6 years out - too much lost - bile duct?

I lost about 100 lbs in first 18 months (RNY) - then over time regained about 20. Last summer I began losing weight without trying and am down about 25 lbs. Gastroenterologist suspects bile duct stones, hypothyroidism, diet or nature. MRI and more blood tests will tell. If bile duct blockage will have to have invasive surgery from abdomen since endoscopy won't work because stomach is no longer connected to other innards. I did have a gall bladder removal.

Have any of you had this problem?

Thanks for your input.

Rudie

I lost over 100 lbs. rather quickly (within 1st year). Then lost additional weight to get down to 123lbs. Then gained 20 lbs back rather quickly. My doctor went out of business so I do not know what to do? I eat less than when I was 123 and the scales will not budge. Any advice for me?

I have a co-worker/friend who had blockage surgery post-RNY. She was just out-of-work for a few weeks.  Surgery went fine, she just had wound healing problems, hooked up a wound vac-pac. RNY in 00',  blockage surg. in 04'. Since then, she's been fine. Gained back too much weight. Hope this helps.

Hello Rudie.

Bile duct stones would cause pain.  Are you experiencing pain or just weight loss??  I know it does happen, but getting stones in the duct after gallbladder removal is rare.  Also, with how common laparoscopic surgeries are, if your gastroenterologist says he/she has to open you up rather than do laparoscopic, I would DEFINITELY get a second surgeon's opinion.  The fact that you have had bariatric surgery is NO reason they cannot perform a bile duct removal or exploratory laparoscopicly.

Are you still staying up on your proteins and getting your calories in every day? It's easy to slide into that non-hungry state and not eat as much as we get older, life goes on, and we fall out of habits.  Possibly monitor your diet for a few weeks and make sure you are getting in at least 60-80 grams of protein and at least 1200 calories (estimates based on average weight).

Best wishes to you!!

Hi Jessica: Thank you so much for answering. The MRI didn't show problems of "innards", no lesions, tumors, "gremlins", but some irregularities so I will go back in 4 months. Nothing wrong with thyroid, but liver enzymes are off kilter.

Life can get so complicated. You are right about slipping back into old habits. I know eating protein is very important and that is difficult for me as I can't eat much at a time so eat about every 2-3 hours. My health is complicated by interstitial cystitis, my bladder lining has deteriorated causing severe pain. I can't eat acid foods like tomatoes (love them), citrus, caffeine or alcohol among others. Probably I should go to a dietitian for help, but so far haven't.

It sounds like you have done wonderfully! Isn't it fun to wear clothes from the regular Missy department not the Plus? Congratulations. What are you doing with your life now? How has it changed?

Again, thanks for answering. My email is [email protected]

Rudie

Sounds like a lot of the problems I had between my dialation turned emergency perforation surgery and my final revision. I'm so sorry.  I ended up with ulcers in what they salvaged of my stomach (a small pouch) and then ulcers in my intestines.  I was taking 4-6 prilosec a day, plus using carafate 2-3 times a day.  Nothing with citric acids, vinegar, canned goods, citrus, caffeine, alcohol, etc. I had to eat every couple of hours... still do even after the revision, but now it's because my new 'sleeve' is half the size of a normal sleeve and I can only get about 2-3 ounces of solid protein in at a time.

The people on MyFitnessPal.com aren't one's to socialize with or get advice from because many of them are fitness buffs, but the food tracker is amazing.  I have used it to help me get back on track with getting my protein in each day (at least 60+ grams, the preferred is 80+ grams).  I know it can be difficult to go back to eating the way we are supposed to, but I really think it might help you avoid surgeries that don't sound necessary.  It's not easy, but you went through the toughest part already... loosing the weight.  Do what you need to now to enjoy your life.  Foods aren't the most important thing in life, they just keep us going so we can enjoy what life has to offer.  ;)

I love wearing regular sized clothes again.  I am now not only a shoe junkie, but a clothes junkie as well.  I've even done some pinup modeling (which anyone of any size can do!!), but it feels good to be able to walk without feeling like I'm going to fall over.... go for hikes and enjoy the beautiful mountains again.  Overall, my health sucked before surgery... I had every complication I could have had... and I would still go through it all over again to get to where I am today.  Life is so much better than before.

I hope you are able to find something that will work for you so that you feel better soon.  Just don't wait until you become too weak to do something about it.  Get with a bariatric nutritionist and make a little time to start tracking things again so you can see what you are missing or what changes might help you feel better.  You can do this!!! :)