sharkeatyou

So it was AMAZING! I went in wanting the reversal and was given antibiotics to try first. A year ago, when I went to a different gi specialist, I read something about small bowel bacterial overgrowth. I took some probiotics and felt a bit better. But it returned raging (pain). When I spoke with the specialist about what I had done he responded with "that doesn't make sense at all". Yesterday, I expected to be yelled at, dismissed again and tried to control my crying, but I felt so vulnerable that I began to cry again. Which like my mother, makes me angry and cry more. I am a very empathic person, and am very strong, but anger and fear always makes me cry. That said, my doctor said he would do a reversal, but he is not convinced that is my problem. He said when he looked at my bowels, they were "perfect". However constipation (not normal definition constipation- I poop ok) is always a problem. He said after almost 2 years and taking every bowel protocol on the planet I have experienced no relief. He came up with a heart is SIBO small intestine bacterial overgrowth. Which is very common after gastric bypass. One thing happened today versus other times, he was certain my pain has begun since the bypass was initially performed. This wasn't the case. I made it clear that is wasn't until after the car accident. With that information, I thought I had made clear before but obviously hadn't, he was convinced that something is wrong with function and absorption and not anything to do with the bypass specifically. He was really surprised that I have no pain when I don't eat. I eat and am dying for hours afterwards. He palpated my stomach, and I could see the wheels turning. He wants to get another CT just to compare my previous and new to rule out bypass defects. When asked if I wanted to try the antibiotics first or do both, get a CT and abx. I chose to wait for 10 days to see if the abx will work. I have had 6 CT scans in 2 years and the thought of gastrograffin again scares me. I do not tolerate that at all. I have to drink a litre of horrible stuff in 10 minutes. It takes at least an hour to eat 1/4c fluids. So I said, let's try the antibiotics first. On the 2 hour drive home, I went back to research about SIBO and I thought, I already brought this up, but not to the right person. Non bariatric doctors should not treat bariatric patients. So I have 100 of 2 different antibiotics to take over the next ten days and will follow up on October 16th. That said, I feel like this is the problem. However it is important to note that I am desperate for answers and anytime I get a new theory, I hold on to hope that "this is it". It does explain why labs come back normal and all my intolerances. It was also so refreshing to have my doctor say "this could explain why you can maintain your weight and not lose on 600-900 calories per day". Every other doctor says "that's impossible". I hugged him when I left, and felt so hopeful. If it is SIBO, I will struggle with this for life and will have exacerbations. But all I ever wanted was a diagnosis. I can deal with anything thrown at me, but I cannot deal with being told it is in my head or being treated like a junkie. I will get back to marathon running, and will begin my life again. It is Day 2 today, and I feel different. I am only having to take 1/2 the pain meds as before. There are times when I still need the full dose. But I have hope. I have never lost my hope through all of this. I have always been optimistic and don't plan to stop now. Even when I dealt with this, I was determined to get back to me and not give up. I am so glad he didn't give up on me.

I am a bowel queen haha. Ok 1. Polyethylene glycol (laxaday) really helps with softening the stool. For a lot of people this is all they need. Some take 1 tsp a day. But I recommend a full dose per instructions 2. If you can feel it in the rectum, microlax is amazing. You will have a movement within 5 minutes. It is a stimulant laxative. Sometimes I struggle with incomplete evacuation and this helps. 3. Milk of magnesia, as you mentioned above, but it takes awhile to work. 4. Bisacodyl -softener meh, but it works 5. If you are still on analgesic medication, take docusate sodium or copacetic to help. 6. Citramag- this is if you have constipation in the small bowel 7. Sennosides at night 8-16mg. This is a stimulating laxative as well. It helps, but can cause cramping. Best to take at night. I have been impacted before and had to manually disimpact myself. If you are fresh from surgery, do not take stimulating laxatives. I have been so constipated that I have had approx 10kg of stool in my system. This required an oral fleet enema. I recommend highly PEG/laxaday. It is a powder that you add to a drink. Tasteless, works well, and does not cause cramping. I like to have it in a savoury broth or a tea. You can even add it to coffee. Happy pooping

Has anyone had a gastric bypass revision? I have read (although not much is available) about gastric bypass revisions. I was wondering if anyone has had a RNY converted to a VSG. It would be similar to a duodenal switch procedure, but without the biliopancreatic diversion. I already have way too much malabsorption and do not want any more. I have such severe postprandial pain and nausea, that I am developing an aversion to all food. I see my surgeon tomorrow, but am up all night wondering/worrying about tomorrow (surgeon is great, but a bit of a meany)

This is something I think I might have. I see my surgeon tomorrow for another follow up. I have been in pain for nearly 2 years. I am even considering a reversal or a takedown.

My exploratory surgery just showed fecal matter, nothing else. They said if it continues to be a problem they might need to look at the remnant stomach unfortunately like you mentioned, the risks are so high, so they are quite reluctant. I have even wondered if being converted to a duodenal switch would be the answer. It would bypass a lot of intestines. This however is very risky as well. Even though I am 163 pounds, I am only a size 6 (average 4-8), and that would make the malnourishment worse. One of my biggest fears regarding getting a gastric bypass was stomach cancer. When I asked my surgeon about this pre-op, he said "don't worry, we will monitor your remnant stomach closely". Now I am told that they cannot look at my remnant stomach for issues because they cannot scope it. Berry, thank you for responding. This certainly has not been easy and your voice is comforting. I am certainly not giving up. I think I have just fallen through the medical cracks a bit.

Definitely great feedback. I have also had I think 5 cat scans. Similar to your cat Berry, I was told I had 10-15 kg of stool backed up. The current theory was that it was so heavy it was compressing my roux, such that I couldn't eat anything. So I was sent home with a laxative. At home I took the laxative, was cleaned out of stool, and the pain continued. I definitely think the stool backup is a contributing factor and a major symptom of what is going on. Perhaps this is still the issue. Perhaps my bowels have been distended for so long that they don't work anymore. I have considered TPN as well as a g/j tube. But like you mentioned Berry, no weight loss = no problems with nutrition I have lost weight, my face looks very thin and my muscles have atrophied like crazy. My stomach has become very bloated and distended centrally.

Sooo, just as an update, I am still sick. It has been 1 year and 8 months since my car accident(s). My go specialist has diagnosed me with IBS. I still don't believe that this is the issue. I was given dice yep and baclofen and it actually made the pain worse. I am so tired of people telling me that I am "constipated". However, that said I take polyethylene glycol almost daily which softens stool, but it still takes about 9-10 days for food to pass. I am still maintaining my weight, but not losing. How is this possible. My highest known weight was 340 pounds and I currently weigh 163 pounds. So I guess that is still a win. My family doctor agrees that I likely have vagus nerve damage, but I feel like something is still missing. It really doesn't make sense. Yesterday, I ate 1/2 c yogurt and 1/8 cup meat. That is it. My pain has improved a bit, such that I am not dying after eating. I have been on tramadol tid for almost 2 years now. After doing more research, I am planning to speak with my family physician about the possible late complication of rny of candy cane roux syndrome. I have never heard of this before. But I have all of the symptoms. This however may not be the answer, because I cannot verify how long my roux blind limb is, if at all. But I would be even open to having surgery to remove more of my small intestine to just "see". It is so hard because almost 2 years ago I was running marathons and loved my life. Although my surgery was not easy, it made my life better. 1 month after my car accident my life became unlivable. Last november I was very low mentally. I have survived that, and am hopeful I will get better. It has improved my nursing practice amazingly. Unfortunately I don't feel like my coworkers can count on me. I have called in sick because of pain more in the last year than I have in my entire life combined. I have spent most of my time in bed and my muscles have atrophied. I work and stay in bed. The only thing that got me out of my depression in November was my husband and dog. I have lost a lot of friends, and am still mourning that loss. I am determined, I will figure this out. I will find out what is wrong with me and I will let you know as I know. I know this is vagus nerve damage, which was worsened by all my abdominal surgeries (4 surgeries now). I know the car accident caused abdominal trauma. I know I have slow sluggish bowels, but i am not "constipated". The slow bowels, the persistent nausea and post-prandial pain, constant fullness, may be related to poor peristalsis of my manipulated bowels. I will keep you posted, because I do not want someone to go through what I have.

No worries there! Just eat slowly and chew chew chew. You got this Rockstar! Sent from my SM-N910W8 using the BariatricPal App I tried scallop..... don't recommend that one lol. I slime for 4 hours and vomited a lot hahaha Sent from my SM-N910W8 using the BariatricPal App

In addition to the above, try some acidophilus. This bacteria culture helps the mouth and gi tract. You can also see your doctor for some nystatin. In Canada there is also Diflucan available over the counter too, if this is not available where you are, your doctor can also prescribe this. Sent from my SM-N910W8 using the BariatricPal App

I was wondering if anyone was or has gone/going through what I am going through. For the last year, I have been unable to eat almost anything. I have severe constipation and thusly am taking a rediculous amount of bowel protocol. That said, my tummy has been so sensitive. Even smelling food gets it growling rediculous and I feel like I could throw up instantly. I have tried every antiemetic and am really struggling to eat anything. In a day, I can barely get in 500-900 calories. I pretty much tolerate nothing. I have tried Fiber (hardest on tummy), Protein shakes, smoothies, protein, carbohydrates and there is nothing that doesn't make me want to throw up and lay down in agony waiting for the food to pass. I had surgery 3 years ago. Gastric bypass. My surgeon doesn't know what to do and all my doctors cannot figure out what is wrong. They have even suggested that this was psychological. This all began after 2 car accidents last January, and since then life has not been normal. The first year after surgery it was difficult and I struggled to eat, but it eventually settled. It has never been this bad. Despite barely eating anything, my weight has not decreased. As such I have had several small bowel obstructions and I feel the doctors are not looking at the right things. They keep saying my issues is constipation and send me home with laxatives. Which I believe I am having a small bowel issue, not just a large bowel. It seems like food is not leaving my stomach, and takes a long time to move through my bowels. I have even wondered if the car accident caused vagus nerve damage. After all my heart rate is over 100 almost all the time (used to be 50-60 at rest), and I sweat profusely after eating. It takes at least an hour after eating 2 small bites for the pain to go away. I had a colonoscopy and it was fine. I had an endoscopy and my stomach had to issues, no ulcers. After dealing with this for a year, I feel so depressed. I have no energy to work anymore and my relationship is suffering. I know I am complicated by I cannot help but think the doctors have tunnel vision and are not looking correctly. Fortunately I can drink peppermint, ginger, fennel tea without issues, so I am and least able to stay hydrated. But the pain and nutritional deficit is really starting to show. Anyhow I have seen all the right doctors and professionals, but no one is doing anything anymore. I really want a barium follow through, so they can see what is wrong with my small bowel, but my gi specialist won't do that. Won't give me a reason either. Oh well, thanks for the vent anyhow. I know the car accident caused some issues, but I feel my bariatric surgery and rearranged bowels have contributed to this issue. Thanks for the ear <3 Sent from my SM-N910W8 using the BariatricPal App

Cereal. I throw it up every time! Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I feel the same way. I am over 3 years out and I still regret my decision. I think our circumstances make us feel regretful. Although I was really unhappy being fat, I was more ashamed of my body. But now, I have a great figure and I love shopping. Shopping is something that makes me feel amazing! But physically I am in the worst shape I have ever been in. I was in 2 car accidents this year, and all of my struggles before the bypass have become worse. I have hit a bit of a depression and I feel like I need to get out of it. I am still hopeful that in the long term I will be able to appreciate the life I have attained from the surgery. But the daily pain, the constant bowel issues and even the weakness, I just cannot deal with this right now. So given my circumstances, I feel like I have a recipe for continual regret. Yet I regretted my decision less when I was enjoying life and loving my running. Since my accident I have fallen into this hole. What I am trying to say, besides woe is me , is that it will get better. I know right now it sucks, and it might take time, but it will get better. This is going to be the hardest thing you have ever done. Relearning everything and accepting the apathy towards food is so hard. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I also wish I knew how common low blood sugar problems would be. I have to have dextrose tabs in every room, in every purse and every car. I was not diabetic before, and am not diabetic now. But for some reason, my body puts out insulin for a 340 pound person, not a 146 pound person. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I wish I knew that abdominal pain is very common after surgery. Often the cause is not diagnosed. This is a late surgery symptom. Many forums exist about abdo pain and how it lasts for months or even years. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App