Side Effect of RNY

I have a new (at least to me) side effect from my original RNY surgery. This doesn't hurt, but it is annoying. I am 22 months out from my original RNY surgery and 3 and a half weeks out from my panniculectomy and bilateral mastopexy.  I am down a total of about 165 pounds, feeling great and I am returning to work on Monday. I went to the foot doctor yesterday for something simple, corns.  While I was there I mentioned something that has been going on for the last several months.   When I lay down, in bed, on the couch or even in the recliner, my feet feel like they are stretching out of my skin.  My feet have actually gone down a size and a half, but this feeling is weird.  I never mentioned it to anyone, I just thought it was me and just weird.   While I was with the foot doctor I brought it up.  The doctor told me it was a form of neuropathy that diabetics get, but since I am not now and never was diabectic that couldn't be it.  He said that they are finding that gastric bypass patients are starting to get this type of neuropathy from malabsorption.  He said it has to do with hydration and nutrition.  The foot doctor said that as we all know getting all of our water in is so important and that making sure we keep our electrolytes up is now more important than ever.   As long as it is just annoying and nothing more I don't need medication, but he said to add more water and make sure that I am eating lots of foods with  potasium and magnesium and such.  So more bananas and fish!   I guess what I am wondering is as more and more time passes and more and more people are having this surgery what other side effects are going to pop up? Again not really a big deal and I would do it all again in a heartbeat, but just something new I thought I would share.   Any thoughts? Thanks guys Alan

Wow Alan that is great to hear because now I am not only going to loose weight. I will be able to buy my shoes at normal stores without the hassle of having to search near and far for these size 16 monstrosities that I currently where.

Good Luck to you.  Life will definetly get easier.

Size 16??!?! Do you work at the circus? Just kidding. I imagine it IS tough finding shoes at the usual stores.

Thanks for putting it out there.  It is something to put in the back of my mind as a possibility.  I am still nervous about the real long term side effects of the surgery because the fact of the matter is that we have no idea what will happen 20-30-40 years out.   There is a woman in my support group who is 24 years out from her stomach surgery and is doing very well.  That is a good sign.  She said that when she had it there was no talk of water, vitamins etc.  The Dr. finished the surgery and after her recovery it was simply, "okay, bye.  Good luck".  No support groups at all. Scott

Scott, As we all know we have to be very careful of everything we do now.  I keep telling myself that with life being so much better now a few minor side effects are nothing compared to life when I was 410 pounds. You look great and I know your life is so much better, so yes keep it in the back of your mind, but keep enjoying this great new chapter in your life. Congrats on your great success! Alan

  Scott!! Your Doc doesn’t do 6-month bloodwork check ups on you!?!? You could get totally "F’d-Up" if your Iron, Calcium, Vitamin/Mineral levels get off for a while and you don’t catch it. Doc’s who have a "good" long-term program Usually start with Bloodwork at 6 weeks, the 3 months, then drop to every 6 months. You can see and respond to any mal-absorption issues before they become a "Problem."

Just checkin’ (Back to Alans Big-Azz Feet…. And you know what they say about guys with big feet…. Big shoes!) Best Wishes- Dx

Yeah, I have done two rounds of blood work and everything is fine so far.  I will keep up on it.  I am just thinking about stuff that no body has thought of yet that we don't even know could be a problem.  Hopefully, there is nothing. Scott

Hey,...thanks for the heads-up and putting that type of valuable post-op info out there so I know more about things to expect or at least not be surprised by. Another reason why I love this message Board. Joe