Sleevers Beware -

[flipper72 36]

Hi everyone, I've hesitated to post this because I certainly do not want to scare anyone. However, this is one side effect that no one ever warned me about...and maybe because you can't really predict when something like this could happen. I'm referring to PANCREATITIS! If you haven't heard of it...it's an inflammation of the pancreas that is, by far, the most painful thing I've ever experienced. The ER docs and nurses compared it to child labor. When I asked if it was similar to diverticulosis.....the nurse said "Sweetie, people with pancreatitis pray that it was only diverticulosis". Pancreatitis is something that can be reoccurring...or it could be something that happens once. I had it once for a little over two weeks....couldn't go anywhere or do anything beside try my hardest to fight the pain.

From what I've been told...the Doc's think that the rapid weight loss lead to gall stones which upon traveling to my small intestines got lodged in my pancreatic duct. (the gall bladder and the pancreas to not get along apparently) Anyway, once inflamed, it can take anywhere from a week or months for the pancreas to recover.

Again, this isn't something anyone can predict. I had an ultrasound on my gall bladder in June (my surgery was Aug 4th) and it was clear. However, if you lose weight fast your gall bladder can create stones and from there.....a litany of things can happen.

Has anyone else experienced anything like this?

I'm not trying to scare anyone from having the surgery......even though it was brutal....in the end, I do not regret the surgery. But I was so blindsided by this that I thought I would share my experience.

Hope you're all doing great with your pre & post surgery experiences!!

Thanks for reading

[MeAndTinyTina 241]

Hope you're feeling well now. No, I have not experienced this. I've had a problem-free experience since my surgery 13 months ago. Maybe because I lost relatively slowly (as compared to others, but still faster than without WLS). Thanks for sharing - good information.

Ellen

[NikkiDoc 312]

I had not heard of this. However my surgeon had me on Actigall for the first 5 months after surgery to prevent gallstones during the rapid weight loss period.

[Proud2BMe 1,016]

I had a prior history of gall stones so I had my gall bladder removed at the same time as the sleeve. I would recommend others do that as well. You really don't need your gall bladder.

[flipper72 36]

I certainly wish I knew about Actigall but I'm very happy to hear it's out there for others!! I will most likely have my gall bladder removed at some point but need to wait a little longer since my surgery was just on the 4th.

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

I'm still on Actigall. I was prescribed it for the first six months after surgery.

[Debbie Jean 406]

My surgeon also requires a course of Actigall six months post op for all patients who still have their gall bladders.

Gall stones was something I was aware of and concerned about as a common complication. I'm 9 months post op and have had no issues so the medication seems to have done its job.

I'm so sorry this has happened but it is definitely a word of warning that this is something to at the very least discuss with your surgeon pre op.

((BIG HUGS))) and hope you are feeling better. ☺️

[leighannnn1791 38]

Ive had pancreatitis (way before WLS) and a bad gallbladder and it was definitely hell! Worst pain of my life! I feel so bad for you! get well soon !!!

[WL WARRIOR 690]

What is the first symptom? Is it ongoing pain or stomach pain after you eat? I was never aware of this, among other things that can happen with fast weigh loss.

[SleeveMe247 184]

I'm so glad you posted this! I had my surgery 9/4 also and I have been in the hospital since Saturday and they diagnosed me with pancreatitis and UTI. They won't let me eat or drink anything. I'm scared because I'm not getting in nutrients and I imagine this is also causing more rapid weight loss. My blood pressure has been through the roof as well and they put me on blood pressure meds.

They haven't told me precisely what caused this but they claim it may have been something I ate although I followed my diet to a T. I'm literally getting depressed in here because I did what I thought I was supposed to do and yet I'm having complications.

How long were you in the hospital? They have me on iv fluids, potassium iv and antibiotic for the UTI.

[flipper72 36]

HI SleeveMe247 - I am so sorry to hear you're suffering from pancreatitis right now!! sounds like the timeline is right on though....roughly 2-3 weeks after surgery. From all that I've read and from people I've talked with...they never really know exactly what causes it. However, rapid weight loss is definitely a factor. You could've passed a stone! I do not think it was anything you ate per se.....however, the day after I started the soft solids/mushies phase I did have cheese....whole cheese...which has fat in it. Prior to that both pre and post-op, I was eating practically zero fat or very little. When you change your eating so drastically your gallbladder (that helps digest fats) is no longer as regulated as it once was and could therefore produce a stone.

First, let me just say try not to go online and read too much about this. There are many forms of pancreatitis and each person is different. I got so bummed out reading that I had to stop and focus on myself.

Also, do not worry about the nutrients. Your body probably has enough stored fat that you will be just fine. ( I mean that in the best way possible - I was put on a liquid diet as well but it's to give your pancreas a break...let it rest and decrease the inflammation some. Then you'll start to incorporate more to get it working again. But I know the fear you're having because we basically just came off of a 2 week liquid diet and then they want to put you on another one. But it's definitely for the best.

I was only in hospital for 3 days and then home trying to manage the pain for about 10days. I'm not going to lie to you..it's going to be a rough time while the inflammation goes down. Be very vocal if the pain meds don't work....the ones they gave me in the hospital did not work great for me. They sent me home with 4mg of Dilaudid and it was much better. I survived on low sugar Gatorade, pain meds and heating pads for days. If they can give you something to help you sleep....ask for it! sleeping is the only time your body will really rest and if you have issues sleeping you'll need help!!

I really hope it doesn't last long for you!! I'll be sending lots of positive healing thoughts your way!!!

xoxo

[flipper72 36]

What is the first symptom? Is it ongoing pain or stomach pain after you eat? I was never aware of this, among other things that can happen with fast weigh loss.

The first symptom for me was a feeling of constipation/fullness. It lasted the first day and into the night. however, when I woke up I was bent over in major pain. Went to urgent care and they put me in an ambulance to the hospital. Trust me....you will know if you have pancreatitis. It's not subtle at all.

[Jovie62 135]

Sounds terrible! Ouch! I was also prescribed medication for 6 months to help prevent gallstones

[MeAndTinyTina 241]

@@SleeveMe247

Feel better soon!

[jesskrismom 18]

My doctor offered a prescription to prevent gallstones. I never got it filled. I am 3 months post op and so far no problems.