Gastric Bypass Surgery Support Group

Gastric bypass (GBP) is any of a group of similar operative procedures used to treat morbid obesity, a condition which arises from severe accumulation of excess weight in the form of fatty tissue, and the health problems ("co-morbidities") which result. If you are considering gastric bypass or have had it, join the community where we share our experiences and find support.

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Back under the knife

Merrymay19
Merrymay19
So I've been having some issues. I had a banded gastric bypass in March'13 and was fine until May this year when a 24 hour bug left me being sick everyday. For the passed four months I have been throwing up daily. The doctors have scanned and tested me. I have had a barium meal and it showed that anatomically everything is working fine.

However the surgeons want to take the band out because they don't know what else to do and I'm not sure. I am currently in my final year of university. My mum is working abroad so I have the dog - my dad can't look after the dog because of his asthma so I am solely responsible for her.

Financially we're not in a great place right now so I really cannot afford two weeks not working. I don't want to fall behind in my studies either. Have any of you had to have surgery again? Anyone been throwing up consistently and fixed it through non-surgical methods?

Any advice much appreciated,
May
ShelaBug
ShelaBug
Hi MerryMay,

So sorry to hear of your discomfort and financial woes.... I cannot respond to your actual question, however I am certain that someone will respond with advise. I just wanted to reach out to you and let you know that others do care. Wishing comfort and answers through this difficult time.

Hang in there!
ShelaBug
deleted_user
deleted_user
Not sure what you mean by "banded gastric bypass," but if you are referring to a lapband, then yes, I had the same experience. My band was placed in 2004, I had one year of pretty good success, but not without problems with vomiting. On my one-year anniversary, 2005, I had an incident, not sure what happened, but it manifested as severe pain, dry-heaving and eventually vomiting. I went to the ER, was checked and nothing was passing through the band, not even water. It was deflated and I had some relief, but still had pain and terrible GERD. My insurance would not pay for removal until 4 years later, so for those 4 years I suffered. Eventually my surgeon convinced the insurance company it was a life threatening condition and they agreed to removal. After the removal I had no more pain or vomiting. Hope that helps.
MNMama
MNMama
Sorry Merry, no advise for you, but I want you to know I'm sending a prayer for healing. Hope things turn around for you soon.
imjj4short
imjj4short
Wow! It sounds like you've been through a lot!

I also have no experience with banding. What exactly is a banded gastric bypass? if they remove the band, what are you left with?

Regarding surgery - Can you wait until winter break to have the surgery?

JJ
Merrymay19
Merrymay19
Hi guys,

Thank you so much for your kind words. Means a lot. The banded gastric bypass is a relatively new procedure - it's the gastric bypass but around the stomach they put a band. Not the fluid filled lap band but a small cable to stop the stomach stretching out again. So essentially I had a bypass. When they remove the band it will just be a bypass like any other.

Debs4011 - those four years sound awful, I'm so glad that your insurance did pay and you are better now. GERD is horrific as I am learning.

JJ - They can't fit me in for the op around Christmas, too busy in clinic so I have to go with the date I'm given. Currently November 10th.

Many Thanks,
May