I realize this is a very old post but, I wanted to thank you for this post. I had my RNY on Dec. 21, 2010 and quit smoking long enough to get the surgery and then started smoking again as soon as I got out of the hospital. I developed an Extremely Large ulcer in my pouch. I was put on carafate liquid and protonix for the ulcer and up until today... still smoke (with meds, the ulcer doesnt hurt anymore) but.. then after reading your post I realized that this can get a lot worse if I continue to smoke. Thanks for an old yet fairly new post!


Kathy

How do they check for this kind of hernia/bowel obstruction?  I just had a colonoscopy done and that came back normal- wouldnt a colonoscopy show any bowel obstruction?  Also I am having BM's regularly.... thanks for the info.  I experience the pain after eating (which now that I have cut out dairy has become better) or when I am constipated, but the pain is more in the lower left abdomen.  So they have diagnosed me with IBS according to my symptoms.  I am scheduled for a hyda scan and ultrasound to check the gallbladder also...

Thank you so much for your response.  I am just at my wits end here.  I am up to 114 lbs as of today.  Doc said I need to put on as much as I can before the surgery.  I am trying but can't seem to regain squat.  114 lbs makes me look less anorexic but I am still painfully thin and week.  My hernia sticks so far out of my stomach its not even funny.  March 7th cannot get here fast enough.  The pain is tolerated with pain meds, the lowest dose possible and the least addictive - I also went through transfer addiction during the  past 7 years.  Drank for about one year and am now sober almost 3 years.  I got a copy of my bloodwork before hand and yes it is in the dumps.  Also, I forgot to mention during the past 7 years I was also diagnosed with Lupus and systemic Scleroderma.  This could also be playing a part in some of the complications I have been having.  Basically, when the doc said Lupus it then explained 30 years of health issues I thought were off the wall.  Now I had a clue.
The Scleroderma messes with the digestive track.  Just freaking great.  I can't eat as it is, and now I have something that can and does cause strictures etc.  Maybe he can make me a new pouch?  I don't know.  I guess I'll find out at the appointment.  Thank you for your support.  Kathy

Hi Kathy

I had my rny about the same time you did...but fewer complications and never lost all them needed weight and fighting regain. I had a series of hospitalizations with bowel obstructions and  I Just had a life threatening "huge" (surgeon's words) internal hernia(related to rny) fixed last week and am recovering at home. Saved my life.

A close friend of mine had her intestine rupture from an obstruction and she has had continuing problems since then (35 days in intensive care 15 surgeries etc) ...seems similar to yours but she is stable now. (and regaining too much weight)
 
A reversal is a very serious surgery, much more so than the original rny and you need to be as healthy as you can be for the surgery.  If you choose to reverse  it you must get the best possible, most experienced surgeon you can find.  Do a lot of research....  As a suggestion Go to a university medical library and talk to a medical  reference librarian.  They can help you research the various, surgeons and their expereince.  Just googling doesn't work well enough. 

Good luck

Hi...First, I hope you are feeling so much better now!  That sounds like a very uncomfortable procedure.  But glad you were able to get the help you needed! 

Thanks for the heads up as well.  I will keep what you had to go thru and had done in the back of my mind if my problems resurface.  I am almost a year out.  So keeping my fingers crossed nothing more serious than what I experienced. 

My regular doctor changed my meds dosage and seemed to help tremendously.  As for the stomach pain and bloating...I was able to research on line about Acidophilis.  I tried it and it has really worked wonders for me.  I take it daily now.  I had some stomach pains here and there, but nothing like the cramps I was experiencing.  

Again....I hope you are feeling so much better.  And if it is ok...I will send a note over in about a week to see how you are.

Kim