Possible failed WLS - need a shoulder...

I just found this message board as well as the "regrets" message board today & it was such a relief! I will be 4 weeks post op Tuesday & believe my surgery has failed. My surgeon started me on solids about 1 week out and since then I have been able to eat anything I have tried & way more of it than I should be able to. My nutritionist told me to do the "cottage cheese test" to determine exactly how much I can hold, which I haven't yet, but I estimate I can hold 10-12 ounces of solid foods. Nothing makes me dump, carbonation does not bother me. I follow all the rules about protein, exercise and water before & after meals but find I am hungry all the time & rarely get satisfied at meals. I believe my pouch opening is too large. My surgeon says there is nothing to be done about it. Everyone I have contacted or read about until now is thrilled with the surgery and full after a few bites. I haven't found anyone having problems with overeating this soon out. I posted on the main board when I first began to have problems & felt like I was just criticized or blamed for not doing things right. I try to limit my amounts & make healthy choices but at this point I never dreamed it would be an issue! I spent over a year getting ready for surgery & dreaming of post surgery life & now I feel so crushingly disappointed and depressed. I would love to hear from others having problems & find out about resources to learn more, I cannot find information or people with similar problems anywhere & feel all alone.

Hello dear..... Not many post to this site and yet I visit regularly. The main board as you said is little interested in my surgery or those who are not thrilled with their successes. I was where you are at a little over 8 weeks. My surgeon has stated that it has to be my fault, not his and he won't do anything about it. Many don't believe me that I literally walk over 35 miles a week for excercise. Every morning, every day.....only an occasional Lord's Day do I not walk. I have followed their rules and wish I had a friend who would listen. My family and friends do not understand why this didn't work for me. They say they are glad I am alive......but I guess I failed at this too. Who would have thought that we could possibly SCREW UP at two months post-op? New literature that I have from the American Medical Association has brought a new painful plight to bear in my life. In all the months I have religiously read and searched out this surgery, no one posted on the findings by the AMA that 17%-25% of patients with WLS would suffer from neuropathy as a side effect from surgery. Some with mild tingling, some in agonizing pain left to live their lives in pain and in a wheelchair. Sadly, I have become one of those 17%. That's a pretty big percentage, I'd say. And yet no one speaks of it. So.......the weight did not come off and I am wheelchair bound very soon because of this surgery. I am on many, MANY drugs to numb the nerves, and pain meds to help me at least stand. All cause weight gain, all cause constipation from hell no matter what.......all do not work. My specialist informs me that there is no cure for this neuropathy, there's no going back. So I guess I got left out in both ways. My soul says give God the glory anyway (and many hate-mails critisizing me for complaining and warning pre-ops) which I try to do. But my tears and frustration are real too. I don't know if any of this will help you. But you are not all alone and I will try to pray for you often that you are healthy and happy with this decision to have WLS. You are new post-op, anything can happen. My prayer for you today is joy and finding the happiness you seek in this life. God bless! Katherine

Katherine, I am interested in finding out more about you and your journey with PN. There are some on the over 50 forum who are experiencing some of the symptoms you describe. Please contact me at: [email protected]

Hi I just read the postings here. I am a pre-op. I have a friend in Illinois who had her surgery here in Nashville. She developed a stoma, her surgeron won't do anything about it. So she keeps gaining weight. Neither of you said whether you had a lap band, or Rny. But I found one person on the TN Board who had to go back to the Dr.'s and he did a minor surgery on her after 3 months I think, to tighten the pouch. Have you talked with your DR.'s about that posibility? I would check about that. If the Dr. refuses to help you, I'd seek legal services for mal practice. He is doing surgery but doesn't care about the patient afterwards, and that it's your fault not his, bull. I would insist that your Dr. fix the problem or notify your insurance company about it. Best of luck, let me know what you find out. Thanks Kathy

I am about 3 years out and I feel like I failed as well. I could eat sooner, I was very hungry within the first 2 weeks and I have always been able to eat more than I thought I should. Yeah, I know people who can eat 2 pieces of shrimp and they're full. I'd love to feel that way!!! I spoke with my surgeon, he was able to perform a procedure called sclera therapy(??) basically, he went into my stomach endoscopically (sp?) and applied a irritant to the opening in my stomach. This causes scar tissue that will build up and will not stretch. My opening was much too large and allowed food to pass quickly. He said this happens sometimes with women who had become pregnant after RNY (which I had). But I believe it was probably to large from the start. So if that is the case, there are options available. My surgeon (Dr. Randall Baker) is making a lot of advances in obesity surgery. He said that it may take a couple of times to build the tissue up to a size which will make a difference. I actually am having the second procedure done in a couple of weeks. Unfortunately, the first couple of weeks after the procedure, I felt a difference, but after that, things felt like always. But mine was probably twice the size it should be, so we were expecting a second time. My surgeon said how it initially felt after is what I should be feeling from then on. So hopefully it will work and I can start losing again. Doc told me patients have lost another 50 or more pounds after this procedure. So hopefully, I can finally benefit from the surgery. I know, I know it's a tool, but when it's broke...it doesn't work as well. It is very discouraging to think that you failed at this too. What can make it worse is when you are working your butt off with exercising and keeping food journals AND others who've had the surgery do NOTHING and have far surpassed your loss. I'm bitter...my sister has lost double what I have and can wear normal clothes! She does nothing at this point, granted my skin looks better (much less saggy), but it makes you wonder what is wrong with you. Anyway...I'm off topic Good luck...remember there are options out there, I think I'm fortunate that my surgeon has stayed on top of advancements.

Just an update.... I did the cottage cheese test and could eat 3 cups at one sitting. When I told my surgeon this he seemed to start to take me seriously. After reviewing my chart he admitted that there had been a problem during surgery with the stapler they put down my esophagus. He ended up having to open my pouch & stoma up & put that stapler in through another incision. It was an improvised technique and he said he was concerned it would result in a leak, but thinks it now may have something to do with why my surgery has failed. I had to have another swallow study and x rays Friday to see if I may have a fistule (sp) connecting my pouch to my old stomach. If these tests do not show any answers I will have to have an endoscopy. When he determines the problem he said we can explore solutions. So I am frightened and upset but at least happy that I am finally being taken seriously and not blamed. I'm still open to any advice if anyone has had similar problems and appreciate the wonderful responses I have had so far.

3 CUPS My GOD! It is NOT your fault!!!!! I'm praying for you. ~Lara

So he looked at your chart and suddenly remembered that there was a problem with the stapler?? Sounds like he knew the whole time. That is scary. Doctors just amaze me sometimes. I hope that he now pays more attention to the matter and is very very careful in his surgeries. My prayers are with you!!! Hang in there! ((hugs)) Elizabeth M

there has to be something to be done at 4 weeks your stomach hasn't even healed all the way. and as for your surgeon i don't know where he studied at but at 4 weeks you shouldn't be eating solids at all. my surgeon made me go 3 weeks on a liquid diet. and solid foods didn't come until about 8 weeks. i had to gradually go from mush to solids. and i'm 16 months post op and can barely eat 5oz i would definitely say your pouch is not small enough. i also think that jumping in to solids to fast can make you sick. have you ever vomitted from eating yet. i have never vomitted once from eating. i am thankful for my surgeon because i do believe when it comes to certain things especially early off it is the surgeons fault.

Ok I am not trying to jump on your case. Being four weeks out you should not have done any of the things your said. You should not know if you dump or can drink soda yet. Just take it easy. I know that you wi**** worked over night I know I did!! But it will come off and everyday for the next year you will have diffrent problems and issues. If you are hungry all the time are you sure it is hunger and not head hunger? Also eat sugar fee pops and drink lots of fluids in between your protien meals. Start looking a head and not right now. This is not the worst of it. I know I spent three years researching been denied blah blah then got it and was in shock but now from 382 to 215 I am feeling great. So keep your chin up and don't try pusshing the buttons untill it is time. 1 year is your time dont waste it just keep doing the right stuff. It will work. You are normal just slow down and no more pushing!! Good Luck. mywlsprogress