Harrowing appointment with surgeon yesterday (VERY LONG and I'm sorry)
Hi, mamadawny
I see where you had an endoscopy and an upper GI. If the surgeon still can't identify your internal structure accurately, then a CT and/or MRI would be the next logical step (in my humble opinion). My own insides look like a poorly planned freeway interchange :) . But my surgeons have used advanced imaging techniques to identify problems. I had a stricture iin the bypassed area of stomach and bowel, and that area was puffing up like a balloon. That area also cannot be drained by an NG tube, and cannot be inspected by endoscopy, and cannot be visualized on upper GI xrays because the swallowed contrast will never reach that area. I can certainly understand your frustration and your hurt from what your surgeon says. Make sure he does the imaging necessary so that he can speak from definite knowledge, not from best guess.
I would definitely suggest getting a second opinion. There are very few surgeons in the US who are willing to revise a previous RNY to anything other than a Band Over Bypass, which does not have a good track record. The sad thing is that surgeons are only going to offer you the operations that they can do; if he does Lap Bands, then he is going to push Lap Band.
I can also see your concern regarding your daughter's care while you are incapacitated from major surgery. I would like to suggest a couple of things. Contact your local social services agency, or Children's Medical Service, to see if you would qualify for respite care/assistance for your daughter in your home while you are recovering. Also check into seeing if you qualify for home health care for yourself after surgery; I can't imagine you not needing some. Also, I am not sure what agencies this was procured from, but I do know that my aunt, who was caregiver for a severely disabled daughter, ended up spending time recovering in a nursing facility; both she and her daughter were admitted, and they shared a room.
Don't give up hope. I had a prolonged series of intestinal problems, and was at my wits end, until I found a surgeon who ordered the right imaging studies, and a competent radiologist to interpret them, and the problem was fixed. Knock on wood, I am now 1 1/2 yrs with no more problems.
I hope you are able to find the answers you need.
You know, I don't understand a bariatric specialist who would treat a patient like this, though I have seen one myself. I had lap band in 2005, and probably (or maybe not) because of a pregnancy too soon after surgery, I had tons of problems. I had terrible GERD, developed a huge hiatal hernia, and had infection after infection. I had reached a point where I couldn't even get down a sip of water, yet was gaining weight. No idea how that worked. I was in a bad place financially because I was out of work and uninsured, and was desperate when I finally found a doctor in Houston who offered me a discount on a revision to a gastric plication. I was much relieved after the eroded and painful band was removed, but noticed that I was not losing weight. After six months of no loss, my doctor told me for the last time that it was my fault because I was eating everything I saw. He gave me a bottle of HCG and told me as I walked out the door I had to eat only 500 calories a day. I yelled at him, told him that if I COULD eat only 500 calories a day, I wouldn't have needed to see him.
It has taken me a year to find another doctor with whom I am comfortable. Thankfully, for the time being, I am insured and he is covered. I had my first meeting with him yesterday and I think it went well. He was very frank, but I need that. I just don't need to be abused - and neither do you (which is what I am getting at here). There is no reason for a doctor whose specialty is dealing with people who have chronically low self esteem due to their weight to treat you the way you were treated. I sincerely hope your other appointments go better, and you find the right doctor for you. You know by now that you have to be a team for a long time, so find one who fits with you.
God honey....revise but just do not get the band!!!!!! I cannot believe the doc suggested this. I had the band for 6.5 years......hell....that is the only word I can think of. I had revised to the ds...best thing I ever, ever did. RemeMber, with any surgery there are risks... period. but you already know this...I had to be reminded too bc I was scared. once i made the decision i was no longer scared.i was 240 in January...now sitting at 161. I wanted the band to help me do that but it just turned out to be a chokehold over my stomach and throat. research...find what makes sense to you. I did not get the rny bc the dumping thing scared me...with the ds it made sense to ME and that is whats important.
