Question:
Pancreatitis due to High Tryglycerides and Doctor won't do surgery?

Hello. Please help if you can. I have had a couple attacks of pancreatitis in the past months. My doctor now feels it's caused by high triglycerides. I went to Dr. Gaar to see about WLS and he said he wouldn't consider it until I get my triglycerides down or maybe not at all. My trig. are about 520. Anyone esle have this problem? Thank you for you help. Kerry    — Kerry H. (posted on August 5, 2001)

August 5, 2001
Can you get another opinion? Unless you are just too fragile (as judged by opinion #2), the WLS will help that problem and fast, within a few weeks. If he does not KNOW that, perhaps this is not the doc you want performing your procedure.
   — vitalady

August 5, 2001
I have had the same experience as far as the pancreatitis, but no rejection to having surgery. Find another surgeon. I have had wonderful help from the first consultation I had with Dr. Rantis, in Ill. He discussed different surgical options that would cause additional malabsorption, in addition to the lessened stomach capacity. The malabsorption restriction will lessen the triglyceride absorption and lower the numbers. He suggested I meet with Dr. Henry Buchwald at the University of Minnesota. He is the expert in dealing with hyperlipidemia and obesity. He has some abstract articles that you can view on MEDLINE; just enter a heading of hyperlipidemia and obesity. I have an appointmet with him Aug 15. I'll keep you updated if you'd like. Don't give up. Get healthy!
   — El B.

August 5, 2001
I have had 2 bouts of pancreatitis prior to surgery and one directly after (2 weeks post-op). I guess my body was adjusting. My doctor knew of my pancreatitis episodes and it did not stop him from performing the surgery. I am now 3 weeks post-op and feel fine. My cholesterol and triglicerides have dropped. My physician did the blood work to watch my pancreas. So see there is light at the end of the tunnel.
   — rose B.

August 6, 2001
Find another surgeon. I had Chronic Pancreatitis for 3 years. I was terminal. At the time, I was talking $2000 worth of medicine monthly. My triglycerides stayed around 1200, but would go up to 4500 during an attack. My Cholesterol, and triglycerides are normal now. I had RNY and an Ileum Bypass. The Ileum Bypass is to have less absorbtion of tryglycerides. I am 16 months post-op and Cured of the pancreatitis. E-mail me if you have any questions - Good Luck --
   — CohenHeart

June 23, 2002
I was very sick last September and did not know I was diabetes type II, hypertension, and high high high triglycerides. My doctor, Dr. Robert Rood in Tarzana, CA (Bless you Dr. Rood!) saw me, did labs, and immediately threw me into these meds to get my triglycerides down: Tricor, Lasix, and Norvasc, as well as diabetes meds. What I am trying to say is, the Tricor got my triglycerides down from 1128 to 97 in 3 months!!! There IS help out there, but you have to have the right internist following you! It was Dr. Rood who talked me into the WLS and today, I'm a week post op, but I no longer am taking 16 pills a day! My diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, and other problems are gone. Do you know how wonderful it is to not have to take shots and oral medications for diabetes anymore??!! I feel I am reborn and God and Dr. Rood gave me another shot at life, at getting to watching my granddaughter grow up. I know not every person's outcome is the same, but if you have a doctor that is walking away from you, it may be a sign from the Lord to find the right doctor for you. Obviously he didn't know about using Tricor to get you under control!!! Medicine is an art! Keep looking, and never give up. If you have any means of doing it, come to California and see my doctor, he is wonderful and doesn't give any BS. My prayers are with you!
   — suitfugue