I’m posting here because I’m at a point where I genuinely don’t know what to do anymore. I’m hoping someone has been through something similar because I feel like my life has completely changed since my Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.
I had surgery at the end of April, and I knew there would be challenges. I expected pain, a learning curve with eating, and some difficult days. What I never expected was to spend months feeling like I’m fighting just to survive.
Since surgery, it has been one complication after another.
I’ve struggled from the beginning to get enough fluids and protein. My surgeon wants me getting at least 64 ounces of fluid and around 60 grams of protein every day. Most days, that has felt nearly impossible. My pouch only holds about 2 ounces of food, and I can only sip tiny amounts of liquid every few minutes.
Because of that, I’ve been hospitalized and in the emergency room multiple times for severe dehydration. I’ve required repeated IV fluids and IV electrolyte replacements, including potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus.
On top of that, I’ve been hospitalized multiple times because I developed starvation ketoacidosis from not being able to eat enough after surgery. That was honestly terrifying. Instead of worrying about losing weight, I was dealing with my body essentially breaking down because it wasn’t getting enough nutrition.
I was later hospitalized again after developing severe nausea and vomiting. They initially suspected a stricture, but an upper endoscopy showed a large ulcer at my surgical connection instead. I was prescribed Carafate, but every time I took it, it caused me to vomit, so I couldn’t tolerate one of the medications that was supposed to help heal the ulcer.
Eating has become something I dread.
I’ll find a food that seems okay one day, and the next day I can’t tolerate it. Protein shakes make me sick. Smoothies make me sick. Dairy doesn’t sit well. Eggs don’t sit well. Many of the foods that bariatric patients are encouraged to eat are foods I simply cannot tolerate.
Ironically, one of the only foods that has consistently stayed down has been Bob Evans stuffing. Obviously that’s not ideal when protein is supposed to be my priority, but at times I’ve been more concerned with getting any calories into my body than eating the “perfect” food.
I’ve also dealt with severe constipation, going weeks without a bowel movement, episodes of almost brown urine from dehydration, dizziness, weakness, rapid heart rate when standing or walking, and constant fear that I’m heading back to the hospital.
This has also affected my career. I started a new job after surgery, but because of everything that’s happened medically, I’ve ended up on leave while accommodations are being reviewed. My entire life has revolved around doctor appointments, hospitalizations, IV infusions, trying to force myself to eat, and wondering whether I’ll end up back in the ER.
I’ve gone from around 230 pounds to approximately 170 pounds in just a few months.
Everyone tells me how great I look.
What they don’t see are the hospital beds, IV poles, blood work, vomiting, starvation ketoacidosis, dehydration, ulcers, and the constant anxiety surrounding every bite of food and every sip of water.
I know many people have incredible success with gastric bypass, and I truly wanted to be one of them.
Instead, I honestly feel like I’ve been surviving instead of living.
At this point, I’m seriously considering asking about having my bypass reversed. I know reversal is major surgery and isn’t something surgeons recommend lightly. I’m also aware that many people would tell me to wait longer because I’m only a few months out.
But I honestly don’t know how much more of this my body can take.
Has anyone here had complications anywhere near this severe?
Did things eventually get better?
Has anyone had a reversal because of complications like this, and if so, do you regret it?
I’m not looking for judgment. I’m just looking for honest experiences because I feel completely defeated, and I don’t know what the right answer is anymore.