Ready2Live!

I had a botched sleeve in October 2017 and couldn't reliably hold down anything (including water) for the next 6 months until it was converted to bypass by a new surgeon. I am now able to eat again and feel so much better. Unfortunately my weight loss prematurely slowed and stopped due to getting almost zero calories for so long then finally hoarding calories when it had them again. But my situation was pretty unique so hopefully that will not be the case with you at all!

Just checking to see how you are doing. I assume you are out of the hospital now- hopefully!

I am so very sorry you are going through this. I have had a number of complications stemming from my 10/2017 sleeve operation requiring two additional surgeries (one converting me to bypass) and multiple hospital stays. I just got out of the hospital a week ago today actually. My experience has not been nearly as long or difficult as yours and it has been a huge struggle for me. I cannot imagine what you are going through but I pray that the complications end and you get healthy so you can stop suffering and enjoy life. Please keep faith. It will get better.

Just seeing this! I hope you are doing better and will not need further surgery. I can somewhat relate due to having complications my surgeon didn't take seriously post op either. It is incredibly frustrating. Its almost like after the big money surgery, some doctors/practitioners don't want to be bothered with follow up care. I am so happy you kept pushing for yourself and got some treatment before it got even worse. I will be praying for you. Keep us updated

Me too! Thanks!

I did not have a drain, but did have a chest tube because of how high my hernia went. Apparently that is not typical with hernia repair. To be honest, the chest tube was awful. I could not breath without being in pain, but I didn't have it long. I doubt you will have to have one though!

I was just coverted from a sleeve to bypass with hernia repair. Even though the surgery was much more extensive, I am finding the recovery to be easier. Like UKHEIDI, I am tolerating liquids much easier than with the sleeve

Just had the bypass yesterday to correct issues I had with my sleeve. Feeling very good so far. Likely discharged by tomorrow!

Congratulations and thank you for sharing what has been working for you. Great tips to try!

I have structure that can't be corrected with dialation or a stent. Below the stricture, I also have twisting of my sleeve. Bypass is pretty much my only option to get food in and stop vomiting all the time. Many people do the revision due to developing severe GERD post sleeve surgery. Bypass resolves the GERD.

I too will be having a revision from sleeve to bypass on 3/29 due to complications. I am sorry you have had a rough go. If it helps, your post is reminding me that it is going to be another major surgery with more recovery. You are helping me to be better mentally prepared. How are you feeling now?

Congratulations! Glad to hear things are going well.

I am going from sleeve to bypass on 3/29. I will keep you posted!

Very happy to hear you are feeling better. If you have more energy to spare, feel free to come by and clean my house lol j/k

RNY 3/29. It will actually be a revision from a sleeve due to complications Looking forward to not throwing up anymore!!! For those who have already been bypassed this month, how are you doing?

Thank you!

Thanks. It has been very rough. Looking forward to hopefully keeping down food after the revision. But, honestly, nervous about another surgery with more potential risks/complications. I am praying everything goes well for us both!

Following! I too am having a revision from sleeve to bypass due to a stricture and constant vomiting. Not really sure what to expect.

Thank you so much for your reply and I hope your friend is now doing well! The more I read, the more it seems like narrowing due to scar tissue and narrowing due to kinking/twisting/angulation may need different treatment. I am working on getting a second opinion and upper endoscopy but hoping to avoid bypass if possible. But ultimately will do whatever necessary. Thank you so much for your response! I am so sorry you had to go through all of that but happy they ended up being able to covert you! I cannot imagine needing everything removed- I didn't even know that was a possibility. I am just figuring out how serious this all is and am more then a little upset that my surgeon does not seem to be overly concerned. I am working on getting a second endoscopy with a new doctor and a second opinion on a treatment plan. I was thinking of trying dilation up to two more times because it did work, if ever so briefly. Then maybe a stint and options for surgical repair to straighten the angle. I am hoping this may be on the table due to my only having one bend. If needed I will move to bypass. It is not my ideal choice but you helped me understand that I need to move quickly with treatment and assessing options before things become critical. How are you doing these days?

Thank you so much for your reply and I hope your friend is now doing well! The more I read, the more it seems like narrowing due to scar tissue and narrowing due to kinking/twisting/angulation may need different treatment. I am working on getting a second opinion and upper endoscopy but hoping to avoid bypass if possible. But ultimately will do whatever necessary.

Congratulations!!!! So happy for you.

Hi Rae, I am a little over 3 months out and my experience with food has been very similar to yours early on. Most foods and thicker liquids not going down and vomiting back up with thick mucos-like saliva. I did barium testing and an upper endoscopy. I have (thankfully) only one sharp angular bend in my stomach, but apparently it prevents foods from readily passing. They dilated during my endoscopy and that helped with the vomiting very breifly, but it has returned. What worked for your situation? Twists are not super common and I haven't found much information. Additionally, my surgeon has ideas but has not experienced this before. Thanks in advance!

I am so sorry you have gone through so much. My situation is not quite as severe but I do have a sharp angled bend in my new pouch, which is the presumed cause of my vomiting since about a week post op. I had balloon dilation and vomiting resolved for a little over a week then returned. My surgeon thinks serial balloon dilations may work but I know this treatment is more suited to strictures and he admitted to never having a patient with this complication. Have you been to the Cleveland Clinic yet? Any update on progress and how you are feeling?

Try Syntrax Nectar in the fruit flavors. I had a hard time keeping anything down and had to get multiple rounds of IV fluids but Syntrax Nectar goes down easy (not too thick or sweet). I tolerate it mixed with 16oz of water just about as easily as I handle water!

I was having a hard time handling protein and just got the Syntrax Nectar variety pack. You get 17 individual packs, one of each of the flavors they offer. I am loving the fruit flavors (all I have tried so far). They go down smoothly and arent too thick or sweet. I had trouble getting protein in before but this is working for me. Hope you find what works for you!