Gastric Bypass Complications?

I am well aware that gb can cause numerous side problems. However, in 1978, I had the old type gastric bypass (NOT intestinal), and later I had a roux-n-y revision. I have never had any complications. The reality is that having the surgery saved my life in more ways than one. If I had not had the surgery, I never would have lost the 100 pounds (I had tried every diet and exercise program in the world at the time, with no success whatsoever). My surgeon asked if I was concerned about anything while he was in there since he would be checking the intestinal tract to be sure all was well there, so I asked him to take out my appendix (my mother's had ruptured and I was always terrified of that happening, and since he would be right there anyway...). After the surgery, he told me he could not take it out because it was eaten up with Crohn's disease. Subsequent testing confirmed the diagnosis. Two years later, I went into crisis with the Crohn's and nearly died. It was only after the successful surgery for the Crohn's that problems began, and those were because of that surgery (the specific location and the 2.5 feet of terminal ilium that had to be removed). I have NEVER had problems with the gb surgery...in 29 years. I went from 237 to 137, and although I bounce around about 10-15 pounds, it always comes back to around 137-140. I wear an 8-10 from a 26.5. I am healthy; I have to take many vitamins, again because of the Crohn's surgery. The Crohn's was in remission for over 20 years, but is now active and causing arthritic joint damage. I take Humira injections (Humira has recently been approved for treatment of Crohn's), which has helped tremendously. I have greatly improved joint movement, and the Crohn's is under control. It would not have been discovered in time when I went into crisis had it not been diagnosed during my gb surgery. I daily give thanks for having had gb and for the doctor who cared enough to be really careful and thorough He saved my life...

I had gastric bypass 6 1/2 yrs ago and I now get kidney stones from where my body can no longer absorb calcium, which is also causing my teeth to become weak and chip. I forget things easily and am constantly anemic. My feet stay cold and my limbs go to sleep very easily. Medications are not all absorbed properly.
If I could do it all over I would have the lap band done. The gastric bypass enabled me to conceive our 2nd child naturally though I could not breast feed him as my milk did not have enough nutrients and the baby actually lost weight so I had to give him formula.Had I had the lap band I could have made adjustments to be able to nurse my baby.
Our first child took 3 yrs to conceive and I was able to nurse her for over a yr. I had the polycystic Ovarian syndrome and my periods were regulated BUT I have since had to have a uterine ablasion to prevent me from having heavy periods due to the anemia. It is a internal battle sometimes to talk to my doctor because I feel like I am always complaining but I have 2 kids to run after and I need to feel like I am able or have the energy to run after them. I would have a wls but I would opt for the lap band. I have lost 110 lbs and have been able to keep it off through pregnancy and after. My son was a healthy 8lb 2 oz as well.

I had the gastric bypass done about 6 years ago I never have any energy I weigh 126 after being at 250 before surgery I never feel good Im constantly complining with my right side hurting and have heavy periods. I am severely anemic which I can never get my hemoglobin level up before it is time for another period constant headaches, and there are some days I just have to lay around due to not feeling good and just cant push that day. Im on some type of pain pill all the time from narcotics to muscle relaxers, and the doctors say there is nothing wrong with me I often have blood in my urine, and by the time I decide I need to go to the doctor it is gone. What kind of doctor do I need to see to help me I have not been able to find one yet!!!

Hi Josie2ab....Why not try and wean yourself off of the pain pills and narcotics...These alone can make you dull and lifeless...Talk to the doctor about getting some kind of iron pill or whatever to raise your hemoglobin....Keep yourself active...Sometimes feeling sorry for yourself can drag you down...Personally I question if the doctor says that you are alright, why is he/she still giving you these pills...One more thing, how tall are you that you weigh 126 pounds?...Take care...

Caroline

Hello to all my fellow Gastric by-pass friends. I had my surgery June 1,2010. It was a decision that saved my life. I had no complications directly after surgery, even having lost 101 lbs. in the first 5 1/2 mos. In september, I started having very loose stools, and then turning into uncontrolable diarrhea. I take way too much immodium just to be able to leave the house to run errands. I'm starting to become home bound as I did at 301 lbs before my surgery. Everytime I know I have to leave home I become stressed for fear I may have an accident and not make it to the bathroom. What a way to live! I'm feeling a little hopeless right now and I shouldn't be. That is the only complication I have had so far. I am seeing my GI dr. and he is at a loss. Has anybody else had this problem and how did you deal with it? I love to get outdoors to walk and play with my grandkids but I can't leave the security of my home for fear of an accident. I'm suppose to be traveling this summer with my husband for vacation and I'm already dreading the drive. I would love to know if anyone else has had this problem.

Hi JB81..First of all, congratulations on your accomplishment...That is wonderful...I am not real familiar with this subject, however, I wanted to ask you if you have ever gone completely to a bland diet?...One high in fiber that should bind you up....I am sure that the stress you are feeling with this happening is making it worse...

I thought I would add this in hopes that it may help...Take care...

Caroline

I had the gastric bypass done a little over 5 years ago. I cannot keep any food down... I'm constantly throwing up (at least twice daily). I frequently throw up blood. My fears have prompted me to visit the ER several times. The ER will just give me enough pain medications to help me while I'm in there prescence... NO ACTUAL FIX!!! I am severely anemic because I cannot keep food down to retain the nutrients it has to offer. I feel week and getting out of bed is a difficult task for me. I usually sleep 10 - 13 hours a day. The doctors say there is nothing wrong with me and that "I have not gotten used to my new pouch yet". Please help me locate a doctor to help me live a healthy & happy life!!

Quick update- I had Bypass surgery in July of 2007 and my first month out i had stomach ulcers that i had to have blood transfusions for and it took 3 different docs at 3 different hospitals to diagnosis it right and treat it right all these docs kept saying was it's gastric bowels and not one test done i was released from the ER and the next day same things again this time baseball size clots coming out and yes it got attention but still wasn't treated properly then i went out of town to Florida and at Aventura Hospital is where they diagnosed it correctly and fixed it but had i not gone back to Florida it would still probably be a problem today but then after that a year went by and not problems had my first child after him still everything ok but it was in april of 2009 my world fell apart i got pregnant again and not that, that was a bad things but 3 months in i had to have herniated bowel surgery 5 months in more surgery 1 month after my daughter was born in Dec of 2009 and yes she was healthy believe it or not but i was in surgery again but they couldn't find why my bowels had twisted themselves again then finally relief until July of 2010 gallbladder out then i was ok until Jan of 2011 i for some reason started throwing up everything i would eat and here we are in end of July 2011 still throwing up all my food and my insurance company (not to mention names)keeps denying testing my doctors want to do so we can see what's going on, so i was admitted a few weeks ago for TIA/Seizure/Abdominal Pain and got the testing done that way but still they can't figure out what's going on because it wasn't a GI or a Bariatric Doc who check me over in the ER then admitted me and i wish i was still in Delaware with my old insurance because CHRIAS has excellent bariatric docs and follow-up not one time was i dis-satisfied with their care and service...I am very sick from all this lost very good jobs in my life because i never know when i'm going to get sick and how long i will be out for and ended up on "well-fare" as they call it and now fighting to get disability and i am only 38 yrs old weighing in at a whopping 124 and 5'6" after being 268 not healthy at all right now nor do i have the energy or patience that i once did have and trying to raise my kids who now are 3 and almost 2. So please i hope this message gets out there and you really weigh the risks of this surgery it's not a JOKE nor can it be reversed once done.......

JB81 I HAD THE BY-PASS DONE IN 2000 AND THIS PAST YEAR HAVE STARTED HAVING THE DIARRHEA CONSTANTLY. I FEEL THE SAME WAY ABOUT BEING AFRAID TO LEAVE THE HOUSE. MY DR. HAS JUST TOLD ME TO TAKE IMODIUM. WELL DO I HAVE TO LIVE ON IT THE REST OF MY LIFE? I AM JUST TRYING TO FIND OUT IF THE SURGERY IS THE CAUSE. ALL MY TEST LIKE THE COLONOSCOPY WERE ALL NORMAL. WHY HAS IT TAKEN 11 YEARS TO START?