Don't be Blindsided Later in Life by Gastric Bypass Side Effects

re: Don't be Blindsided Later in Life by Gastric Bypass Side Effects

Courtney M — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 13:05:26 GMT

Thanks for the info. I also had the Roux-en-Y procedure in March 2005. I have experienced several set backs and problems. Severe anemia and B12 deficinecy. I went for over a year getting dizzy spells and just feeling "not right". They did labs several times and received Iron treatments by IV. THe only b12 that works for me is Dr. Mercolas. Then I found out a few months ago I am hypoglycemic. After feeling this way for so long the dr said- Oh yes we see a lot of Gastrc bypass patients with this problem...I questioned why no one tested me before, but regardless...I made this decision and only hope that God will give me the wisdom and knowledge to take care of my health now with all these arrising problems. I am definatley afraid to even try to get pregnant now( my husband and I are discussing staring a family). I know the doctors said it would be OK after 2 years, but there was so much we were not told. I would not suggest this for anyone..If you need to lose weight it is true..there are no quick fixes!

re: Don't be Blindsided Later in Life by Gastric Bypass Side Effects

Whatever4 — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:54:38 GMT

Hi Jade,

Like you, I had the Roux-en-Y surgery, open reduction in 2002 and have recently developed a multitude of health issues, to the point of becoming disabled. Unfortunately, when I was researching this surgical procedure in 2002, there was not any literature or on-going research on the long-term complications. The only complications that were offered were the short-term, i.e. blood loss, infection, etc. etc. There was mention of Malabsorption Syndrome if patients did not follow the prescribed regime. I am a nurse and followed their recommendations to a Tee and went to all my return doctor visits and had all my required lab work. Unfortunately, I have developed Severe Malabsorption Syndrome after an emergency Major Surgery. The first Vitamin to be discovered that I was deficient in was Vit. B12. The doctor contacted me by letter 3 weeks after my lab test with a prescription for injections. I called his office to make an appointment as I was having a number of "unique" symptoms: i.e. night blindness, loss of hearing bilaterally (both ears), lack of coordination, with frequent falls and even more worrisome, short term memory loss. They stated I would have to wait 3 months to see the doctor as they were so booked up. I let them know what symptoms I was having and truly needed to see the doctor ASAP and would even get a motel room and sit in the waiting room 'just in case you have a cancellation', to no avail. When I finally got back to see the doctor, it turned out I was the LAST patient he was seeing, as the clinic/hospital was shutting down, TOTALLY in the state. {they moved their business to Pennsylvania}. The surgeon I saw was not my original surgeon and was no help to me. It was almost 2 years before I found a doctor that had a clue on how to test "lab wise" on what was going on with me. Very, very frustrating and worse yet, causing more and more nerve damage to the point of most being permanent now.

I wouldn't wish this onto even my worst enemies.

re: Don't be Blindsided Later in Life by Gastric Bypass Side Effects

jadeland0407 — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 15:56:01 GMT

I had Roux-en-Y GB surgery 3 years ago. I now have probable Nesidioblastosis and am facing a pancreatectomy. I have become disabled to the point that I lost my job and can no longer function. I am basically confined to my bedroom as I am afraid to leave home. My blood sugar drops rapidly and I experience seizures frequently. It is such a rare and controversial condition that no one really knows how to treat it. I wonder sometimes if I will live through this. If someone had told me prior to my surgery that this was a risk, I would not have done it. If you are considering GB surgery, please reconsider. It is not worth it.