Question:
Has anybody had to undo the surgery?
— Barbara B. (posted on October 27, 2001)
October 27, 2001
You can look up the profile for Jim Keithley (or keithly, ) he had to have
his reversed and has had many problems. This is not the norm! But do not go
into having this surgery with idea it's reversible unless the reversal is
for a medical emergency. Good luck
— Becky K.
October 27, 2001
I have Kaiser Ins. and they now make you take this WLS Class now and there
was this really nice man their with his daughter and he was telling the
class that his surgery had to be reversed because he lost 200 lbs in
something like 30 days (I know that sounds crazy but its true). He was in
the hospital for a couple months. His body just completly shut down after
surgery. On a lighter note...He was there for his daughter who was looking
to have surgery and he wanted her to have it done. He told the class that
he didnt regret having the surgery done..he did still lose 200lbs.
— [Anonymous]
October 27, 2001
Barbara, thanks for trying to be so informed before venturing into this.
For most people this surgery seems to be a Godsend and has worked well.
What a blessing. But, there are "some" of us, for whom this
surgery has not been all it's cracked up to be. I have been told by my
internist, nutritionist and rhuematologist that a partial reversal or....a
revision, would be the best course of action for me. I started at 280, am
now at 124 and had the BPDS two years ago. Due to the surgery and the
amount of vitamins and minerals I absorbed postop, I now have a little
known disease called Sjogrens which is caused by malnutrition. It's
irreversible and lifelong and very painful. They want to do at least a
revision on me but that's not possible and hasn't been because along with
everything else, I am now severely anemic. I get iron shots every week 2
times a week, and the best they have been able to bring me to is 9.3. You
have to have a measure of at least 11.0 before they will do surgery for
fear of a stroke on the table. As you can see, I am in a catch 22 and
don't wish this upon anyone else ever. I don't believe that I am the norm
at all and most people seem to have very limited problems but, there ARE
some of us out there. Most do not come to this site anymore really and
that's a shame because everyone should know the risks beforehand. This was
certainly NOT an eventuality that the doctor ever discussed with me. I
could not have been prepared for it. So, in answer to your question, yes
there are those who need reversals and I know at least 5 of them right here
in my area and most are much worse off than me. We are kindof the
"stepchildren" of the surgery. Unlike a previous poster, I would
definately rather be fat and healthy than to be living like this. As for
feeling like you would rather die before being fat again, well, I am slowly
dying because of being thin. Again, it's all a matter of how well you do
after the surgery. Just remember that nothing is guaranteed. Good luck to
you.
— Barbara H.
October 27, 2001
It's my understanding that if the stomach is transected during surgery then
it is irreversable. I too have Sjogren's Syndrome (I had it before
surgery) and it has improved 100% since surgery. Having years of
experience with this condition I've never heard of it being caused by
malnutrition. It's an arthritic condition accompanied by an overall
moisture deficiency throughout the body including joints and internal
organs and also negatively affects the eyes because of tear duct problems.
Sjogrens is rarely life threatening and is typically more of a somewhat
painful annoyance. Now - having said that - please don't blast me for
contradicting the previous poster. She obviously has a serious case of
Sjogrens and has suffered with it a great deal. I understand that she
would rather be fat and healthy than dealing with a serious case of
Sjogrens. Unfortunately it's as rare for a person to be "fat and
healthy" as it is for a person to contract Sjogrens as a result of
having weight loss surgery. If you combined the co-morbidities I suffered
while morbidly obese and compared them to the quirks or complications I've
experienced since WLS I'd have to say there's no comparison. I must agree
that I'm not sure I'd want to face life as a morbidly obese person again
now that I've experienced it as a normal person. It is wise to be well
informed before having a surgery like this. However, make sure of your
commitment before you proceed. Richard Simmons says to throw away all your
"fat" clothes as soon as they're too big for you. He says that
keeping them is simply preparing for failure. Make sure you want WLS more
than anything and then be of the attitude that you'd never want to have it
reversed and more than likely you'll succeed. I know there's ALWAYS the
exception to the rule but you can't go into this surgery thinking it will
be you. I hope everything goes well for you and for everyone who posted an
answer to this important question.
— [Anonymous]
October 27, 2001
I am having my stomach transect6ed, and asked the surgeon if it was
reversible, and he said it absolutely was. The old stomach still works just
like it always did, only without the food. It's a much more complicated
operation than the original, but he said it can be done.
— [Anonymous]
October 28, 2001
Hello, Sjogren's SYNDROME (it's not a disease)is an autoimmune disorder.
The causes are unknown (see the NIH site). It is not caused by
malnutrition. Just wanted to clarify. I think folks should check their
info before posting so as to not scare the heck out of people.
— [Anonymous]
October 28, 2001
Just to clear the air, I have never and never will try to "scare"
people into not having this surgery. As I said, it's a Godsend to most
but, for me it wasn't. I have always advocated the surgery but....have
also wanted people to have all the facts first before changing their lives
so completely. Yes, I know that Sjogrens is a syndrome not a disease and
am "sorry" that I misworded it but, you have to at least give me
credit where credit is due because you people (some) tend to blast the
first person who says a foul word about the surgery to the limit. No
wonder no one else who has had major problems comes on here. I have come
back for 2 years telling people the downfalls because I feel that everyone
has a right to know beforehand and not only hear how wonderful this surgery
is. There ARE downfalls to it no matter what this site wants everyone to
believe. At least for some of us. I also wanted to state the fact that if
you look at the Sjogrens site, you will see that it is DEFINATELY caused by
malnutrition in some and that many many people in poor undernourished
countries develope this syndrome. I am very very happy that the person who
has Sjogrens and had it before surgery is now getting better. As you might
understand that is hard for me to understand considering that mine only
"started" after the surgery but I certainly believe her or him
and hope that the remission stays right where it is for them. I have had a
hard time after this surgery and this is supposed to be a helpful and
supportive site. Well, it is until you start stating that you are sorry
that you had the surgery. That's when many people start ganging up on you
and that is why everyone who has problems leaves this site. I have not and
it will take alot for me to leave and not give the "other" side
to people. They have a right to know what "could" in a very
limited few, happen to them. I used to cry and get upset with people on
here when they blasted me but frankly, at this point in my life and with
all I have gone through, and with very little support but from a rare few,
I don't care if you like me or not on here. I just want everyone to have
all of the pluses and minuses before making a final decision. That's only
fair. I have ALWAYS stated that I am of the very rare few who have had
such major problems and I don't ever ever say "don't" have the
surgery. Just know what might or could happen just in case. You have
basically scared away the other people who could give this perspective
also. Do I sound angry? Yes probably so because all I have wanted was
support like the site says and all I get because I did not have the perfect
surgery results is being put down. I sincerely hope that some of you will
think about that in the future and also want to thank the many people who
actually have been there for me throughout.
— Barbara H.
October 29, 2001
Yes it happens. I belong to a group of 15 postops 2 years out. Three are
having their surgery reversed. One gal's story was featured in Self
magazine & Good Morning America. Everyone should read her website:
(http://www.geocities.com/patsi_p/). If you have any questions, please
feel free to email me... --->>
— [Deactivated Member]
October 29, 2001
I stand by what I said...malnutrition does not cause Sjogren's syndrome. I
can see the reverse, though...since Sjogren's causes (speaking of the
mouth...it causes other symptoms in other areas of the body as well)
Extremely dry mouth and throat causing:
Difficulty chewing and swallowing, Decreased sense of taste, Difficulty
speaking, Increase in dental cavities
, Dry cough or hoarseness
, Enlarged parotid glands (located at the angle of jaw) and sometimes
infection of the parotid glands...you can see where people would not feel
like eating and hence perhaps be malnourished. But as far as malnutrition
causing Sjogren's...that is incorrect. That is why I said to check your
facts first.
Aches, pains in muscles and joints
— [Anonymous]
November 4, 2001
First of all, there are some people on this site who are down right nasty
when they don't agree with what someone says. No one can say what the
doctor has told Barbara and unless you are a doctor you only know what you
read.And if there is no known cause of Sjogren's then how do you KNOW it is
not caused by malnutrition? Now what I know about this disease is (I'm not
an expert, but then I don't think anyone else who commented on this is
either.) There is a primary and secondary type of this disease. It not only
affects your mouth,eyes,and vagina, but it can effect your liver, kidneys,
lungs and other organs. I haven't seen anywhere where it says that
malnutrition is the cause but I have seen where scientists believe certain
people have a gene, and that something can trigger it. It can happen at any
time in your life. Now, I did read Barbara's profile, and in it you
mentioned that you had "dry eye disease" before your surgery. So
this was probably the Sjogren's and you didn't know it. I'm sure the
malabsorption has made your health problems worse.
— [Anonymous]
November 6, 2001
I commend Barbara for her courage to speak out. People NEED to know the
good and bad. People say they want to know both sides then when someone has
the courage to tell of their bad experience then people gang up on that
person. It's very hypicrictical. Myself, I have had many serious problems
with potassium and B-12 but so far I am very happy I had the surgery. But
I've had some surgeries for gender reasignment that I was clearly butchered
and still suffer health problems from those. When I tried to speak out to
save others from my fate, I was the bad guy. It was all my fault, ect ect
ect. I felt like a rape victim who was being told that it was all my fault
that I was raped. Sometimes we are victims of surgeons who ether don't
care, don't have the experience or for some reason something just plain
goes wrong that is no ones fault and could'nt be forseen. Do we blame the
person and say it is their fault??? Many people do! As for myself, I hope
Barbara keeps her chin up and keeps telling people her experience so others
can seriously mull it over in their mind on whether the surgery is right
for them. It seems the surgery usually works out fine for us, but for the
others like Barbara it is a nightmare. I sure hope something can help her
and others like her who have'nt been so fortunate as most of us.
— Danmark
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