RNY takedown (reversal)

I had a RNY in August of 2009 with a surgeon who came highly recommended.  I have a fobi pouch which means there is a ring placed around the bottom of my pouch to keep from stretching it out.  I had a lot of difficulties and was in ICU for 2 weeks in kidney failure.  Then an additional 7 weeks because my wound dehisced (split open).  After being discharged, I had to wear the wound vac for 3 months and I couldn't tolerate hardly any types of foods suggested.  So it took the rest of 2009 for me to recover.  It was a living hell.  I did lose 150 lbs from the surgery and for the next 4 years was doing great!  I felt energetic and alive again.  

The most important part of this procedure is the follow up to check your labs.  Well my Dr was evicted from his office, had his privileges revoked and moved out of the country leaving me no one to follow up.  Most PCP have no clue how to follow you.  So for the next 4 years everything was great.

I was graduating from nursing school in May of 2013.  Around the same time I started being chronically fatigued, muscle wasting, n/v and abdominal pain.  By the end of 2014 the episodes were interfering with life.  I kept searching and trying different doctors who would not order the blood work I was requesting.  I saw almost 20 Drs and numerous ER visits and was always told I had not accepted the confines of wls!  Finally in Oct 2014, I passed out while driving home from work one morning and crossed the line hitting another car head on.  Still it wasn't taken seriously.

In 2015, I knew I was in trouble yet still could not find any doctor to help.  I started losing weight again rapidly and passing out regularly.  I am a nurse with the same hospital system I was seeking help from for 2 years.  After doing some research myself I found several articles in nursing journals where people were dying from malnutrition 6-7 years out of wls.

i gathered all my records and went to Atlanta to a PCP who very willingly did a lot of bloodwork.  The results were terrifying.  My trace minerals were completely depleted, my electrolytes were all critically low and my pre-albumin (protein) was 3!  It should be above 20.  I had literally starved to death because 3 is fatal.  while we were getting TPN approved, the N/V got so bad, I went to the ER where they did a CT of my abdomen and said I had several small blockages and I had emergency surgery.  I developed complications and had another emergency surgery 6 days later.  It was discovered my entire GI tract was shut down so I was told I may not survive a surgery to take down my RNY.  I was put on 24 hour TPN and after 5 weeks in the hospital my level only rose to 5.  I was transferred to a skilled nursing facility (nursing home) where I was told I'd be for 6 months.  At this point I was only on TPN 12 hours each night.  I worked hard in therapy and was able to come home on November 13th.  I still can not stay hydrated or eat enough to maintain my nutrition.  An EGD in the hospital showed my pouch was the size of a plum!  Finally my GI tract slowly started working.  Still not like it should but I can now eat maybe 10-15 bites of food a day.  Because of the slow drainage from my pouch, I can either hydrate or eat.  Can't do both.  Right now I am on TPN every night that I do myself.  And since I can't stay hydrated, they have now added an extra 500 cc of normal saline to my bags so it will now be 2000cc a night over 14 hrs.

my protein level is now 14 but I can't maintain that without TPN.  The GI dr said today he sees no way around a takedown.  I have been out of work for 9 months.  Trying to get on Long term disability is a nightmare.  I can't go back to work as a nurse right now so I am sitting on $40k in student loans and can't work.

i have enjoyed my weight loss and being able to wear regular clothes, but not sure it's been worth what I'm living with.  Oh I forgot to tell you I also have a G-J tube which unless I have a takedown is with me for life.  Don't think that will look too good in a swimsuit.

my advice for anyone considering wls is to research, research and more research.  Ask the dr if you can speak to any patients.  Go to support group meetings before you even think about scheduling surgery.  Find out how long the hospital has had bariatric services, and make sure you have a strict follow up plan and support group.

I miss my nursing job.  I miss having boundless energy, doing things for my family.  Even cooking a meal wears me out and I take a 2 hr nap just to be able to sit on the couch.  I have to prioritize what's important because my body tolerates 1 activity (2 hrs) a day.

Tina