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Docj
on 8/13/11 8:41 am

Revision on 09/01/88

Topic: 22 years since I "reversed" my WLS.

So, I know you are out there somewhere.

All of you who have had WLS "reversals and or takedowns"...

I'm still hoping to hear how you are doing. I can't be the only one experiencing all these late complications after attempting to undo this mess.

I'm still glad I had the "takedown". It probably saved my life even though I'm now in more trouble (physically). Too bad some WLS ops can't be totally reversed.

No, I did not re-gain all of the weight.

I appeared on national TV a few yrs ago in an attempt to get the word out about lack of informed consent and complications re these procedures. The letters I received from other ill WLS pts were both astounding
and heartbreaking.

I also conducted an extensive research study on these procedures in 94' at U.S.C. Most bariatric surgeons I approached with it ran like hell (with the exception of some academics). They knew if they implemented suggestions I made re support systems, informed consent, and screening, less pts would have surgery.

If I can muster the energy to mount another media blitz, I will do so.

However, I still think WLS is appropriate in some cases (i.e., if someone is in danger of dying from obesity related conditions within 1-2 yrs and then it only should be performed/monitored by a comprehensive team for the lifetime of the pt).

Okay, guys... please respond to my posts.

Best,

Docj

Docj
on 8/10/11 5:56 am, edited 8/13/11 7:54 am

Revision on 09/01/88

Topic: List of comps. after long term (89') BPD (Long Loop RNY) reversal

Hi Y'all,

Just thought I'd add a list of bummer side effects I'm now plagued by years later following "reversal" of BPD in 89' (no DS involved, the BPD was performed in 85');

Osteopenia - Will soon have IV Reclast.

Impaired motility - Food moves through the GI tract ever so slowly.

Reactive hypoglycemia - Causing tachycardia (up to 120 bpm) and shakiness/weakness.

Bloating/flatus - Enough to fill the Goodyear blimp and clear out a stadium full of folks. This should be classified as a weapon of mass destruction.

SIBO - Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth syn. I still have a blind loop.

Intermittent burning in the throat - I have very little stomach left so, I assume this may be bile reflux...

Joint pain - Docs are calling this "Unspecified Connective Tissue Disease".

Infrequent runs - A couple times a month, at times more.

Bad skin - Fragile, dry, cracking, and breakouts similar to acne.

Insomnia - 3 to 5 hours of sleep per nite.

Frequent URIs - Have had at least 5 already this year involving junk in the chest and sinuses, up to 104 temp.

Fatigue - Duh!

Hemorrhoids - In the absence of runs/constipation (internal/external).

Swollen, painful salivary glands under tongue - Cyclical, not Sjogren's Syn.

Anemia - Comes and goes.

High Vit. B-12 - Without supplementation (it should be low). Also, some other weird lab values.

Oh, TMI, huh? There's more, but these are the worst ones.

I am a professional and am now only able to work PT due to these symptoms.

I have consulted so many other docs, some just assume I'm doc shopping (without reading the med. records).

There's a paucity of info re the condition of long term WLS "reversal" pts... Some WLS c a n ' t be completely taken down. Once you monkey with your guts, sometimes there's no going back...

At the end of this month, I'll be undergoing a DBE (double balloon enteroscopy) performed at the only facility doing this procedure on the west coast. It may be able to get into areas other scopes couldn't.

WLS digestive tracts can't always be completely visualized (especially the small bowel and blind loop) by other procedures.

I really want to hear from those of you who were "reversed" and how you are doing now. What side effects if any do you have?

severman
on 8/10/11 3:54 am - Indianapolis, IN

RNY on 12/27/02

Topic: RE: anyone with severe abdominal pain

So what is the name of the rare disease you have? I have now been diagnosed with Blind Loop Disease. It is where a section of my bowel becomes paralyzed and bacteria grows sometimes leading to a bowel obstruction. I had surgery a year ago and seem to be doing better now. I was just curious. I still have the chromic abdominal pain that they say is from the eight abdominal surgeries that I have had due to my roux en y.

Stephanie E

RieBello2
on 8/9/11 10:50 pm - Mount Clemens, MI

Topic: RE: 2.5 years since I had my RNY REVERSED

My friends,
Here is where it stands with me as of today. I was scoped and the surgeon dialated my pouch, the narrowing to my pouch was extreme, no food could barely pass through, found an ulcer too! Says I'll probably have to the procedure again and blamed me for not coming in sooner. My iron was low, put 60mgs per day and now have to drink my ulcer crap 4 times a day. He says i should start to be able to eat meat and hold it down....we'll see? I'm still not convinced I want to continue with having it not REVERSED, but damn these surgeons don't want to talk about it.

RieBello2
on 8/9/11 10:43 pm - Mount Clemens, MI

Topic: RE: 2.5 years since I had my RNY REVERSED

No I have yet to see the Endo doc, the wait was for one month to get for appt. In the meantime I was scoped last Friday and the surgeon dialated my pouch, everything was narrow and no food could pass through and found an ulcer....more med's!!!! Sick of it! i take more prescriptions & supplements than my grandmother. Thanks for helping me through this.

rbb825
on 8/9/11 10:33 pm - Suffern, NY

RNY on 10/27/08

Topic: RE: 2.5 years since I had my RNY REVERSED

Please see an Endocrinologist. If you are testing Hyperthyroid, you need to be treated properly. Hyperthyroidism is nothing to fool with. First off - are you are thyroid medication? IF so, then you are on too much and need your medication lowered ASAP. IF you aren't then you need testing to find out why you are hyperthyroid - hyper is very rare on its own when not due to over medication. This is also a major cause for excess weight loss, irritability and rapid heartbeat. Please get checked out ASAP>

rbb825
on 8/9/11 10:19 pm - Suffern, NY

RNY on 10/27/08

Topic: RE: motility issues/severe constipation after RGB

Sorry TMI = I do have some type of motility disorder but never specifically disagnosed. Prior to my gastric bypass I had IBS so bad, that I had diahrea really bad, sometimes everyday so it didnt' affect me that bad. When I didn't have the diahrea, I had to push the stool out by pushing on the skin on the outside of my rectal area and if that didn't work, I would actually have to use my fingers and pull it out . It was really gross but it didnt' happen very often. My aunt actually told me she was the same way. So, I didnt' think anything of it and it was only once in awhile. Well, then my gastric bypass happened and my IBS went away and constipation set in. I now couldn't go on my own anymore. I had to use my fingers all the time. My GI doctor didn't seem concerned - my colonoscopy was normal. I was normal though - more normal than ever - when ever I drank my protein shakes, within a half an hour, I had to go. This was either once or twice a day and I never went that often in my life, so I thought things were good - just gross.

Then all of a sudden one day, things stopped. I drank my shake and nothing happened. 3 days went by and nothing. I tried dulcolax and nothing and the next day I tried an enema. It was now Sunday night. I waited until Monday morning - now 5 days and lots of pain. Called my GI doctor and he had me come right in and sent me for a CT scan. Before I could even get home, he called to say I had to get immediately into NYC to my surgeon for emergency surgery - I had a bowel obstruction and internal hernia. That was the beginning a 5 months of hell and 4 surgeries = perforated colon, septic, illiostomy, illiostomy reversal. I haven't been same since.

I was told about 10 years after another abdominal surgery that I had a mild case of gastroparesis but it was always controlled with reglan. They took me off of the reglan when I had these surgeries this past winter though. Since all this, I am left with constant diarhea - no more constipation.

I don't know anything about the type of surgery you are having and how it will affect you but if you have any of the side effects that we get, constipation is definitely a problem for most of us and if you already have a motility problem, then I am not sure of the purpose

rbb825
on 8/9/11 9:51 pm - Suffern, NY

RNY on 10/27/08

Topic: RE: HELP!!!!! I'm having Major problems...

I hope things are better and that you are taking care of the problem. Once food is aspirating into your lungs it is a major problem and you need to have your band taken out ASAP. This is life threatening. Unfortunately lap bands have lots of complications. If you need a different surgeon that is highly trained in revisions and complicated surgeries - try either Dr Garth Ballantyne at Hackensack Medical Center, Hackensack NJ or Dr Marc Bessler at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in NYC = 212-305-4000. Good luck

Docj
on 8/9/11 10:11 am

Revision on 09/01/88

Topic: Side effects following WLS reversal

Hi,

I'm new to this site.

After undergoing 4 revisions, I finally threw in the towel and had a "takedown" of my BPD in 89'. Most of the stomach was removed. I now have nasty physical side effects. I'd like to find out what other "reversed" people are experiencing. There is a lack of info about long term reversed WLS pts.