Search the Community

Hey! Seeing this a little late, but Dr. Bagshahi (Bagshahi Bariatric in Fort Worth) is amazing!! He specializes in complicated revisions and also does the duodenal switch. He actually does the DS in one surgery rather than two separate surgeries like some do, if possible. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and did his surgical internship at the Mayo Clinic. He did my sleeve in March and my husband’s last week! Very thorough. Love him!

According to the internet: Nausea and vomiting are the most common complaints after bariatric surgery, and they are typically associated with inappropriate diet and noncompliance with a gastroplasty diet (ie, eat undisturbed, chew meticulously, never drink with meals, and wait 2 hours before drinking after solid food is consumed). If these symptoms are associated with epigastric pain, significant dehydration, or not explained by dietary indiscretions, an alternative diagnosis must be explored. One of the most common complications causing nausea and vomiting in gastric bypass patients is anastomotic ulcers, with and without stomal stenosis. Ulceration or stenosis at the gastrojejunostomy of the gastric bypass has a reported incidence of 3% to 20%. Although no unifying explanation for the etiology of anastomotic ulcers exists, most experts agree that the pathogenesis is likely multifactorial. These ulcers are thought to be due to a combination of preserved acid secretion in the pouch, tension from the Roux limb, ischemia from the operation, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use, and perhaps Helicobacter pylori infection. Evidence suggests that little acid is secreted in the gastric bypass pouch; however, staple line dehiscence may lead to excessive acid bathing of the anastomosis. Treatment for both marginal ulcers and stomal ulcers should include avoidance of NSAIDs, antisecretory therapy with proton-pump inhibitors, and/or sucralfate. In addition, H pylori infection should be identified and treated, if present.

I wish now I knew how boring a prolonged liquid diet can be. Sometimes I hate my body for not. behaving better, no I don't hate my surgron, I don't hate that I had the surgery or even the type of surgery it was, just the fact of structuring/ulceration. NP assured me at appointment last Wednesday that my stomal opening was " patent"(medicalese for open) albeit still narrow, well I will concede it might have been. on THAT day, my point is- it did not remain that way. The tenderness of my pouch, which I feel most at and just below my sternum, and my right subcostal. pain which Dr Noria has told me is my jejunal ulcerations are still twingy'paining me. And 4 out of the last 6 days I have vomitted up my evening meal, 3 of those next days I woke up nauseated enough to not be able to keep anything water included until noon. And I am precaious with my fluid levels when that happens. If things are are calm enough gastic-wise that I can do 2 at minimum of fluid in my little baby shot glasses every 15 minutes, I will make my 64 oz quota, before last endoscopy I was doing 3oz instead, that made it to 72 oz which was better. Then if I had my soups, which I have been brewing myself instead of relying on prepared and canned, the fluid from them would make me up to 84-87 oz, that would be enough to keep #1 tickety-booming and #2 soft enough to pass well. And yes I do have 2 doses of Miralax worked into fluids and protein- enrich the soups. Made myself some sugar-free - made with stevia tapioca pudding. When Precious Pouch behaves very very good, I reward her with a couple ounces of that. But mostly I spend my evenings curled into an ball over the wastebasket or with one of my emesis bags I got at the hospital. I never expected this kind of grief this far from surgery. I really feel I have followed all the directives to the letter. Thursday I have an appointment with dietician, let's see if Roy and I can formulate something. And I have another niggling thing, I am husky- voiced, my ENT Dr Suzie says my vocal cords are bowed so I will be having speech therapy. There are 3 possible reasons for it, #1 A normal consequence of aging #2 pressure from my thyroid nodules doing it- this she doubts and #3 and this is the one I believe, so many endoscopies- I am up to 13 lifetime and 10 of them at OSU- that it has traumatized my vocal cords and speech as a consequence. So I guess I resent how long it is taking to heal to a "normal "state, it is wearyin g/boring and feeling futile most days. Do I wish I could be revised back away from my pouch? Not really, it would be a traumatizing long open surgery, not easy to endure maybe at my age even fatal, not easy- peasy like laparoscopy was. I do like the fact I am now even smaller than I was when I delivered Tomkitten, 40 years ago the 12th of June, yeah if you look only at my weight loss, 100 pounds in 8 months, you could say "Good on YOU Frustr8" it's just the miserable way, with PICC lines, Total P Nutrition, and the minor setbacks, this was not what was advertised in pamphlets, pre-surgery consults and even the Post-Surgery clinic visits, I did not request to be this "unique" maybe it is good I am One of A Kind as most practices do not deserve more than one. But , like the happy child singing in a room full of manure, with all this, there has got to be a pony somewhere! Your bewidered but comitted for the journey friend, the 1 the only--- Frustr8

It's natural to go through a range of emotions and thoughts. Use the six months to keep thinking about it, but follow through with the plan and requirements and you can always change your mind right before the surgery date. I think it's hard to be 100% sure of anything these days. I started out sure I wanted bypass, then after speaking with my doctors changed my mind to the sleeve and then I had doubts about a week before surgery, afraid of dying on the table all because I was too fat and chose the surgery. But here I am 5 months later and I had no surgery complications, no problems and I'm 49 pounds lighter.

Have you consulted a dr about gastric bypass?

Hi, Palta. Use the time during your 6 months to research your options and get familiar with gastric bypass. That's what I did. I had a whole range of emotions during my 6 months. I started out really wanting bypass, then waffling and thinking I'd drop out. Then back to being sure I wanted to do it. I am 6 weeks post surgery and glad I did it, even though I have had a setback. It is not a horrible idea! There are pros and cons to this surgery, and you need to be prepared for a lifetime of taking a multivitamin, B12, calcium, as well as supplementing with protein shakes for a little while until you're on solid food. I love my surgeon and his whole team. They are at a bariatric center of excellence and I had a lot of confidence in him. Take your time. Learn as much as you can, and weigh your options. The answer will come to you. Wishing you .the best Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi everyone, I'm new to this and would love to have some input. I have been struggling with my weight for the past 8 years and today I had the first info session and initial meeting with a surgeon about a potential gastric bypass. I was REALLY taken by surprise when I got on the scale, I have been avoiding it for years and I thought for sure I would be around 200 - 210 and when I saw it was 300 I lost it (I'm 5'3 and 24 y.o.). It really shocked me to see just how bad it had gotten and how ignorant about it I had been. While I was considering the surgery before, facing this number really made me feel like I need to get it immediately. However, I still have lots of doubts and fears. I am not that scared of the procedure itself (If I die on the table I guess I won't realize) but of making such a huge decision that will change the rest of my life, and could have some nasty consequences. I have talked it over with some people and they tell me that having the surgery before being 100% certain is a horrible idea, but I honestly feel like I could never be 100% sure about anything like this. Not when there is so many factors that are out of my control. Due to insurance requirements, my surgery date would be 6 months from now at the earliest, so I still have time to keep thinking it over but I honestly feel like I will never get to be 100% convinced. If that's the case, do you think I should still proceed? Or is it a horrible idea that will leave me with a recipe for failure and regret? Were you 100% convinced that this was the way to go?

I had an open hysterectomy. My doctor said mine was a fluke and he has never had the problem before. If something bizarre or unusual is going to happen, it will happen to me every time. I asked him about scar tissue multiple times prior to surgery. I wish I had told him to do the sleeve if he couldn’t do the bypass. But I really wanted the bypass and didn’t want to put the thought in his head.

I got my approval today and my surgery date is June 3 and I am so excited. I wanted a May date but oh well at least I got an approval. I was sleeved in 2015 however it was unsuccessful. I am determined for this bypass to work. I wanted the bypass the first time but the surgeon suggested the sleeve. This is the last and final time can’t get another revision after this but I wouldn’t one another one.

Hello All- Any NC patients have surgery with Dr. Ellen Carraro with Novant Bariatric in CLT? I am trying to get in to see her for a surgical opinion about my 2011 VSG. I have horrible GERD and major malabsorption issues even though the sleeve isn't supposed to come with that. I am thinking a RNY revision may be necessary to get rid of the GERD. Looking for both the positives and negatives about your experience with Dr. Carraro. Everything I have read has been super positive so I hope she can help me. Thanks in advance! Teachkdz0507

Interesting...I wonder if this is a long-term outcome that was unanticipated. I had a Lap-Band that slipped within 2 months and I waited almost 1 year until insurance would pay to fix it. It was ridiculous-I had to lie down to eat without throwing up. I had the sleeve revision on 12/27/11. It was actually pretty good for the first 2-3 years although I am now 100% reliant on Prevacid daily. It is AWFUL if I am even a few hours later with the dosage. Some days the 1 Prevacid won't cut it and I need to chew on Tums or something because it feels like a heart attack. Fast forward 7 years out. The GERD is over the top ridiculous and I find myself eating things to just keep my tummy from throwing up the food I eat. Last year I started having huge problems with malabsorption. My surgeon told me I was crazy because the sleeve doesn't cause that. My typical "blame it on myself" alongside my "I am embarrassed I have gained weight back" self just went quietly on while watching my blood chemistry get all jacked up. When I had to get IV transfusions of iron I knew I had to get answers. I have bounced from specialist to specialist. I do not have a disease based issue. It has to be anatomical. I am seeking an opinion from a new surgeon to get a new point of view. Hope she is worth her salt because I am truly sick and tired of being sick and tired. I am starving nutritionally even though the sleeve isn't supposed to do that. I can only pray that answers are found and insurance will pay for a revision. I have been reading quite a few peer-reviewed journal articles about this phenomena. They correlate what I am finding and say what I am claiming is indeed real and a duodenal switch or RNY is my answer. I avoided bypass due to malabsorption but I think I need to stop crying over spilled milk because I am indeed here and the issues need to be addressed. I am currently 33.8 BMI so "obese" but nowhere near where I started. I have read that RNY is a better bet than the switch for my situation. The duodenal switch promises permanent weight loss but GERD is still prevalent in those revisions. All I can say is: NOOOOO! Bad road! Long post to ask if anyone has had similar issues and found success with RNY revision from their sleeve? Is anyone in the same place I am and just trying to find answers? I feel so dumb that all of my initial research was worthless because here I am with basically a self-inflicted life long problem. Add in the "I failed" thoughts and psychologically I have regressed to the blame game stage. Ugh! Would love to hear from you if you can relate to this posting. Please tell me if you are RNY patient and love it. I really fear it for the exact reason I am seeking help-the malabsorption and GERD. Teachkdz0507

I had the DS a month and one week ago. I’m still new to all of this but I don’t regret my decision. Like a previous poster said the sleeve part is what controls hunger and it’s the malabsorption part that helps you lose more weight. If you do get the revision you do have to make sure you are taking all your vitamins everyday. With the DS you only absorb 40% of the calories you eat from complex carbs and protein, 20% from fat and 100% of the calories from simple carbs and sugar. So you will have to learn to control your cravings for the sugary simple carbs. Before surgery my surgeon did say that there is the possibility of the surgery working too well and you lose too much weight. He did tell me there are ways to revise the surgery so the part where the food and digestive juices mix is longer and the key is to keep your surgery team aware you are having problems when you begin to have them. I have learned a lot about the surgery from shrinking violetds on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfDprJMbSy-J3MILnRPT8Yw She is currently maintaining and had the DS.

I turned into a May gastric sleeve patient. I originally went to surgery March 27th for bypass but due to a previous surgery the bypass could not be done. So I went back in May 1st and came out with the sleeve. It was horrible but I’m glad to be through surgery. I’m still on full liquid diet (2weeks total) and I have zero appetite. I had some minor head hunger yesterday and today I want real food but it’s not an overwhelming craving. I’m just sick of protein drinks and yogurt. Whoever said popcorn was their weakness, I am right there with you!!! I’m sticking to this though, after all I went through to get this surgery I’m not going to do anything to mess up

Hello, I'm scheduled to have a revision of my RNY Thursday May 9, I had my original surgery 2/2010, my surgeon has chosen to make my pouch and stoma smaller

I’m getting the bypass in May 14th. I’m ready for this to happen. I’ll be combing back though as I am looking for an idea on when/if I would lose my hair.

Sweetie, this is exactly what I was trying to say...you're not sure!! Until you really get all of the information, weigh the type of commitment you are going to make the REST of your life, support system in place to keep you well in case you become unwell in your mind, etc., just go into it knowing this is a commitment for the REST of your life. I'm not saying don't do it, just become well informed about all of the possible risks, possible complications, even the small risk of death. If you feel this is the ONLY way you can control your weight, and put yourself in the worst possible outcome, even death from the surgery, and you still say YES, then do it. But, I would do the RNY Bypass if it were me. Although I am having stricture problems now, I've done pretty well the last 7 years with only one dumping syndrome. Some people dump regularly and it's not fun. Not sure if you do it with the sleeve. I'm not sure how many long term post op DS patients there are out there, but if you can find a forum for them, talk to them, not the newbies. Many complications don't develop until later down the road. I just went thru a situation with bad labs, had to get iron infusions, doing VitB 12 injections, Vit D. Some even have an issue with affording all of the protein supplements and supplements in general. For me, I'm not saying for anyone else, I wish I had done intensive therapy before doing the surgery. I had been thin most of my life, but didn't become morbidly obese until I was under severe stress with a drug addicted only child. I eventually lost him to suicide in 2015. Take all of the reasons why you are overeating and see if you can address them first, and if you can't, then you'll ultimately have to make the decision. No one can make that for you.

I had my bypass in 2015. No complications no issues, a perfect experience. I exercise regularly and am very active. I can eat all foods now although sometime sweet thing make my belly rumble. Everything seems great. But!! All of a sudden the past couple of weeks when I eat I feel like the food gets stuck in my chest. It is not heartburn more like the food just stops right between my breasts. The pain is so bad my heart rate goes up and I am in tears. When it first happened I though I didn’t threw enough and made myself throw up that one time to get it out. But the pain just continued. I figured because of that one time I had a bruise inside and it would take a few days to stop hurting. But it’s been weeks and every time I eat it happens. I chew slowly and thoroughly. I take extra care to make sure everything I put in my body is thoroughly chewed and absolutely passable so nothing will get stuck. But there is pain! I even tried eating just soft foods like a mashed banana or yogurt for a few days to help heal whatever Is goin on. It didn’t help even smooth is painful. Anyone have this issue? What could it be? TIA~Crystal

I am 4 years postop Gasteric Bypass . I was very successful and lost 140lbs . My body is currently dumping even when I use artificial sweeteners. Has anyone ever experienced this too this far after surgery ?

I was diagnosed bipolar a little over 2 years ago. I am looking into revision but now with my diagnosis - I am wondering if it is possible?? My insurance does not cover it ( ugh) so I will be self paying. i know this is a necessary option /tool for me but worries how surgery may affect 1) if I am able to have surgery 2) how will surgery impact bipolar / depression I do take meds to help manage , can I still take them after? Any input would be wonderful! I go in for my consultation this week. Nervous!!

Thank you all for your replies! I’m not sure what’s scarier another surgery or gaining the weight back. I’m also not sure what my profile says but my highest weight was 283 I got down to 171 didn’t stay there long and am now about 200. I’m hopeful that a more “serious” surgery would prevent me from gaining the weight back and also help me to get down to 140-160 as I’m still pretty high up on the evil BMI scale at 5’2” When my surgeon suggested it 3 months ago it seemed radical and after 3 months of trying to get it off I feel defeated and am thinking I will be white knuckling it through the rest of my life without revision. I’ve tried therapy and am seeing a nutrionist Wednesday. Very lost and confused at this point and trying to figure out how to handle this before I gain it all back.

Hunger may be reduced with bypass or sleeve. Not disappear. Link below on bariatric 101. https://www.obesitycoverage.com/the-complete-patients-guide-to-bariatric-surgery/ M hunger didn’t disappear. I have real and head hunger. It’s not the same as pre surgery. It’s much more manageable. I feel the sensation of full on smaller meals. Another link for bypass vs the sleeve. https://www.obesitycoverage.com/gastric-bypass-vs-gastric-sleeve-surgery/

I would believe an Endoscopy was needed. Maybe your surgeon did not give you the stndard Banana shape. I believe there was someone on here, having a world of problems, turned out her surgeon had made her VSG hour-glass shaped and she required surgical repairs. Think it had to be converted to something else, maybe my fellow posters can remember if she ended up with some sort of regular bypass or a DS? At any rate, hoping and praying. 👼🙏you get some sort of repair @Saxons!

I had the sleeve. Every now and then I have dumping, when I eat wrong (too much fat). I would definitely see another doctor about it. They can do some kind of test (x-ray, ct, scope) something to see if you have blockage, or other issue and to verify if you had sleeve or gastric bypass).

I know.. That's what I thought too! Sleeve patients dont get dumping. I have to disclose here that my hubby is a doctor as well, and he is perplexed by my dumping symptoms. He has taken my blood pressure and other observations when I have the symptoms, and they are definitely real. I am drenched in sweat, my heart rate races to over 120, and my blood pressure drops dramatically. I become breathless and dizzy. I have seen our cardiologist and I check out ok with my EKG and echocardiogram. Should I see a new dietician? Am I reacting too much to protein? My husband is not in the field of bariatrics, so I will need to see a new surgeon. But what can they do anyway? Is this what bypass (or RouxnY) patients suffer for ever anyway? Good grief, it's miserable. I am starting to resist going out for meals and getting quite down about it.

You can look up BPD/DS..Right now, I have a gastric stricture. Not one dr has concluded this yet, but extensive research I have done for last week has led me to this conclusion. Newbies in the honeymoon stage hate me. Think I'm being negative...no, being realistic. Do you think my bariatric surgeon told me all of the possible complications - of course not, this is what he does for a living. Luckily, he is a good surgeon so I hope he didn't make my opening too small. Praying for last hour, as it took me, not the three doctors I've seen, to diagnose myself. Even an experienced nurse in a Bariatric Surgeon's office said I was anorexic and needed a good dietician. I am not anorexic! How did I get so fat? And struggle to keep the weight off for 7 years, and suddenly develop anorexia...total nonsense. I am literally getting unable to eat, it nauseates me and I can hardly swallow. My bowels are shutting down.. But I know hospitals can screw up. God, this is overwhelming. So, I'm praying and claiming, I'm right, I'm getting to the right Bariatric Surgeon or right ER doctor, etc. Praying I have no complications from the correction, dilation of the stricture. I may have to have multiple dilations. I may develop a bleed during dilation. Hope you get the drift how complicated this is. Please don't take this the wrong way, but if I asked, May I ask what a DS is, you are not a good candidate for DS. You can fight serious health complications, requiring many hospitalizations, or even death. May not happen, but may. And you cannot be revised from DS, If surgery is available, any responsible surgeon wouldn't do it If you can't lose the weight at this point, get intensive therapy before making such a lifetime commitment. From your pic you don't look that old. This is for the rest of your life!!! Bariatric practices are going to tell you about all of the successes, not the failures. I would be considered a huge success, maintained my weight for 7 years, and now losing....how exciting....wrong...I may be dying. Praying for Divine Intervention. I'm not ready to check out yet.