Post op hurdles

[medmann]

Hello all, my name is Paul and I had a Rouxs en Y on May 10th, 2002. I had it lap and have lost close to 180 total lbs and am in great shape. I have survived a huge bout with alcohol and 2 divorces since surgery (topics for another discussion!). I am here to talk about my unique long term side effects from surgery. First, I want to make it clear I am not complaining. I would never go back to my life as an unhealth, unhappy, obese and dying human EVER! I am just educating both Pre and Post on my situation. My first and foremost problem post surgery is Severe Reactive Hypoglycemia. It is bad! I have had 18 seizures in 4 years due to sugar and carb intake in my diet. I have to monitor my diet to the letter daily and check my sugar 3-5 times daily to avoid seizing. I did not have any diebetic issues prior to surgery. My GE Specialist tells me it is technically Hyperinsulinism, or too much Insulin in my blood. I guess my pancreas just isn't gonna come aboard the changes I have made to the system. The second problem is new. My labs have always been spectacular. No difficiencies and levels are text book, sometimes even better! My last labs produced horrible results in IRON. I have been diagnosed as Severe Anemic. In fact, as we speak I am levaging my colon (drinking this soapy-tasting, salty mix) for a dual Esophagogastroduoenoscopy and colonoscopy tomorrow morning. I knew I would continue to battle these little hurdles the rest of my life and I accept that the freedom granted by Gastric Bypass comes at a price. I just want to see if anyone...ANYONE...has these severe symptoms. Let me know. Thanks

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass A type of gastric bypass procedure which combines restrictive and malabsorption techniques - meaning, it reduces the amount of food a patient can comfortably eat (restriction), and also reduces the amount of calories that can be digested in the small intestine (malabsorption). This combination of bariatric methods leads to greater weight loss and the roux-en-y procedure is seen as one of the best ways to treat clinically severe obesity. See WLS Videos for animated surgery technique.

Obesity Obesity results from the excessive accumulation of fat that exceeds the body's skeletal and physical standards. Obesity has been defined as a weight more than 20% above what is considered normal according to standard age, height, and weight tables, or by a complex formula known as the body mass index. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), an increase in 20 percent or more above your ideal body weight is the point at which excess weight becomes a health risk. CLICK HERE TO OPEN THE JOURNEY BMI CALCULATOR!

Colon Another word for large intestine, a part of the digestive system. The colon has no digestive function but it does lubricate waste products as well as absorb remaining fluids and salts & stores waste products until excretion.

Pancreas A gland that lies beneath the stomach and is connected to the small intestine at the duodenum. The pancreas makes enzymes that help the body break down and use nutrients in food. It also produces the hormone insulin and releases it into the bloodstream to help the body control blood sugar levels. Failure of the insulin-secreting cells to function properly results in diabetes, which can occur in two major forms, the division being between juvenile onset and onset in maturity.

[MsJacquiiC]

I'm 5 almost 6 months post-op and thus far I've had smooth sailing, no negative issues at all as post-op lap roux-en-y. Reading your hurdles makes me cringe actually - I know what you mean though - you take the few negatives with all the wonderful positives and deal with it as best you can. For me - the decision was super easy - I had reached 438 pounds - I think having the gastric bypass has in an a certain sense saved my life.

What about others of you - anyone with such post-op issues?

Jacquii.

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass A type of gastric bypass procedure which combines restrictive and malabsorption techniques - meaning, it reduces the amount of food a patient can comfortably eat (restriction), and also reduces the amount of calories that can be digested in the small intestine (malabsorption). This combination of bariatric methods leads to greater weight loss and the roux-en-y procedure is seen as one of the best ways to treat clinically severe obesity. See WLS Videos for animated surgery technique.

[Lizerd]

Wow, well those are serious issues, and I am sorry you have to go through them! I am just 7 months out and have not as yet even had labs, in fact I am scheduled for the first ones now. I havent heard of the insulin problem..I have heard of the severe anemia..there is a you tube gal who has it..she is regretting her surgery. I can't imagine regretting it at this point. I am sure there are always effects..
Anyway, hang in there..good luck with it!

[MsJacquiiC]

Thus far - I don't think there will ever be a time when I would say I regret having had surgery. I think my post-op journey has been easier than most - I've adapted fairly well - I thought it would be a bit of a task getting my mind and pouch on the same page - but it's been relatively easy for me. After all the hoops I had to jump through to get the surgery - post-op SHOULD be easy LOL - kinda balances out I suppose

I think Liz is right though - just hang in there and hopefully things will get better for you.

Jacquii.

Pouch Most bariatric surgeries restricts the amount of food a patient can eat by reducing the size of the stomach by gastric banding, stapling or removal. What results is known as the gastric pouch.

[LaCreida]

wow medmann, I give you applause. It would take only a strong person to survive what you are going through. My only complaint is meat and eggs make me sick. But again, put your head up high.. you are strong! I hope tall his will pass and soon.

[SeaJade]

I had my surgery Nov. 4, 2009. I had a lot of weakness and am still a bit shakey. Other than that, I have had a very good result. I have lost 100 lbs, and all my labs are great. I still drink the protein at least once a day and can tolerate meat well. I did not lose any hair either. I do have a friend that is 4 - 5 years out who just finished her second round of chemo for a highly treatable form of leukemia.

Protein One of the three nutrients that provides calories to the body. Protein is an essential nutrient that helps build many parts of the body, including muscle, bone, skin, and blood. Protein provides 4 calories per gram and is found in foods like meat, fish, poultry, eggs, dairy products, beans, nuts, and tofu. Proteins are an essential human nutrient, obtained from both plant and animal foods. Though their greatest commercial use is in food products, they are also employed in adhesives, plastics, and fibres.

[Eternaldreamer61]

Originally Posted by medmann Hello all, my name is Paul and I had a Rouxs en Y on May 10th, 2002. I had it lap and have lost close to 180 total lbs and am in great shape. I have survived a huge bout with alcohol and 2 divorces since surgery (topics for another discussion!). I am here to talk about my unique long term side effects from surgery. First, I want to make it clear I am not complaining. I would never go back to my life as an unhealth, unhappy, obese and dying human EVER! I am just educating both Pre and Post on my situation. My first and foremost problem post surgery is Severe Reactive Hypoglycemia. It is bad! I have had 18 seizures in 4 years due to sugar and carb intake in my diet. I have to monitor my diet to the letter daily and check my sugar 3-5 times daily to avoid seizing. I did not have any diebetic issues prior to surgery. My GE Specialist tells me it is technically Hyperinsulinism, or too much Insulin in my blood. I guess my pancreas just isn't gonna come aboard the changes I have made to the system. The second problem is new. My labs have always been spectacular. No difficiencies and levels are text book, sometimes even better! My last labs produced horrible results in IRON. I have been diagnosed as Severe Anemic. In fact, as we speak I am levaging my colon (drinking this soapy-tasting, salty mix) for a dual Esophagogastroduoenoscopy and colonoscopy tomorrow morning. I knew I would continue to battle these little hurdles the rest of my life and I accept that the freedom granted by Gastric Bypass comes at a price. I just want to see if anyone...ANYONE...has these severe symptoms. Let me know. Thanks

Hi Paul

Don't give up I have had a few issues myself I had gallbladder surgury last year due to a kink in the common bile duct that was causing inflammation and severe pain now my body is producing tiny gall stones in the common bile duct minus the gallbladder so they don't want to open me up again their giving me URSO which makes me naseated as heck but I'm okay. I'm also vitamin D deficient so I have to take Vitamin D tablets all the time but that is a small price to pay for not dying 3 years ago. All my other labs are always super and I'm no longer diabetic because I was taking the pills before the surgar then shots after for a while then stopped now nothing. I had to iron tabs for about a year. I take 2 multivitmans a day and 3 Calciums a day also 4 Vitman D and 1 Biotic 5,000 MCG hope this helps some it keeps me going and staying healthy.

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass A type of gastric bypass procedure which combines restrictive and malabsorption techniques - meaning, it reduces the amount of food a patient can comfortably eat (restriction), and also reduces the amount of calories that can be digested in the small intestine (malabsorption). This combination of bariatric methods leads to greater weight loss and the roux-en-y procedure is seen as one of the best ways to treat clinically severe obesity. See WLS Videos for animated surgery technique.

Obesity Obesity results from the excessive accumulation of fat that exceeds the body's skeletal and physical standards. Obesity has been defined as a weight more than 20% above what is considered normal according to standard age, height, and weight tables, or by a complex formula known as the body mass index. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), an increase in 20 percent or more above your ideal body weight is the point at which excess weight becomes a health risk. CLICK HERE TO OPEN THE JOURNEY BMI CALCULATOR!

Bile A digestive juice that is made by the liver, stored in the gallbladder, and excreted into the small intestine where it helps to digest fat.

Colon Another word for large intestine, a part of the digestive system. The colon has no digestive function but it does lubricate waste products as well as absorb remaining fluids and salts & stores waste products until excretion.

Diabetes Mellitus A disease that occurs when the body is not able to use blood glucose (sugar). Blood sugar levels are controlled by insulin, a hormone in the body that helps move glucose from the blood to muscles and other tissues. Diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not make enough insulin or the body does not respond to the insulin that is made. There are two main types of diabetes mellitus: Type 1 Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes. All forms of diabetes have been treatable since insulin became medically available in 1921, but there is no cure.

Pancreas A gland that lies beneath the stomach and is connected to the small intestine at the duodenum. The pancreas makes enzymes that help the body break down and use nutrients in food. It also produces the hormone insulin and releases it into the bloodstream to help the body control blood sugar levels. Failure of the insulin-secreting cells to function properly results in diabetes, which can occur in two major forms, the division being between juvenile onset and onset in maturity.

[MsJacquiiC]

I think all of us who have had the roux-en-y or any other malabsorptive procedure will have to take vitamin suppliments for the rest of our lives. I agree with everybody though - Don't give up! Because the advancements being made in medicine everyday are such that there may be help for you yet Medman

Jacquii.

Malabsorption Malabsorption is a clinical term: A state arising from abnormality in the digestion and absorption of food nutrients across the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The digestion or absorption of a single nutrient component may be impaired, as in lactose intolerance due to lactase deficiency. The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass combines the malabsorption and restrictive techniques to achieve major weightloss.

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass A type of gastric bypass procedure which combines restrictive and malabsorption techniques - meaning, it reduces the amount of food a patient can comfortably eat (restriction), and also reduces the amount of calories that can be digested in the small intestine (malabsorption). This combination of bariatric methods leads to greater weight loss and the roux-en-y procedure is seen as one of the best ways to treat clinically severe obesity. See WLS Videos for animated surgery technique.

[tinkermel2u]

Hi Paul, I had my surgery in 2004, and I have the low iron, and the hyperinsulinism.. my glucose levels actually go into the 20s so I really keep an eye on it.. So - I do understand where you are coming from.. I have lost over 200 pounds, would like to lose more- but for some reason my body seems happy where it is.. ha..

Either way, wanted to let you know you are not alone there... Not sure where it comes from - Just all the extra insulin weird...

Glucose Also known as dextrose or grape sugar, glucose is a building block for most carbohydrates and occurs in the sap of most plants and in the juice of grapes and other fruits. Digestion causes some carbohydrates to break down into glucose. After digestion, glucose is carried in the blood and goes to body cells where it is used for energy or stored.

[MsJacquiiC]

Hey Melissa and welcome to the forum! To all of you guys and ladies who have yet to introduce yourself = feel free to do so over at the Howdy Hi Introductions sub-forum

Jacquii.