Our Summary

This study looked at a condition that can occur after a type of weight loss surgery, called a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. The condition, known as a ‘candy cane’, can cause symptoms such as stomach pain, vomiting, and trouble losing weight. The researchers were interested in how well different tests could diagnose this condition before surgery, and how successful surgery was at relieving the symptoms.

They studied 28 patients who had surgery to correct the ‘candy cane’. They found that the tests they used before surgery were only able to correctly diagnose the condition in between 29% and 63% of patients, depending on the type of test. Patients who had stomach pain had a larger ‘candy cane’ than those who didn’t.

After surgery, about a quarter of patients had complications. However, 73% of patients saw their symptoms improve or go away completely after the surgery, especially those who had been vomiting or regurgitating.

The researchers concluded that while surgery to correct a ‘candy cane’ can be successful, it does come with some risks. They also suggest that more than one type of test might be needed to correctly diagnose the condition.

FAQs

  1. What is the ‘candy cane’ condition associated with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass?
  2. How effective are pre-surgery tests in diagnosing the ‘candy cane’ condition?
  3. What are the risks and success rates associated with surgery to correct the ‘candy cane’ condition?

Doctor’s Tip

A helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about gastric bypass surgery is to closely follow post-operative instructions provided by their healthcare team. This may include dietary guidelines, exercise recommendations, and regular follow-up appointments to monitor progress and address any potential complications. It is important for patients to communicate openly with their healthcare providers about any concerns or changes in symptoms they may experience after surgery.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended for gastric bypass surgery include those who have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher, or a BMI of 35 or higher with obesity-related health problems such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnea. It is important for patients to have tried other weight loss methods such as diet and exercise without success before considering gastric bypass surgery. Additionally, patients must be willing to make significant lifestyle changes post-surgery in order to achieve successful weight loss and maintain their health.

Timeline

Overall, the timeline before and after gastric bypass surgery for a patient experiencing a condition like a ‘candy cane’ can be summarized as follows:

Before surgery:

  • Patient experiences symptoms such as stomach pain, vomiting, and trouble losing weight
  • Undergoes diagnostic tests to determine the cause of the symptoms, with varying levels of accuracy in diagnosing the condition
  • Those with stomach pain are found to have a larger ‘candy cane’
  • Decision is made to undergo Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery to correct the condition

After surgery:

  • About a quarter of patients experience complications following the surgery
  • However, 73% of patients see improvement or resolution of their symptoms, especially those who had been vomiting or regurgitating
  • Surgery is successful in relieving the symptoms associated with the ‘candy cane’, but comes with risks that need to be considered
  • Researchers suggest that multiple types of tests may be necessary to accurately diagnose the condition and determine the best course of treatment

What to Ask Your Doctor

Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about gastric bypass and the potential risk of developing a ‘candy cane’ condition include:

  1. What is a ‘candy cane’ condition and how common is it after gastric bypass surgery?
  2. What are the symptoms of a ‘candy cane’ and how can it be diagnosed before surgery?
  3. What tests will be conducted to assess the risk of developing a ‘candy cane’ before surgery?
  4. What are the potential complications associated with surgery to correct a ‘candy cane’?
  5. How successful is surgery in relieving the symptoms of a ‘candy cane’?
  6. Are there any alternative treatment options for a ‘candy cane’ condition?
  7. What can I do to reduce my risk of developing a ‘candy cane’ after gastric bypass surgery?
  8. How will my post-operative care be managed to minimize the risk of complications?
  9. How long is the recovery process after surgery to correct a ‘candy cane’?
  10. Are there any long-term consequences or considerations to be aware of after undergoing surgery for a ‘candy cane’?

Reference

Authors: Kamocka A, McGlone ER, Pérez-Pevida B, Moorthy K, Hakky S, Tsironis C, Chahal H, Miras AD, Tan T, Purkayastha S, Ahmed AR. Journal: Surg Endosc. 2020 May;34(5):2076-2081. doi: 10.1007/s00464-019-06988-4. Epub 2019 Aug 8. PMID: 31392513