Gastric Bypass and PBC

[Nyiah]

So has anyone else had gastric bypass? I have PBC and I'm worried if it will affect it negatively or positively. Also does PBC affect the thyroid?

[cfsummerford72]

I had gastric bypass Rouen Y. Shortly after I had gallbladder then appendix removed. During that time of back and forth to ER is when I was told I has hepatitis. Later this was diagnosed as PBC from a liver specialist. I often think that the gastric bypass triggered the PBC.

[butterflyEi]

there seems to be some general chatter around gut health and auto immune diseases which would indicate a negative on the PBC front but as you already have PBC and if you are unable to lose weight by alternative means then the negative may outweigh the positive. For a gastric bypass you must be severely overweight which could indicate extra pressure on your liver by way of fatty liver disease and pressure on your heart. The diet a person has after the gastric band is in my opinion quite radical - have you fully researched your alternatives?

[MarilynCr]

I had gastric bypass prior to PBC diagnosis...by roughly 9 years. I lost weight and felt great then had a bowel obstruction which I believe somewhat reversed my bypass. I’m not sure how but I know I gained some weight, not a lot, but too much for my small frame, then I was diagnosed with RA and shortly after PBC and I believe the meds also triggered weight gain. I gained roughly 20-25 pounds devastating me. I was a size 6, now I’m a 10. I am trying keto dieting now to try and get to at least a size 8. At 4’10” every ounce shows and I’m uncomfortable in my clothes which is why I went to a size 10. If I can get down and maintain a 120 pounds I know I’d be more comfortable and happy. I sometimes wonder if it were known I had PBC I’d qualify for the surgery all my pre-existing conditions, high by, pre diabetes, etc disappeared when I lost my 130 pounds from the bypass. I’d have whatever was fixed that got reversed by the obstruction in a heartbeat if I could. I felt much stronger and better after losing the original weight, now I feel embarrassed and sad most of the time. I have fibromyalgia diagnosis now too. Plus I broke my ankle that never healed properly so walking and exercising is almost impossible. I used to do water exercises but I found the cooler pool water hurt a lot. And I couldn’t find a warmer pool in my area to go to. So I am glad I did my bypass, I would love to get repaired whatever was reversed with my obstruction surgery but I know that’s not in the cards. I believe, if you’re in the US follow up care after bypass is much better and known than in Canada. My doctors had no clue how to do the aftercare and I’m sure different vitamin levels were not monitored properly. I also had a blood clot in my leg that forced me to take nsaids medications that gave me an ulcer. You cannot take nsaids after a gastric bypass they are very harmful and I felt no one would listen to me in that regard because of the blood clot. I do not take any form of maid medication now, but I do take a lot of different meds. Also, after RA diagnosis I was put on prednisone which started the weight gain. I’m constantly trying to lose weight now as I am not comfortable in my own skin. But again, I have kept over 100 pounds off since the bypass. My fear is if I’m not careful I will gain that back too. So I’m very conscientious about trying to follow keto as it seems to be the only thing that will help me lose or maintain my weight.

Hope this helps you...

[Cooper6]

I was told I was pre-clinical PBC- had antibodies and elevated alk phos and cholesterol levels. Biopsy said fatty liver, Gastro recommended Rouen Y gastric bypass, which I did. I have had a good experience with the gastric bypass, lost the weight, kept it off, all phos has been lower pretty consistently since the surgery. I need to caveat this with I had a terrible pancreatitis attack a couple years ago and could not eat anything for 4 weeks. Dropped to 107lbs. That was not the first episode of pancreatitis for me though, had it when I was 15 but not as bad as this recent run in.

[LastMinuteLynn]

My oncologist thought gastric bypass would be good for me. I mentioned it to my gastro. She made a face and shook her head, “no”. I did not ask why she had that reaction as I really didn’t think it would be best for me at age 70 and with having progressed to cirrhosis.

[KimRenee]

I just had a gastric sleeve surgery almost 4 weeks ago. I would recommend it in a heartbeat. However, I think that anyone considering bariatric surgery you should do what I did and do your home work, get a recommendation from a hepatologist that specializes in autoimmune diseases to a reputable bariatric specialty. I took almost a year to decide. The deal breaker for me was I could get healthy so that if ever I get a transplant I would be prepared. My hep and surgeon highly recommend the sleeve as it’s proven very safe for liver patients. Even with cirrhosis like me. They remove approximately 85% of the stomach and leave a little pouch. By removing the portion over your liver would make it easier if a transplant is in my future. Plus I weighed other everything and decided it was the safest for my condition. I plan to lose 100 pounds. I’ve already lost 23 pounds! Plus I feel so much better and off my insulins. Sorry to go on, just really hope this helps out.