Revision Surgery - ThinnerTimes

Shelster · 04-02-2005, 11:37 AM

Has anyone had a "revision" to a previous surgery? I'm set for April 6, second time around. My original surgery was 4/98 and my staple line came open (different surgery then than they do now). I'm trying to find out if there are any differences this time post-op.

Groovey kinda Love · 04-02-2005, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shelster

Has anyone had a "revision" to a previous surgery? I'm set for April 6, second time around. My original surgery was 4/98 and my staple line came open (different surgery then than they do now). I'm trying to find out if there are any differences this time post-op.

Hi welcome to our little side of the globe. The only thing I have heard of from my surgeon is that the wls doesn't work for some people and they will end up gaining back the weight and end up having the duodenal switch done. I originaly was going to get the duodenal switch, but my insurance company said no way jose! They said it was to new of a surgery and wouldn't cover it. I want permanent!!! the insurance company also said they realize that GB is not permanent..... so I am praying that mine takes and lasts. I do know this, my sis-in-law had hers about 4 years ago and is now putting back on the weight.

Dara · 04-02-2005, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suezq

the insurance company also said they realize that GB is not permanent..... so I am praying that mine takes and lasts. I do know this, my sis-in-law had hers about 4 years ago and is now putting back on the weight.

I'm confused. I have always been under the impression that gastric bypass is PERMANENT. My surgeon dissected my pouch from my old stomach; there is no staple line. Why would your insurance company tell you that gastric bypass is not permanent? I know that it is possible to have a gastric bypass revision, but I thought it was simply redoing the surgery again due to stretching of the pouch and/or stoma. Can anyone shed some light on this?

melanie hirschorn · 04-02-2005, 08:37 PM

if your sister in law is gaining back weight, i don't think it's because the surgery wasn't permanent. it's my understanding that the surgery our doctor is doing on us is very permanent and would be very dangerous to reverse it. perhaps she's gaining weight back after four years from eating improperly. i don't think it's because the surgery wasn't permanent unless it was a different kind of surgey. what kind of surgery did she have?
melanie

Shelster · 04-03-2005, 09:41 AM

Hi all, thanks for the posts....I think I needed to give more info though. My original GB was 4/98. At that time, they typically created a staple line to create the pouch in lieu of the more common method now of actually making a seperation of the new pouch from the stomach. My doc told me that in 1999, he stopped the staple line procedure and began making the seperation.

Unfortunately, when I started to gain back my weight, I felt GUILTY and didn't go back to see him until it was almost all back. I had originally lost 100 pounds and gained 80 back now.

He immediately ordered an upper GI where they saw almost a complete break in my staple line. This was approx. one month ago. I was so relieved that I wasn't gaining the weight back with my surgery in tact but also disspointed that I didn't brave going back to the doc sooner.

Anyway, he is fixing me up again on 4/6/05

watergirl · 04-03-2005, 06:26 PM

Good luck with everything. I'll have you in my thoughts and prayers for a quick, safe, and speedy recovery!

Groovey kinda Love · 04-03-2005, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melanie hirschorn

if your sister in law is gaining back weight, i don't think it's because the surgery wasn't permanent. it's my understanding that the surgery our doctor is doing on us is very permanent and would be very dangerous to reverse it. perhaps she's gaining weight back after four years from eating improperly. i don't think it's because the surgery wasn't permanent unless it was a different kind of surgey. what kind of surgery did she have?
melanie

I do know she doesn't eat proper.... I have seen her habits at the family get togethers. She can put away more food than me and I haven't had my surgery yet. She said her doctor told her she was doing just fine, but I don't see it.. she is always sick and I know she isn't taking her vit.

Groovey kinda Love · 04-03-2005, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melanie hirschorn

if your sister in law is gaining back weight, i don't think it's because the surgery wasn't permanent. it's my understanding that the surgery our doctor is doing on us is very permanent and would be very dangerous to reverse it. perhaps she's gaining weight back after four years from eating improperly. i don't think it's because the surgery wasn't permanent unless it was a different kind of surgey. what kind of surgery did she have?
melanie

sorry about that, she had the Gb

Christina · 04-04-2005, 08:27 AM

I think Suezq was trying to say that the results of wls for her sister were not permanent not the surgery itself. Since her sister is eating poorly, her results have been less than desired.

As far as the staple line.. yep we have them!! I have pictues.. I'd love to share with ya'll.. that is where I have my ulcer... at the staple line or anastamosis sight.. (sp?) Anyway ours is permanent.. unless there is a problem and it must be reversed.. they leave the old stomach in for a couple of reasons.. the first being so that we may use the old stomach and the enzymes to break down our food and help with the digestion process.. the second reason it stays in tact is because there are occassions and albeit very rare but sometimes something happens such as a cancer (not related to wls, or a terrible bleeding ulcer, or any other ailment.. such as if someone is shot or stabbed in that area or receives a horrible blow due to any type of accident.. it may need to be replaced with the old stomach.. it's risky and dangerous.. but only reversible in extreme cases..

That is my understanding of it anyway.. and I sat and talked to Dr. Callery about this at my pre-op for about an hour.. and that was what I got out of it. He drew pictures too if anyone wants to see those..

Groovey kinda Love · 04-04-2005, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christina

I think Suezq was trying to say that the results of wls for her sister were not permanent not the surgery itself. Since her sister is eating poorly, her results have been less than desired.

As far as the staple line.. yep we have them!! I have pictues.. I'd love to share with ya'll.. that is where I have my ulcer... at the staple line or anastamosis sight.. (sp?) Anyway ours is permanent.. unless there is a problem and it must be reversed.. they leave the old stomach in for a couple of reasons.. the first being so that we may use the old stomach and the enzymes to break down our food and help with the digestion process.. the second reason it stays in tact is because there are occassions and albeit very rare but sometimes something happens such as a cancer (not related to wls, or a terrible bleeding ulcer, or any other ailment.. such as if someone is shot or stabbed in that area or receives a horrible blow due to any type of accident.. it may need to be replaced with the old stomach.. it's risky and dangerous.. but only reversible in extreme cases..

That is my understanding of it anyway.. and I sat and talked to Dr. Callery about this at my pre-op for about an hour.. and that was what I got out of it. He drew pictures too if anyone wants to see those..

Girlfriend you are one smart cookie! thanks a million