GBS RNY Frankly Speaking Community Group
This is a frank speaking group for those who wish to discuss their surgeries diet and personal concerns. Although support is a large part of what this group is about we will also give our frank advice and best recommendation on the premise that information empowers. I hope that those who use this group will understand that critical responses on discussion posts are not...
Well, here's my story.......
The Surgeon found a LARGE tumor on my liver on Aug 6th, & therefore wouldn't do the Gastric Bypass. But it was found to be "benign" (THANK-GOD!) & so I did get my Gastric Bypass on Aug 13th! I've lost 51 lbs so far! But I've had many complications, being admitted to the Hospital "6" times thus far :(
So besides the 2 operations mentioned above, I blacked out in my bathroom & was admitted back to the Hospital 1-week after G.B (3rd visit). Then during my 4th Hospital stay for dehydration, they found a ...."STRICTURE" which they tried to dilate. (a "STRICTURE" developes when the opening between the New-pouch and the Intestine over-heals, & developes too much scar-tissue. The opening is just too small for enough food & liquid to go thru properly) . They must stretch it slowly over time so it does not rupture.
And because I couldn't eat & drink enough, they put in a "pic-line", which is basically an I.V. tube thats inserted into a vein in my upper arm, & it's threaded all the way thru the vein, to the large vein just above my heart. The other end of the I.V. tube is connected to an I.V. bag of fluids called T.P.N. (Total Parental Nutrition) which I had to carry in a backpack for about a month. The T.P.N. provided all that my body was lacking & needed at the time.....such as calories, carbs, fats, lipids, vitamins, electrolites, hydration etc.
So my 5th Hospital stay was also for dehydration & for another dilation of the "Stricture". I will have to return for a 6th visit to try one more dilation probably in December. And if the opening does not remain at least a "15" in measurement, the Surgeon is threatening to reverse my Gastric Bypass :(
When they 1st discovered the "Stricture", the opening measured at a tiny "6". They finally got it to stretch to a "13" during the last dilation on October 25th. But for some reason, even after a dilation, the new opening seems to shrink back a little. So who knows what it measures at now.
***Has anyone had a "STRICTURE" or have any advice on how to deal with it??? Pain? Eating? etc.
If so, please share UR experience. And please keep me in UR prayers that the next (& final) dilation in December will be successful.
Oooops 4-got 2 update my weight-loss progress from 265 down to 215 in "3" months :)
Although when UR on a "pic-line" I.V. drip with T.P.N. (as I was for one-month), you don't lose weight, U either maintain or gain weight. So I'd probably have lost that much more if I hadn't had to be on T.P.N. :(
Also since I usually felt nausea, dizziness & fatigued, I really havn't exercised...... & I feel soooooo guilty!!!
Any advice friends?
Thanks & God Bless.......JoDee :)
The Surgeon found a LARGE tumor on my liver on Aug 6th, & therefore wouldn't do the Gastric Bypass. But it was found to be "benign" (THANK-GOD!) & so I did get my Gastric Bypass on Aug 13th! I've lost 51 lbs so far! But I've had many complications, being admitted to the Hospital "6" times thus far :(
So besides the 2 operations mentioned above, I blacked out in my bathroom & was admitted back to the Hospital 1-week after G.B (3rd visit). Then during my 4th Hospital stay for dehydration, they found a ...."STRICTURE" which they tried to dilate. (a "STRICTURE" developes when the opening between the New-pouch and the Intestine over-heals, & developes too much scar-tissue. The opening is just too small for enough food & liquid to go thru properly) . They must stretch it slowly over time so it does not rupture.
And because I couldn't eat & drink enough, they put in a "pic-line", which is basically an I.V. tube thats inserted into a vein in my upper arm, & it's threaded all the way thru the vein, to the large vein just above my heart. The other end of the I.V. tube is connected to an I.V. bag of fluids called T.P.N. (Total Parental Nutrition) which I had to carry in a backpack for about a month. The T.P.N. provided all that my body was lacking & needed at the time.....such as calories, carbs, fats, lipids, vitamins, electrolites, hydration etc.
So my 5th Hospital stay was also for dehydration & for another dilation of the "Stricture". I will have to return for a 6th visit to try one more dilation probably in December. And if the opening does not remain at least a "15" in measurement, the Surgeon is threatening to reverse my Gastric Bypass :(
When they 1st discovered the "Stricture", the opening measured at a tiny "6". They finally got it to stretch to a "13" during the last dilation on October 25th. But for some reason, even after a dilation, the new opening seems to shrink back a little. So who knows what it measures at now.
***Has anyone had a "STRICTURE" or have any advice on how to deal with it??? Pain? Eating? etc.
If so, please share UR experience. And please keep me in UR prayers that the next (& final) dilation in December will be successful.
Oooops 4-got 2 update my weight-loss progress from 265 down to 215 in "3" months :)
Although when UR on a "pic-line" I.V. drip with T.P.N. (as I was for one-month), you don't lose weight, U either maintain or gain weight. So I'd probably have lost that much more if I hadn't had to be on T.P.N. :(
Also since I usually felt nausea, dizziness & fatigued, I really havn't exercised...... & I feel soooooo guilty!!!
Any advice friends?
Thanks & God Bless.......JoDee :)
deleted_user
I also have had the stricture twice and am sure I am closing up again due to increased vomiting. I wish my doc would reverse the bypass! He wont. I am so tired of hospital stays and they are frequent. I have no energy to exersise - I have to use a walker.
deleted_user
JoDee - did you have to have a 3rd one done?
deleted_user
I had one stricture and was dialated in an out pt setting. I had mine about 4 months ago (I am 6 mo po), and have been pretty good ever since. Strictures are very common from what I understand.
deleted_user
You poor thing I feel so bad for you. I have never even heard this term and I had surgery 5 1/2months ago. I really hope you are feeling better soon.
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