Dumping. malabsorption. after bypass surgery

[Doo Lally 8]

Hi, thanks for taking a look at my post. I've been doing a lot of research on my own and I still have questions. Would you be willing to share about your experience with malabsorption. have you had weakness or fatigue from having to take pills rather than getting nutrients from food? did your general health remain good? Was there any problems continuing any prescription meds? Any dental problems from lack of suficient Vitamins?

I have read about dumping syndrome, it sounds awful, and I wonder is there anyone who has not experienced it?

[James Marusek 5,244]

I did not experience any fatigue after my RNY gastric bypass surgery. I just followed the regiment of Vitamins prescribed by my surgeon's office. But some report problems. I did not have problems with prescription medicine. When I left the hospital I was off my two types of diabetes meds for high blood sugar and haven't taken any since. After a few weeks my blood pressure was dropping like a brick so I took myself off the two types of high blood pressure meds. I consulted my doctor the next time I had an appointment and he was fine with that. I am now over 4 years post-op and I have taken myself off the last of my prescription medicine for my asthma. I cut my prescription in half a year ago without any problem so now I completely took myself off it. I didn't realize that the surgery might also be beneficial for this condition.

Some people experience problems with prescription medicines. Some of this has to do with downsizing the prescriptions. For example if you continue to take your high blood pressure meds or blood sugar meds, they can cause other types of problems. I lost my ability to swallow large pills after surgery and this affected primarily my taking of large vitamins such as calciums without breaking them up. This condition lasted for around 2 months and then I was back to normal. Sometimes for some prescription meds, absorption becomes a problems. So work these issues with you surgeon's office.

I suffered no dental problems. But I did come across one individual who experienced severe problems. But this was because of either problems with the surgery or other medical conditions amplified by the surgery. I couldn't find out which. I only saw her at one bariatric surgery support group meeting and she never returned. In her case she could eat only minuscule amounts of food or drink at a time and as a result nibbled food many times a day. I couldn't even tell if she had any follow up after surgery or if she was following the surgeon's directions to a tea. But dental problems can result in extreme cases.

Dumping syndrome can happen but it is a good thing a learning experience. Maybe only half of the patients experience this after surgery. I have had dumping syndrome several times and it is awful but I don't regret the surgery because of it.

[GwennyPenny 108]

I had my gastric bypass in August. I had blood tests a week ago and all nutritional levels were great. Like James I came out of hospital totally off the Diabetes meds. The blood pressure meds have had to be reduced twice due to dropping low when I stand up. All other medications have been fine. I have severe osteoarthritis and was about to buy a wheelchair and also about to switch to insulin for the Type II diabetes. Now I can stand a bit longer and walk a bit further and as I said off all diabetes meds. I have had early dumping once which happens very quickly but I ate too much and too fast and I learnt. The only issue I have had is Constipation which is a whole new concept for me because my whole life I've had a kind of IBS so that has needed constant monitoring. I just came out of hospital yesterday after having kidney stones removed. Nobody is quite sure if it was caused by the rapid weight-loss or if they were there and it exacerbated them. Either way they are out now so back to moving forward. I have lost 43kg or around 90something pounds since August so about ten weeks. I am so glad I did it even with a few bumps in the road it was worth it. When I consider the way I was headed I would do it again in an instant. Good luck with whatever you choose.

Sent from my CPH1607 using BariatricPal mobile app

[FluffyChix 17,415]

Ok, see? This is why I need reading comprehension lessons. I read this title as "Dumping. Masturbation. After Bypass Surgery." And I was like, finally! Now this is gonna be a fun one in the General Discussion Area!

[Rainbow_Warrior 996]

21 minutes ago, FluffyChix said:

I read this title as "Dumping. Masturbation. After Bypass Surgery."

And you were in the market for some hot tips? <GRIN>

[FluffyChix 17,415]

@Rainbow_Warrior Absolutely! Doesn't everyone?

[catwoman7 11,212]

most RNY'ers don't dump. The statistic I see thrown around a lot on these boards is that only about 30% of us dump. I don't know if there's any hardcore medical research behind that statistic, but suffice it to say, lots of us don't dump. I've never dumped.

Teeth: I used to worry a lot about this. I've done a fair amount of reading on it and have come to the conclusion that yes, it happens - but it's not very common. I've been very active on this and other boards for a few years, and I rarely see posts about teeth problems. I asked my dentist about this, and he said he's never seen this in his WLS patients (of course, I have no idea how many WLS patients he has - could only be 10 as far as I know....). He told me to keep on top of my supplements and also, he gave me a prescription for a high-fluoride toothpaste to use nightly, and he does a fluoride varnish on my teeth every six months just as a precaution. He said all of this will go a long way in preventing problems.

weakness and fatigue: the first few weeks after surgery, yes - but that's from anesthesia and the healing and the fact we're taking in so few calories. Since then, none. I have more energy than I've had in years.

Malabsorption: I'm 2.5 years out and labs have been great. I can't speak to prescription drugs as I'm not on any...

[Doo Lally 8]

On 10/28/2017 at 9:03 AM, James Marusek said:

I did not experience any fatigue after my RNY gastric bypass surgery. I just followed the regiment of Vitamins prescribed by my surgeon's office. But some report problems. I did not have problems with prescription medicine. When I left the hospital I was off my two types of diabetes meds for high blood sugar and haven't taken any since. After a few weeks my blood pressure was dropping like a brick so I took myself off the two types of high blood pressure meds. I consulted my doctor the next time I had an appointment and he was fine with that. I am now over 4 years post-op and I have taken myself off the last of my prescription medicine for my asthma. I cut my prescription in half a year ago without any problem so now I completely took myself off it. I didn't realize that the surgery might also be beneficial for this condition.

Some people experience problems with prescription medicines. Some of this has to do with downsizing the prescriptions. For example if you continue to take your high blood pressure meds or blood sugar meds, they can cause other types of problems. I lost my ability to swallow large pills after surgery and this affected primarily my taking of large Vitamins such as calciums without breaking them up. This condition lasted for around 2 months and then I was back to normal. Sometimes for some prescription meds, absorption becomes a problems. So work these issues with you surgeon's office.

I suffered no dental problems. But I did come across one individual who experienced severe problems. But this was because of either problems with the surgery or other medical conditions amplified by the surgery. I couldn't find out which. I only saw her at one bariatric surgery support group meeting and she never returned. In her case she could eat only minuscule amounts of food or drink at a time and as a result nibbled food many times a day. I couldn't even tell if she had any follow up after surgery or if she was following the surgeon's directions to a tea. But dental problems can result in extreme cases.

Dumping syndrome can happen but it is a good thing a learning experience. Maybe only half of the patients experience this after surgery. I have had dumping syndrome several times and it is awful but I don't regret the surgery because of it.

Thank you very much for your response. It was very helpful. I have been told by my dietician that I will not experience dumping if I follow the recommended foods. So I hope that is correct.

[Doo Lally 8]

On 10/28/2017 at 9:33 AM, GwennyPenny said:

I had my gastric bypass in August. I had blood tests a week ago and all nutritional levels were great. Like James I came out of hospital totally off the Diabetes meds. The blood pressure meds have had to be reduced twice due to dropping low when I stand up. All other medications have been fine. I have severe osteoarthritis and was about to buy a wheelchair and also about to switch to insulin for the Type II diabetes. Now I can stand a bit longer and walk a bit further and as I said off all diabetes meds. I have had early dumping once which happens very quickly but I ate too much and too fast and I learnt. The only issue I have had is Constipation which is a whole new concept for me because my whole life I've had a kind of IBS so that has needed constant monitoring. I just came out of hospital yesterday after having kidney stones removed. Nobody is quite sure if it was caused by the rapid weight-loss or if they were there and it exacerbated them. Either way they are out now so back to moving forward. I have lost 43kg or around 90something pounds since August so about ten weeks. I am so glad I did it even with a few bumps in the road it was worth it. When I consider the way I was headed I would do it again in an instant. Good luck with whatever you choose.

Sent from my CPH1607 using BariatricPal mobile app

After reading your message, there is no way I could be hesitant for my surgery. I have been on insulin for Type 2 diabetes since 2006 so I hope it will go away, too. The surgeon's nurse that I see each month says that it will. It's a few day more since you left the hospital for your kidney stones and I bet you are doing even better now! Oh my, Congratulations are in order for your 90# weight loss, in such a short time! Thanks for sharing with me.

[Doo Lally 8]

On 10/28/2017 at 11:09 AM, FluffyChix said:

Ok, see? This is why I need reading comprehension lessons. I read this title as "Dumping. Masturbation. After Bypass Surgery." And I was like, finally! Now this is gonna be a fun one in the General Discussion Area!

Now that was unexpected to read and very funny, also! Sorry to disappoint you on it.

[Doo Lally 8]

On 10/28/2017 at 5:45 PM, catwoman7 said:

most RNY'ers don't dump. The statistic I see thrown around a lot on these boards is that only about 30% of us dump. I don't know if there's any hardcore medical research behind that statistic, but suffice it to say, lots of us don't dump. I've never dumped.

Teeth: I used to worry a lot about this. I've done a fair amount of reading on it and have come to the conclusion that yes, it happens - but it's not very common. I've been very active on this and other boards for a few years, and I rarely see posts about teeth problems. I asked my dentist about this, and he said he's never seen this in his WLS patients (of course, I have no idea how many WLS patients he has - could only be 10 as far as I know....). He told me to keep on top of my supplements and also, he gave me a prescription for a high-fluoride toothpaste to use nightly, and he does a fluoride varnish on my teeth every six months just as a precaution. He said all of this will go a long way in preventing problems.

weakness and fatigue: the first few weeks after surgery, yes - but that's from anesthesia and the healing and the fact we're taking in so few calories. Since then, none. I have more energy than I've had in years.

Malabsorption: I'm 2.5 years out and labs have been great. I can't speak to prescription drugs as I'm not on any...

Thank your clearly written response! Exactly the info I am looking for.

[GwennyPenny 108]

That was pretty funny lol Doo Lally the kidney stones came out on Thursday 26th and I go back on the 9th of Nov for one last procedure to remove the stents then I'm good to go! If you do go ahead with the surgery I hope your diabetes goes into remission too. I know your measurements are different to Aus but here a diagnosis of Diabetes is blood sugar continually coming back with a reading of 7+ Since the surgery It is on average around 4-5 my cholesterol is around 3.1 which is actually quite low. So far all results have been good.

[Doo Lally 8]

Oh, I hope my diabetes goes into remission as well. I started a pre-op liver weight loss diet to prepare for surgery in late Aug., and my next blood sugar A1c was at 5.3. My dr. said it was too low, but I was happy. It had been staying around 6.5 for years. Congratulations on your successes!

[Luisajfc 402]

Ok, see? This is why I need reading comprehension lessons. I read this title as "Dumping. Masturbation. After Bypass Surgery." And I was like, finally! Now this is gonna be a fun one in the General Discussion Area! [emoji3]

[emoji23]🤣 too funny!


“There will be obstacles. There will be doubters. There will be mistakes. But with hard work, there are no limits.” —Michael Phelps