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Topic: RE: Bleeding Ulcer 3 + Yrs Out
I was also the patient that had every possible complication. Inevitably, RNY patients are much more prone to ulcerations due to the fact that the small intestine isn't able to handle the amount of acid that it receives after RNY. A couple of months ago, I finally relented and had a revision done. I have a wonderful surgeon, but I was the freak patient. You cannot control how your body reacts, but you do still have options. Everything you are going through is a complication from your original surgery, so your insurance (if you are lucky enough to have it), should cover a revision as long as the surgeon doesn't use the word 'sleeve'... even though that's probably what you should be changed to. Many people just call it a revision, some say reversal, but overall, with to remove the ulcers, you will likely need to be revised to a VSG/VGS ... a vertical sleeve gastrectomy. This would elongate the stomach, remove the excess 'bag' portion of the stomach, leaving you with a tube or banana shaped stomach. This elongates the path that your stomach acid has to travel. Although you may have to have a few inches of small intestin removed if it is ulcerated, the rate of malabsorbtion is actually much less with the revised sleeve than with your RNY, so you should eventually have some weight stabilization. Look for a Bariatric Center of Excellence and go see the surgeon. You DO HAVE OPTIONS and you don't have to live your life this way!! (((HUGS))) Best wishes to you!!!
Highest: 297 lbs/Lowest 127 lbs/Maintaining at 140-145 lbs 
RNY Nov 2009/Perforated Ulcers Jan 2010/Revised to modified VSG Dec 2011 
Topic: RE: Sleeve???
Hi Jennifer,
I'm seeing my surgeon tomorrow and hopefully he will write a really good recommendation letter. I'm also hoping he doesn't try to turn me off of the Sleeve - I really think that's what I want. I guess he hasn't done as many sleeves as RNYs, so maybe that's why he wants me to have that. I don't know.
I guess the not knowing if this is going to happen is the worst part for me so far. Also, I'm trying to eat up all the bad food I have in the house before I seriously try to do the things they want me to do so I'm hoping I'll have at least 1 month between the insurance "okay" to go ahead and the actual surgery. People have told me that I should do the six months even if my insurance company doesn't require it (mine doesn't) to get myself "prepared" for it - Maybe I'll put it off an extra month, but I'm so wanting to start this journey that I don't want to wait 6 months, but I don't want to fail either because I wasn't prepared. But I'm tired of getting sick approx. 4 nights a week from the hiatal hernia that I just want this surgery over with!!
So it sounds like we might be having this around the same time. So we'll have to keep in touch to help each other!!
Take care,
Robin
I'm seeing my surgeon tomorrow and hopefully he will write a really good recommendation letter. I'm also hoping he doesn't try to turn me off of the Sleeve - I really think that's what I want. I guess he hasn't done as many sleeves as RNYs, so maybe that's why he wants me to have that. I don't know.
I guess the not knowing if this is going to happen is the worst part for me so far. Also, I'm trying to eat up all the bad food I have in the house before I seriously try to do the things they want me to do so I'm hoping I'll have at least 1 month between the insurance "okay" to go ahead and the actual surgery. People have told me that I should do the six months even if my insurance company doesn't require it (mine doesn't) to get myself "prepared" for it - Maybe I'll put it off an extra month, but I'm so wanting to start this journey that I don't want to wait 6 months, but I don't want to fail either because I wasn't prepared. But I'm tired of getting sick approx. 4 nights a week from the hiatal hernia that I just want this surgery over with!!
So it sounds like we might be having this around the same time. So we'll have to keep in touch to help each other!!
Take care,
Robin
Topic: RE: Sleeve???
Robin,
Hey I have decided to go with the SLEEVE!! My last PCP doc. apt is next Thurs. 2/16/12 then I can submit all my paperwork to the Ins. Co. I choosing the sleeve b/c the band can do so much more damage to your insides w/o you knowing until something major goes wrong and whose to say you will find that comfort level with restriction. Plus all the extra $ I would have to put out b/c the fills are considered "Out Patient" which my co-pay for that is $150.00 a pop.
The RNY I don't want them cutting my intestines point blank so that leaves the Sleeve, yea there are complications with ANY Surgery you choose to do but not doing something and continueing to be unhealthy will in the end kill you as well. I know you have to be at peace with your decision and don't let anyone tell you different. You will know when your ready... Its getting close and I'm not worried who knows if that's how I should be feeling and not to say that I wont be a basket case the day of. Good luck and keep me posted, Thanks for emailing and asking!! Take care
Jennifer
Hey I have decided to go with the SLEEVE!! My last PCP doc. apt is next Thurs. 2/16/12 then I can submit all my paperwork to the Ins. Co. I choosing the sleeve b/c the band can do so much more damage to your insides w/o you knowing until something major goes wrong and whose to say you will find that comfort level with restriction. Plus all the extra $ I would have to put out b/c the fills are considered "Out Patient" which my co-pay for that is $150.00 a pop.
The RNY I don't want them cutting my intestines point blank so that leaves the Sleeve, yea there are complications with ANY Surgery you choose to do but not doing something and continueing to be unhealthy will in the end kill you as well. I know you have to be at peace with your decision and don't let anyone tell you different. You will know when your ready... Its getting close and I'm not worried who knows if that's how I should be feeling and not to say that I wont be a basket case the day of. Good luck and keep me posted, Thanks for emailing and asking!! Take care
Jennifer
(VSG) HW, 346 SW, 341 CW 176.2 GW, 165 
Topic: RE: Insulinoma/hypoglycemia???
My Endocrinologist thought I had an insulinoma many years ago when I was suffering from severe hypoglycemia. My sugars would drop to the 30's and 40's and I had to eat every 2-3 hours around the clock to keep them from dropping further. It was very dangerous.
The test to diagnose an insulinoma is an Octreotide scan which tests for all endocrine tumors. IT is a nuclear scan taking 2-3 days.
You need to see an Endocrinologist ASAP and get the Octreotide scan NOW!!!!!!!!! dont' put it off. These tumors usually aren't cancerous but they produce too much insulin and cause your sugars to bottom out - if this is your problem, you need to have it out, they are dangerous. if your sugar goes too low, you can go into a coma. I don't mean to scare you but it is that serious
make sure you have food with you all the time and avoid carbs as much as possible. If you are going to eat any carbs, have protein with them. Eat protein as much as possible and again eat every 2 to 3 hours, even over night - I had to set my alarm clock
The test to diagnose an insulinoma is an Octreotide scan which tests for all endocrine tumors. IT is a nuclear scan taking 2-3 days.
You need to see an Endocrinologist ASAP and get the Octreotide scan NOW!!!!!!!!! dont' put it off. These tumors usually aren't cancerous but they produce too much insulin and cause your sugars to bottom out - if this is your problem, you need to have it out, they are dangerous. if your sugar goes too low, you can go into a coma. I don't mean to scare you but it is that serious
make sure you have food with you all the time and avoid carbs as much as possible. If you are going to eat any carbs, have protein with them. Eat protein as much as possible and again eat every 2 to 3 hours, even over night - I had to set my alarm clock
Topic: RE: Sleeve???
Jennifer,
You asked your question about 5 months ago - what did you decide to do? I need to make this decision soon and am leaning towards the sleeve, although my doctor wants to do the RNY. I have had acid reflux for about 20 years and the main reason for the surgery in the first place is to fix my hiatal hernia and the doc said he could do the RNY at the same time. I would love to not have acid reflux anymore but it seems like some say it's worse after surgery and some say it's better, so it's very confusing. I've spent a lot of the morning reading the "complications forum" and I think I need to get away from the depressing problems and read some more positive posts.
Would love to hear what you decided to do.
Robin
You asked your question about 5 months ago - what did you decide to do? I need to make this decision soon and am leaning towards the sleeve, although my doctor wants to do the RNY. I have had acid reflux for about 20 years and the main reason for the surgery in the first place is to fix my hiatal hernia and the doc said he could do the RNY at the same time. I would love to not have acid reflux anymore but it seems like some say it's worse after surgery and some say it's better, so it's very confusing. I've spent a lot of the morning reading the "complications forum" and I think I need to get away from the depressing problems and read some more positive posts.
Would love to hear what you decided to do.
Robin
Topic: Insulinoma/hypoglycemia???
Hi Everyone!
I am 30 years old and I had RNY 9/2008. I had gestational diabetes when I was pregnant back in 2007 and was pre-diabetic right up until I had my RNY. After surgery, my sugars were normal for quite some time. In 2010, I noticed that I was starting to have low sugar episodes and my GP got me back to checking my blood sugar levels. I had an a1c test and it was 5.9, so she said I was pre-diabetic again and need to try altering my diet again.
For a while, I wasn't having problems with keeping my low sugar crashes at bay, as long as I didn't stray from the diet, within the past couple months I am having more and more low blood sugar crashes. Within the past week, I am going all day every day struggling to keep them up in the normal range. The lowest I have ever been is 20 for my blood sugar levels and it is not uncommon at all for me to be in the 20-40 range. I have never gone unconscious or had a seizure, surprisingly. Though, I feel that at my lowest levels, I was mere moments from passing out.
I have an appt today to meet back with my GP because I am at my wits end with this. I feel like crap all day long from this roller coaster ride of sugar levels, it is mentally and physically draining. I have been on google lately searching for answers (which i know is never good to do lol) and I am seeing stuff about insulinoma and I seem to have all the symptoms, except for I don't have any abdominal pain. Does anyone know anything about this and what route I need to take.
Thanks,
Cindy
I am 30 years old and I had RNY 9/2008. I had gestational diabetes when I was pregnant back in 2007 and was pre-diabetic right up until I had my RNY. After surgery, my sugars were normal for quite some time. In 2010, I noticed that I was starting to have low sugar episodes and my GP got me back to checking my blood sugar levels. I had an a1c test and it was 5.9, so she said I was pre-diabetic again and need to try altering my diet again.
For a while, I wasn't having problems with keeping my low sugar crashes at bay, as long as I didn't stray from the diet, within the past couple months I am having more and more low blood sugar crashes. Within the past week, I am going all day every day struggling to keep them up in the normal range. The lowest I have ever been is 20 for my blood sugar levels and it is not uncommon at all for me to be in the 20-40 range. I have never gone unconscious or had a seizure, surprisingly. Though, I feel that at my lowest levels, I was mere moments from passing out.
I have an appt today to meet back with my GP because I am at my wits end with this. I feel like crap all day long from this roller coaster ride of sugar levels, it is mentally and physically draining. I have been on google lately searching for answers (which i know is never good to do lol) and I am seeing stuff about insulinoma and I seem to have all the symptoms, except for I don't have any abdominal pain. Does anyone know anything about this and what route I need to take.
Thanks,
Cindy
Topic: RE: Recurrent ulcer?
Thank you for taking the time to post for me. I need all the help I can get. When I went into my GI surgeon clinic the pain has intensified to the point of only eating full liquids at night 30 minutes before I take my ativan. I know I need to get more protein in and the only way I had be getting it in was through carnation breakfasts, but the dietician stated that needed to stop because I have gain too much wait and I was taking in too much milk. So That is out now.
I am getting in all my water throughout the day (room temp as cold temperture things make the pain worse) I don't drink coffee or tea.
My Hgb has dropped from 10.6 from dec '11 to 9.4 today. my bariatric clinic doesn't seem concerned so I went to my FP and she referred me off to a Gastroentrologist to find the source of the bleed.
I am at a loss of where to find a GI doc in the area. I just need to get back to life as I am getting so frustrated.
Please and thank you....I appreciate any and all help.
I am getting in all my water throughout the day (room temp as cold temperture things make the pain worse) I don't drink coffee or tea.
My Hgb has dropped from 10.6 from dec '11 to 9.4 today. my bariatric clinic doesn't seem concerned so I went to my FP and she referred me off to a Gastroentrologist to find the source of the bleed.
I am at a loss of where to find a GI doc in the area. I just need to get back to life as I am getting so frustrated.
Please and thank you....I appreciate any and all help.
Topic: RE: Pre RNY, Post RNY, Post RNY takedown
YES I took my vItaMins religiously, even went as far as injecting myself weekly with b12. Not taking vitamins with this kind of surgery is madness.
I could not eat ANY fruits or veggies with this surgery either. I still remember the day post takedown when was finallyA able to eat an apple. Never thought I could get so excited about a piece of fruit. Now since I've had my takedown i'm back to eating all the wonderful fruits and veggies I used to eat and they don't make me nauseous or vomit.
I could not eat ANY fruits or veggies with this surgery either. I still remember the day post takedown when was finallyA able to eat an apple. Never thought I could get so excited about a piece of fruit. Now since I've had my takedown i'm back to eating all the wonderful fruits and veggies I used to eat and they don't make me nauseous or vomit.
Topic: RE: Not sure where I fit in........reversal, complications and neglect oh my (LONG)
I am so sorry you have gone through this. I do hope you have gotten some help since writing this. If not, please find a good Teaching hospital in a big city = you will find a surgeon to help you and you should sue your surgeon - itis malpractice to not treat you and to not let anyone else -that is crazy.
Ihave had tons of complications but I have a great surgeon and he is always there when I need him and if I need surgery, he is always ther
dont walk, run
good luck andhope you are doingbetter
Ihave had tons of complications but I have a great surgeon and he is always there when I need him and if I need surgery, he is always ther
dont walk, run
good luck andhope you are doingbetter
Topic: RE: Endoscopy to place PEG tube=failure
I feel the same way like I am being tested to see how much I can take but someone is pushing me way too far - It seems every week something else goes wrong and I am at my wits end - and like you said, my persoanity has changed - I am frustrated much more quicker, very short tempered and can be a ***** sometimes - it is terrible. I used to be a very sweet quiet young lady and now I don't recognize myself.
Just ths week, I was diagnosed with gout and found out my kidney stones are back - had 3 surgeries last year and they just keep coming back - the pain is unbearable,
Just ths week, I was diagnosed with gout and found out my kidney stones are back - had 3 surgeries last year and they just keep coming back - the pain is unbearable,
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