How worth it is this???

Most of you guys know my story. I've been in and out of the hospital. Today is my two month surgiversary but I'm sick all the time. I've had a stenosis dilated 4 times and they want to either do it again or do surgery where they remove the stenosis area all together. I thought I was strong but I don't know how strong I am anymore. My doctor says I have three choices. Dilate the stenosis, surgery to get rid of the whole stenosis area, or put me back together. If he puts me back together that surgery would probably be in a month. And it isn't that I want that. I want to feel better. I don't want to feel sick all the time and feel like I am going to throw up everything. I'm not enjoying lfe. I feel like I'm not living at all. Life is in limbo right now.

So what would you do? Wait it out? Get the major stenosis operating surgery. Get the painful dilation. Or get a reversal? Through all this even though I've talked about it I've never thought I was actually going to get a reversal. Would I gain all the weight back? Would it be just as painful?

I feel so alone and need some support. Please be kind.

I'm really sorry that you are going through all of this and I can't offer you any advice other than tell you what I would do and that is to really study all options.  What is the guarantee that if they move the stenosis area all together that it won't close up again?  What exactly would that do to your pouch size?  If he put you back together, what effect would that do to your stomach?  Would that surgery make it smaller?  If this was happening to me I'd have a list of questions that I would address to my surgeon and make him answer each one.  I did that when I met my surgeon I had a page full of questions and he made time for me to answer each one.  If he didn't, I would have walked.

Don't think you are alone, you have a group of folks behind you caring about what you are going through and supporting.

Sugar

I'm sorry you've had so much trouble. I had a stricture dilated once, and everything has been good since then, but my PA said they had one guy who had to get dilated 15 times before things settled down. That's pretty extreme, but he said it is common to have this problem more than once. I'd stick with it and get dilated again. I know it's been very worth it for me, but I probably wouldn't be quite so enthusiastic if I had had to be dilated 4 times. Good luck to you, and I hope you feel better!

first let me say i am very sorry that you are having trouble, and second we have been having sort of the same problems, i had my surgery March 22 and have had 2 dialations which wasnt painful at all. when i started i weighed 345lbs today i weight 292 i wouldnt give that up for the world, i no it hard right now but in time it will get better. I am having trouble eating also, im not hungry at all i have went 3 days without eating just 100oz of water and 100oz of protein for 3 days straight cause i havent been hungry. I am scared to eat certain things my life have changed a whole lot since i had this surgery would i do it again, YES IN A HEART BEAT.... so please just hang in there dont get a reversal just either try another dialtion or get the stenosis removed....im not understanding why your dialtion was painful mines was done by EGD when i woke up i didnt feel anything....was able to eat and drink..........hang in there i will be praying for you

First of all sweety you are not alone.  I had to have it done once and I am I am 3 months out and only started getting better about 2 weeks ago. I was throwing up about 8 times a day, always in the hospital could not sit or stand for long periods. Hand in there you are not alone I just woke up one day anmd felt better. It had gradually gotten better and better since then.

I thought you determined that he was not serious about the reversal last week?  From everything I have read that is a much more difficult surgery and could lead to more problems, as you would never be as you were before surgery.  I would not consider a reversal unless there were absolutely no other options.

A lot of people have had to have several to many dilations.  Personally I would do a few more of those before giving up on that option.

I would only consider getting the stenosis surgery after many tries of the dilaiton first.

I gotta say, though, I would be seeking a 2nd opinion for anything else. 

Sweetpea, I know you're in pain and fragile but put on the big girl panties and make some phone calls to other surgeons for more opinions.  Your surgeon sounds "fed up" with your situation and I'm sorry but EFF HIM. 

It sounds like he ****** up somewhere inside you.  Look into getting a second opinion.  It's your body, sweetie - you have to be responsible for you. 

Best of luck!

I don't blame you one bit for being frustrated with what's been going on. If it were me, I would try one more dilation. If that did not work, I would look into revision to a DS or Sleeve. If your doc does a reversal you would most likely gain the weight back and it's more of a serious operation than your RNY was. There are some people who need up to half a dozen dilations before the issue is resolved. Hopefully this one will do the trick.

I would ask another surgeon for a consultation before making ANY other decision.  Reversal would be my LAST option as it is a complicated surgery with more risks than the original RNY and there is no guarantee that you will be the way you were BEFORE the RNY.

Lora

So sorry you are going through this. A lot of us have been there. I threw up everything for a while and have had a dilation myself. Odds are, I will have to get more than one (according to my gastroenterologist). I have ulcers, pain, liver issues, etc. You just have to decide for yourself if it's worth it to you. I would say it's worth it for me...even when I felt awful. You'll be fine. Hang in there! You have support from all of us.