I'm having a gastric bypass when I weigh 9 stone

[HenleyHenleyHenley]

Hi all,

first time posting my own thread so apologies if this is wrong.

just looking for some advice really and some reassurance to anybody who's had a gastric bypass. Yes, im 9 stone, 5'5 and already slim.
I have a very complex medical history including an incurable cancer which is currently stable and lots more. Due to the cancer and chemo and many many surgeries I have had, I found out today that when I eat to about 40% of my stomachs capacity, the other 60% of my stomach flips / folds down. I'm under my oncology team who include gastro surgeons and had a Bavarium swallow today to find out why I'm being sick every single day after every meal. I have something called a gastric volvulus. Normally it's urgent or an emergency but my stomach flips back again after I've been sick or after my stomach has emptied into my intestines / bowel.

im on the list for surgery and the treatment is cutting away the bit of stomach that flaps. Roughly 60% of it. Essentially a gastric bypass.

has anyone here had a bypass? I am worried about losing more weight when I'm slim already.

AIBU to think, as much as this needs sorting, that a gastric bypass on a 9 stone slim woman is insanity?! I trust the consultants and realise this is the only way to fix it, but I am really worried. Its a small surgery compared to the huge surgeries I've had but I'm terrified!

if anyone has any experience or clarity on what the recovery is like, please please please could you reply, I'm so nervous.

thank you

Edit: shoulda read OP’s posts before posting!

I had a bypass almost 2 years ago. I’ve halved my body weight, almost 24st to 12 ish. You need to talk to your surgeon re how to not lose too much weight.
You may lose your hair, a known side effect although this hasn’t affected me. You can eat protein filled foods, I suggest you speak to your cancer team/surgeon re the protein drinks. Aldi/Lidl etc are great for protein products in liquid/semi liquid form (drinks/yoghurts/pudding consistency desserts) plus pancakes/special meals. Trouble is, you’re very unlikely to be able to eat much for the first 6 months as the pouch remaining is small and you physically can’t eat lots. I was advised to aim for 6x 250ml ramekins per day which was impossible. The ultimate focus is protein, 60-80g a day, plus 2 litres of fluid-no sugar or no added sugar squash is my go to.

You may be told to consume only liquids for the first fortnight to allow the new pouch to settle, or purée only, depends on your surgeon. Fortunately, it isn’t a stay in bed surgery (don’t think any are these days) and you should be given blood thinning injections to self administer for the first fortnight (if not, demand them if you don’t have clotting disorders). You will probably be asked to take vitamins/calcium/iron, which is normally a double dose. As it’s abdominal surgery, you shouldn’t drive until you can do an emergency stop and you ought not to lift anything heavier than a kettle for about 4 weeks.

Most patients only stay one night in the UK (different abroad) as long as they’re feeling ok and can get to the bathroom etc.

I think with a sleeve, it’s easier (from everyone I’ve spoken to who’s had one) to eat more and in fact, some have had a revision to bypass because it’s harder to overeat) so with luck, you won’t ultimately lose too much, although everyone does at the start. You’re going to need to choose very high protein/calorie/nutritionally sound stuff. Good luck!

OP, get yourself to a private nutritionist. The NHS will not help at all

My husband had stomach surgery about 2 months ago to remove a tumor on the outside wall of his stomach which involved removing some of the stomach wall.at the same time. He was in a liquid diet for about 2 days post surgery and then a restricted diet for about another 5. The doctor advised he eat food that could be mashed with a fork for about 10 days total post surgery just to give his stomach a chance to recover. At this point, he's back to about 2/3rds of his normal food intake in terms of portion size. He's eating everything but just in smaller amounts! We did get him some high protein drinks to get through the liquid diet piece and then focused on high protein food during the "fork mashed" stage to ensure he was getting what he needed. One thing his surgeon did mention was that the stomach eventually stretches back to a normal size, so ultimately he's expecting it to be as it was before.

I know someone not much bigger than you who had one because she binge ate. I don’t know how a doctor agreed to it and she’s a tiny size 4-6 now. So I suspect you’ll have to work hard to keep your calorie intake up.

What you’re having sounds more like a sleeve than a bypass.

for what it’s worth, I had a sleeve and they cut away 85% of my stomach. For weightloss purposes.

i imagine like anyone having this kind of surgery, when you start eating solids again, you’ll need to prioritise eating high protein foods above carbs and empty calories to make sure you’re getting all the nutrients your body needs. Also take vitamins and have bloods taken every 3 months to check your levels.

wishing you all the very best of luck with your surgery and long term health x

It sounds like you're having a rough time so my sympathies. I'd say go with your medical team's advice. They seem to have good reasons for what they're suggesting.

This is a regular pressure for people in your situation and has been performed for decades before bypassing surgery was used as a weight loss option! Unfortunately it’s now associated with weight loss surgery. If your team are suggesting it, there’s no need to worry.

No, OP will be having a gastrojujenostomy. This treatment has been around for far longer than using bypass surgery for weight loss. It’s a common procedure in cancer treatments. She will be getting support from dieticians as well as her medical team.

@HenleyHenleyHenley I had about 25%of my stomach removed ( and nearly all of my oesphageous )because of cancer at the junction of stomach and esophagus .
I've no idea how similar or not this will be to your operation .But ..

Before the op I had fortified drinks ( even more forified than the normal ones ) and after the op I was fed via a jejunostomy tube that bypasses the stomach and goes straight into the small intestine.The tube was put in place during the op and can be attached to another tube with a bag of liquid feed that has a small pump to deliver it to the stomach .

I came home with the j tube and pump and used it overnight .You can use it during the day as well if preferred or necessary .
I used it a night because you can run it at v slow speed over a longer period .

I saw a dietician throughout .

Different parts of your stomach digest different minerals and vitamins (or are involved in absorbing them ,I'm a bit hazy on all that now ) so you may need to be monitored for deficiencies (eg B12 ) thereafter and take supplements .

There are a number of different feeds according to your needs ,some with more fibre for example .

Many of us with partial stomachs suffer from early and or late dumping .
https://gutscharity.org.uk/advice-and-information/conditions/dumping-syndrome/

I also have false hypoglycemia .

This sounds awful ,but it isn't and I live a normal life .It did take a few years to get used to my new digestive system and to recognise the onset of above side effects .

It's all very well known ,researched and documented .Your surgeon and other health professionals involved in your care should be well aware .

I had a bypass (for weightloss reasons) and what I'd say is, after the initial phase of losing weight (about 4 months) I had to actively diet, hard, to continue to lose. So if in your post op phase, you drink high cal meal replacements and avoid as much loss as possible, after a while the effects will wear off.

I would call that a partial gastrectomy rather than a bypass. But anyway it's big surgery obviously, I hope it all goes smoothly and solves your problem.

What I read about surgical treatment for gastric volvulus doesn't sound like gastric bypass. It sounds quite different.

For instance, stomach capacity reduction for GV gets the stomach capacity back to 'normal'; not reduces the capacity by 80% from a 'normal' start place which happens in GB.

I hope your surgery is a big success. x

If it’s medically advised then I would do it. You are only eating to 40% capacity now anyway. I dm sure they will then advise if z correct diet to ensure you get everything you need and not lose weight

I am sure this has been carefully considered and is the best option given your complex history. But if you have doubts you can ask to get a second opinion from a different consultant.

Also you can (and should) ask your consultant what other options have been considered and why they won’t work or have greater risks. Ask all the questions you can.

Do you have any support for yourself and little girl?

I’m sorry you’re going through this.

It sounds as though this is the best thing for your health.

Your stomach isn’t working properly and so you’ll be no worse off.

My grandma drank high calorie shakes and had things like cream in her coffee and high calorie foods like avacado as well as multivitamins.

Once your surgery has healed then it’s possible for your stomach to stretch if you do it sensibly (for most of us this is a bad thing but for you over time it will probably be a good thing).