Ellen Isaacs-Santulli

I wish this was a successful band story, however not so much. My team of physicians have encouraged me to blog my experience so to help others and/or others can help me with their experiences and hope. So here goes.... After several years of on-line research regarding bariatric surgery, in the Fall of 2011 I contacted a well known bariatric specialist and began the process of medically, physically and spiritually preparing my whole being for what would be a complete change of life. The bariatric team is made up of a surgeon, nurse specialists, staff psychologist and nutritionist. The team runs support groups twice a month for beginners and veterens. In addition, because I have previously suffered from major depression I also had and continue to have a private psychiatrist and psychologist on board whom were very supportive. On July 2, 2012 the lap band was inserted laproscopically. The first two and a half weeks I felt like a champ and had lost 9 lbs. All of a sudden faster than the blink of an eye everything changed. It began with acute upper abdominal pain that radiated up into my esophagus, under the rib cages and around to the center of my spine. To add insult to injury, the unbearable pain was accompanied by nausea, vomitting and dehydration. I could not even consume sips of water. I returned to the hospital where I underwent multiple tests. I was diagnosed with Gastroenteritis placed on IV fluids, antacids, smooth muscle relaxers and pain medication and discharged. Within a week, I was back in the ER, same symptoms this time worse. This admission I underwent a Gastric Emptying Study(during the study the radiologist stated I was suffering from gastroparesis). The results came back positive. The gastroenterologist explained that he expected the results would be positive because of the band and no mention of gastroparesis. This opinion made no sense to me because the stomach contents were flowing through the band perfectly. The difficulty was at the juncture of the lower part of the stomach into the small intestine. I was treated as previously stated, stabilized again and sent home. Five days later I was back in the ER in tears. My stomach was distended and hard as a rock. Again I was admitted and this time the gastroenterologist opined to the surgeon for the band to be removed. The next day, August 22, 2012, I underwent surgery for the band removal. A few days later I went home with high hopes that this unpleasant experience had come to an end. However, much to my dismay, within a week I was back in the ER repeating all the same tests prior to the band removal and some. This time the Gastric Empying Study showed a significant delay in emptying solids and liquids. In general at the 90 minute mark an average person would only have 10% of the contents of undigested food left in the stomach and I had 87% of undigested food in my stomach. This test was followed by an Upper/Lower GI which also confirmed the delayed emptying. I immediately began to educate myself on gastroparesis. Gastroparesis is defined by the stomach being paralyzed. What I uncovered was that gastroparesis can be caused from a bad surgery that involved the stomach, the vagus nerve of the stomach could have been damaged or what's known as ideopathic gastroparesis. There is also diabetic gastroparesis which does not fit in my case because I do not have diabetes. So now I am diagnosed with a disease with uncontrollable symptoms despite antiemetic, antacids and pain medications. Oh and the pain medication became a matter of contention. One of the physicians of the team of physicians suggested the gastroparesis was being exacerbated by the pain medication so they stopped the meds and left me in the hospital suffering unnecessarily. I was jostled around as one specialist after another rendered an opinion exclusive to their respective fields. The MRI suggested cellulitis in the abdomon. This brought forth an infectious disease doctor and the order of a PICC line, IV antibiotics x 7 days which resulted in a nasty yeast infection. Only to be told I probably didn't need that course of treatment to begin with. Now that I am not eating and only able to take in about 24 ounces of liquids a day, at best, I lost an additional 16 lbs.Wich is not he way I want to lose weight. I have no nutritional calories being digested. Least not forget, I'm still in PAIN! Now keep in mind, I was already under the care of a pain management specialist for cervical degenerative disc disease, fibromyalgia and a broken foot (5th metatarsal). I advocated for myself by demanding a second opinion from another gastroenterolgist and to see my pain management specialist who was familiar with my whole case and would not just treat the immediate reason I was confined to the hospital. The first request was denied by the hospitalist and the second request stunned me. The pain management specialist told me to get out of the hospital and come to the office and then he could help me; citing his hands were tied by the hospital staff. To make matters worse, the physicians led me on a wild goose chase. I had a glimpse of hope.... A uninformed PA for yet another surgeon told me I could have a gastric stimulating pacemaker device inserted in my abdomon which would assist the stomach to churn and digest with the time line to have the procedure as two weeks. I was once again discharged from the hospital with HIGH HOPES of relief and followed up with the new surgeon, Dr. Kaza, the following day. Dr. Kaza advised he could not help me for a minimum of a year and that the PA gave me the wrong advice. I sat there speechless. Then briefly looked over at my son, with a tear in his eye, and made a split decision to get out of there before we said something we would regret. Now feeling hopeless, I tried to make the best of this horrific situation for the next few days until I could follow up with the original surgeon. At which time, I was offered the possibility of the Roux en Y Gastric Bypass. However, prior to proceeding with this more invasive procedure the bariatric psychologist has recommended to the bariatric team that I get grounded with my Psychiatrist and Psychologist. This is excellent advice as it seems like I'm never going to begin to feel better when I'm overcome with nausea, vomitting, dehydration, unintentional weight loss and excruciating pain 24/7. Further investigation indicates that the oral medications are not working properly because of the malabsorbtion due to the delayed emptying and that I should be receiving all medications and nutrition via IV and feeding tubes. So while I'm awaiting for the psych appointments, I will be seeing another gastroenterologist. This is a physician that I have confidence in because he helped me with another medical problem a while back. I am grateful for the psych professionals, support groups and blogs like this one. These vehicles give me the courage to forge on. I am determined to lose the weight to avoid further cervical surgeries and somewhat relieve the complications and uncomfortability of the fibromyalgia so I am implementing a lot of patience and tolerance; most importantly I look to others for a hope shot. So there you have it! I know it was encumbersumb, but it's my story and I'm sticking to it!!! I wish everyone a blessed day; along with a less invasively painful and uncomfortable experience. (((hugs)))

Thank you everyone for your words of encouragement. Over the next month I have various different appointments with the specialists and then I return to the Bariatric Surgeon on 10/16 for the roux en y gastric by pass reassessment. I am hoping to stay out of the hospital between now and then. More importantly, keeping myself hydrated and fortified. I dread the thought of J tube feedings, PICC lines and TPN. I will post regularly to keep everyone in the loop. Your input let's me know I'm not alone. The PCP was right, just by blogging I would start to mentally feel better