[maxwags]

Hi,
I am 63 and had a gastric bypass almost 40 years ago. I am looking to find someone that had the surgery in that time frame as the surgery has changed in huge ways. I lost and kept off nearly 100 pounds and have been experiencing some medical problems. The doctors shrug their shoulders and sort of suggest it is "bypass syndrom" But no one has a real handle on what "Bypass syndrom" really is. Just wondering if anyone else has experienced these problems.
maxwags

[Christy0283]

Maxwags, welcome to the boards. I have no answers of course since my surgery was only a little over a year ago, but I was just curious as to what type of problems you're having?

[DeMarie]

Hello and welcome.
What problems actually?

[smease]

Did they really have gastric bypass back then where they take out some of the intestine or did they just have "stomach stapling"?

[Queenofthenile]

Wow! I guess the information that I read about gastric bypass being nonfunctional after 10 years was incorrect. What are your problems exactly. Unfortunately I am of no help to you. I haven't had surgery yet but I ma sure Doc will have an answer for you.

[TamTamW]

Welcome to the site. Keep us updated on your issues,

[judijo]

You are a pioneer!

My HS best friend had a "stomach stapling" 23 years ago, but without appropriate dietary guidelines, it did not "take".

I look forward to hearing other's comments.

[DocSanae]

Welcome to the board, thank you for joining us.
Congratulations on the weight loss, and maintaining.

I'm afraid we don't have anyone as far out as your are.
CraigT who hosts this site had his surgery in 1997, and he's the the farthest out here, as far as I know. Back then, the number of surgery per year was something like below 13,000. So, the number of people who've had surgery as far out as you have, probably are in the thousands at most, maybe even in the hundreds, which means it's going to take some doing finding someone who had surgery around the time you had.
Come to think of it, though, a couple of our members have mentioned their parents having had weight loss surgery, one, about 30 years ago, but neither has been able to keep the weight loss, due to lack of support and the knowledge of what it takes to stay successful.

What exact medical issues are you having?
Check out the article linked in the following thread. Maybe some of the answers you are looking for, are in there.
http://www.renewedreflections.com/fo...-concerns.html
How are you doing on the vitamins and supplements area, are all your blood panels good? Your blood counts, vitamin levels, liver function, kidney function, blood sugar levels, etc etc? If you have deficiencies due to lack of intake or of absorbtion, they will cause issues, too.

Also, have you talked with present day bariatric surgeons? They may have some answers for you that regular drs have no clue to.

((((HUGS)))) May your journey go well.

[qt82699]

just wanted to welcome you!!

[maxwags]

It's me again. Maxwags.
In the early 70's the only bypass surgery was a complete bypass of 80% of the intestine. A very risky and major, major surgery. (Not to belittle the current surgeries at all). Mine was done in Long Beach, Ca. I have never had any trouble except the "normal loose bowel" At that time they did regular checks on the liver to make sure the liver could handle the amount of fat one was loosing. I made it through all that and have maintained most of my weight loss with minor some swings up and down.
About 10 years ago I began to have general body aches and pains. Like the worst flu you ever. Along with the general flu symptoms, sometimes there is a joint involved. Toe, finger, wrist, whatever but it may be red and swollen. Then there is the red "spots" on arms, legs and trunk. They look like hives but sometimes they form a very small blister like head. At one time the "spots" as I call the whole problem was coming almost every day and a doctor gave me prednisone which will stop it immediately. But one can't live on steroids constantly. In the end doctors just throw up their hands. One suggested it was "bypass syndrom". I looked that up and found nothing. He suggested I have the bypass reversed. BUT could not say if the symptons will go away!!!!! This problem can have life changing effects as the flu like symptons can put me in bed.

For all you out there who are thinking about this surgery, PLEASE BE ASSURED THIS IS NOT THE SAME SURGERY AS YOU ARE CONTEMPLATING!!!! Listen to your doctor and family, friends and your heart and do what is right for you.

I was just trying to get to the bottom of my problems and the only unanswered question for me was if any one else had the SAME surgery and were experiencing the SAME problems.

Thanks for listening and your support!!
Yes, I have been checked for Lupus etc., etc..
Maxwags