arukind

One of the problems that we can face with a procedure that is relatively new, like the sleeve, is that when problems occur, the natural instinct of most docs is to go back to what they know best, getting into their comfort zone, which in this case is the bypass. It may well fix your problem but it is a radical approach to something that may have a simpler solution to those with more experience in the procedure that you have had - the sleeve. Likewise, most gastro docs are going to mostly be experienced with solving problems with bypass and band patients simply because they are the most numerous of WLS patients.
Try to find a surgeon experienced with the duodenal switch (DS), which is a WLS combining the sleeve with intestinal rerouting. Most of these guys have been doing sleeves for 10-20 years or more, so they are likely to have come across complications similar to yours and may have techniques that they can use that are less invasive than a revision to a bypass.
A good place to start is at
http://www.dsfacts.com/North-American-Duodenal-Switch-Surgeons.html#.UmvoWFP5mpo
My wife has a DS, which thankfully has been without major complications, but over the past ten years we have learned that those in the DS world have to stand up for their specific needs in what is essentially a bypass dominated medical world. Those of us with the sleeve have to do likewise until the sleeve becomes the dominant WLS procedure (it's getting there!) and more of the medical world caters to our needs rather than forcing us to adapt to solutions created for a different population.
Good luck in finding a solution other than just chopping out the rest of your stomach.

I have a combination sleeve and by-pass..They call it a hybrid....That was decided after 5 months of them trying to save the sleeve..Seems to be working for me....

If that was for me, thank you so much! I feel like my life wasn't just "altered" but now it's been threatened. I'm truly scared now.
I thought I'd give you all an update on what my liver/GI Dr said yesterday at my appt with him. He said first of all that I may be just like this for the rest of my life if they can't find anything else. First of all, not only did I alter my anatomy once but I went ahead and did it twice. And my body may be rejecting the new anatomy right now. He says I may recover over time but how long it takes is unknown and what my body will go thru between now and then is also unknown...he also said a permanent feeding tube is not out of the question. (cries)
In the meantime he's ordered 3 more tests. The first is more lab work concerning my liver...which he doesn't think is a problem, he says all bypass patients see fluctuating numbers when it comes to their livers.
The second is an ultrasound (which no one else has ever done) and it will show my entire abdomen, not just the upper part which concerned my surgeon...it will also show the arteries in my abdomen that can, if twisted or moved or misshaped in any way cause vomiting and severe pain. They are usually protected by a layer of fat that has disappeared in people like me who have lost too much weight.
The third is a test where I swallow a capsule that has a camera in it and takes thousands of pics as it travels thru. Two things can happen: it can pass like normal and they can get the images they want and see if there are any ulcers in my intestinal tract or it could get stuck which means immediate surgery but they would know exactly where it is and why it got stuck and that would also give them the answers they need.
I just hope that one or all of these tests lead to some sort of answer to what may be causing my problems and that it wasn't just my vanity that led me and my poor family who's stood by me every step of the way down this path...as you can tell I'm feeling great remorse and guilt right about now.
Niki

Hey Laura...great to hear from you! Great profile pic too by the way! I need to do one of those, but I'm one of those people who hate taking pics so I have no pics post op! .
Well I'm doing ok I guess...still have the burning from the ulcer and my doctor is still reluctant to do the EGD. So until then I'm doubled up on meds and potassium cuz I'm still low on that too. Even then I don't know what they can do for me so it looks like I'm where I'm gonna be for a while. It's kinda frustrating, well really frustrating to be honest. I'm maintaining my 130lb weight which is good and at least I'm not losing any more but I'm not getting all my Protein in or all my liquids but I try. And I'm only tolerating certain foods so I get sick of them...I've had diarrhea for over 2 weeks so dehydration is a problem too. Anyway enough about all my problems...I miss being on here as much...and I miss reading all your posts!
Thanks for asking about me!

My surgeon/office is a bariatric center of excellence. The only one is Orlando, and he is a very smart guy. I have had GERD and been on prescription meds for 9 years. He had me do manometry before he would agree to the sleeve. If that upper esophageal sphincter is weak, you are going to have problems because the new tummy is tight and you have increased pressure on it. My sphincter was fine, so he agreed to the sleeve. In my case, even in 3 weeks post, I can tell my reflux is better. Bypass should cure your reflux and is always the surgery he does for anyone with problems. He has had to do revisions for this reason and reports excellent outcomes. I know it sucks to have another surgery, but what a relief to be done with this. Reflux is not only painful, but can have some really bad outcomes if you don't get it under control. As a speech pathologist is a nursing home I see these effects first hand. You can develop terrible swallowing problems (dysphagia), you can aspirate the reflux, especially at night, resulting in an infection that will just eat your lungs up, and you can develop esophageal ulcerations, Barret's Esophagus, and ultimately esophageal cancer. It's a terrible way to go. So, as much as you hate this, you absolutely need it, your doctor is giving you correct and clinically sound advice Nd it should completely cute your problems. Once you aren't having the lining of your upper digestive tract burned off, you should have a MUCH easier time getting in your Vitamins, Proteins, and all the good nutrition you need. You are going to be a new woman after this.
Sending prayers and positive thoughts your way.

Thanks everyone so much for the support! The new update is they believe I have Beriberi which is an extreme Vitamin b1 deficiency... I feel so fed up with the health care system, my grandma actually came up with beriberi and the doctor thinks she may be right... Had they kept shrugging me off most times left untreated beriberi results in death... I have an MRI booked Sunday and am on the waiting list to see a neurologist! I am getting stronger since I have started b1 injections so I hope it is in fact what is helping me and I am on the road to recovery!

So I had the Sleeve on Jan 9th this year, had do have Gallbladder Removal on Feb 1st this year, had nothing but problems. I NOW have Bile Reflux, so Doctor has me to have the Bypass on NOV 21 this year, Yes that is Thursday. Husband is PISSED, he went off last night saying all the health issues are my fault, and I choose to have the sleeve to loose weight, and now I have <edited> up the family's life for a year now they Have to wait and have me Recover from YET another SURGERY......I feel so Sad and Alone, NO support, and starting to feel like it is My fault I was Fat I chose to eat no one ever put a gun to my head and MADE me GET FAT......ugh so depressed,...

Ok well to be honest again...I've had so many problems since the bypass too that I'm afraid that I've caused myself a lot of problems and possibly shortened my life span?? Idk, I worry about all of that now that my life has completely been turned upside down since December...I can't even work! I had problems with both, now I have an ulcer and they can't do an EGD cuz it's too early...and they've doubled my meds, and it's not helping much, haven't been able to eat either. The weight loss was great, 88 pounds total since December, couldn't have done it without, it makes you wonder...doesn't it...if it's worth it?

cathy
im the person vicki is talkin about. i was banded in 2008 and was revised to the sleeve in 2010 and i could never really eat more than soft foods and the reflux was horrible. in october they found that for some reason my sleeve was folded in half. in january i had a huge hiatal hernia repaired and they found i had scar tissue causing my sleeve to fold in half. they removed the scar tissue and my eating got a bit better but the reflux was still horrible. i jst had another scope done and they found i have a stricture in the middle of my sleeve. im having rny done in septemeber. i never really wanted rny but i want this all to end...enough is enough

Hi Cathy, I did have the GB done on thurs. the 1st, cant tell much right now because I am only on liquids...the surg was not bad, no worse than the sleeve and maybe less because there was no port to remove....I only lost 20lbs with the sleeve, and regained it back so I am so scare of "what if it doesnt work"...I know everyone tells me it will, but after the sleeve, I will not take anything for granted...I am almost 57, and I didnt want to wait any longer, want to start having a healthy life before I am tooooo old...LOL......Honestly I could not longer take the reflux....
another person I know in her 50's is having it done sept.19th...she sounds more like you, her stomach was bent in half and they removed scar tissue but she still has a stricture in the middle, so all her food sits on the top of her stomach...
I wish you the best of luck and when you decide it will be because you know you cant handle it anymore....PM me anytime...xoxox

Dr Manuel Gutierrez , the price was. $9,100 . Thank you everyone.

Have you heard of PB2? Check Amazon.com or your local store. I am actually allowed this immediately after surgery and love it in my chocolate nectar Protein Shake. 2TB PB2 - 1 scoop Protein mix - 2tsp of SF banana coffee Syrup & 1/2 cup milk. Ymmmm!

I am going to join the club. I am set for a August 6th surgery date with Ross McMahon in Seattle, WA (Swedish Hospital). Nervous but excited!