chasingpolaris321

From reading online, it sounds like bile comes from the liver and not acid in the stomach, so PPIs aren’t as effective at treating it and lifestyle and diet changes don’t really help as much. I actually just messaged my doctor to ask about the short roux limb as a possible cause, and will let you know what he says when he gets back to me. There is definitely some research online showing that that can be the cause, and that there’s a possible option of lengthening the roux limb as a way to resolve it. I don’t know enough about anatomy to know if that would be an option for me because my gastric bypass happened after I originally had sleeve surgery so I’m not sure if anatomically the lengthening would work. I’ll for sure report back once I learn more!

Hi everyone, I had my sleeve surgery in 2014, and revised to bypass in 2017 because of severe GERD. Before my revision, I was vomiting up food and had horrible reflux, and the revision did help some with my symptoms. I have been on a PPI since my revision, and for the last couple of years my GERD has gotten a lot worse and I am dealing with a lot of burning and gagging at night on acid despite being on 40mg of omeprazole and pepcid twice a day. I have a consult with a doctor in early October to talk about the Linx surgery as a possible option, and I was wondering if anyone has experienced something similar or contemplated the Linx after having a revision to bypass. I can’t find any information about bypass patients having Linx online, and obviously having another surgery makes me nervous and is not ideal. I am tired of the contact burning and need to be on so many medications, but I know Linx can have side effects and I am just trying to weigh my options. Thanks so much!

Just a quick update, my endoscopy showed that I had a significant amount of bile reflux. I haven’t had my follow up appointment with him yet to talk more about it, but it sounds like bile reflux can happen when you have bypass and also when you have your gallbladder removed, so that might be what’s going on. I also have a hernia that needs to be repaired. I’ll post an update once I gave my follow-up with the doctor in early November.

Hi all, I had a sleeve in 2014 and a revision to bypass in 2017 due to severe GERD. My resting heart rate has been low consistently for several years (40s-low 50’s) and although I exercise, I am by no means an athlete. I have dealt with on and off light headedness for a while, and have fainted probably 3-4 times over the years, the most recent time this last week. I honestly hadn’t even thought about my WLS being related, but came across an old post on here today that was talking about low heart rates and did some research online. It sounds like low heart rates aren’t that uncommon after surgery, but my understanding is that this is something that usually resolves itself eventually. Has anyone dealt with fainting or low heart rates this far out from surgery? I did reach out to my doctor this past episode and she’s referring me to a cardiologist, but I thought I would check here since I’m sure this isn’t something a normal PCP would come across often. Thanks so much!

Thanks everyone! The consult I have is with a surgeon who does bariatric surgery as well as the Linx procedure so I’m hoping with his joint experience he will have some insight. I appreciate the advice and will ask him about the LES and roux limb possible issues. Thanks again!

I was definitely not told when I had my revision from sleeve to bypass that there was a chance I would still have GERD. I’m sure it’s not super common, but it has been a huge struggle and I hate the idea of being on a high dose of PPIs for the rest of my life that don’t even control it well. I’m also a bit nervous about the insurance issue. I don’t know if the Linx will be covered or not and it would suck to have to pay a ton out of pocket for it.

Thanks! Yeah it has been pretty exasperating. I will see how the consult goes in October, and then hopefully that will give me a better idea of what options I have. GERD can be so miserable!

Hi all! I had my gallbladder out about a year ago (one month post sleeve). I am pretty confident I have "sphincter of oddi dysfuntion" which essentially is when you can get spasms that block bile and cause a build-up in pressure. Long story short, an attack causes excruciating pain that feels like a heart attack. One thing that sets it off (the only thing for me, thankfully) is narcotics. Something about them causes an attack, and so even though they used to be fine I can't take them anymore as far as I can tell. I found this out the hard way 6 months ago when I had a debilitating UTI and ended up in the ER because I took one of my percocets from sleeve-surgery. I'm now facing a revision surgery, and I'm terrified about how they are going to manage the pain without narcotics. I'm wondering if anyone else developed this condition following the removal of their gallbladder, and if they have had to use pain medication afterwards for a surgery or painful condition? This isn't a very common disorder and I would like to be prepared to talk to my surgeon about it. Thanks in advance!

I never pureed anything. I stuck to yogurt, eggs, refried beans, tofu, cheese, and yogurt in addition to protein shakes. I also am grossed out by pureed meat. The only exception was tuna, which I pureed in a food processor with a little mayo and salt and pepper to make tuna salad. Since tuna is often pureed, I didn't get grossed out. Good luck!

I just had my revision surgery on September 1st. GERD is Acid Reflux, and I got it pretty badly after the sleeve. It was my only complication, but in the end it was worth it to me to get the bypass. I had a very easy recovery and am very happy with my choice. Once I was far enough out from my sleeve surgery I was able to drink wine, low-calorie mixers with hard alcohol, and occasionally beer. I think you have to figure out what works for you, and stay diligent not to let it contribute to regain or become a habit. Even though we can live pretty normal food and drink lives, we have to be more diligent than others not to slip into old habits (for some of us, habits we have had our whole lives). It can feel like an uphill battle, but I can't tell you how good it feels to not feel panicked about your weight every day. Whatever you decide, good luck!

I was in a very similar boat to you! I was just over a 40 BMI, 25 years old, with PCOS and asthma. I had the sleeve surgery in 2014 and lost over 100 pounds and have been maintaining for the past few years. Unfortunately I ended up needing revision surgery because of bad GERD (to bypass), but I am still very happy with my decision and live a pretty normal life. I am able to go out to eat and drink with friends. Feel free to ask questions!

I also had sleeve surgery in 2014 and then revised to RYN in September of this year. I had severe GERD and it was causing regular vomiting. I was close to goal when I had my revision and so weight loss wasn't my primary goal, but I have lost some weight since my revision and anticipate being at goal in the next couple of months. I feel so much better without the GERD and am so happy I had a revision!

Since you had your gallbladder out I should mention Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction. A lot of things can trigger it, but it causes excruciating chest pain and only happens in people who had their gallbladder removed. I'm not sure if it's what you're describing, but it look me a long time to figure out what was going on and I have found that few doctors are aware of it. Try googling the symptoms and see if it is what you are experiencing. Either way I hope you feel better and I'm sorry you are going through this!

Did you just have surgery? I had a very hard time peeing for about 48 hours after surgery. It happens frequently after anesthesia and I wouldn't be worried unless you're further out. In that case, more water would be a good route. Good luck!

Refried beans and cheese in small 1/2 cup Tupperware, Greek yogurt with ground flaxseed

I stalled for three solid weeks and tried everything- upping water, protein, calories etc and I think it just took time. But as long as you are following the plan, it will break! Hang in there!

I am bipolar and was approved for my sleeve surgery in 2014 and then again for my bypass revision this year. I think they mainly care that you are stable and medication compliant, and that you aren't in crisis or neglecting treatment for mental health issues that would derail your success with WLS. I was able to use my own psychiatrist to do my insurance approval, and I believe he just wrote a letter explaining that I am in treatment and that he didn't have any concerns with me having the surgery. It's up to the insurance company what kind of clearance they will accept, so maybe call them directly to get the requirements. I also discussed potential malabsorption issues with my psychiatrist and came up with a plan for liquid medication immediately following surgery. My biggest obstacle was having a hard time with the liquid lithium that I was prescribed. It made me queasy and sometimes vomit, and so for a few weeks I wasn't getting enough medication. Luckily, it didn't seem to adversely affect my mood but I would recommend talking to your doctor about these sorts of things and having a plan for getting your medications to work.

My guidance was ounces by volume, not by weight, which is a little confusing since most people use scales to measure out their food.

You stick to your plan and wait it out! You can try mixing things up with calories and exercise, but I think stalls are normal and you can more or less expect them to pass on their own as long as you are following your nutritional guidelines. I am in the middle of a stall right now and I feel your pain! Mine started over a week ago and it's so frustrating to see the scale stuck when you are doing all the right things. Good luck!

I feel like 6 weeks doesn't sound like a long time, but in reality you heal a lot during the first few weeks. I'm 4 weeks out from my revision and I can already barely see my incisions. Obviously everyone heals differently but I think without complications that is enough time to be prepared for a walking intensive trip. They have you up and out of bed walking almost immediately out of surgery so you'll have lots of time to practice :-)

It would have been fine for me 6/7 weeks out but I think it has a lot to do with where you are fitness wise going into the surgery. I had a sleeve three years ago and then a bypass revision due to GERD four weeks ago, and for both surgeries I would have been able to do a walking heavy trip by that point. That being said, if you already don't walk a lot and the weeks following surgery are your first to really up your exercise, I can see why that would present a big challenge. I don't think pain will be an issue as much as fatigue. Take lots of breaks, drink lots of water, and go at a pace that works for you!

I got massive bruising and lumps with those injections. I think it is normal, but I'm not a doctor and it's always good to check on these things when in doubt. Hope the swelling goes down soon! The injections suck, but not as much as getting a blood clot. :-)

No matter what you decide to do, talk seriously with your therapist and psychiatrist and have them be on board with your decision. I think it was very smart to wait until you were a ways out from surgery to consider all this. There are risks either way (staying on meds or coming off them) and I wish you luck! Just be careful!

If you can't reach your surgeon on the phone I would go to the emergency room. Fever and chills combined with pain is never a good sign, and no one on here is qualified to give medical advice. Try an urgent care center if you want to avoid the ER but they might send you there anyways! Feel better and sorry you are going through this!

My hair was very straight and grew back curly! So weird!