Question:
Anyone have gastroparesis due to a vagotomy?

I am very emotional right now as I have had lots of complications and think I have found what is wrong. I think I have gastroparesis (delayed stomach emptying) as a post op complication from gastric bypass surgery and a vagotomy. Anyone have any experience with this? I am going to Mayo clinic next week. I had no idea that a vagotomy has a risk of gastroparesis that is difficult to reverse. Should I seek legal advice? Any support/ help with this issue is welcome.    — Jencastle (posted on December 5, 2003)

December 5, 2003
Hi, I went out and read your profile before responding and although I'm sure it's not the cause of your troubles, I noticed that you eat bread, muffins, popsicles, etc. As long as the muffins and popsicles are sugar free, they shouldn't cause major problems. A lot of people can not eat bread unless it is toasted as it tends to clump into a ball (muffins would do the same). Many people also have trouble with the natural sugars in milk (lactose). I'm sure your dietician would have already made food suggestions to you so please don't be offended by my comments. I'm not trying to make light of your complications. Can you eat cottage cheese, instant pudding (with protein powder added)? You might try going back to a soft food diet for a few days and see if you problems lessen. Good Luck.
   — Carolyn M.

December 5, 2003
This is the origional poster. Hello I am replying to Diane's reply. The reason why I am so concerned is that I am constantly nauseaus and vommiting. I can't keep anything down. Nothing gets processed or moves thru my new stomach. I have gotten so sick that I had to have a feeding tube put in to get nutrician and liquids. I am malnourished and dehydrated and am deficiant in many vitamins. I had to go to the hospital for five days to get the feeding tube put in because of being so sick. My life is a wreck and according to the information I have been reading this is something that may be permanent. I was told about the reduction in ulcers and stomach acid and nothing of the stomach paresis part. This is why I am so concerned and entertained thoughts of seeking legal advice. Thank you for replying to my question.
   — Jencastle

December 5, 2003
you do not have grounds for any kind of legal action. As one poster already stated. This is not a complication or doctor mistake. It is a side effect that some people have. There is a lady that is on the message board every day that has gastroparesis from a vagotomy. i don't know her name but she is one of the regulars. Why don't you go to the message board and post this question. I bet she will see it and answer it. She is doing just fine. Good luck to you.
   — Delores S.

December 5, 2003
I had this same procedure done when I had an ulcer removed a year or so ago. I have no advice to offer, but am very glad you posed this. It explains alot of things that I have been experiencing. I will bring this up next time I visit with my doc. /hugs Becky
   — RebeccaP

December 5, 2003
I've heard that the "stomach pacemaker" which is currently being studied as a possible new weight loss surgery was originally developed to help with gastroparesis. I'm not sure if that would be an option for you, but here's the pacemaker manufacturer's website if you want to investigate it more: http://www.medtronic.com/neuro/enterra/ Good luck with finding something that helps you.
   — K M.