ObesityHelp

The only thing I've heard of that is similar, is the pyloric valve dieing after disuse after RNY. I've heard of people having the RNY reversed, and when they go to put things back together, the pylorus has atrophied, but that's all I've heard of.

I've never heard of this......   is the malfunctioning pyloric related directly to the surgery, or advanced age, or other complications?   I'll try looking it up when I get home....   Mary C

It's most commonly a complication of diabetes.  VSG is now being used to treat Gastroparesis in Diabetics. They did a study at Columbia University. 
 
Other than on the Gastroparesis sites, I've never seen it listed as a complication to VSG. It  must be REALLY rare if it is. It was not included in the informed consent I signed for my surgery or in any of the mandatory training we were required to go through pre-op for my surgeon (in class, on-line, and handlouts). 

One of the 'complications' more often listed for VSG is rapid emptying despite the pyloric valve-- the opposite of Gastroparesis  -- which leads to reactive hypoglycemia.  I'd have to find the reference, but the suggestion is that the higher positive pressure in the sleeved stomach pushes food through the pyloric valve faster than normal (but  not at the emptying rate of say a RNY. One study I read suggeted 17% of VSG's go through it. 

I agree, I don't see how this can be a complication of the surgery, especially six years after having it done.  I am trying to contact her directly.  If I don't get a response via email I'll just have to go to one of the meetings and ask her.

I am aware of a couple of DS patients who have had gastroperesis.  I do believe it is very rare, but obviously not unheard of..

Ummm...top paragraph..
That would be me.

Yes, it's true. I had an RNY in 1999 and a revision to DS in 2009. I had a lot of issues following my revision. I had a second operation on my stomach just 48 hours after the revision. This lead to a gastric leak, internal and external fistulas. Long story short I ended up with lots of strictures, pyloric atrophy, gastric leak and more (I'd be more than happy to share my story with you.)  In the end in order to get me healed I did lose all but about 3-5% of my stomach (basically I had a near total gastrectomy), and my pylorus. The strictures were so bad that they could not stretch them for fear of damage to them and further damage to my stomach. I also had a lot of strictures (adhesions) which were causing reduced blood flow the the lower part of my stomach. Had I not had it removed eventually it would have gone necrotic.

I don't really have a "pouch". I have a bit of stomach, with a smallish opening at the intestinal junction. I've been known to eat too fast and block it up, causing me pain and likely causing me to hurl. Not pleasant, but hurling does relieve the discomfort and pain.

Things can happen and do. As a revision and even as a virgin DSer one must consider the costs.

Maddie