I was diagnosed with Nesidioblastosis this past Oct. and subsequently had 3/4 of my pancreas removed. I was told at the time that I was the ninth person diagnosed with this in the US as having been caused by gastric bypass surgery. (In my case, a gastric resection - I had the majority of my stomach removed because of precancerous growths in my stomach and a strong family history of stomach/ colon cancer.)

After the resection, I spent over a year getting almost every cardiac test in the book because of my fainting episodes. Because my brother is a diabetic, I suggested a blood sugar test after nothing was discovered during cardiac testing. It showed that I was hypoglycemic - my blood sugar fell every time I ate. My general practioner wasn't concerned - "just live with it". Lucky for me, I had a great surgeon who was concerned. (Of course, it didn't hurt that when they checked my blood glucose level in the hospital it was 28 - and I was walking around and talking. Most people are unconscious when their sugar falls that low.) My surgeon sent me to an endiocronologist who luckily kept up with his reading; ie, the article in the New England Journal of Medicine about Nesidioblastosis. After some nasty hospital tests, it was confirmed- because I was basically non-functional for the majority of the day and because I had 3 episodes of convulsions in the 30 days before surgery was suggested, I went ahead with the operation.

It hasn't exactly been smooth sailing. I developed Wikie's syndrome after the surgery from losing weight too fast. (Intermittent obstruction of the bowel) I've been told that I need to gain weight - NO!!!! - so that the artery that is blocking my bowel will regain its "fat pad". (So far, I haven't had much success with gaining weight.) I'm also likely in the pre-diabetic stage. I won't know for sure until 3 months have passed since the surgery.  However, I'm not sorry that I had the pancreatectomy. My mind is functional again.  My sugar dropped so low before the operation that I was really confused most of the time. I also should say that I still slightly reactive hypoglycemic but it can be controled by diet.

I think many people are reactive hypoglycemic after bypass surgery- but not many people (hopefully) develop Nesidioblastosis (which is when the beta cells that produce insulin enlarge.)

My gastric resection was on March 5, 2007. I started developing symptoms within 4 months of surgery. I currently weigh 120 pounds - down from 269.

By the way, I do not regret the initial surgery, either. I didn't do it for cosmetic reasons. I did it to save my life -- and it did. 

Hi, I am seeking a revision to a DS, I would like to invite you to come over to the DS board and post your question. Plus, there is tons of information to be found.


Charmed

Patience,
I think (and hope) that the nausea you are experiencing right now is the normal post-op nausea that we all felt right after surgery, your surgery is so fre**** is hard to tell.  Are you still on clear/full liquids at this stage?  I do agree that you need to listen to your body, and to be honest your surgery is so fresh that I am thinking that although it is a miserable phase, just getting used to getting liquids in can be tough, I would say to keep communicating with your doctor/nurses and if you feel like you need a second set of eyes to look at you, then you should listen to what your body is saying and do it.  Keep drinking no matter what, little sips are best, you can't gulp at this stage no matter what.  I wouldn't give up on this yet, I didn't want to have mine reversed, but I had struggled with complications for 10 months or so and tried many solutions before I came to the very difficult decision to have it reversed.  The small bowel issue hovers over me everyday, so right now it is hard to say because I feel like I have traded one problem for another one.  Hang in there, right after surgery is tough, but just sip sip sip and take it slow.

i had lap rny on 12/8 and was doing okay until a couple of days ago. I am barely able to tolerate anything except milk and tea. i am supposed to be on pureed foods. I know that if something doesn't change i am going to get dehydrated. I can just be sitting down and up comes a little something. it is never right after i drink but awhile after. any thoughts?

Hi I'm new here and am going for the DS.  I am trying to read up as much as possible on surgery and complications thereof.  After reading this forum it has come to my attention that most if not all the posts are from RNYers.  Just curious if there are any DSers out there who had or are having complications?

Thanks.