2nd Chance Revisions
Getting Ready for Revision/Small Pouch Leaking and Fistula Repair
Well I am back here again after many many years so funny how things happen! I had a bypass 10 years ago and did just great and lost 130 pounds. I went through hell after about 3 years after surgery going through a terrible terrible divorce. I had no idea at the time but I switched addictions and started drinking wine with a girlfriend at night after work. This led to alcoholism which lots of bariatric weight loss talk about now but back then nobody had really knew it could be such a potential problem. The way we process our food, medication, alcohol is so different. Anyway I became a full blown alcoholic and went to treatment about 4 years ago and I have been sober for over two now. I started feeling really bad and having tons of acid reflux. I honestly figured that I had just "blown" out my surgery and the 70 pounds I had regained was just something I had done to myself. I did go see Dr. Jawad in Orlando, FL which is where I live. I had the Upper GI and they found that my pouch was leaking in to my big stomach and I had a fistula. I was so relieved that my insurance approved this revision surgery in about a day if that! I have Aetna Choice PPO. I will be getting my surgery date next week. I should be having the surgery in the next few weeks. Has anybody had this type of revision surgery? If so, I would love to hear about your experience. I feel VERY blessed to be getting a second chance.
First, congratulations on getting the help you need and remaining Sober! That's awesome.
Well I am going through something similar as in I just learned that I have a fistula that must be repaired as well as an ulcer that must be cut out. I had my surgery in 2002. About 6 years ago, I, like you, I started feeling really bad alot and having tons of acid reflux. I also blamed myself, and I never sought any help. I had been living with it for years, but about a year and a half ago, I began having terrible abdominal pain. It really scared me. I began first with my PCP then a gastroentrinologist (sp), neither of whom could figure it out. I finally decided that I better be smarter about this and see a bariatric doctor. Anyway, so this is where I am...hopefully will have the surgery in the next month or so to get this pain to stop. I am also excited and feel blessed that I may be able to restart my weight loss! I never lost what I needed to lose. Good luck to you, to both of us!
