Gastric Bypass/Revision left me near death due to scar tissue

Leslee,
Thank you so much for sharing that story.  As I read these boards, it's amazing to me how much the doctor's advice differs.  I understand fully about how easily it was overlooked that you aren't supposed to have NSAIDS. 
Brooke

Thanks for sharing your story. I didn't believe the no NSAIDS thing, and luckily all that I have so far is an ulcer. But, you can bet that between the ulcer and your story I believe now that even one dose of NSAIDS can permanently change my anatomy, as my surgeon told me.... I had only taken it a handful of times over the last year and a half, but I bet that's what caused my ulcer.

I do believe you about the NSAIDS -- my surgeon didn't mention it, but confirmed the rule after I asked.  I learned about that here.  So, thank you for sharing your story - there still may be people out there who are not aware.

I hope that in time, you can heal & eat on your own again.

Laura

Even without talking about the NSAID issue here, some patients have scar tissue that forms from this single surgery.  More than one person in my support groups have had to have the baloon treatment, usually 2-4 times, to relieve the scar tissue issue that prevents the patient from eating easily.  Some patients can't have surgery due to scar tissue, or have to have an OPEN procedure. My wife had 4-5 abdominal surgeries, most due to repairs on a 1980 gastric surgery for wt loss. This left major adhesions.  She needed a revision, which was done in 1980. Since old surgical records from the original surgery were lost in a fire, my surgeon did part of the revision LAP and part OPEN. He came out of surgery late and said it took another 45 minutes or so to remove about 3 1/2 pounds of scar tissue from her previous surgeries.  Any wt loss surgery is ONLY A TOOL. It's up to the patient to do behaviour modification to make it work long range. Complications are possible from any surgery.  You are at the mercy of the surgeon to do his job correctly, and taking the time to find a highly qualified surgeon is well worth the wait for surgery. DAVE

I know this has been a hard journey.  I think you have a valid point though that people need to focus on both the surgery and the resulting weight loss.  I do understand.

You do need to look in the mirror a bit.  The only meal you described was 5 olives.  Seriously?  I mean, yes, everyone has been guilty of eating something non-nutritious but for you to list that meal as your choice tells me a lot.  Secondly, 1600mg of motrin a day is not good for anybody - regardless of what the doctor or dentist says.  You have to take a part in your own care. 

I also understand that you are tired and your life feels like it has been taken away from you, probably when you were just getting used to enjoying it again.  But all surgery causes adhesions.  Some people are more prone to them then others.  They can grow quickly. And they are very very painful.

But feeling defeated, feeling beaten, and blaming the surgery for these problems is not 100 percent accurate.  This could happen with any life saving surgery.  No Surgery is perfect.  Doctors can't predict how you are going to grow back.  They simply do their best.
Now you have to figure out how to move forward in your life.
I wish you well.
Holly

Well put.

I've figured out that everybody has a different view of this story. 

First off, my meals did not just include 5 olives. I had to get a little protein, good carbs, and fat. The fat I chose after my surgery was either avocado, nuts, or olives. I would have either a protein drink or a thin slice if turkey with it. 

I'm not tired, beaten down, feeling sorry for myself. I am upset with the gastric revision surgeon and that is between him and I. If I had the time, the whole story would be revealed, and a greater understanding of his poor skills and bedside manners would be exposed. But that's not what I wanted to focus on. I condensed the past 2 years into about 3 paragraphs for a reason. 

Please don't take this the wrong way. I am not saying that people shouldn't have the surgery. My diet didn't consist of only green olives. I'm not blaming anyone and sitting here thinking how much better my life used to be. 

I just wanted those that don't have the means of traveling to big cities, or getting into Centers of Excellence, to ask more questions. Obtain every speck of information there is about this surgery. Then use it as a tool. 

I was just trying to help others, while hopefully finding someone who could steer me in the direction of a specialist. 

I'm near the point of taking the story down because all I wanted to do was to try to help, yet I feel like I'm being bombarded with negativity. Maybe this was not the proper place for this story. It seems to have not been perceived well, yet my intentions were purely good. 

I thank you for reading my story. I can't change anyone's mind, nor was I trying to. Other than to learn as much as possible before, during and after this operation. I just didn't want someone to go through some of the complications I have gone through. While looking for a specialist is selfish on my part, I thought that this forum would be filled with people who understood better than those who haven't had the surgery. But I was wrong. I apologize for upsetting people. I will take the story down shortly, but I'm still going to pursue it through different means. 

Thank you to those who understood I was just trying to help. I wish everyone health and happiness. 

I am just reading your own words.  I know it has been hard.  I understand more than you realize. 
What I translate as feeling sorry for yourself is the "upset with the gastric revision surgeon".  Surgery just sucks.  Period.

I was terrified when I decided to have gastric bypass.  I knew the chances were (are) high that I could have similar issues that you have. 

I would not take down your story.  YOU decided to post it.  You wrote it.  It is your words.

Stand in your own space and know that you are there.

Good luck.

Holly

You have every right to share your story.

Please do so.

I appreciate it -- and others who might not even realize those complications are possible -- should too.

Okay... Time for a bit from someone that UNDERSTANDS.  I had to have my RYB reversed because of malnutrition problems.  Just like you, I was not informed of all the risks and complications of my surgery.  I had a very well known surgeon.  He was even a director of surgery at a major hospital.  He had NO bedside manor.  I hit the point (with a feeding tube) that I was so skinny my tailbone was rubbing through my skin.  I was so weak that I could not keep my eyes open.  When I asked my surgeon for help, he told me that if I wanted to go to work, I would find a way.  He had cancer patients go to work after their chemo.  He also told me that he knew patients that would LOVE to have my problem.  If he knows someone that would love to not be able to hold down any food, he knows some people with major mental problems.

I understand why you were eating olives.  I lived 8 MONTHS just eating fat free refried beans.  It is very hard for those who haven't experienced problems like you to understand why you eat foods that aren't "good for you".  Sometimes, you HAVE to eat the most high calorie foods to survive.  When you are unable to eat but two bites, they can't be low calorie bites.  Your choice in olives was a very good one.  They are healthy fats.  My physician recommended healthy foods like olives, avacados, nuts etc... I could ONLY eat refried beans.  I threw everything else up.

I know how it feels when you are being bombarded with negativity.  I got the same experience from different places.  People that have had surgery and no complications have a hard time understanding what it is like when you do.  I would suggest putting this on the Complications and WLS regrets forum.  People there are more understanding, and many people researching the surgery WILL check there for complications. OH is where I learned of the surgeon that did an emergency reversal on me, and saved my life. 

My heart goes out to you.  I understand where you are comming from.

-Kim T