Roux-en-Y surgery complications

I had the surgery twelve years ago at 65. It was done laparoscopically and although the first few days in the hospital were difficult recover was pretty eventless after that. Liquid diet for the first few weeks was a drag and adjusting to a new way of eating took some time. Overall it was for me a positive experience

Let me know what adjustments to your diet you had to make, and if you regained the lost weight eventually. I assume this was not for weight loss? They cannot do mine laparscopically unfortunately, incision in the abdomin. Not looking forward to that.

Hi @bborth,

Here’s some information you might wish to read, about Roux-en-Y: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/gastric-bypass-surgery/about/pac-20385189

I’m tagging @claytamos @dandl48 @zifra @judipogo @lizzsocco35 @rmw719 and I’d also encourage you to view this Connect discussion:
- Pain meds for Gastric bypass patients https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pain-meds-for-gastric-bypass-patients/

Hello, I had a roux-en-y in March of this year. It was part of other procedures that I had to have done. I had the roux-en-y due to delayed gastric emptying. I was told by my surgeon that bile reflux can be a complication of the roux-en-y procedure. The surgeon I went to has 35 years experience and only does digestive surgery. I went to 3 other surgeons before I decided to go with the surgeon I went with. As it was explained to me a roux-en-y bypasses the sphincter which in my case was preventing food from going into the intestines as it should. They said it could also make it so bile could also come back up since the sphincter isn't there to stop it. I got lucky in my case my surgery was a success. After surgery, for about 6 months, no alcohol and I had to learn what foods I can tolerate. Simple sugar upsets my system. I drink lactose free milk. I'm still healing and getting used to the way my system works. But all in all I'm so much better off. I'm a firm believer in getting other opinions. Make sure you do your research, a roux-en-y is permanent. Good luck to you. I wish you the best.

Thank you. When you say sphincter, sphincter of oddi then? This is the 3rd surgeon I have talked to in my journey. But he does seem to think that this will keep bile from getting into the stomach which is what my endoscopy and bravo tests revealed. Did you lose much weight by chance? And, were you able to gain this back at some point? Even if I am 50% better than now I will be happy.

The lower esophageal sphincter (LES). This regulates the food to leave the stomach to the intestine. I had a lot of other things wrong that caused me to have the roux-en-y. I had bad acid reflux that was causing stomach acid to go to my lungs. I had a botched nissen fundoplication surgery 2 years ago. I had another hiatal hernia (came back after repaired when I had the fundoplication), I had a very rare condition called chilaiditi syndrome. I was in the ER at least once a month for the past few years with extreme pain. My surgery was March 15th and 4 hours which resulted in me losing the bottom 80% of my stomach, had some of my intestine removed, hernia fixed, and the roux-en-y. I was 205 before surgery and I now weigh 170 lbs. I have stopped losing weight. Due to losing the majority of my stomach I have to eat small amounts throughout the day. I was told when you have just the roux-en-y you also have to do that while it heals. I no longer have reflux and my digestive system is now working as it should. I'm grateful that i found this surgeon and I am feeling better. If you feel comfortable with this surgeon and you've done your research then you should have it done. Let me know if you have any other questions and I wish you the best.

@bborth I don't want you to think no one is listening.

I had Roux En Y surgery laparoscopically in 2014 at the Mayo in Jacksonville. I had complications... nothing to do with my surgery team. Just my body 😁 Because of these complications my answer may not fit you.

I had another surgery to repair everything in May of 2015. It was a lot of repair.. open with cut from middle front to up to my shoulder in back. A cracked rib, a cut rib and lots of muscle cut... and much more. Yes, still in pain from it. . I was told I would have a gassy stomach and not to bother with over the counter meds like gas x and tums... they would not do anything to help. I was so doped up on dilaudid and phenagran that I don't remember the why of the gas. Since I have esophagus problems.. it shortened during 2014 surgery and they lengthened it in 2015... I assumed it was to do with my swallowing problem (achalasia).

I was given a booklet about the surgery afterwards in 2014. It has the do and do nots and what complications could happen down the road. I cannot find it now. I have been looking for a couple of weeks. My aging brain forgets where I put it or perhaps my husband put it somewhere.

I hope you heal well.

ZeeGee

With the gas....did you notice more cramping afterwards as compared to before?

Not severe cramping... except when I eat something I shouldn't, but more cramping. I cannot eat raw fruits ( except ripe bananas) or veggies.. all have to be cooked to almost mush and meat has to be tender. When I eat broccoli or brussel sprouts I have more cramps. Also if onion and garlic are cooked into a soup, stew or veggie it will cause me stomach cramp. High fiber also causes stomach cramps.

Even though I was on feeding tube I could eat foods. I had to do blenderized first... pretty much soupy baby food. Then progress to more solid foods.

Easing into food should help keep cramps to a minimum. Did they give you guidelines to follow? If you are experiencing a lot of pain with the cramps you need to contact your surgeon. It could be a sign of blockage.

A couple of days after I got out of the hospital the last time 2015 I had to go back in. I was dry heaving... and on the feeding tube. I disconnected and went too Mayo ER... they stabilized me and I went back to our travel trailer (I had to stay in area after surgery and we stayed in an rv park) and a few hours later I was back again and they did a ct scan and it showed some edema.. swelling at some junction (my memory failing again). 5 days of steroids and a tube in my nose and still no relief. So they dilated my esophagus.. still no help.. then another dilation and I was okay and could finally go home and be out of area.

Hopefully you do not have a complication, but check with your surgeon to make sure.

When this cramping flared up (which was then followed by a 101 fever) they did a CT scan and MRCP which did not show a blockage. I had an enema then as stool was backed up per the scan. So I was purged and had a lot flush out. The fever was their main concern, because anytime this happens post surgery they want to look at it to avoid sepsis. My cramps have lessened yesterday and today so far, and by that I mean no level 7-10 cramps. My instructions were low fiber/low fat foods, small portions eaten six times a day. I am having some anxiety now as this is almost a PTSD deal......where when a cramp starts I have to not think the worst, as in it will blow up into the major cramps I had before. This was as painful as anything I have ever experienced. My surgeon told me I would have cramps at our pre op meeting, something common for this surgery. They would dissipate over time according to him as the body gets used to the new configuration. I sure hope he is right. Fingers crossed.