I used to be the one that pushed this surgery. I am now a statistic that it has failed on. I am not going to go into the long details, but if you would like info please email me. With all I have now learned, all I can say is think twice before considering the mini-bypass. Bridget

Hi Bridget... I sent you a private email yesterday, and today was able to come on and read your profile and history. I am so sorry to hear that you've had so many problems with your surgery. Are you going to have to have a revision to correct the problems??? I do hope things go well for you... hugs Kim

sorry... I can't seem to get more than one thought out at a time lately.... I see your surgeon is not with CLOS who performs the MGB, can you describe your surgery to me? I'm wondering if it is the same surgery as they perform at www.clos.net? hugs Kim

My surgeon was trained by Dr. Rutledge. It is the exact same surgery that they do at clos.net. To make a very long story short, a year and a hal*****hey diagnosed that I had an ulcer. It was not in my pouch, it was near the area where they attached the intestines to the pouch. They treated it for a couple of months and then assumed it was healed. I continued to be in severe pain, but they insisted it was not this ulcer. They told me it was only the size of my pinky fingernail and nothing to worry about. Well in November I was rushed to the ER because the ulcer perforated and started leaking into my abdomen. According to the doctors at Mayo, the ulcer was not properly treated and monitored, and was a direct result of the bypass. In their exact words, "a mini bypass is no good. It is like sewing a piece of steak to a piece of hamburger, it will not hold up." So they are now reffering me to one of their gastro doctors to decide what needs to be done. The surgeon believes I will either have to have my mini converted to a full RNY, or have it broke down and restored as close to normal as possible. I was in the hospital for three weeks due to this, and have been told that if I have to have more surgery, it will be an even longer recovery due to the tissue damage that has been done, and will possibly loose my spleen. I had a feeding tube in for 6 weeks because I could not eat anything by mouth do to trying to get the ulcer to heal. They removed the feeding tube, but I have been told that if I cannot gain weight by my next check up in a month, they will have to look at putting it back in. (I am now underweight, due to all this) I hope this answers your questions, if not please feel free to contact me. Bridget

I read your profile and I was saddened by what you have been through. I hope you do get well soon and the pain goes away. Hugs Donna 338/159

Bridget, I am so sorry to hear you are having complications. Have you considered consulting with a Duodenal Switch (DS) surgeon to see if you could be revised to a DS? Because the DS preserves the use of the pyloric valve there is no stoma with the DS, there is no risk of ulcers... This may possibly be the answer you are looking for. You might want to go to www.duodenalswitch.com and look for an experienced DS surgeon in your area. Take care. Laurie in So Calif.

Bridget, That sounds like quite the ordeal! wishing you the best of luck. I also know that there can be serious problems with all the surgeries, no? Jane

Bridget:  I would love to know how everthing is turning out for you.  I am trying to decide between lap band and mgb and it seems that there are pros and cons on both sides.  I don't understand the attaching steak to hamburger comment.  Have you had contact with others who are unhappy with the MGB results?  I would love to hear as much about your experience as you are willing to share.  I live in Seattle and would have to travel to Las Vegas to have it done, lap band of course can be done right here.  My email is csquires@earthlink.net.  Hope to hear from you.

Hi, Sorry you had such a hard time. Every surgery has their possible risks and complications. I am sorry you had to be in that group. I am almost six years out and have had no complications and I guess I am one of the lucky ones. I don't promote any specific surgery. I just ask the potential wls patient to research all the options and pick the one they feel they could live with and trust. I think that is the best advice I give. huuugzzzz Paula

Hello again Bridget... I spoke to Dr. Rutledge who spoke very highly of your surgeon. I am so sorry that you've had to experience all that you have. I worry sometimes that I may be a complication one day. I'm already on my second treatment for H Pylori in 5 months and I really hope this clears it up. I am so happy with my weight loss, that I can imagine having the surgery revised... I would be so afraid of weight-gain. Enough about my worries.... take care Bridget and let us know how you make our with your treatment... hugs Kim

Hi Bridget, I read your post and had chills. I had my MGB Jan. 2003 by the same doctor at the same hospital. I am looking at getting a revision at Mayo because of ulcers. Anyway, I am also a statistic. I would love to have more information. I go to the surgeon at Mayo on Feb. 22. Please let me know how your doing! Thanks, Pam panderson1970@yahoo.com

Hi, I am looking into having the MGB, can you tell me why you are unhappy with the procedure.. T

I was just wonder if you still see Dr Sarr,  and to see how you are doing.  I have had a nightmare of a time with my surgeries ( yes lots of them) I went from 326lbs to 197 to 119 and now I am back up to 210....after Dr Sarr's did my last surgery.  He did a take down and I hate the way I look and feel.  I am sick all the time and keep gaining weight.  I have spoke to Jane I think that is his nurses name, but not him.  I am ready to give up and just die,  I went through hell getting "skinny" and now I am fat again and feel like my insides are ripping apart.  I had a tummy tuck done before my take down and had a very pretty tummy, new belly button, now it is gross, it drains and bleeds all the time.  Is there anyone out there that has had these things happen to them? Am I crazy? Am I the only one?  I hope that maybe you know someone who has had my problems maybe you can tell them to email me maybe that would help me deal with all of this.  Thanks Christie

I'm sorry to hear you've had such a terrible experience, my heart goes out to you. I'm getting a takedown of my rny in a few weeks now. It has been a nightmare since I had it done a little over three years ago: constant nausea, vomiting, anemia and malnutrition. I had one revision which didn't help at all (actually things only got worse). It's been so bad that I'm ready to regain the weight as long as I can eat again. What should I expect immediately after my takedown? How long till I can actually eat? Do the nausea and vomiting get better?

hi bridget.....    i am so sorry that you are not happy with your sugery.  i am quite nervous about the op.   could you please tell me about your side effects or complications   thank you     rosy