After 12 years I cant eat anymore and have 0 energy

[cthr88 1]

I had gastric bypass 12 years ago. I lost 175 pounds. In the past 4 months I have lost 52 pounds. I just can't hold any food. I have no energy at all. I can't even work. I've had terrible stomache pains and have to wear warm ups since they are loose. I look anorexic. I am really scared. I have been to my gastroenterologist and he has run all kinds of tests (endoscope, colonoscopy, ct scans, etc). He did have to stretch my esophagus because I had a hard time eating meat and that helped that but I still can't eat. Something had to have to the pouch. Has anyone ever heard of this happening? I NEED HELP BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE! Thanks.

[Apple203 1,314]

Have you seen anyone other than a gastroenterologist? Like an oncologist?

[Berry78 4,261]

Apple has a good point. Keep seeing different docs until you can figure out what might be going on.

A bariatric surgeon might be able to say whether a revision could help. Your family doc should do bloodwork, etc.

They can consider giving you nutrition through a stomach tube or I.V. if your life is in danger.

[Hugs] hope they can figure something out.

[Berry78 4,261]

I forgot to ask.. what CAN you consume?

[cthr88 1]

Thanks Apple and berry for your response. Apple, I have not seen an oncologist, just my family doctor and my gastroenterologist. Berry I was hospitalized when my husband found me unresponsive. He could not wake me up and called 911. They came and asked if I was diabetic, which I am not, however my blood sugar had dropped to below 50. EMS could not bring it up. I was admitted to the hospital and it was normal and then dropped all night. That's when I knew the problem was out of hand. It is difficult for me to consume 1000 calories. Those being Protein and carbs for energy. I still load up on my Vitamins and have never stopped since day 1 after surgery. I mainly get my protein down by drinking it. My surgeon no longer does weight loss surgery, however do you think my pouch could have somehow shrunk. Should I call another surgeon? I never thought I may have to have a revision. I never thought I would need to gain weight. Go figure. Thanks for everyone's help.

[Berry78 4,261]

If you can drink, then you can drink all your meals and begin to stabilize your health. (2-3 quarts of whole milk a day would get you started.. if you can tolerate milk!)

I'm assuming the weight loss is due directly to not eating, rather than some other underlying condition like diabetes or cancer that results in weight loss.

But yes, you sound like you need a second opinion. A bariatric surgeon might be able to undo your bypass or figure out something else that could be helpful.

I just don't quite understand why you can't eat. Maybe describe what happens when you take a bite...

[cthr88 1]

I am lactose intolerant but I am drinking soy milk products and lactose free high Protein Drinks. I can eat regularly. It's just I get full after a few bites, It's like right after surgery. After 12 years I was eating a normal size small meal. Now after a couple of bites I'm full. I appreciate your thoughts on this. Have a good night.

[trying4me 56]

I had gastric bypass 12 years ago. I lost 175 pounds. In the past 4 months I have lost 52 pounds. I just can't hold any food. I have no energy at all. I can't even work. I've had terrible stomache pains and have to wear warm ups since they are loose. I look anorexic. I am really scared. I have been to my gastroenterologist and he has run all kinds of tests (endoscope, colonoscopy, ct scans, etc). He did have to stretch my esophagus because I had a hard time eating meat and that helped that but I still can't eat. Something had to have to the pouch. Has anyone ever heard of this happening? I NEED HELP BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE! Thanks.

Look not to frighten you but yes I have seen this and it's not great. Keep working with your PCP to get referrals and make sure you are meeting calorie needs, like drinking high Protein Shakes in the meantime. Have you seen your original surgeon again? Mine will follow me for life. Or find a bariatric center and consult them.

Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

[mohairbears 37]

Your life is in your hands. We all have these issues. It's very easy to lose control. It takes an extreme amount of effort to eat properly and have control. You need to start from the beginning go back to basics concentrate on the quality and amount of what you are consuming. If food is an issue drink high quality Protein Shakes and introduce solids slowly as mush to begin with. Make sure you take a Calcium B12 and two Multi Vitamins with Iron daily .
And follow up all your doctors appointments .
Ultimately your life is in your hands.
I'm one year out 7 stone down and believe me I wouldn't go back even with the issues I've encountered.
Life is so much better now. Food definitely is not the be all and end all of life!

[Berry78 4,261]

Ok, what I'm hearing is you used to be able to eat enough, now you can only eat a tiny bit.

Yes, this is absolutely a major problem, and you need to keep getting looked at.

[Star Dust 39]

On 9/18/2017 at 10:43 PM, trying4me said:

Look not to frighten you but yes I have seen this and it's not great. Keep working with your PCP to get referrals and make sure you are meeting calorie needs, like drinking high Protein Shakes in the meantime. Have you seen your original surgeon again? Mine will follow me for life. Or find a bariatric center and consult them.

Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

It's not great? Can you give us some more info?

[trying4me 56]

Failure to intake enough nutrition or failure to absorb it can be life threatening in the long run. I work with a gastroenterologist and we discussed these things recently and it sounds like he treats a few people that have had this happen.

I have worked with a few patients myself and was the main reason I put this off and eventually decided on the sleeve. These things are rare, but they do happen and early treatment is key.

Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

[Pansy 1]

I had this happen to me about five years after the surgery. Turned out I had a stricture. Five endoscopies, a balloon dilation, and a shot of cortisone finally did the trick and I can eat again. Best of luck to you.

[Steven1954 89]

Could be adhesions or intestinal scarring. HAppened to me seven surgeries to get it under control. Good luck