Question:
Pancreatitis: could WLS hinder proper treatment & x-rays, ultrasounds used to view,tr

I am considering WLS. My primary care physician and cardiologist is for it.....my gastroenterologist is against it. He says having WLS would hinder/interfer with proper viewing/treatment of the pancreas should an episode of pancreatitis occur. Any/all advice welcomed. He also stated this procedure WLS could cause more severe episodes of pancreatitis.    — elnahtawi424 (posted on January 20, 2006)

January 20, 2006
Sylvia Espejo I have several stomach problems and all my Dr. are for it they say that after I loose the weight I will probably have no more problems so go ahead and have to become healthy Renee R. :angel:
   — rcrollins

January 20, 2006
I had pancreatitis about 6 months post rny. there was no problem with the dx or tx of it. blood work is one done which clearly showed pancreatitis was the problem. ultrasounds and ctscan also no problem. as per my md, the most critical time for getting pancreatitis is the first few months when you are almost always in acidosis-- rapidly losing weight. when things slow down, the risk declines. also stillhaving my gallbladder at the time made things worse. anyway, 3-1/2 years later and all is fine, am doing well , no more episodes of pancreatitis and down a total of 170 lbs. (still losing slowly.)
   — dorothy S.

January 20, 2006
I would think getting to it and viewing it wouldn't be a problem, but I'm not a doctor so will have to just say that I'm feeling like he has a bias that is swaying his opinion. As for wls causing more severe episodes, it is possible, I think. I have known of several folks who had wls who have developed pancreatitis. Before this, I knew no one who had it. Take from it what you will, but it does seem to me that it can trigger it...Dina
   — Dinka Doo

January 20, 2006
Assuming you are thinking about a traditional RNY gastric bypass, you should not experience any increased risk for pancreatitis-- at least, I have never heard of that increased risk at any of the conferences I've attended, studies I've read or hundreds of patients I've met through my support group work. Seems to me that your gastroenterologist may be biased (adeptly pointed out by a previous poster). If you do have ongoing gastro issues, you might be better served seeking the GI specialist with more experience with weight loss surgery patients.
   — SteveColarossi

January 21, 2006
your gastrologist is probably not upto date, you might post your question to drs at cornell university,Dr Gagner, teaches most doctors on all phases of gastrology and bariatrics. he will respond, I was refered to him by 9 bariactric surgeons who are not able to do my surgeries ,I have very special requirements.
   — walter A.

January 21, 2006
I had a major bout of pancreatitis in '91 that hospitalized me for 117 days and have had 3/4 of my pancreas removed as a result of it. It is possible to have WLS after having pancreatitis, I am living proof. If you have RNY the doctor cannot scope you to see the pancreas from above, that is true but CT & MRIs can be done and as another poster said so can blood work to show levels of infection. My gastro doc knew about my prior issues from '91 and gave me approval for RNY. You may want to consider getting another opinion if that is feasable for you or maybe your WLS surgeon can shed some light on the fact if WLS will cause more episodes of pancreatitis. Your gastro doc may need some education on the whole thing.
   — ChristineB