8 years of revisions... help!

 Hi, everyone. I had RNY in 2003 at 240 lbs. I was down to 100 lbs within 1 year and kept dropping. I had 5 revisions to try to get me absorbing more nutrients, had two intussussceptions and still wound up below 90 lbs, on TPN. Dr. John Alverdy in U Chicago "reversed" my RNY in late 2006 --- at that point my family and I did not think I was going to make it. Since 2003 I have become disabled by the bypass: I do vitamin megadosing and still have deficient levels of any vite you can test. Also have anemia and even developed Rickets at one point! The only thing that works is IV vitamins because I malabsorb so badly, but I haven't been able to afford the upkeep on them.

I had just accepted my bariatric situation because I am so afraid of more surgery. Haven't switched anything other than vites for 4 years. Last weekend I was feeling even weaker than usual and my DH took me to the ER -- I was so anemic I had to stay and get a blood transfusion. They also did a lap and saw that adhesions are probably causing more malabsorption than before. Say I need to see a revision specialist. They said that my reaction to RNY was not uncommon but bariatric surgeons can fix it more these days. 

Even though I am a healthy weight, I feel worse than I ever did when I was overweight. I am so tired I can't even stand up long enough to brush my teeth - have to lay down. I had the bypass right when I was graduating college and I have not been able to work. I've always been losing an uphill battle against my hemoglobin (iron) level and gotten blood tranfusions. I had terrible skeletal pain from the ricketts. I lost so much bone. 

Docs said they would find a list of revision specialists in my area (Seattle) but I am willing to looking nationwide (Medicare +Medigap). I know Dr. Rabkin does not take Medicare. Who is good and does? Has anybody who had their life severely impacted by WLS (to the point of disability) ever turned it around? Right now I assume I am going to keep being unhealthy because I can't manage the effects of the bypass -- my whole life. I worry about it getting worse. Please let me know anything, anything hopeful!!

Oh Sweet Friend!
I am soooo sorry for all that you have been through and continue to go through!  You are at a place that I too became familiar with though you certainly have all of my suffering X a zillion!   I'm so glad you are able to reach out for help!!!!

Without going into my story in detail; just know that I too dipped into the twilight zone of malnutrition and frightening weights.  I understand the fear of dying and have attended a dear friend's funeral who walked in our shoes!

There is hope though!!!!!  I had my cir****tances completely turned around and friends in similar health as ours have had their's turned around as well.  Dr. Ara Keshishian!!!!  There are a couple of other Revision surgeon's who could possibly do equally as well (Rabkin, Greenbaum, Gagner?)  but Dr. Keshishian in Glendale, CA (L.A. area) was the surgeon with the magic for my personal miracle.

The standard routine for someone as depleted as you are; is to do a 2 part procedure.  1st:  Get you on nutrition (feeding tubes****il your strength is up to par for surgery.  Then he would open you up and clean up the mess; with a Duodenal Switch as the end result (allows you to absorb nutrients via vitamins while still giving you maintained weight loss).

I went into surgery in May at a normal to low BMI but my nutrition to that point was artificially sustained in every way.  I had needed to eliminate major food groups because of the reactions my body had to most things.  I can now eat anything I want within reason. My energy and health are so much better. 

Dr. Keshishian responds quickly to emails:  [email protected]  You could at least find out what and who he'd recommend as your next step so you could get a plan together.

Let us know how we can support you!  Let me know if there's anything I can personally do to help you out.

Big Hugggzzzz your way,

Thank You Joyce!!!!  For answering my PM, to help this lady out!!!  You were the 1st one to come to my mind with assistance & insight for her!!!


-Jamie

I have malnurishments and migraines looking for revisions for 2 years I will keep you in my prayers. If you find a Doctor near Ohio Kentucky or Indiana I would appriciate you shareing the info. I have issue with Iron vitamin D and B12 such an extreme that even the iv treatments dont help much my doctor is suprized i am concious and walking arround however I am still at a BMI of 54 a great improvement over my original of 82 BMI however my Rny stoma dialated beyond repair and the malnutricion is making my teath fallout now My Original doctor retired and I have been looking and looking . My boys need their mama back. I will pray for you kindred spirit!

Mary