Something is Wrong

[Andre Garcia 3]

I had RNY Gastric Bypass on November 14, 2016. On my day of surgery, I weighed 334 and have lost a lot of weight. In February, I was rushed to the ER with a perforated intestine (hole) caused by a Marginal Ulcer near where my Roux limb attaches to my stomach pouch. I survived that ordeal, staying in the hospital for 5 days after nearly dying from sepsis. In mid-April, something changed...my "intestinal motility" slowed way down and my (sorry) poop practically turned to clay. I wound up back in the hospital during the 3rd week of April with a diagnosis of "Prostatitis" but my CT scans revealed my entire pelvis was inflamed. I was on strong antibiotics (liquid Bactrim) for six weeks and took Probiotics to combat diarrhea. I had completed my course of antibiotics during the first week of June. Several weeks later, I still struggle with very slow intestines and my weight loss has plateaued for 3 months now. I am "hovering" between 251 and 247 and my size or shape hasn't changed in months. I am seeing my surgeon in a couple of days for a follow up, but I am wondering if anyone else has experienced this. Has anyone else experienced such a long plateau? It is disheartening to think this could be the end of my weight loss. I feel like I could lose another 100 pounds...I know...that may not be realistic, but I feel like I haven't lost enough and my BMI is at just under 36...I started out with a BMI of 52. I feel like my stall is related to the slow down in my intestines...almost like my body decided it was going to try to absorb more from the food I was eating and hang on to more, preventing me from losing more weight. I am starting to feel helpless and depressed just writing about it. Ugh. I know that's not the intention of these forums, but I guess writing about it made me really express how I was feeling. Does anyone have any answers? Has anyone else been through this? I feel like I can't travel without stool softeners and Senna tea to try and keep me going.

[jhope71 105]

I'm sorry you've had so much trouble. I'm only three months out and my bathroom habits changed a lot after surgery. I went from daily to every four days. I started taking magnesium supplements recently, and now I'm every three days, so it's getting better. I'm losing again, too. You might want to try that along with the stool softeners. Hope you feel better soon.

[jrmoseley 101]

I'm still pre - op, but I feel for you. I hope your surgeon has been able to give you some good medical advice. My husband had a major spinal infection a few years ago, and he still goes through bouts of "sluggish" intestinal functioning. It may take a while after an infection for your system to return to normal. Keep to your priorities -- getting enough Water will be particularly important -- and I think you'll see improvement. I hope so!

Sent from my SM-G930V using BariatricPal mobile app

[TJs_Dad2012 246]

I had 3 strictures, 2 intestinal hernias after losing 100 in a short amount of time.

Sent from my SM-G930T using BariatricPal mobile app

[goodbugs 1]

What sort of probiotics did you use? It's important to check out the delivery system. If you use veggie capsules, or powders, only about 4% of the good bugs make it through the stomach acid. If you use a BIO-tract delivery system, about 60% make it through. Similarly, it's important to pick a multi-strain probiotic. Antibiotics really wipe out the diversity of gut flora, so in replenishing it, you want to get as many strains as possible. I'm a big fan of LoveBug Probiotics' Here's the Skinny; it really works for me, but you'll have to figure out what works best with your body. Most importantly, probiotics aren't just a response to antibiotics. Stanford published a study showing that bypass patients taking probiotic supplements post surgery lost about 10% more weight on average than patients only relying on probiotics in their food, and also had higher B-12 levels. TL;DR try a different probiotic, and stick with it long-term!