7 yrs post op from 1st surgery!!!!!

had the roux ny surgery originally in 1997. I weighed 313lbs and got down to 150lbs. Over 3 yrs later in 2001, I had a staple line failure and had to have a revision done. I had gained,in the 6 months from when the failure was found,about 60 lbs. Everything seemed to be ok and I got back down to about 175-180 lbs,but never back to my original 150lbs!!! Now, I have had another staple line failure and just had revision surgery on Aug. 20th 2003. It was awful!!!!! I had complications,the very next day had emergency surgery because I was bleeding internally from the doctor cutting my liver on accident,had to have blood transfusion,lost 3 pints of blood. I was sent home with a G-tube and a drainage tube in me and the doctor finally took those out,about a week or so later started running fever and had to go back into the hospital for 8 more days for infection!!! I still have my drainage tube in me and am in quiet a bit of pain!!!! I would not tell anyone to have this surgery done,after what I have been through. It seems like everyone ONLY posts the good side of things,but people need to know there is another reality out there!! *****UPDATE 01/12/04*************************************** I originally had my roux n Y surgery done in 1997,had a staple line failure and a revision done in 2001 and now Aug. 2003 another revision for what I was told was a staple line failure. In August, my surgeon went in and seperated my stomach and pouch from each other,cut the left lobe of my liver on accident, and supposedly fixed what he called the "leak from my pouch". Since this time, I have been in and out of the hospital numerous times for infection and for replacement of my drain tube which has been in me since August 20,2003. On Dec. 10,2003 I went back in for the drainage tube to be repositioned and my doctor also put in a feeding tube. This was done because after numerous ct scans and upper GI's he has found that the "leak"(fistula) is still there. I had an EGD with flouroscopy done on Jan. 7 2004 which showed that I have a hole,actually the doctor called it a "fistula" in my esophagus?? He stated he couldn't fix it thru the scope and he has never seen anything like it(it's about the size of a dime). During my last stay in the hospital when the drainage and feeding tube were put in I got an infection in the site the Dr. went in to replace my drainage tube so he opened it up and now I have an open wound in the center of my chest just below the breast line. I am on the "liquid" food through my feeding tube and was only having popsicles or sucking on hard candy and also sips of water to take medicine. Four days ago, I went to change my dressings on my open wound and found a lot of leaking along with 2 blood clots the size of cottonballs. Also, I did my own little "test" and ate a grape popsicle which immediately came gushing out of this open wound. I have had to sip water for my medicine and it also comes gurgling out and a substance that looks just like saliva gurgles out constantly!! I am at my wits end and want to know any suggestions and if anyone knows what is happening to me???!!!!!!! Thanks, Sherry Hall I have been sick now for almost 6 months!!! UPDATE: 7/12/2004 I had open RNY surgery in 1997,revision for stapleline failure in 2000,another revision for stapleline failure Aug 2003 where the dr actually seperated my pouch and stomach so no more stapleline,not to mention the fact that when my dr had me open he accidentally cut the left lobe of my liver,had to have emergency surgery since he sewed me up(knowing he cut my liver,have medical records as proof) I was bleeding internally. Then was sent home after 2 weeks w/drain tubes,which he took out a week later,got major infection back to the hospital again! Then found out(because I insisted on upper gi & i was throwing up all the food I put in my mouth and even some liquids) that I had an esophogeal fistula. The gastroenterologist told me he had never seen anything like it in all his yrs practicing,it is a hole right where the esophagu****s my pouch,and if you know anything about anatomy the left lobe of the liver(remember which my surgeon cut!!) sits right next to where the hole is. I asked the gastro dr could the hole have been caused by suregeon cutting left lobe of liver and maybe also piercing esophagus in the process.....he said he couldn't say yes or no to that question,but could be likely(these 2 dr's are colleagues after all,ya know!) Was put back into the hospital for 2 weeks and left w/feeding tube in me which I had to put liquid crap(food/formula like stuff) and it had to pump all day and all night(not to mention I pulled around an iv pole behind me, that's where the bag of crap hung from). Did I mention I couldn't work during all of this,actually was off work for a little over 8 months!!!! I couldn't have anything by mouth for about 3 months,just the crap thru feeding tube. Also, did I mention when I came out of the hospital,the day before Christmas(only because I begged my dr,told him really I was going to be home for x-mas not in some hospital) not only did I go home with the feeding tube but I now had a lovely hole in the center of my chest which was an actual tunnel all the way down to the hole(esophogeal fistula) in my esophagus/top of my pouch!! Once he had me off the feding tube and back on liquids/food everything I put in my mouth came oozing,sometimes gurgling/shooting out of this hole in my chest!!! Oh yeah,also if the food/liquid doesn't come out the hole,no worry I throw it up instead...and I mean everything I put in my mouth comes out one way or the other!!(I throw up usually 8 or 9 times a day,on a good day!!) Now,on July 7,2004 went in for my dr to try,& I do say try,to fix the esophogeal fistula. He and gastro dr I mentioned earlier,gastro dr with an EGD scope,and surgeon from the outside thru my lovely chest hole and they went in & they each shot this stuff kinda like glue(not really glue but a fibrous tissue made from human and cows,forgot real name of it)...so that each shot this stuff into the fistula,or what I like to refer to as my tunnel. I had nothing by mouth from 7/7/04 until 7/10/04 when my surgeon decided to have me try clear liquids(which aren't really all clear??)anyway and see how I tolerated them,if I could get them down and keep down he would send me home! Yeah on 7/10/04 that morning got my tray of chicken broth,orange jello,grape popsicle and tea. I drank half the broth and 2 bites of popsicle and jello. When my dr came in to discharge me & change my dressing over my hole,low and behold the dressing had purple and orange liquid and was pretty soaked!! He said looks like it didn't work Sherry,but at least we tried!! So here I sit @ 128 lbs and still losing(unfortunately) very depressed and I have no energy most of the time. I try to eat but everything comes up or out the hole!! I totally regret ever having this surgery!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would rather be 313lbs anyday than to be where I am now,and no quality of life!!! My dr can't figure out why I keep throwing up and can't fix my hole either,so..hum...where does that leave me? Needless to say when off all that time from work I tried to find/egt another dr but none will take me because of what has already been done to me and that l am a "liability" now. Funny isn't it,sometimes you have to be careful what you wish for!! The real kicker is that I didn't have any health problems at all back when my journey started in 1997 other than just being fat,and no insurance so I paid for surgery out of my pocket(3 yrs worth of payments..pd off surgery just 2 months before 1st stapleline failure)...go figure,huh! I am an unhealthy 127 lbs today!!

Sherry, I am so sorry to hear that your surgery has failed you so miserably. I have been so on the fence about whether to risk my morbidly obese but otherwise "good" health with this surgery and I think when people tell stories like yours it really helps put it in perspective. I hope and pray that the doctors can repair the damage they have done to you. If you have medical records that show he cut your liver and sewed you back up that way, I would SUE his pants off of him! Find a second opinion about whether the hole could be related and find you a lawyer!

Go to the Lapband forum. The complications of the band are extremely small and it's totally reversible if you need it to be. Nowhere near the problems of the bypass!

Sherry First and foremost, I am glad that you have posted your story. The positive side to the surgery is all you hear & what has happened to you is something all of us need to know. I have to say you are a strong person to have gone through (& still going through) this ordeal. #2 at this point in time I am sure your medical expenses are off the roof. I think that your doctors are not doing all they can. My suggestion is to get legal representation. Some of the expenses that you are incurring you should not be held accountable for since this entire situation started when the doctor cut your liver which was his mistake. I feel that he should of referred you to a specialist by this time since he cannot seem to fix the "hole" that you have. Please Please try and see if you could get an attorney that will help you with this. I pray and wish you the best of luck. Keep us posted on your recovery!!! Jennifer Lewin Miami Florida

Sherry, I am so sorry to hear all your complications. You hear about all the successful outcomes of surgery, but you rarely hear about stories such as yours. I am thinking about a revisions for the 3rd time. But now that I read your page. I'm thinking a little harder. Thank you for posting your story. We need to hear the good and the bad side of the procedures to help us to see that this surgery as well as any is not to be taken lightly. I hope things get better for you, I'll keep you in prayer, take care of yourself.

Sherry, I am sitting here practically in tears from your experience.... I pray that things turn around for you soon.... I have been scheduled to have my surgery and was looking for a board that would tell me what some of the results are after some time (years) have passed. I was really just looking for the how many people had experienced weight gain and how soon. After all, this surgery is not reversible, only has more surgeries to try to cover mistakes.... Your story has me feeling that I can do this on my own. I do have blood pressure medication that I am on, but I am successfully maintaining better than normal blood pressure on these meds. My problem is lethargy and low self esteem...but if I have to knock on death's door to boost my esteem - I don't feel it is worth it. Every person is just that, one person, an individual.. but....every ONE that has gone into this surgery has had the same chances that you had, and for me - I don't want to be one of the other ONEs that goes through such an ordeal.. I send you my prayers and my sincere gratitude for your story... Lisa (Virna Atkins)

Hi I have a question for you, I noticed that on your message you stated that you was scheduled for surgery. Are you or did you go throught with it? I know that the womens story of all the medical problems she is going through worried you, but you do have to remember that every one and I do mean everyone is different and I guess you just have to take your 50/50 chance on it. Keep in mind also that the surgeon you choose is also a key factor. Well my thoughts go out to you with your finall decision, let me know whatthat was. Leslie

Hi Sherry! Thank you for your honesty and your courage! I hope that things have gotten better for you. You may also want to post your story on the "Complications" and "WLS Regrets" message baords here on this site. There are others who have had terrible experiences and are also willing to hsare honestly about what they are going through. Although I'm pre-op, I'm trying to look at the whole picture - not the just the positive stuff that everyone says in my support group meetings. I, too, have no other health problems besides being overweight. I'm really afraid to trade good health for the promise of a thinner body. Perhaps if I was struggling with high blood pressure or diabetes, I might feel more confident about chosing to have surgery. As it stands right now, I'm undecided but still going through all of the medical clearances.

Go to the Lapband forum. The complications of the band are extremely small and it's totally reversible if you need it to be. Nowhere near the problems of the bypass!

Sherry, Your story has made me cry terribly; I feel so bad for you! I have a surgery scheduled and have no health problems, except for my feet. There is nothing really that I can offer you or say to make you feel better, but I think you are a really brave lady and I am going to pray for you. And I don't say that lightly, I will take your case to God and sincerely pray for your healing. I pray that you are able to lean on God in this awful time in your life and I hope you know he is with you and it hurts him to see you this way. I pray that you get through this and when you come out on the other side that God will bring something good out of all the pain you have suffered. You are in my prayers and I wish you God's blessing.