Got Incomplete Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

[soseverian 1]

I got an incomplete roux-en-y gastric bypass on 9/10/15. I was in surgery for four hours, instead of the usual 90 minutes (apparently).

My surgeon said he could not see, because of my anatomy, to continue the surgery and he was getting tired. Basically, the wall to make the pouch was only half-completed. He also said if he continued he would have risked killing me.

There is some leakage into the old part of the stomach, though it all ends up in the intestines. He said it was not because I was too fat, so I am left wondering why he could not see?

Far more importantly, has anyone experienced this? What can I expect? Surgery was only 2 days ago but I am fearful for my life abd health. Every time I sip Water I get a painful hiccup after.

Thank you

[Pinkgirl1234 761]

OMG...4 hours?You need to get back to that hospital...why were you released.Also demand that he get his " tired ass " back with another physician.I want him to repeat what he said to you with a witness...another medical professional.Hope you are still in hospital...if not go to ER so it is documented and they need to read it you....raise hell.Dont let this go your well being is the most important.Document everything and start looking up a lawyer ASAP.Get back or stay in the hospital.

Re-admit you...sorry typo

[soseverian 1]

Should the surgeon have had a backup surgeon ready to take over? I dont know if its common to even have a second surgeon available ?

[James Marusek 5,244]

Did you have any previous WLS? Sometimes there is scarring from prior surgeries that make subsequent surgeries more difficult.

[Threetimesacharm 1,400]

What city/country are you in? I believe all surgeons have an assisting surgeon. He sure sounds like a quack. Could you provide more details as to where you had the surgery and details leading up to it?

[soseverian 1]

Near Philadelphia, PA. I would really like to know if anyone ever heard of this before and what I should expect.

[dhrguru 1,238]

Near Philadelphia, PA. I would really like to know if anyone ever heard of this before and what I should expect.

I've heard of not being able to do the surgery due to a unique anatomy, but NEVER heard of starting it then doing a partial surgery. Not to make light of this, Has this surgeon ever heard of go big or go home??

I would have expected that the surgeon discuss a plan going forward, I assume he hasn't?? I'd have wanted to know before being discharged the game plan to finish this...

I live in Philly, what hospital did you have surgery?

[drmeow 323]

Playing devil's advocate here. It sounds like the dividing wall between the new pouch and the remaining part of the stomach wasn't finished. I would guess this was because the liver was too large and in the way. I think a lot of people have misconceptions about laparascopic surgery, that b/c it's easier on the patient, it's easier on the surgeon as well. This is simply not true. Imagine if you had to sew a sleeve onto a shirt, but you couldn't actually use your hands. Instead, the whole thing is inside a box, which is also filled with packing peanuts, and the shirt is attached at various places inside the box, and all you have is a tiny camera and light inserted into the (dark) box at one area, and various instruments on lines inserted elsewhere.

I am a veterinarian, I don't do laparoscopic surgeries (primarily b/c the cost to do so generally is beyond what most people want to pay for a non-specialist). Even with the abdomen fully open stem to stern, it can be very difficult to work around the liver and spleen, and my patients don't usually have a fatty liver, or adhesions from previous surgeries.

It sounds like his surgeon worked hard for as long as he could but realized that his arms and back were getting fatigued (and likely he had already done 1 or 2 other surgeries that day) and was getting nowhere, and when you get tired you are more likely to make mistakes. Had he continued he might have nicked the spleen or hepatic artery, etc. Would you have wanted him to call in another surgeon who likely doesn't even do bariatric surgery?

personally it sounds exactly like what I just went through with my surgery on Sep 9 - my fatty liver was in the way, and rather than do a partial, my surgeon opted to close up and try again after a liver-shrinking diet in a month's time. My surgeon said he could have done a partial but that the opening would be larger and I would probably end up needing a revision 6 mos down the road.

It sounds like you just didn't get all the information from your surgeon yet. I hope that is the case and that he is planning to revise it for you. But I would be thankful to your surgeon for his good judgment instead of "going big" and possibly causing you a much worse outcome.

Edited September 13, 2015 by drmeow

[drmeow 323]

Sorry I just re-read your original post and saw that he said you were not too fat, but there must be something about your unique anatomy that made it impossible to reach the entire stomach. Rest of my post still applies.

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

I hope your recovery goes well and your surgeon is able to find a safe solution.

One thing my surgeon stressed is how dangerous an extended time in the surgical theatre can be for obese patients. The longer you are under anesthesia and the longer you are paralyzed, the harder it is for your organs to restart, etc. It sounds like your safety was foremost in his thoughts when he made his decision. I am sure he didn't make it lightly.

You are definitely in my thoughts and prayers.

[soseverian 1]

Thanks everybody. It seems like my surgeon did the best thing possible but that doesnt make me less scared. Just looking for guidance on what to expect

[soseverian 1]

Just to update, the painful hiccup after drinking Water seems to be gone and the pain is subsiding

[suedot55 35]

Painful hiccups are normal at your stage. I wouldn't worry about it yet.

[Pinkgirl1234 761]

So what is the next step?

Did you go all liquid diet before surgery

?

[soseverian 1]

Yep I went all liquid for 2 weeks before surgery. Now I am following my post op diet. All liquid for two weeks. Im clearly able to drink more fluids than I would be able to if it had been possible to complete the pouch wall.