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I had my Gastric Bypass reversed 😞

Alex Brecher

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Alex Brecher    10,516

Alex Brecher
Posted

On June 30th, I had my Gastric Bypass reversed, due to a hernia and small bowel obstruction 😞 It was a 6 hour open procedure. I was hospitalized for 9 days and it’s going to take a bit until I fully recover.

After having some form of weight loss surgery since 2003, my anatomy has been put back to normal.

I’m sad that I no longer have a tool to help me with my weight but I’m glad that I’m alive and able to talk about it.

Thank you to my friends that prayed and supported me through this difficult time!

62738F27-FFE3-447B-B317-7DBAD75F3C7B.png

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FluffyChix    17,418

FluffyChix
Posted

Damn @Alex Brecher I'm so sorry to hear of your struggles!!! Heal well and prayers to you!

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froufrou    678

froufrou
Posted

Oh wow! Is this a risk for people who have bariatric surgery, or is this something you would have got anyway? I hope you recover swiftly!

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allies journey    144

allies journey
Posted

Alex,

Omg seems like you have been to hell and back!! So sorry you have had so many problems.

Why on earth would they leave the open incision? Did they think they were going to have to go back to Operating room??

Have you had complications from this surgery?

I am having RNY revision surgery on July 16th from my sleeve surgery 0ct 25th 2016.I have to have it because my GERD has gotten so much worse than it was before the sleeve surgery.

I didn't know you could have the bypass reversed.

Good luck with your new journey and you don't look like you need help with weight loss anymore.

Allie in SC

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Alex Brecher    10,516

Alex Brecher
Posted

1 hour ago, froufrou said:

Oh wow! Is this a risk for people who have bariatric surgery, or is this something you would have got anyway? I hope you recover swiftly!

There's a risk associated with all bariatric surgery. What happened to me happens to under 1% of gastric bypass patients. It was just bad luck.

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deletedprofile123    34

deletedprofile123
Posted

OMG Alex! [emoji46] I’m so sorry! I hope they’re managing your pain well...[emoji3064] You will be in my thoughts and prayers! [emoji1317] May you heal without any more complications and gain all of your strength back! God be with you and watch over you! [emoji2310][emoji171]

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Alex Brecher    10,516

Alex Brecher
Posted

18 minutes ago, allies journey said:

Alex,

Omg seems like you have been to hell and back!! So sorry you have had so many problems.

Why on earth would they leave the open incision? Did they think they were going to have to go back to Operating room??

Have you had complications from this surgery?

I am having RNY revision surgery on July 16th from my sleeve surgery 0ct 25th 2016.I have to have it because my GERD has gotten so much worse than it was before the sleeve surgery.

I didn't know you could have the bypass reversed.

Good luck with your new journey and you don't look like you need help with weight loss anymore.

Allie in SC

It's not really open. The incision is actually sutured at the lowest portion of the skin. The wound is left open like that so it heals and doesn't get infected. If you look closely you can see it's starting to close up at the top of the wound.

Gastric Bypass reversal isn't a simple procedure but it's definitely possible, as you can see.

Good luck with your surgery! I wouldn't let my complication worry you!!

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allies journey    144

allies journey
Posted

Thanks for the reply Alex and I see what you mean by looking closely at the picture.

I know there's always risk of complications from any surgery. I have never experienced any but I know the risks.

Thanks for the encouraging words.

Allie in SC

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justmetj    421

justmetj
Posted

Sorry you're having to go through this. I hope you have a smooth recovery.

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FluffySaysForkIt!    823

FluffySaysForkIt!
Posted

Glad you are recovering now and I wish you speedy healing!!!!

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Alex Brecher    10,516

Alex Brecher
Posted

1 hour ago, allies journey said:

So glad you are doing good.

How long do they think it will be before you can do normal things like going back to work etc..?

Anyway have a great day.

Allie in SC

I'm actually back at work today! 😊It should take about two more weeks for the wound to heal. I have to pack and clean it daily, which isn't very fun.

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2ndTimeFreedom    104

2ndTimeFreedom
Posted

50 minutes ago, Alex Brecher said:

I'm actually back at work today! 😊It should take about two more weeks for the wound to heal. I have to pack and clean it daily, which isn't very fun.

Oh my, dear!!! I am so sorry to see this :( Happy that you are indeed alive and able to tell this story. So I understand how they reconnected your original anatomy, and again I am happy that you are ok. Have you noticed any changed in what you are about to eat in terms of quantity? Additionally, you may also have the best tool (shift in eating habits) firmly established and will prayerfully continue to be healthy & happy. Many prayers to you!!

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Go To Topic Listing Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums

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    • LeighaTR

      LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 1 reply
      1. Selina333

        Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

    • Alisa_S

      Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.

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