Something I just read that is pretty scary

I have a friend who had mgb almost 2 years ago. She has been in and out of the hospital the last several months with a bleeding ulcer. Hospital docs are saying it is the mgb because of the bile that sits in the loop. They want to reverse it and do an RNY, which is the kind of surgery I had. The insurance won't pay for any of her hospital stay, blood transfusions, endoscopy, colonoscopy, er visits or surgery reversal because they say it is complications from an uncovered surgery, the mgb. Dr. R has said to go home and take Nexium for six months and that will help. That is what she is currently doing hoping that will cure her problem. It is indeed a scary thing. She could have died because she was loosing so much blood. She paid cash for her mgb surgery because her insurance would not cover it. They didn't really have the money saved I don't think. I think they took out a loan. Other docs are saying the ulcer could have been caused by the amount of stress she has been under the last few months (and a lot has been happening in her life). It is hard to know. When you look at the drawings of the two surgeries you can see that the RNY has a straight shot down the gut where the mgb has a loop at the bottom. Go to http://clos.net/mgb_drawing01.htm to see the two drawings side by side.

GloryGirl,  I think any WLS puts you at an increased risk for developing an ulcer.  I know of two people personally and others through the grapevine who have had ulcers after having RNY.  It is a well-documented risk of WLS, and we all understand that when we undergo these procedures. I'm sure your friend read and signed all the consent forms.  It's a shame that this has happened to her, but she had to be aware of the chance of complications and risks. It's also a shame her insurance won't cover her treatment.  My insurnace has covered everything, including a hospitalization due to me being stupid and not eating.   One great thing about the MGB is it is reversible.  If you do develop complications, there is that possibility. I wish your friend the best of luck and a full recovery! Julie

Can you email me the url for that quote? I'd like to read what else they have to say. Thanks. Teresa [email protected]

My daughter chose the Vertical Sleeve so she wouldn't have any problems concerning the intestine.  I think that research is the key for anyone choosing WLS and getting an explaination from your doc on the type of surgery and also a diagram of the end results.  I know that my daughters doc gave her a card to carry with her just incase she would need to explain to someone what was done to her stomach.  Priscilla

I had the MGB over 2 years ago and I have nothing but positive things to say about the Mini Gastric Bypass proceedure, Dr Rutledge and CLOS. I chose the MGB because: Proceedure is statistically superior to Roux-enY in every way (fewer complications, deaths, etc) Easily reversible if your body wont tollerate a bypass Excellent patient education process Excellent patient followup Excellent proceedure training program Excellent support group (pre and post-op) I have lost over 171 lbs, have had no issues whatsoever, can eat anything I want and have had annual followup evaluations at the Mayo clinic where extensive tests show me to be extremely healthy with all of my blood work stats within the norm. and no health issues of any kind. I researched WLS proceedures for over 2 years before I made my decision: My best advice to those who are considering WLS of any kind: There is risk in any type of WLS because none of our bodies (especially our complicated digestive systems) are identical: Chose a surgeon with a good PROVEN track record, Chose a proceedure which can be easily reversed if the surgery isnt right for your body Chose a clinic that properly educates you on the risks associated with surgery, the importance of taking sufficient vitamins and supplements following surgery and followup annual blood testing MOST IMPORTANT: Chose a surgeon who will provide you their cell phone number so if you have any questions or problems you can solve them quickly. 

I had a MGB 6 years ago and have suffered from SEVERE bile and acid reflux for a few years. (Sometimes I curl up in a ball for over 10 hours in pain). I am just having a revision next week and I cannot wait to stop having the taste of bile in my mouth and also for the pain to stop. I did lose 130 pounds with the procedure and am not sorry I did it. I just wish I would have known that Bile reflux was a common side effect and I would have chosen roux-en-y from the beginning.