Karen Dean

WOW! He sounds like a total arsehole! Get a new surgeon! Hope you get it fixed

I have just had candy cane revision. When did you have the original surgery? Have you had a gastroscopy? They can't just guess this! Mine was in 2000, and I had alot of vomiting post op for years. I have had some regain in the last five years and what I thought was reflux. Turns out after a gastroscopy they found candy cane which explained the years of vomiting! Anyhoooo, decided to have the RNY revision and when he got in there found I had a fisutla around 10mm which was allowing food into the remnant stomach and some of the limb lengths were incorrect. I ended up having to have it fully open as there was alot of scar tissue and when he got in there found that large parts of my intestines were twisted! So not the keyhole surgery I had expected, and a longer recovery but all is good now. I had the operation o the 10th February 2022, and I am almost 10 weeks post op I have lost 35lbs which I am very happy with. I dont have as much to loose as the first operation, but it feels just like it did all those years ago, and the hunger is gone.

My original RNY was done in December 2000, and it was very successful, I lost 12 stone and life was good! I started to regain around 10 years post op nothing too drastic, but I had awful GERD and I was still vomiting sometimes which I thought was odd. Anyway fast forward to 2022 and I went to see about a revision, turns out after a gastroscopy I had a rare complication called candy cane syndrome and a fistula from the pouch to the old stomach! I went in for what should have been keyhole to end up having a full open operation as the surgeon could not find where one of the limbs from my previous surgery was connected to and my intestines were twisted (apparently called an intestinal hernias). Great it was not! I am now almost 5 weeks tomorrow post operation and getting back on my feet. I have been surprised at the weight loss 24lbs currently, which I guess will slow down as I only have 70lbs to loose now. I am also really shocked at the level of aftercare you get now! I'm at the soft food stage, and yesterday I found out I cannot eat fish pie yet! Two hours of pain then eventually throwing it all up. I had truly forgotten how horrible that is, my chest hurt and my throat was still sore this morning. Hoping it is not too soon after the surgery to be ill after eating, but pleased it's done and I can move on with it now.

Thank you. It's not been easy but I don't regret doing this for a second time.

That would be resected! Blimmin auto correct!

I had a gastroscopy yesterday 27th January 2022, with my bariatric surgeon. I have been experiencing awful acid reflux, regain, lack of fullness and occasionally vomiting. He informed me I have candy cane syndrome. Which means there there is a part of the anomostosis which goes from the pouch to the intestine which basically shouldn't be there. It's filling with food and causing too much acid. Also the hole from the pouch that connects to this anomostosis is too big. Letting food through too fast. My pouch is 6cm which he said was good but had stetched a little. I had my RNY 21 years ago and this is apparently rare. But I'm sure in those who had surgery that long ago may well have it and not know. So have to have it rejected. Surgery planned for 17.2.22. I would hope you get your surgeon to take a look, he knows what he's looking for. I've had a couple of gastroscopys via the NHS and they said nothing was wrong!

Yup! I had lost most of my weight, I was still safety pinning my trousers on work clothes, to the point that one of my colleagues said they would cut them into ribbons if I kept wearing them! I used cast offs from smaller friends as I was dropping sizes fast. But when shopping I would pick up the size I thought would fit, my friend who came with me would ask what are you doing your not that size anymore. I think it's a confidence thing, you are so used to looking like a walking jumble sale, when something actually fits you are not sure that it really should or that it looks good! It took me until I has my tummy tuck done to realise I was actually quite small! 5'2" and 130lbs! Very, very strange.....but you will get used to it and then you won't be able to stop bloody shopping!!

Just to be clear, going from a sleeve, band etc to a bypass is a conversion of a previous surgery, to another bariatric solution. Revision retains and modifies the original procedure such as a gastric bypass. So you have had a conversion to a different type of weight loss solution. There should be no reason why it would not be successful as long as you abide by your new surgery protocols.

I would pee my pants with happiness at 35lbs down in two months!!! Well done it's a fantastic achievement 😃

I'm waiting to have a gastroscopy to see what can be done. Like you I had RNY 21 years ago, weight regain, god awful reflux, bloating etc. Surgeon want to have a look to see if the anamostosis is OK and if there is leakage from the pouch to the remnant stomach, which back then they left the old stomach in. Which can contribute to the weight regain and the reflux. He will only do a revision abdominally, so interested to hear how you get on.

I had my gastric bypass in 2000, I was one of the first to do it in the UK. 21 years later and some non weight related illness I have regained half of the weight I lost. I was 300lbs and went to 140lbs. It's only in the past 5 years the regain has really started. I am looking at having a minimizer ring fitted. Has anyone here done this? What was the outcome. Is it like day one after your original surgery? Any information would be greatfully received. Thanks x

I was very scared when I went to have my surgery even though I was so ready for it. I am 21 years out and still here! It's going to be fine and you will wake up knowing that you have made a really positive step to change your life and health. Keep this post and look back on it next year, I can guarantee you will wonder why you were scared. Hope your surgery goes well tomorrow, stay positive and think happy thoughts x

Thank you. Oh, I think you will be, but hopefully you will be sensible and not have any issues! I will be posting on here to learn, as you said so much has changed since I had mine, which hopefully there will be a solution for me. 👍

Oh! I see! As my surgery was 21 years ago I am hoping that there is something that can be done. I have to have some tests to see what size my pouch and anastamosis is after all this time! I would say for sure it stretched, I can eat a normal sized meal on occasion two courses. But I know if I dont do something I will be back to 300 lbs in another 5-6 years.

I had a full gastric bypass which I think is the next level up from yours? So I think any further malabsorptive procedures would not be possible as the intestinal routing for a full bypass is more aggressive. But I will look into the other suggestions with my surgeon.

Not sure I can have another procedure I had a full open RNY, so I guess a mini bypass would not be a thing? As for the other surgeries you mention, never heard of them!

Hi Sunnyway I shall watch with interest how you get on post op! I am just researching at the moment to see what my options are. I have been in touch with a surgeon who wants to do the tests you mentioned, which should tell me where I am and what can be done. Thats so sad that your bypass failed and you had to wait so long to find a resolution to it. Mine was successful until I was diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos and then all the running I did and exercise just stopped. Depression hit and bam regain!! Like you I have tried many diets of the past few years and they work for around 21lbs and then nothing. Not sure if its because of the lack of movement or an altered digestive system. Who knows?! As we both know weight is a very complex and frustrating subject. Good luck for the 21st, let me know how you get on.