Gastroparesis and RNY surgery

My husband was recently diagnosed with gastroparesis while pursuing the posibility of a lap band. The surgeon tells us he will not be a candidate for lap band because of the gastroparensis but that he may be one for RNY. The thing is that almost all of the research I have done says that gastric bypass surgery may not help solve his gastroparesis problem. However, everything I have seen says that he would definately benefit from RNY surgery, possible control of his diabetes which is made worse by the gastroparesis that was caused by the diabetes. It is a never ending cycle that we really need some answers too. The medication that he has been put on for his gastroparesis will eventually (within a year) cause non reversible jerks and movement.
Can anyone tell me if they have know of anyone who has had this particular diagnosis and been helped by RNY surgery or are they any surgeons out there reading this that can give us some guidance?

Hey, this is a complex problem. Gastroparesis (GP) is a disorder where the stomach muscles fail to work in the proper manner to help expel food stuffs into the intestine. There are many causes. Diabetes is one. There is recent literature that I know of that talks about treatment of post-surgical GP (GP as a complication of another surgery) but you would be well advised to seek a second opinion. Perhaps at a university hospital where the surgeons may be more alert to the latest literature. With something this important, never settle with 1, or 2 opinions for that matter. There is no agreed upon surgical treatment for GP, so you will likely find a few diff. opinions and weigh the risks and possible benefits with your husband.
Also, what medicine are you talking about? Where you told this by your doctor? This is a risk and a bad one, but it is not at all guaranteed to get that at one year.

Take care, and good luck!

My father, who was never over weight, but now is barely 120# and 6' tall. He is now eating from a tube, since it is hard for him to swallow and keep food down.

I was diagnosed with Gastroparesis. I do not have diabetes so the cause of mine was "guessed" to be a viral infection that affected the vegas nerve. It took eight years of chronic pain and several doctors to finally get to my new stomach.  I was about fifty pounds over weight and the G.I. doctors used to say that I couldn't be in that much pain because I was still heavy! I did not have the cyclical vomitting. I had motility disorders. I could not vomit nor defecate. I found one of the best stomach doctors in my state and she actually listened to me. When I said I was in pain-she believed me. I kept getting treated for IBS (I don't have a colon!) God Bless Dr. Rosie for listening. She said I did not fit into a perfect category therefore I was being dismissed.  She had to take small steps to finally get to my new stomach-insurance was not cooperative as they do not cover anything even close to bariatric surgery. (Heaven forbid-but they will pay for viagra!)
it's still a slow process, but when I look back after the eight years of hell I went through-I am so thankful that Dr. Rosie created my new stomach. I no longer have Gastroparesis.  I only have a partial stomach that serves just for the gastric acid. I look and I feel healthier than I have in over eight years. I agree with the other gentleman, get a second opinion. The partial gastrectomy with bypass is used for severe cases of Gastroparesis.  It never hurts to get a second, third or fourth opinion-trust me! I have been through so much in the past eight years-never stop going and asking for help.
What medication is your husband using?  Cisapride is the only compassion drug that I am aware and you cannot have any other health issues. I could not qualify due to the motility disorders. I cannot take Reglan either.
Sorry this was such a long answer to your question-it's rare to find someone who has/had GP.

Lori

Lori:
I read what you have written and it sounds a lot like my situation.  Can I ask what the name of your doctor was?  Im to the point where I will try any doctor that may help at this point.  The surgeon I have been working with has pushed me arount and now that I have been denied coverage from my insurance I havent heard anything more from her office.  Any help would be appreciated!
Liz

Dr. Rose Marie Jones was my surgeon and I absolutely loved her! She is an amazing surgeon and an understanding doctor. When other doctor's would not listen or worse-she not only listened she also explained why the other doctor's failed me. I had three separate stomach procedures and each were performed by Dr. Jones. I hope I never have surgery again-but if I did I would want Dr. Jones as my surgeon. 

 I hope this helps.  Dr. Jones is now with Community North Hospital in Indianapolis effective August 2010.

I was diagnosed with gastroparesis during my pre-op clearances (had an upper endoscopy).  I had no symptoms though.  After more tests and consults with both a gastroenterologist and my surgeon, I had the RNY two months ago.  Both the physicians said that they felt that the surgery ameliorate the gastroparesis if not eliminate it altogether.  There is some research that suggested that RNY could be a a treatment for gastroparesis.  I have had no ill effects since the RNY - but again, I had no symptoms to begin with. I don't know about the lap-band question, but it would make sense that a stomach with reduced motility could be a problem with a band, whereas with an RNY, one has a dramatically reconfigured stomach.
Good luck!

I have gastroparesis but I got it because during my RNY the stupid surgen cut my vagus nerve. I have not been able to digest food since 1-7-09. There are only 23 dr.'s in the US that treat this problem so on 3-24 I have to have a pacemaker put in to make the stomach pump. I never had a problem before my RNY, I would get the gastroparesis fixed first because having RNY you are limited on what you can eat let alone if you have a digestion problem you will be vomitting every time you eat.

 I know I'm late to the party. Found this thread by accident. I had suffered for 7 years with GP (Gastroparesis) both the Pyloric Valve didn't work properly and the muscle would not push out the food.I'd had so many tests. Horrible horrible testing done and they ruled out the pacemaker and another surgery I had been on Reglan for 3+ years and was starting to get the body twitch/jerking (that doesn't go away) So I was left with RNY which was performed on 12/14/09. It seemed to do the trick

I was in the hospital for a spinal fusion March 23 for 4 days, a week later I was admitted back into the hospital through the ER. The pain in my stomach was so bad I hadn't been able to eat, drink or take my PAIN MEDS.

The week before I went to the ER I was taking my Nexium and Gaviscon, By the time they scoped me my stomach was pink and perfect. Yet the pain is very real. I need to eat to heal from this latest surgery. I don't get into the new Referred Gastro Do****il May 8th, until then I'm on the cancellation list.

I just have to wonder if the original GP doesn't have something to do with this. One more question for the Gastro when ever I see him.

Gastric Bypass will not help with gastroparesis BUT a gastric sleeve WILL!!!

I did a lot of research when I found out that I had gastroparesis and nothing would stay down & I have a son that I knew that I had to find a way to get better for him. My aunt by marriage also has gastroparesis and the doctors talked her into having a pace maker like thing placed on her vagus nerve in the bottom of her stomach. She has had nothing but problems with it and is not getting better. So I started doing a lot of research online and found a doctor up north that does nothing but work with patients with gastroparesis. She found that patients who had a gastric sleeve done who had gastroparesis were able to start eating regular foods again without getting sick or having that feeling of being stuffed, nauseous, bloated or feeling like you ate everything that was cooked for Christmas dinner all at one time. So I printed everything off and went and talked to the SC Obesity Center here in Lexington, SC and saw Dr. Givens and explained the reason that I was wanting the surgery. He did explain that since they always have 2 surgeons in the operating room, that he would have to talk to all of the other doctors and see if they were willing to give it a try. I went back in a few days or so & he said that they all agreed that with the information that I brought in & then the information that they researched and found, that they would be willing to give it a try. As long as I understood that there was NO guarantee of any kind that it would get rid of or even help with my gastroparesis. I told him, as long as they were willing to give it a try, that was all I was asking. So I had my Sleeve done on Oct. 31, 2010 and I am SO GLAD THAT THEY SAID YES AND I DID TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now I can eat whatever I want but in moderation, which is a lot better than mashed potatoes and gravy and smashed string beans or raspberry sherbet. Those were the only things that would stay down.

I pray that you have as much success that I have had with the gastric sleeve. It is great being "normal" again!!!

Best wishes!!

Amy