Malabsorption

I was trying to get information on our malabsorption process further out. I understand our body adapts but to what level? Will we malabsorb forever or will our body close that gap for us...sort of like a pulled tooth....the other teeth move to close that gap. Does anyone know where I can find reports on this? I am thinking stomach surgery has been around for a long time they must have some data on malabsorption process. Any help in pointing me in the right direction would be nice.

I am very curious about this aspect as well. You don't see alot about it and I think that it is something hard to measure. I try to get my levels tested every three months or so...and I want to get a bone density scan to see how my calcium is.... If you find anything post it to me and I'll do the same!!!! I think that now, looking back, malabsorbtion should be the foremost worry point of a future after WLS. Tracy -147 Dec 2003

Debbie, I've seen and read a lot About malabsorption, But the reigning Queen of such info Is Diana Cox. She had DS and Has invested MUCH Time in collecting And distributing Medical Studies And such, rather than just reading them. I'd suggest dropping her an e-mail With this specific question. Here's her profile link- http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/profile.phtml?N=C1040588000 Hope this helps, Best Wishes- Dx

Dx, Thanks for the information....I will try and contact Diana and see if she can forward her research links to me. Hope all is well with you! Debbie

My surgeon and a nurse I know explained to me that malabsorbtion isn't an issue for us after the two year mark. They both said the cilia in the intestine grow back around 18-24 months post op and we can't count on the malabsorbtion to help us out anymore but it is better for medications to be absorbed then. I have read the 24 month mark is about right for most post ops - hence the weight gain many experience when eating too much after 2 years out, but I can't tell you exactly where or in what publication I read it. I'll see what I can find out - I may have saved it somewhere.

Cilia? Did you mean villi by chance? Just cause I'm confused lol.

Thanks for this information...If you find article I would be interested in reading it as well.

There are some other factors to consider in this equation as well. How much was bypassed and what sections? I had an initial distal RNY in May 2002. I scarred completely shut and a month later had more intestine removed, a new stoma made, the works. I lost a a tremendous rate until 9 months, when my weight started to come back on and I developed some bizarre food intolerances. It was discovered that a portion of my small intestine just a few centimeters blow my stoma had dialated and formed a "pouch" which caused me to absorb too much of my food. That pouch, plus a bit more, was removed in June 2004. My surgeon who did that procedure, as well as my new surgeon as I've moved, have both concurred that I will always suffer from malabsorption issues. I cannot absorb oral B12, even the spray sublingually doesn't seem tot ake. I have to self inject twice a month to keep my levels up. I also malabsorb iron, so I get total iron infusions. If my bypassed small intestine grew back, I would think these disturbances caused by malabsorption would end. I'm not complaining! It's become a routine, easily managed portion of my life.

My understanding from talking to my surgeon is that RNY patients will be absorbing all calories by 24 months. However we will never absorb vitamins/calcium as we did pre-op because the part of the stomach where these were absorbed/digested has been disected. Thus the need to always take the vitamins/calcium. My personal take on it is that different people seem to react differently. You hear about so many things on the boards that people aren't absorbing, it leads me to think each of us is different in what we absorb. Either way the most important thing we can do for ourselves is make sure we continue to have our blood work done for the rest of our lives so problems are caught early. Best of luck to you.