Question:
My pouch is less than two cm, is this why I'm still sick?

I had roux-n-y surgery three years ago. Since this time I have suffered greatly with malnutrition and all the horrible side effects that go with it, malabsorbtion syndrome, severe chronic anemia, and have had so many treatments it's been a true nightmare. It began with TPN feedings when my weight dropped too fast due to pain when I ate, then a feeding tube, blood transfusions, Iron infusions that take six hours a month and leave me sick for days, the list goes on and on. I was told that everything was fine and that it was my fault. I was given a diagnosis of anorexia and referred to a eating disorder specialist and banned from the support group the clinic offered to it's patients because I was told that my constant problems were scaring the other patients. I was then referred to a psychristist and committed to the psych unit of the hospital and given ECT treatments that all but wiped my memory out. Most of it has come back over time but some precious memories, I fear, may be gone for good. I was committed because they said what I was doing this to "MYSELF" and it was considered passive suicide. I lost over 200 pounds in less than a year! My problems continue and for the past six months I have been unable to control my blood sugar levels. My family doctor has referred me to every specialist he could after he took over my care because I was told by the bariatric surgeon that there was nothing more he could do for me and withdrew from my care. I should add, he is not the only doctor who withdrew from my care during the past three years. My GP is a wonderful doctor and has worked tirelessly to help me but is at a loss. My blood sugars spike and dip to dangerous levels all day long and I am not functioning. I cannot drive long distances anymore because I passed out and wrecked the car. My levels can go as low as 37 and spike as high as almost 400 in the course of an hour. This happens no matter what I eat or what I am doing at the time. I do not have a diagnosis of diabetes and am not on medication yet because my doctor has no idea what he is dealing with. He is in the process of trying to get me into the city's only endocrinologist who is booked up six months. I am passing out more frequently now, up to twice a week. I was referred to a GI Specialist but requested to be sent out of this particular network because the diagnosis of anorexia was haunting me and I needed to be seen by someone who was completely unbiased. I had an endoscopy done and the findings were shocking. My pouch size is less than two centimeters. The dr. said she has never seen one so small but wanted to consult with other doctors before she told me anymore. I have an appointment with her on 4-8-09 to "Discuss my options". I don't know what this means but it doesn't sound promising! I am frightened that due to the size of my pouch I will never got well. I can't imagine living like this the rest of my life. Is a pouch of less than two cm even functional and could this be the cause of all my problems? Do I need to begin to deal with the fact that I may never be well again? Thank you for any help you can offer me.    — Lainesilva (posted on April 2, 2009)

April 3, 2009
Hang in there. It sounds like at least they have found a problem to begin to address. Try to keep your protiens up and try to do destressing meditation ot help you get centered.
   — trible

April 3, 2009
http://www.meltingmama.net or here at OH as (Beth aka melting mama.net) This woman, has also been thru quite severe complications and is a very famous personality in the WLS community. She is very vocal about her problems and educating others on every subject having to do with health and long term WLS as well as complications and updates and anything WLS related!! She has ENDLESS articles and info about all that you've been thru as she too is one of the rare people with several severe life threatening complications. She's a fighter and is a gorgeous and amazing woman! You might want to write to her and see if she can help in some way...
   — .Anita R.

April 3, 2009
First, let me say how sorry I am that you have been through such pain and suffering. I can't imagine the strength you need just to make it through the day and you are an inspiration to us all. It seems to me that an endoscopy should have been one of the first things that should have been done and perhaps the surgeon would have known that therein the problem lies. Please clarify- do you mean your pouch is only 2cms or that your stoma is only 2cms? Doesn't seem like it would be possible to have a pouch that small- if your stoma has a stricture that is 2 cms, perhaps they can dilate it several times over a period of time and you may be able to ingest some fluids/food again. If your pouch actually is that small- could be malpractice. I don't know. Strictures are pretty common and after dilations, many do much better. Being a psych nurse, I am shocked by how far the treatment went for your treatment of "anorexia". How upsetting it must have been for you to have been dumped by the person (surgeon) you put all your faith in and to be thrown into the psych treatment. Was this all done against your will as you were "harming yourself"? I am so upset about what you wrote I can't express it really. Please don't give up hope, if nothing else there is always hope. No wonder you are passing out, perhaps your PCP could contact the endocrinologist and explain the seriousness of the situation in an attempt to get you in sooner. I would recommend for the time being that someone drive you around so that you don't get seriously injured or worse. Again, I am so sorry for everything you have been through and just pray things get better soon. Feel free to contact me anytime just to chat or whatever. Please keep us posted. Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC, CLC
   — DawnVic

April 3, 2009
I want to thank everyone who took the time to answer my question. Dawn, my GI Specialist said there was no evidence of any strictures and the report I have, complete with pictures, says "The Gastric Pouch Was LESS than 2cm". The GI Specialist said she has done many WLS patients but has never seen a pouch that was cut so small. It's not functional and whatever I am able to eat passes through whole and there is evidence of damage to my small bowel. The doctor said glucose or sugars are the easiest thing to absorb so as a result I am absorbing only this and everything else is passing right through. Your second question about being committed to the psych unit; this was against my will. They were able to convince my husband that I was attempting what was referred to as Passive Suicide so he was able to sign the paperwork to have me held and given ECT Treatments. I cannot blame him, he has been through hell along with me and was scared of losing me and at that point didn't know what to think. I thank you for your words of encouragement but I have to admit, I'm tired of fighting. I feel like all hope was removed when this was found and actually admitted to me and I cannot see living the rest of my life like this. I used to be such a happy energetic person, I'm not anymore...I would give back my size 8 jeans to have my life back!
   — Lainesilva