x-post to RNY board - My RNY Surgery Failed

Hi. I posted this yesterday but I couldn't stay coherant long enough to get it here too. So, I'm posting today:

Hi. I just got home - surgery was yesterday but it all went wrong.

Once they had put me out and got "inside" they found out that my small bowel is too short to connect to the new stomach. It's just a weird thing with my particular anatomy. So, no RNY.

Since there was no insurance approval and no approval by me for anything else - they just closed everything up. The first thing I remember in recovery is waking up and a nurse said, "You are okay, but they weren't able to do your surgery." I closed my eyes really tight and thought it was a bad dream, but it wasn't. I still feel like it's just a terrible nightmare and I'll wake up any minute.

I guess it's rare - my surgeon has done over 2,000 surgeries and this is only the second time this has ever happened. The resident told me that it is a documented condition but very rare. They kept me overnight b/c I did have surgery, and they did a lot of poking in me - I also have 4 incision. But, I came home today. Everyone felt so bad - the surgeon's NP came by to see me this morning and said she was in the room and she almost started to cry - they all said my surgeon was just beside himself, so upset too.

I'm just crushed. Absolutely crushed. Everything I've done to lead up to this and now nothing.

My doctor is suggesting coming back in a couple of weeks and doing lap band. I just don't know what to do - lap band was not what I wanted. I was so looking forward to starting a new life..now I have nothing.

I cried almost the whole way home today.

I am so sorry! I feel sick just reading this. Can you look into the VSG? It has very similar sucess rates as the RNY and it's not much more in cost than Lapband and a better sucess rate. I hope you get a surgery you will love very very soon. ((Hugs))

That absolutely sucks!  I'm so sorry to hear you had to go through all that and no WLS!

I suggest you look into the VSG (sleeve) as well.  I think it has the good aspect of the band without the bad.  It's weird thinking of getting rid of part of your stomach but honestly, having a sleeve is like having a regular stomach, just one that makes you feel full so much quicker!  If your surgeon doesn't do sleeve and you want one, don't be afraid to switch or travel.

So sorry...you could always get the Lap Band for now and make a decision about the VSG later.  The band is reversable.  Hang in there   :)

So sorry to hear you had to go through all that for nothing.  We just never know.  Take it easy and heal, and then you'll be ready to take the next step.  Never give up - Never!

Im so sorry sweetie

Oh Laura, I'm just sick. After you recover for a while (physically and emotionally) you have to believe that there is something else good for you out there.

Have a good talk with your surgeon about what options are available to you given your anatomy. Maybe there is a medical and exercise program that will work for you. Use this experience to get real mad and tell yourself that you WILL succeed in spite of hardship!!

I've wanted the lap band all along, but I know it's not popular with the over 50 BMI folks. It's slower and has some complications, but I like that there are no malabsorption issues and I actually LIKE the idea of a ring around my stomach that stops me from over eating. A friend had it done and she let me feel the little port under her skin where they inject the saline to fill the band. I don't want to talk you into something though that you don't want.

Just be kind to yourself for a couple of weeks. This is a biggie. I hope your family is recovered from the flu and you can take a little time to figure out what to do next. There IS something to do next, you just don't know what it is yet.

Hang in there.

Oh Laura I am so sorry that happened to you.. I can't imagine the disappointment and hurt you must feel. I wish there was some magical thing to say to make you feel better. But there isn't  The only thing I can say is that I am here for you anytime you need to talk or to vent. We all will be here for you.. We all care about you..
The only thing I can think to tell you is that when God closes a door he opens another. Don't get so caught up in looking at the door he closed that you miss the one he opens. We all try to make educated decisions about which surgery is the right one for us and maybe we do make good decisions but maybe they are not always the best.. This was not meant to be for you.. I know that don't make you feel better but I feel that when something is not meant to be it is better that I don't get what I want.  You need to research the other options you have. Talk to your surgeon and ask what options are available for you.. WLS is not a thing to give up on.. You have put so much work into it that you can't give up now.. Look for that open door honey.. It is there.. You will find it.. Keep looking for it and you will find the right course of action to take.
I will pray for you for the hurt and disappointment to not tear you down but to help build you up to a new decision on a new life.
You will have a new start and a new life.. It will happen I am sure of it. So don't stop looking for the open door.. and if you need help just ask any of us .. we all will try to help you any way we can.
My heart is breaking for you.. but please don't let this break you spirit..
Hugs and Prayers.

Wow your story really touched me. We never know why things happen the way they do. We never know if maybe with your bowel problem maybe the surgery would of been fatal for you. Take care of yourself,  and may God direct you and your doctors to the right decision.

Praying for you today.

You'd think the all the high tech diagnostics these days, they could "see" something like this ahead of time. Gosh, what a disappointment.

I'm so sorry this happened to you. As other posters have said, take good care of yourself in the next few weeks and form a new plan. We are here for you whatever you decide.

Don't give up. You are worth it!