10 years post op - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

andiesmeltzer · 04-07-2009, 01:20 PM

I am almost 10 years post-op. I am having alot of dumping issues where my sugar levels drop to the point of passing out, getting shakes, and sweats. Does my doctor care? No

My teeth are so bad that I have had 6+ root canals and need 5 more. Had 3 teeth pulled because I cant afford $$$$ in dental work. My gums are pulling away from my teeth and I have had oral thrush on my tongue now for over 1 year. Doctors say antibiotics will make it worse and cause additional issues with yeast infections. My teeth are no longer white, but an off yellow color and I do not smoke. Yes, I brush and floss daily. Even rinse with antiseptic mouthwash to no avail. I have been reading alot about teeth issues and gastric bypass. No, I dont vomit or have GERD that would cause erosion.

My hair falls out each fall, despite my protein intake. I eat alot of chicken and eggs!

I have IBS so bad now that I have to be careful where I go, to make sure a bathroom is available. I have already had several accidents where I have had uncontrollable diarrhea. I am so embarrassed about this, that I carry a small container of scented spray in my purse, because the odor can be pretty overwhelming. Not that poo smells like roses or anything. It runs out of me like water!

Had my gallbladder removed (full of stones) in 2007 via laparoscopy. I was in pain for months and misdiagnosed with acid reflux. I told my family doc that I didnt think it was reflux. Finally, ended up doing a ultrasound 9 MONTHS later! Ooops! I had my appendix out in 2008 due to a fecalith stone after they did 2 colonoscopies on me to see if there was anything internally causing the IBS.

I am borderline osteoporotic and I noticed I have trouble with night vision driving. I can not drink milk or eat dairy products, because I get horrible stomach pains and major diarrhea with it. I have gone from 2 herniated disks to 4 due to the deterioration of my bones. I have developed scoliosis too. I am only 37 years old.

I am severely depressed. I regret the surgery and wish I could reverse it, but the damage is ALREADY done. I lost my 15 year old son on Thanksgiving Day 2008 and frankly I dont give a shit if I live or die now. All the crap that I have had to deal with regarding my health and this surgery... just isnt worth it. I'd rather be overweight or dead than live like this. I used to fear that the GB surgery was going to kill me before I turned 40 and actually now that my son is gone, I dont care. Please GOD take me!

My surgeon on my last visit didnt seem to care or show ANY concern with my problems and I was quickly escorted out of the office. I am wondering if the lawsuits he has pending has anything to do with that. He made his money on my surgery, why worry about me now? Yes, I am very pissed off about the healthcare I have received following my surgery.

I work in medical records and have had the opportunity to read charts for patients who had the same surgeon who are expressing similar concerns or patients who are just generally having long term post op problems.
Something needs to be done!

I'd like to know if there is a specific TYPE of doctor who I should be seeing besides the bariatric doctors (who are all fellow associates to the surgeon I had do my surgery) who can help with some of these problems. I think I need an INDEPENDENT consultation with a doctor unrelated to GB surgery.
You know, they all stick up for one another!

Up until my son's death, I have been religiously taking my vitamins, iron, etc. I have actually stopped taking everything now except my depression medication prescribed by my shrink. Why? I just dont care anymore.

I am at my wits end. Anyway, just found this website forum and wanted to tell alittle about my story.

Bantamweight · 04-07-2009, 01:32 PM

Andie, So very sorry for your son's passing.

you didn't have the RNY, did you? many of your symptoms sound like what my mother has. she had hers done about 12 years ago in CA. She had a pancreatic switch or whatever it'c called, her stomach was removed. She still dumps bad, and has horrendous gas. Her teeth are discolored, and her hair is thin.
You definitely need to see another specialist. She is on antibiotics now, and she is doing much better. she no longer smokes out a room, and can function better without being embarrased about the awful blowouts.
I'll try to get the info on what she's taking. Probiotics also helped her too

Joyce · 04-07-2009, 01:57 PM

I hear your pain, I really do. Sometimes we just need someone to listen and hear us say I am hurting and in pain. Death is a horrible plague on mankind. I can't and will not say I know how you feel because I don't. I only know how it feels to loose a father and a sister. That's bad enough, but I have been told that the death of a child is the most devistating of all. It's just wrong for a mother to loose a child. I know when I lost my sister to death, it felt like an elephant was standing on my chest, I had difficulty just breathing. I could hardly get out of bed, due to the depression and pain. For me to take proper care of myself was totally impossible for me and at that time I had not undergone gastric bypass. The only thing that helped me was knowing that God was not the one who took her and the support of good friends. I didn't hear you speak of any really good friends. Are they living close by in order to assist you during this most difficult time of your life? You mentioned being under a doctor's care for your depression and that was very good to hear, you need all the loving care possible. We all need help and sometimes more than the usual. I am only six year out from my surgery and I find that dealing with emotional issues are the hardest of all. Taking vitamins, water, rest and excercise is a routine we hopefully have learned at this point. If not we must go back to basics, that always helps. Good and sound medical care is essential for our long term health, which you seem more than aware of. But the stress of your situation can be the root of many of your concerns. Was your son sick for a long period of time? My sister died of a heart attack at age 45, no warning that we took note of at the time. In hind sight there were many signs. I still feel sad and miss her dearly, but after eight years I am able to remember some of the happier days. What really helps me, at this point is sure promise of the Bible. Revelations 21:3-4, God promises that death and pain will be undone. I look forward to seeing my loved ones again, here on earth. Did you ever learn about that. When God will raise the dead back to life here on earth. If and when you feel up to it I'll be happy to forward some encouraging words. You can email me if you want to at seekerj@Qwest.netI will respond to you. I hope you the very best, hold on you can do it. Your son would more than likely want you to be OK. He will always be a part of your life. You never have to stop loving him, not ever and it's really, really, really OK to be angry, sad and mad, you are normal this is call grieving! Cry all you need to!

andiesmeltzer · 04-07-2009, 03:01 PM

Yes, I had a Roux N Y in 6/00. I dont care if what I eat is sweet or not. I dump and I dump bad. God forbid if I drink a diet coke or pepsi. Seems like that is a big problem, but I cant drink the regular sodas. I hate plain water. Got into drinking vitamin waters and Fuze.

Yes, I need to vent. Nobody seems to understand what I am going thru. Just never seems to end. I am off work because of my son. I cant focus, was diagnosed with PSTD w/ anxiety. I have been hospitalized already for being suicidal (not that my feelings have changed much) and honestly miss my son so much. I just dont give a shit anymore.

To Joyce: my 15 yr old son Jamie (Jamie Smeltzer if you want to google him) was killed in an auto accident. He was a passenger of a car driven by an 18yr old friend he just met. The kid was going almost 70mph (in a 35 zone) when the police say he lost control of the car and struck a tree. The 70mph was based on their accident reconstruction done by the Pennsylvania State Police. My son, who was over 6ft tall and over 272lbs, was killed by the airbag instantly. I was on the scene of the accident 25 mins after it happened and the coroner and police wouldnt let me go to him. He didnt have a chance. We are now in litigation, suing the kid and his family's auto insurance.

He was just charged with vehicular manslaughter. Hoping he rots, but I know he will get a slap on the wrist. Hopefully he is suffering just as much as me. I have no pity for this boy or forgiveness for that matter. He had 2 speeding tickets before the accident (we only found out after the accident) and then proceeded to get 4 more. Yes, 4 more.

I have no desire to live or go on with life. I go for a laparoscopy next week and I am praying I don't wake up.

I just wanted to let people know that this surgery aint all it's cracked up to be. It may solve or help some problems, like diabetes, but I am concerned with all the long term affects that we are now seeing. I am seeing more and more people having problems (being that I work in the health field) and someone needs to start documenting this and start working on fixing problems. I feel like a guinea pig, really. My quality of life stinks. No pun intended on the IBS problem mentioned in my last post.

They dont know what damage happens to the body after they reconfigure our plumbing. They sure make it sound good on commercials though, dont they?

jerseygrl684 · 04-07-2009, 03:07 PM

Not to offend, but I think you need INTENSE psychological counseling before you go under any kind of procedure again. I would never want to lose a child, and the issues you are having healthwise i'm sure isn't making anything easier. I wish you the best and i hope your future is a positive one.

andiesmeltzer · 04-07-2009, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerseygrl684

Not to offend, but I think you need INTENSE psychological counseling before you go under any kind of procedure again. I would never want to lose a child, and the issues you are having healthwise i'm sure isn't making anything easier. I wish you the best and i hope your future is a positive one.

You are absolutely right. I do see a shrink and a social worker and am going to grief counseling weekly. My life is in shambles. I'd prefer not to have any surgery, but there is possible adhesions at the sight of my appendectomy and causing severe pain.

Seeing the things I have seen working in the health field is really scary. I wished I had known these things prior to the GB. I probably wouldnt have gone thru with it.

I gained weight from a cocktail of meds I was on for a bladder disorder that has no cure. Then the weight wouldn't come off. Caused bursitis in both hips, heel spurs, you name it. I couldn't exercise, so this was their answer. I had almost NO prep for the surgery back then. You know, the dieting prior to surgery, the counseling, the insurance company approved me instantly...
It seems like people have to jump thru hoops these days. I didn't have that problem. I just need to make better medical choices from now on. Especially, after everything I have been through and everything I have seen and read in the office.

bridgetgirl · 04-07-2009, 03:37 PM

I am curious to know what your current weight is.

If you snore, or mouth breathe that can lead to multiple caries. Malnutrition due to your diet and dedication to post op vitamins can also add to that.

If you get the shakes, and heart palpatations that is normal for people whose diets arent ideal. It happens from eating a high glycemic carb diet and not enough protein, or not following the carbs with protein, they have to be paired or you will have sugar spikes and crashes. You should focus on maintaining a diabetic type diet with lots of protein in it.

You NEED a support group. You need to learn more about your tool. I know plenty of woman who DIDNT have WLS who have IBS, GBS does not give you IBS. Several things can contribute to that, including stress and a poor diet, as well as family history.

Your discs are getting worse because you are getting older. Your spine foundation was already damaged, it will never get better, it needs to be managed. This goes for anyone who has DDD of the spine.

Decrease eye vision is a result of malnurtition as well. Just ask Woody, look up his story about how his wife nearly lost her vision completely.

I would say about 75% of people who have WLS are victims/survivors of physical, sexual and emotional abuse of some sort. You arent alone. Many suffer from PTSD.

Why are you blaming the surgery? Life happens. Unfortunately life ends as well. Illness happens ... to ALL people.

Im 5 years out and I dump too. Ice Cream makes me pass out cold. So guess what I do? I dont eat ice cream. Just like I know putting my hand on a hot stove will hurt me, so I dont do it.

Sounds like you are in alot of emotional and pschological pain and you want to drown those sorrows in food, but ya cant.

You are deliberating hurting yourself. You cant do it with food, so you stop your vitamins. You are probably living dangerously on top of that and driving too fast, driving irradically. Doing things that are dangerous so you can die by "accident".

Your son would NOT want this for you. I really, really am saddened by the untimely passing of your son. But with life is loss. When you go to a garden to pick flowers you dont pick the ugly ones, you only pick the most beautiful ones. God picked your beautiful child at this time. It F'ing sucks, its unfair, he was so full of life and he was your sunshine on a cloudy day, but he is gone. Celebrate his life but doing something positive. Start a foundation in his name, try and make tougher laws for repeat offenders who speed.

What you have to do honey is stop blaming, and start owning, and learning how to work through your feelings in a healthy way.

This surgery gave you a quality of life that you used to love, it allowed you to be a (for the most part) healthy, active mom who could rejoice and keep up in your sons life. If you didnt have it, you could have died as a result of your obesity many years ago.

I cant recommend a Dr, other than the obvious of you really needing a therapist. BUT YOU DO NEED A SUPPORT GROUP! This where you will flourish, this is where you will become your "old" self, this is where you will start to get happy again. With your people, the people that get you.

How far is East Berlin from Lancaster PA? I would love to buddy up with you, I would love to help you create that law. I would love to be your friend and show you that you arent alone.

I too suffer from Ortho/Spine problems. I have tooth problems, but I get regular check ups every 6 months to be on top of it. I have a special needs teenage child. I work in the health field. I too have lost people I love to untimely, senseless accidents.
I still dump. I get the shakes too. I live in Pennsylvania.

I cant blame you for not being able to focus, being mad, being pissed, hurting internally and externally. Its okay to feel this way. Embrace it, accept it and damn it cry about it. But then get up, brush yourself off because you are fearless, unstoppable and loved by many.

I want you to get through, I want to help you get through this. It cant happen casting blame tho. I hope this doesnt sound like a big girl scout, optimism, rainbows, and butterflies, bunk up happy camper type of feedback. Im a realist, and I know you can recover stronger, healthier and better than ever.

Glad your here and hope to hear from you soon!

In friendship always!

bridgetgirl · 04-07-2009, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andiesmeltzer

I gained weight from a cocktail of meds I was on for a bladder disorder that has no cure.

Medicine doesnt make people gain weight, the food we put in our mouths do. We are responsible for our gains and losses, nothing else.

jenn75 · 04-07-2009, 04:54 PM

I understand you have a therapist and a psychiatrist. I would greatly encourage you to increase your participation in therapy by entering a partial hospitalization program (groups and individual treatment for several hours a day). This would still be outpatient, just more intensive services. You're still taking your anti-depressant, which to me represents the hope that you have buried beneath all of this grief. Please continue to take it. I am talking from a personal standpoint, having depression and having been suicidal in my life, and also from a professional level, as I am an LSW.

What others have said, please give it some thought.

andiesmeltzer · 04-07-2009, 06:45 PM

I have been very diligent over the years and followed my diet as prescribed by the doctor. I dont want to sound like I have neglected my responsibilities over the past 10 years in regards to this surgery.

I do see the dentist regularly. THey are amazed at how fast my teeth are deteriorating. I actually switched dentists because I thought one of them was pulling my leg about the deterioration with the gastric bypass and figured they were just trying to get money out of me. 2 more dentists later, they are all saying the same thing. Malabsorption and vitamin deficiencies despite the regimine of vitamins I was taking on a daily basis.

Yes, I am getting older, so I am bound to start falling apart. I was told I am deficient in Vitamin D. Have actually developed mild scoliosis.

My anger over the past 4 months from my son's death has not caused the past 10 years worth of damage to my body. I have had several doctors give opinions as to what is happening to me and it all leads back to the surgery.

And yes, the meds I was on have "weight gain" as their side effects.

I was 175 lbs most of my life at 5 ft 10 in tall. After being diagnosed with my interstitial cystitis and was put on the meds, I gained 110 lbs. So, at my highest weight, I was 285. I am currently 165 because I havent eaten hardly anything since my son's death in Nov.

I appreciate your concern. I do need help. I am in desperate need of help actually.