Hey Yall. Most of you are probably unfamiliar with me, unless you’ve heard Doc tell the story about the girl who got pregnant right after surgery, LOL so I’ll start by telling you a little bit about me. When I began this journey I weighed in at 329 pds.  I had open Roux en y, with Dr Rehnke 6 years ago (2/24/04). Just 13 days short of my 1 year anniversary, I gave birth to an amazing little guy who I named Elijah. Life was great! After giving birth I was down to 175 pounds and was very happy with that. I was just 12 months post op and therefore still in my "window" of weight loss, so I lost more weight and settled into a comfortable weight of 145. Fast forward to July of 2008--- I got really sick hospitalized and all, for the stomach flu, although the doctors insisted that, I knew something else was wrong. 5 weeks later none of symptoms had gone away. This began a series of medical testing nightmares that I am still dealing with today. So far it has been determined that I have Afferent Loop Syndrome, Lactose, fructose and glucose intolerance, and Bacterial Overgrowth Syndrome(which has also led to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) sometimes I’m awake for 2-3 days at a time!, to name the biggest things. Also my liver and pancreas are not working right anymore either, I have had several look and see procedures done, but nothing has been done as the get stuck due to my changed anatomy, my pouch holds about 4.5-5 ounces at the present time, Unfortunately I cannot eat solid foods very often and liquid goes in and comes right back out from one end or the other. I vomit anywhere from 0-6 times a day, and I go to the bathroom anywhere from 4- 10 times a day on a good day. I am very malnourished and suffer from severe malabsorption of vitamins and fat. I have seen GBS surgical team here and they cannot operate to do a revision until the bacteria levels reach a safe place a normal gut has 80% good bacteria and 20% bad, mine is the opposite and then some. Last test revealed about 89% bad, 11% good.  I take narcotics on a daily basis for the pain caused by the afferent loop, and I hate it! I am going in for a 4th colonoscopy and a Laparoscopic transgastric endoscopy on Tuesday. All I wish is that this would all be over and I could go back to a normal active life. I miss playing softball and running. I was asked by one of the people on my medical team, in Tuesday, if I had known I would have all these problems if I would still have had the surgery, and you know what, I would. It gave me my life back and this is going to be resolved and soon I pray! Coming up on 2 years and I am sick and tired of being sick and tired! I said all this to say, the decision to have surgery is not one to be taken lightly, there are complications that can arise immediately or somewhere down the road. Has anyone gone thru anything remotely close to this? I am an advocate for WLS because when used right, it improves the quality of life, I will always be. I would have died young and missed my kids growing up if it weren’t for Dr Rehnke and his staff!! I welcome all comments and questions! Also looking for some of the Old timers, any of yall still out there???

Thanks Mike! Glad to see your still around! Why did you get banded? Just curious, as your not the first person I have heard that has done the band after Roux en y. Im glad that you are doing so well! And someday, Ill be able to play ball again and run a marathon, which i was training for prior to my problems, I met my goal of running a half marathon, ready to move on to the full marathon! But in time it will happen! Thanls for your prayers and concern!

Yes, I know Mike"santa" from way back when, I wish I could tell you how to prevent what I have from happening. What I can tell you is to make sure and go to all your follow ups, take your vitamins, make sure you get your blood work every year, and sip sip sip-- your water-- I did all of these things and then some and still developed these problems, I would do it again in a heartbeat, as there was nothing that I did or did not do that caused my issues. Work the program your doctor gives you and do what your suppose to do. This surgery, is not to be taken lightly, and you must remember aboe all, its ONLY a tool, you have to use it right!

Hi another ole timer here surgery was just over 6 yrs ago. started at 360 got down to 180 now back to 230 trying to get some control back but it's still hard. Only major health problem is chronic anemia get iron IV a few times a year. Unfortunatly I can eat anything and find myself eating out of old habits. Got laid off in Nov and have been struggling a bit about that. Good to see other oldies sorry to hear of your problems Noelle. Wish more of the old timers posted I mostly lurk but its good to see how others are doing.

Juli