escape_pinacolada

Hello, I am new to this forum but I really need to warn others. I am 5 years post op from the sleeve surgery and am MISERABLE! I have also had 4 more surgeries to fix a hiatal hernia at the esophagus and stomach as well as pouches that were formed by the surgery. I have not been able to eat normally since the surgery and by normally I mean the way you are suppose to after VSG. I haven't been able to drink water without pain. My SW was 245 and now I am at 184 and losing since my most recent surgery. The recent surgery was to fix the hiatal hernia again. I was told it was a "new" way of fixing the hernia, nothing more was told to me. My pancreas was also removed at the same time. My surgery was called a Nissen Fundoplication, its pretty complicated. They use of the stomach to be wrapped around the esophagus so it won't go up into that area again. From the beginning I have had GERD very bad, it was so bad I was on 2 different medications as well as over the counter antacids so that is why the Nissen Fundoplication. It has been horrible this 5 year journey. I am getting all of my records together for a second opinion and to possibly have a revision to the RNY. This surgery was the biggest regret of my life. My life has suffered more and my relationship has also been hurt by this. I am always so tired and sick, and my husband is worried about losing me. I have also been just left to flounder. I have had numerous swallow tests and load of medications but NOTHING allows me to drink a nice glass of water, albeit a sip at a time, without pain. So in one word "YES" i regret everything about this surgery. Heather

UPDATE: I was able to see another doctor in California. Her first question was "why haven't you had a by-pass yet"? She did surgery and loosened the "fix" that Dr. Ganser did, but after 3 months I was having the same issues. Vomiting, nausea and severe pain when eating or drinking especially water. The doctor in Sacramento did a new upper GI and said I need a by-pass, due to how my stomach is shaped after my surgeries with Dr. Ganser. She let me know that she can do the surgery to the by-pass, but she wants 6000.00 up front as well as my insurance payment and my 20%. I am not able to afford that, so I have to look for another surgeon in Reno. I also have an issue with finding a surgeon that uses the proper facilities (a Center of Excellence...). Frustrating and disheartening. It has been 6 years of pure misery. When it rains it pours. I attached a picture of what my stomach looks like, each time I eat, the food gets stuck in the hard 90 degree turn and then I am sick and vomiting, nausea and pain.

Hi, I didn't have GERD until after the VSG. It has been very severe until this new "fix" of the hiatal hernia.

I'm sorry you didn't find my post helpful, but if there were more posts like this I wouldn't be in the spot I am in. If you don't want to hear negative comments then looking at a topic called REGRETS. I have had several responses that show I am the exception not the rule, but I deserve to be able to express myself as well. I wish you luck and good health.

I meant to say I had my Gall Bladder (not Pancreas).

Sorry I mean to say Gall bladder.

Hello, I am so sorry to hear what you have gone through. It sounds like you are on your way to what can be a "normal" life. My sister in law had the RNY a long time ago and she seems to be normal. I too am having issues with my sleeve. I am just over a year out from the original surgery, then I had a second surgery to correct a pouch that formed and a stricture. The dilation gave me relief for about 4-5 months, but now I am back in as the symptoms have come back. I also have started to have unmanageable GERD. It is horrible, enough to wake me out of a sound sleep. I am also gaining weight since I am not able to eat as much as I need to, so my metabolism has shut down and I am in starvation mode so back to square one. I saw the PA yesterday and he wanted to consult with the Dr about the upper GI that was done. In between that and now I had to have a hysterectomy. It has been one thing after another. I am not going to have a lot of time to be out of work, if I do have to have a RNY done. It sounds like that is what they are looking at. If they send me back in for another dilation I will be the first case ever to have to have a second dilation in their history. Makes me feel like I did something wrong. My husband is so worried. I hate to eat and the thought of drinking makes me anxious. Everything that goes into my mouth hurts. Either my stomach starts to cramp or I burp uncontrollably. Even Water hurts. I had my fasting labs today to see how I am doing nutrition wise, and hopefully I will hear back from the Dr. tomorrow. I am scared I don't know what to except from the revision surgery and the cost is going to put a huge dent in my pocket book. I definitely didn't sign up for this, I had hoped I wouldn't be the very small percentage that has the problems. Hang in there it will get better!!