Update from rainy Cleveland

 I saw Dr. Kroh today (Bariatric surgeon). I haven't seen him in about a year and a half, so a lot has happened. He reviewed my stuff, and this is the plan: (my medical peeps can tune some of the explanation out) Dr. Kroh has no doubt that I have Gastroparesis (basically paralyzed stomach) due to all the nerves that have been severed from the gastric bypass surgeries. He said I'm not really a candidate for the gastric pacemaker, I need to ask him a few clarifying questions about that, but I think he meant because my nerves are severed, where people who have diabetes have damaged, but intact nerves. I was starting to get emotional because I saw my holy grail option disappearing before me. He is going to put in a G-Tube (gastric/stomach) tube tomorrow in hopes that when I have these attacks of severe pain/nausea/bloating, I can use the valve to decompress the stomach. He's going to try that first, but he is consulting with my GI doc at clinic (Dr. Rizk) to discuss doing a complete gastrectomy (stomach removal), I have a partial one now. It's a drastic move, and ironically it would actually bring my anatomy close to what it was during gastric bypass days (no intestine re-routing), and in order to be pro-active (he is aware how close to dying I was from malnutrition when I had the first reversal at university of Chicago), if they had to remove the rest of my stomach, I would get an automatic J-tube(jejunostomy tube/small intestine) that I could receive nutrition through.  I told Dr. Kroh that I am really slipping through the cracks at home, especially when they hear Cleveland clinic. I told him I felt like I was at the end of my medical rope and had no options left. Dr. Kroh said that I have a dedicated team of doctors here at clinic, including him, and that we still have options. I felt a little better about that.  So, I'm leaving my stuff here at the hotel, just packing some things in my duffle to take to the hospital tonight. I'm going to take the last shuttle over, as long as I check in before midnight I'm fine. They will put the G-tube in tomorrow under twilight sedation, it's placement is similar to the EGD that I had (they know about the problem I just had, so he will be extra careful), they go down with scope through mouth to the stomach and create an opening that goes to the outside of the body. Once it is in, it has a little snap/cover on it, and in theory, if I eat and start turning into the Michelin Man, I can undo the valve and let the air out...sounds sexy, right? Ugh The stay in the hospital is two-fold, well maybe 3 or 4...part of it is the "you're here alone" thing, but I would have to stay anyway to have a consult with nutrition so they can show me how to "feed" myself through it if I need to (I do happen to know a 3 year old who could give me a very good tutorial, right Lainey?), and last good reason to be in the hospital? I'm a nightmare patient, and they have figured that out.  So, to wrap up, the kids just think I'm staying longer for a test, which is kind of true. The G-tube is a combo trial that may just fix me (although Dr. Kroh was looking at this as more of a first step/formality to the gastrectomy, but it may just work!). The gastrectomy is my other option and I'm sure would be another trip because I'm not doing that alone.  I'm very emotional, and the irony is getting me, but I'm ok. I can eat until midnight, so I'm going to get a quesadilla from my fav Mexican place. I'll have my phone & charger, so keep those games of words and hanging coming. I'll update you more when I know what time, etc...

Jules,

It's funny how you mentioned that you've now been diagnosed with GP after having the RNY as i was told that the RNY was a cure for GP.

You see i had the DS surgery in 2004 and in 2009 was diagnesed with GP and then was advised to have the RNY to cure the GP but here I am in 2011 with all the same broblems as before.

Good luck to you in your recovery process of this horrible illness.

Regards
Babyface

 BabyFace,
I'm very sorry to hear that you are still sick and struggling, to say it sucks is to put it mildly. I'll pray for a return to health for you. 
Jules