Post Op 32 years
I had a Mason Shunt 32 years ago. I lost weight immediately approximately 100 lbs. After the surgery I wore a size 6 but gained to about a size 12 where I remained until about 5 or 6 years ago.
Over the years, I dieted and exercised to keep the weight off. My life, I'm sure would have been totally different had I not had my surgery. I thank God for Dr. Mason and all the bariatric surgeons who have taken an interest in this extremely personal and emotional issue. I only hope that the next step will come with the human genome project. Surely, we will find a cause/effect relationship with a gene somewhere in the process. (Yes, I know that environment will play a huge part as well.)
It could be because I am now post-menopausal but I have gained about 15 lbs and can't get it off. Now I am experiencing some malabsorbtion issues. I have seen the local bariatric surgeon. He referred me to an internist in his group. The internist recommended that I take Immodium on a daily basis. Somehow, this doesn't seem right. I know that the food goes right through my stomach into my intestines in a rush. After I eat, within 30-40 minutes the food is gone from my stomach (possibly why I am overeating). If I don't take the Immodium, I will have gas (or worse) shortly thereafter.
Since I have never met anyone who had a surgery 32 years ago, I have no idea if this is a common occurrence (I hope not) or if I am having problems that should be addressed. I am writing because 1) I would like to know if anyone else has had similar problems. 2) Does anyone know of a surgeon who has worked with a patient that has had this surgery so long ago, and is familiar with revisions.
Barb
Over the years, I dieted and exercised to keep the weight off. My life, I'm sure would have been totally different had I not had my surgery. I thank God for Dr. Mason and all the bariatric surgeons who have taken an interest in this extremely personal and emotional issue. I only hope that the next step will come with the human genome project. Surely, we will find a cause/effect relationship with a gene somewhere in the process. (Yes, I know that environment will play a huge part as well.)
It could be because I am now post-menopausal but I have gained about 15 lbs and can't get it off. Now I am experiencing some malabsorbtion issues. I have seen the local bariatric surgeon. He referred me to an internist in his group. The internist recommended that I take Immodium on a daily basis. Somehow, this doesn't seem right. I know that the food goes right through my stomach into my intestines in a rush. After I eat, within 30-40 minutes the food is gone from my stomach (possibly why I am overeating). If I don't take the Immodium, I will have gas (or worse) shortly thereafter.
Since I have never met anyone who had a surgery 32 years ago, I have no idea if this is a common occurrence (I hope not) or if I am having problems that should be addressed. I am writing because 1) I would like to know if anyone else has had similar problems. 2) Does anyone know of a surgeon who has worked with a patient that has had this surgery so long ago, and is familiar with revisions.
Barb
On January 2, 2009 at 12:37 PM Pacific Time, Barbara G. wrote:
I had a Mason Shunt 32 years ago. I lost weight immediately approximately 100 lbs. After the surgery I wore a size 6 but gained to about a size 12 where I remained until about 5 or 6 years ago. Over the years, I dieted and exercised to keep the weight off. My life, I'm sure would have been totally different had I not had my surgery. I thank God for Dr. Mason and all the bariatric surgeons who have taken an interest in this extremely personal and emotional issue. I only hope that the next step will come with the human genome project. Surely, we will find a cause/effect relationship with a gene somewhere in the process. (Yes, I know that environment will play a huge part as well.)
It could be because I am now post-menopausal but I have gained about 15 lbs and can't get it off. Now I am experiencing some malabsorbtion issues. I have seen the local bariatric surgeon. He referred me to an internist in his group. The internist recommended that I take Immodium on a daily basis. Somehow, this doesn't seem right. I know that the food goes right through my stomach into my intestines in a rush. After I eat, within 30-40 minutes the food is gone from my stomach (possibly why I am overeating). If I don't take the Immodium, I will have gas (or worse) shortly thereafter.
Since I have never met anyone who had a surgery 32 years ago, I have no idea if this is a common occurrence (I hope not) or if I am having problems that should be addressed. I am writing because 1) I would like to know if anyone else has had similar problems. 2) Does anyone know of a surgeon who has worked with a patient that has had this surgery so long ago, and is familiar with revisions.
Barb
Good Luck!
"The Joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10START: 330 CURRENT: 274.5 lbs GOAL: 190 TOTAL: 55.5 lbs
I would contact Dr. Rabkin at paclap
http://www.paclap.com/aboutus/rrabkin/
he is also a liver transplant specialilst so is among the best of the best.
http://www.paclap.com/aboutus/rrabkin/
he is also a liver transplant specialilst so is among the best of the best.
I had gastric bypass surgery in 1977 at the age of 26. The immediate weight loss changed my life, but like you it took self-control to keep the weight off. I know several people who had the surgery, lost weight, and got huge again. I fell in love and got married and was motivated to keep the weight off.
The biggest problem I've encountered is my body can no longer absorb iron. Before menopause this caused me to be very anemic and the only treatment was IV iron. As long as I don't bleed I'm fine.
I'm taking Topamax now purely for the side affect of weight control. Its primarily for seizures, migraines, and bi-polar diorder, but it has a side affect of weight loss. I feel perfectly healthy, eat what I want (although it does curb my appetite), and have experience no ill affects in the two years I've taken it. I'm 5' 6" 120 lbs.
Actually, Barb, the problem you're describing of your food rushing through your stomach to your intestines is exactly what's happening to a friend of mine who has diabetes. The only answer his specialist has for him is to wear diapers! He hasn't had any stomach surgery that I know of.
One thing we can be grateful for is that we didn't have intestinal bypass surgery to lose weight. My sister had that in the early '70s. Thirty years later she died of liver failure. When she checked into the hospital, her surgeon was surprised to see she was still alive. All of his other intestial bypass patients had already died of liver failure! And he hadn't even tried to contact her. Nice guy. :-/
The biggest problem I've encountered is my body can no longer absorb iron. Before menopause this caused me to be very anemic and the only treatment was IV iron. As long as I don't bleed I'm fine.
I'm taking Topamax now purely for the side affect of weight control. Its primarily for seizures, migraines, and bi-polar diorder, but it has a side affect of weight loss. I feel perfectly healthy, eat what I want (although it does curb my appetite), and have experience no ill affects in the two years I've taken it. I'm 5' 6" 120 lbs.
Actually, Barb, the problem you're describing of your food rushing through your stomach to your intestines is exactly what's happening to a friend of mine who has diabetes. The only answer his specialist has for him is to wear diapers! He hasn't had any stomach surgery that I know of.
One thing we can be grateful for is that we didn't have intestinal bypass surgery to lose weight. My sister had that in the early '70s. Thirty years later she died of liver failure. When she checked into the hospital, her surgeon was surprised to see she was still alive. All of his other intestial bypass patients had already died of liver failure! And he hadn't even tried to contact her. Nice guy. :-/
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