar experiences? Can you tell me what you found out?

This isn't dumping. I know what that is and what to expect.

I don't have an answer for you but wanted to make a suggestion. You used a really funky font that may be hard for some eyes to read. So I would suggest a font like times new roman. Also make break this up into some paragraphs as well. That may get more people to read it and to respond.

Sounds to me like SIBO and IBS-D ...google that....

http://ibs.about.com/od/symptomsofib1/f/SIBO.htm

I am pretty sure I have SIBO and IBS-D... I had to eliminate a lot of foods.  I am on low carb FODMAP diet (google that) taht really helps a lot. 

BTW:  low iron and low B12 are listed as one of symptoms - or side effects of SIBO...

It is really hard to find doc to diagnose and treat SIBO

I think the are looking up the wrong end. I think you need a GI scope done. 

I'm with Hala, it sounds like bacterial overgrowth of the intestines.  I suffered with that for years before my revision.  My problem was because of the way my intestines were configured.

Anyway, see if you can get your doctor to prescribe some Flagyl.  If you see improvement with that then you have your answer.

Hopefully the Flagyl will clear it up and then be sure to take a good probiotic to keep things in balance so it won't happen again.

As far as the pain, I have seen a lot of long term post ops who complain of pain that can't be pinpointed.  I've  had a few ER visits myself.  I was finally diagnosed with a bowel obstruction but I had to demand a CT while I was experiencing the pain or it wouldn't have shown up.  Fortunately it resolved without surgery and I learned how to deal with things before they got out of hand again.

The other possibility is a Petersen's hernia.  Here is a brief explanation:

Petersen's hernias are internal hernias that are the most common cause of intestinal obstruction after laparoscopic bariatric surgery and these can result in closed loop obstructions, bowel necrosis, bowel perforation, and even death. After laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, there are several potential spaces for internal hernias including Petersen's defect, which occurs between the mesentery of the Roux limb and the mesentery of the transverse colon. This defect is found in both antecolic and retrocolic gastric bypass. Internal hernias are difficult to diagnose both clinically and radiographically, thus diagnosis is often made at the time of operation.

Hopefully your surgeon is on top of things and can explore the possibility.  As it says, they are difficult to diagnose without surgery.  If your doctor won't look further then find one who will.

I get severe pain due to my IBS and food allergies. 

If you had RNY or DS - the bacterial overgrowth is not uncommon, but preventable once you know what to do.

Basically, the flora (bacteria) in your gut gets unbalanced.  Gas, bloating and diarrhea occur regularly when this happens.  I also noted a difference in the odor of my stool.  If left untreated for too long, it can get to a bacterial infection (c-diff) which can take weeks and even months to clear up.  These types of infections are resistant to many antibiotics, which is why it's difficult to cure.

Most prevent this occurrance with a probiotic daily.  This can be a pill to add to your regimen, but for some like me, eating yogurt on a regular basis is all I need. 

Even tho I am going for the sleeve, this post AND the responses are very important to read.  I have not read about any of this.  Thanks for bringing this to the boards.

Hi there, everyone.  Kelly I was in the same situation, and, not to scare you as a result I've already had one surgery for a bowel obstruction. And the surgeon tells me, that they cannot garuntee I won't need more in the future as being post bypass my innards are well "moveable" to a degree that they normally aren't. (whatever that meant) While my bypass surgeon was great and I dearly love the man (saved my life very literally) HAD anyone told me, that such a problem as bowel obstructions and certain other issues I have had to face now that I am five/six years after my bypass, I'd have gone another route such as a tapeworm instead! J/k LOL