Cancer / Chemo / Bypass Surgery

Dave, So Sorry to hear about your problems, but good that it was caught and that you made it without the colostomy bag business. My Dad just went through this 2 years back. He had all but 5 inches of large intestine removed and some of his illeum as well. Complications during surgery required the removal of a small bit of jujenum too. Because of the ‘abbreviated’ intestine, he had big malabsorption issues. (worse than most WLS patients ever have) He had the bag for about 7 months. Went through chemo just fine. The doc did adjust his meds a few times to accommodate the malabsorption. The good news? He is doing great and with the surgeries, he’s gone from being a 390lb. 5’10" man to a 225-pounder. He says he hasn’t felt this good in 30years. Sort of "forced-emergency WLS." The oncologist will be familiar with having to adjust meds for malabsorption. It’s quite common for colon cancer patients to have some of those issues resulting from the surgery. Did you come back up to Alabama for the oncology work? Hope you’re past this soon. I’ll keep you in my prayers. Best Wishes- Dx

Dave, one other thought…. You may develop (or may already have as a result of the removed colon) A fairly on-going case of diarrhea. For many, it maybe Bile Salt Diarrhea. It happens sometimes early on when someone has Gallbladder removed. That lack of G-Bladder to store the excess produced by the liver Can (in some) create the condition by emptying excess bile salts between meals. The extra bile salts can sometimes overpower the small intestines' ability to reabsorb them. The extra moves straight on into the colon, and the bile acts like a laxative, leading to diarrhea. It is relatively rare, but combining an "edited" small intestine (due to RNY) With "edited" colon (which further reduces ability to absorb the bile salts) It can increase the chances for ongoing diarrhea a good bit. But, there are several very effective treatments. The most common treatment/med is cholestyramine. On the market as- Locholest, Locholest Light, Prevalite, Questran, Questran Light. Also a pill form called Colestid. ***This is a bit of an issue for WLS patients (not for the chemo, but later) because Cholestyramine gets in the way of, or decreases the absorption of vitamins. Usually not a problem because it can be taken At a different time (by 3 hours) from Vitamin supplements. Some docs just prescribe an over the counter like Imodium. In conjunction with Fiber supplements like Citrucel In order to get the non-constipation/diarrhea balance. It is very controllable with these preparations/medications however. Just keep reminding the Docs to remember you have an RNY. Specifically to check Vitamin / Mineral levels later on. Maybe ask if they will be more aggressive in doing your blood work at shorter intervals after the chemo takes out any remaining chances of cancer. One last thing…. Also have the Greatest Diarrhea cure for By-Passers- http://www.vsl3.com/VSL3/default.asp I had difficulty early on, and this stuff was amazing! That, and Simple Fruit Pectin, Like "Sure Jel" – http://www.kraftfoods.com/surejell/sj_index.html or any of those "Home-Made Jam/Jelly" additives. They slow the movement of food through the intestine And can slow or even help prevent "Hair-Trigger Dumping." Don’t know why I hadn’t added these to the posts in the past, But just remembered… Hope this Helps!

Best Wishes- Dx