Jejunoileal (intestinal) bypass surgery

[libby08]

If Patty1955 is still around, I had the surgery in 1978.  I am not sure what is going on with me right now except I know that I don't feel well.


This discussion is related to Jejunoileal (intestinal) bypass surgery.

[charzie]

Hi, I am a 59 year old woman that had the Jejunoileal Bypass surgery in approximately 1977 - 78.  I have been diagnosed with gall stones.  I went to see a surgeon today.  She would not even talk to me about surgery Until I spoke with a baritric (sp) specialist.  This needless to say, left me in a state of  total confusion.  I might add that my Gastrointrologist did a liver biopsy on me about 3 years ago and all looked good.  Just wondering if there are anymore long term Jejunoileal Bypass surgery persons still out there that have not had them reversed?

[Leggyj]

Hello I am a 56 year old.I had my surgery when I was 16 years old. It was all very confusing to me as they didn't really counsel me on much. I weighed 450 lbs. at the time!! Its was horrible for the 1st few years! I had gallbladder surgery in the first year after. I had a hysterectomy by the age of 23, due to issues caused by weight lose. I had many issues with food and what to eat and not to eat. I had a eating disorder caused by being overweight all my young life that I ate to feel better. That was something that caused me great issues!! As I got older I worked on my emotional eating! There are many thing I can't eat or I get sick, gas , looser stools. I have been a dialysis tech for 29 years this dec. I have feet issues caused from no fat on my feet.! I have been reading about everyone's problems and I am so sorry for all you are going through! I had a surgeon say he could goon and change the absorption better. The only issues I have at this time is my vitamin d3 and I have hypothyroidism. Also finding dr. That know about my issues that is always a struggle! I am active happy and my health is very good. If anyone would like to talk I would love to. It would be nice to talk to others!

[MS1000001]

I am 72 yrs old, had the Jejuno Ileal Intestinal By Pass surgery in 1972, never had it reversed. .  Did have to have gall bladder removed but that is common with any type of weight loss.

Surgery done in So. Calif. by Dr. J. Howard Payne.  have some stiff
joints that is also common with a 72 yr. old.

[sslaten]

My husband had Jejuno Ileal Intestinal By Pass survey in 1976.  Is now experiencing diarrhea, extreme weight loss and weakness.  Never had problems beofre

[andrea0108]

I am a 39 year old female who had the jejuno ileal bypass surgery when I was 15 years old. In terms of weight I am 5'11 and weigh 165#. I have had minor complications like kidney stone, vit defeciences, rectal fissures and fistula that required surgery, but the worst things were psychological issues related to wight loss and the unpleasentness of some of the effects. I am doing well now, but it has been a long road. There was no psychological support after the surgery, but a psychological exam prior to the surgery. It is frustrating because I don't know anyone who had this surgery since they don't do it anymore. I am still glad I had it because I woudn't be here today.

[MS1000001]

SINCE MY LAST POSTING ON JULY 6, 2008 I HAVE FOUND OUT
THAT I HAVE SOME KIDNEY FAILURE.   MY NEPHOLOGIST
SAID I WOULD NEVER NEED DIALYSIS BUT DUE TO THE
DECREASE IN KIDNEY UTILIZATION I AM ANEMIC AND REQUIRE
SHOTS TO BUILD ME UP.   SO AM NOW UNDERGOING THE
SHOTS AND HOPE TO SEE IMPROVEMENT NOT IN KIDNEY
FAILURE BUT IN MY ANEMIA

MS1000001

[fstephenson]

I just found this forum and thought I would join and post.

I will be 51 two days after christmas '08.  I had my intestinal bypass surgery June 1978 in Warwick, RI by Dr. Danial Reardon.  I was 321 lbs the day of surgery and 9 months later I was 164 lbs.  I gained back to 187 and stayed at that weight for about 20 years.  I had been pretty acive up to about 5, 6 years ago when things just started catching up.  I had several other surgeries during that time.  Mostly stuff like knee problems, 5 seperate knee surgeries, gall bladder removal, 2 back surgeries and cataracts when I was just 40.

I have just been declared disabled my my physician.  I am taking quite a bit of pain medication which causes constipation which in a bypass patient is actually a good thing...lol instead of going 5 or 6 times a day I go once a day sometimes once every other day.  Currently I am having problems with osteoporosis and spontaneously fracturing ribs ( 3 times this year alone.)  I also have chronic bronchitis, as like everybody else malabsorption issues with vitamins and minerals.  I am chronically fatigued.

Has anybody else had problems with adhesion?  The last abdominal surgery I had (gall bladder 08/28/01) the surgeon had to open me up instead of laprascopic because of adhesion's.  I have adhesion's so bad that my stomach hurts all the time.  

Well there's a quick less than through self description...LOL...  Glad to see others.

Bye

[trukind01]

Are adhesions scar tissue?

[MS1000001]

Sorry to hear of all your related surgery problems.   Anytime one losses a lot of
weight the gall bladder becomes a problem.   Know of people that lost weight just
through diet and they also had to have gall bladder removed.    When I had my
gall bladder removed in the 70's a few years after the surgery none of the new
procedures were used so had to have old fashion surgery with large/long scar.
do not know doctors's you mentioned but I live in California and Dr. J. Howard Payne
was my surgeon with follow up doctoring with Dr. DeWind.  
I think the doctors should have put us on a program to replace all the vitamains &
minerals being lost by the diarrhea.  My dentist that I had for years prior to the surgery
and for a long time after told me that he could see the effect of the surgery in my
teeth, more decay not as strong.   This would also, I assume, apply to bone density.
Because of the diarrhea I have to drink a lot of water to avoid leg cramps at night.  Does
anyone else have a problem in that area?

MS1000001


  

[Pippin123]

Hello I had the JI in 1977 and now find I get a lot of bypass enteritis -I'm on codeine phosphate and questran thrice daily and metronidazole for the first five days of every month - but am not winning - does any one else have this problem

[MS1000001]

DON'T HAVE WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH.   HAVE HAD
DIFFERENT THINGS IN MY LIFE TIME BUT THEY ON THE MOST
PART ARE HEREDITARY (CATARACTS) RUN IN MY FAMILY.
NOW MY MOST TRYING PROBLEM IN THE ANEMIA BY THE
LOW KIDNEY FUNCTION.  HOPE THE DR. WILL GET IT UNDER
CONTROL AS I DO FEEL WEAKER AND MORE TIRED THAN
USUAL, MAYBE THAT IS WHAT A 72 YR. OLD IS SUPPOSE TO FEEL..
I HOPE YOU CONDITION IMPROVES.

MS1000001

[RuthG53]

I am 55, and have just found this site!  I'm excited to find all of you!  I had ilieo-cecal bypass 1-15-76.  I went from 385lbs to 165lbs in 18 mos.  I have not been reversed, and have been told by young Dr.s that there was no such surgery.  I had a hysterectomy due to lose of connective tissue causing a uterine prolapse.(1981) and a year later I had a rectal prolapse.  I still have "dumping syndrome".  I also have lesions on my pancreas,leftg kidney, and my liver, along with vitamin deficencies(A, B,D, K).
Because of the reconstruction proceedure used on the rectal prolapse, my current specialist does not want to do a takedown of the bypass.  He believes I could suffer worse complications.  I also suffer from the distended abdomen, and chronic fatigue.  I have had a difficult time finding a Dr. that knows anything about these types of surgeries as most of the young ones were not trained about them, and my dr.s that did the surgeries are no longer in practice, or dead. I have found out alot by searching Intestinal or jejunoileal bypass syndrome.
AS A SIDE NOTE:  Did you know that many hospitals and clinics do not keep your medical records over 10 years.  Make sure you get copies of ALL your records. especially if you have had multiple surgeries.  I just completed some excruciating tests in order to re-establish my medical history after all these years, as I, and my primary care provider, lost my old records when our community flooded  2 years ago.
,

[canadiantrish]

I had jejunoileal bypass surgery in 1990.  I now have diabetes, cataracts for the last 10 years and non-alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver. I am 57 years old.  My quality of life never reached what was promised by the doctors since I was usually battling some complication from the original surgery.  I'm not sure that reversal at this time in my life is an option or if there would be enough benefit to compensate for the risks of major surgery. I have picked up some good advice from this column and welcome any further advice from anyone who wants to share.

[renie5428]

My husband had JIB in 1979.He lost 150 lbs in 1 year and experienced psychological side effects along with kidney stones, reactive arthritis due to bacteria growth in the blind loop,malnutrition due to malabsorption, inability to absorb vitamins or nutrients or antibiotics when needed to treat infection, hard to manage diarrhea due to "dumping syndrome". He was advised to look into reversal by rheumatologist in 2007. Hoping that a reversal would give him a better quality of life, my husband underwent surgery to reverse the JIB. Unfortunately, the poor condition of the bypassed intestine, his state of malnutrition, ensuing infections with a prolonged stay in ICU on a ventilator were more than his body could handle and we lost him 3 months later after a good fight. I still say, WHAT IF a reversal was done many years before, before the severe damage to his body, he may still be here enjoying his grandchildren. This surgery was banned due to its mortality rate and significant side effects, yet the "victims" of JIB were not counseled to undergo reversal--in my husband's case, it was too late. I am deeply disappointed in the medical community.

[vdockery]

Hello I also had the JIB in 1978. Did very well up until the last 2 years. I lost a lot of weight and kept it off until the last 2 years I have gained aprox 80lbs and suffer from alot of constapation and acid reflux. I have a lot of joint pain and body aches. I never had this surgery revrsed and would be afraid to.

[ncullen]

My name is Nicholas and my mother is being treated in hospital now for dehydration and a bacterial infection in her intestines.

She had the JIB procedure done when she was 23 in 1975 for weight control. Since then, she has developed severe arthritis, recurring oxelate kidney stones, mineral deficincies, fatigue and chronic loose bowel movements. It has been getting progressively worse to the point where she has trouble eating by getting full very quickly and experiences severe gas and bloating 24/7. I finally think enough is enough and have begun the search for a JIB reversal. I found a doctor at Beth Israel in NY, Dr. Elliot Goodman who is a bariatric surgeon who is capable of performing the surgery and who is encouraging it. My mother does not have medical insurance and the procedure would

cost between 20-25,000. Any help out there or other ideas ?

Hope this helps.



Nick Cullen

[twiggy74]

I had the intesional bypass surgery when I was 11 now I am 49 and have alot of problems..I weiged 240 and had the surgery in 1978...I suffer from Bipolar disorder and severe depression, also vitiam definecy, constapation, Since I had the surgery I have bladder problems...I went from 240 to 125 and had a terrible time cause I looked sick in which I was. I have seen a psychiarst all my life since the surery...I  did not gain weight  till I was put on Seraqel I went from 125 to 190...Since I quit taking seraqel I have been losing weight I now weigh 168...I know how everyone feels who had this surgery Even though I have alot of problems now but if I did not have it I was heading for a stroke...I have Bells Palsey since that surgery...John Hemmer done my surgery here in KY he has passed since then....God Bless everyone....and have a Merry Christmas....
.......Tracy

[twiggy74]

I had the intesional bypass surgery when I was 11 now I am 49 and have alot of problems..I weiged 240 and had the surgery in 1978...I suffer from Bipolar disorder and severe depression, also vitiam definecy, constapation, Since I had the surgery I have bladder problems...I went from 240 to 125 and had a terrible time cause I looked sick in which I was. I have seen a psychiarst all my life since the surery...I  did not gain weight  till I was put on Seraqel I went from 125 to 190...Since I quit taking seraqel I have been losing weight I now weigh 168...I know how everyone feels who had this surgery Even though I have alot of problems now but if I did not have it I was heading for a stroke...I have Bells Palsey since that surgery...John Hemmer done my surgery here in KY he has passed since then....God Bless everyone....and have a Merry Christmas....
.......Tracy

[bluebird000]

Yes. I am out here and really glad to connect with others who have had that particular surgery.I was 25 yrs old when i had the surgery in 1975 Portland Oregon. All went well for years and lost 110 lbs, Danced it off. Worked and starved myself.  I have gained back about 60 lbs and have held that weight for 30 yr's. but Slowly became weaker, loss of energy etc. The malnutrition has taken its tole.  I no have nutritional IVs twice a month , b12 shots daily, thyroid problems, etc. The IV is a life saver.  I go to a natural path Dr (ND)
Having some counseling to help me handle the down times.  Some depression. I am scared and feel so alone with all this that is going on . Thinking of reconnecting but probably won't. I wish you all the best in your struggles to live  and enjoy life . It is very hard sometimes. I try to notice the MOMENTS of happiness in a day- a bird, my grandchild's laugh, color, the sky etc.

[bluebird000]

I so agree . I wish the medical profession would have told m e to stay connected with them.  I had to stay around for 6 months and then I was on my own.  " I have recently tried to connect with the hospital where it was done bu no one calls back.  A scary feeling to say the least.

[Wakkam]

I had JIB in 1986, even though the medical community were not recommending the procedure as early as 1977 - due to complications.  I have suffered from bacterial overgrowth since approx 2003.  Prednisone and Cypro (steroids and antibiotics x 3 annually) resolve issue until next episode.  Now I have an extended abdomen, short-gut syndrome and dumping, fecal incontinence, malabsorption (sometimes pills end up in toilet looking the same as when they went in), chronic dehydration.  I was diagnosed with Stage 3 kidney failure which was confirmed by ultrasound and blood test over time.  Although CKD (chronic kidney disease) is a long term complication of JIB, it seems that mine may have been acutely related to dehydration and the pain medication I was on.  I am no longer considered to have it - for now.  Non-alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver is also a long term complication.  Last three ultra sounds - ordered by GP - confirm enlarged liver.  Referred to several specialists but none will take on patients with a history of bariatric surgery.  They say that every bariatric surgery patient will have this and there's nothing you can do other than diagnose-no treatment.  Which is not helpful if the cause of the enlarged liver is caused by something else such as cancer.  How would one ever be accepted as a patient by a liver specialist?  You give this right up because you had an earlier surgery?  Here are some of my thoughts.  I was told the life expectancy of JIB patients is 55.  I'm about to turn 54 and my life has gone downhill so drastically over past two years.  55 - possible?  Anytime you take a supplement, try to take the citrate version (magnesium citrate, calcium citrate, etc).  They absorb much quicker.  Even though you suffer from "dumping" keep eating the veggies.  I used to eat like someone who has chrones or colitis.  I was never given any information about how to adjust eating habits after JIB but very shortly after my surgery I met someone who had hers before me.  She was anorexic-looking and had mono.  I made a decision at that time to eat to ensure I get nutrients in.  Dump and eat, dump and eat.  Lots of veggies and lots of supplements.  Unfortunately the bloating and gas and smelly 'poops' are part of it but I'd rather be healthier and fat than what this other lady was.  Another odd final comment.  For the past year I have had a problem breathing.  The distended tummy pushes on the lungs.  If you think you have asthma discuss this organ-crowding issue with your doctor as a possibility.  I would have had mine reversed but I had an incisional hernia repair where they inserted a mesh webbing.  The reversal would not be laparoscopic.  It would be the full open version and because of this damn mesh the risks are too high.  Even though I consulted with the hernia surgeon about an upcoming reversal, he assured me there would be no complications.   One thing that's come out of this is an inherent distrust of the med profession!

[waitn4end]

I am one. 63 years old now. I got the jib when I  was 17. I had repair surgeries but never a reversal. At this time I have the typical symptoms of diarrhea, bad skin, arthritis,  failing kidneys, and what the doctors calls strange liver tests.

I got mine in Nampa, Idaho. It has been a rough life.  I take a lot of suppliments like vit c..D3...B 12...tumeric ,  lots of water.

I  weigh 235.  Lots of superfluous skin.  

[waitn4end]

Hi. I am teresa, and I  had the jib when I  was 17.  I am 63 now.  I also got no follow up. Mine was done in Nampa Idaho.

I saw your last sentance. ..I suppose I  am glad I got it too...even though my life has been hard dealing with the symptoms and never feeling normal.  I weigh 235 now, but trying to lose still.  I did not get reversal. My bypassed small intestine has all been removed over the years as it went bad.

never thought I  would see anyone else who had it so young...they would never do that in this day and age. No council or anything. My parents just told me that they had a great idea!  

[waitn4end]

I know your post is from 2008...but i thought I  would answer  it anyway.  

I have the leg cramps all the time at night. It is a pain and bother. It is hard getting sleep anyway.  I take that packet of Energize. ..it is a vit C but has fast absorbing potassium that helps right away.  I keep it and water at my bedside.

I take a lot of vitamins like C...D3...B...B12 and try to eat right.

[Shortdee4]

I had intestinal bypass in 1973 and never had it reversed. I am now 61/62 yrs old. About twenty five years ago I was experinecing fevor and chills as well as arthritis syptoms. I was dianosed with Intenstinal bypass sydrome (BADA). I have taken a antibiotic (metronidazole) everyday since and feeling great.  About 3 years ago I did have to have my gallbladder taken out. The doctor would only do open surgery so healing took a little longer but no problems since. Occassionally (rarely) my back will flare up with arthritis pain, during those times I increase my anitbiotic to twice a day for about a week then go back to once a day.
Hope this helps anyone out there that can't figure out what is happening to their body.  Good luck and stay thin - well a little thin- I am not skinny but not way overweight either.

[Shortdee4]

Shortdee here agin. I don't want tio sound like there have never been trouble- but want to give a little hope and encouragent to others out there experocning trouble. I was very fornuatet to have found a doctor that was willing to reserach this surgery and find a plan for me. It toll many years and many doctors to find one thhough. If you are doing the reserch for yourself I hope my treatment plan helps. Stay healthy!