Question:
Is it possible to be a post op RNY and be revised to a DS?
Is it possible to be a post op RNY (11/02) and be revised to a DS? My home health nurse had the DS and suggested this to me and to see her surgeon. I did not think this was possible for someone who already has had the RNY. Don't you need your pyloric valve in place for the DS? I only lost about 70 # with the RNY and now my stoma is stretched so I was told to "diet and exercise". I still need to lose about 70 - 80 # at least. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks, Kelly — Kelly B. (posted on November 20, 2003)
November 19, 2003
Kelly, I'm not sure about being revised to a DS since our stomach is
transected differently and they bypass the pyloric valve in the RNY and not
in the DS. However, it is my understanding that we can be made very distal
which offers about the same benefits of the DS, only we would still dump as
before. I would check the surgeon board and find out who in your area does
the DS, make the call to their office and ask if he does revisions to that
procedure. From what I've heard, revisions are HIGHLY risky for any weight
loss surgical procedure. Michell Curran (vitalady) may be more knowledgable
about this as she's had revisions as well. God bless you.
— Happy I.
November 19, 2003
My surgeon was considering doing this when we came across my stoma problem.
When an RNY is 'made' into a DS... the difference is they do NOT touch
your stoma; so you will NOT be a 'ds' in that regards. The surgeon would
do the lower plumming the same as the DS. So basically, the eating issue
would not change... just the 'malabsorption' parts..
— star .
November 20, 2003
Hey Kelly - yes! It's totally possible. BUT you need to recognize that
there are only a few surgeons worldwide who are skilled at doing so.
There, of course, is a necessary higher skill level required to do this
VERY complicated procedure. BUT - there are lots who have had it done -
and are doing fantastically well!
First of all, let me direct you over to the Yahoo group that can offer you
some excellent help: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DS_Revision/ They are
such sweet people - and really willing to help out.
Next, I can also recommend a surgeon - it may mean needing to travel - but
so totally worth it.
Ara Keshishian, MD, FACS
E-mail: [email protected]
Contact: Dawn Keshishian, RN or Dee Tinkle, LVN
Phone: 661-725-4847
Delano Regional Medical Arts Building
1205 Garces Highway, Suite 303
Delano, CA 93215
http://www.gr-ds.com
Dr. K is gaining international notariety for his excellence in doing
conversion (from RNY to DS) surgeries. He is also reputed to be
exceptionally kind, compassionate, and a great advocate for his patients.
Best yet, he also works with more insurance companies than any other
surgeon I've heard of.
Hope this helps!
Blessings,
dina
— Dina McBride
November 20, 2003
Actually, Helen, most surgeons are not skilled in the conversion of RNY to
DS and don't even attempt this extremely complicated procedure. There ARE,
however, several who have become quite skilled in doing so - and there are
many conversion post-ops out there who can attest to just how wonderful it
is to have a full-functioning pylorus at work for them! Let me know if I
can answer any questions, okay?
Blessings,
dina
— Dina McBride
November 20, 2003
I see you're in Ohio. Dr Doug Hess of Bowling Green developed the DS in
1988 and does lots of revisions. Dr K is great (was my surgeon) but Dr H is
handier! Since you are only 70 lbs overweight now, your insurance may balk
and so might most US surgeons. If that happens, Dr Baltasar in Spain would
be your best choice, and possibly Dr Marchesini in Brazil. I'm not sure how
many revisions Dr M has done--Dina help me out here??
— Chris T.
November 20, 2003
Dr. Marchesini in Brazil has done many revisions to DS. The trip to Brazil
is like a vacation!
— Cera H.
November 20, 2003
Thank you all for your information - it really helped knowing there are
other web sites to go to for information. I really liked all the info / web
site of the doctor in Spain !!! thanks!
— Kelly B.
November 21, 2003
The question is not can this be done in theory, but can it be done for YOU.
There are so very many different forms of 'pouch' surgery all lumped under
the term RNY that it's impossible to answer this question without knowing
exactly how your initial surgery reconfigured your stomach. I can, however,
recommend a great surgeon---Dr. John Husted in Nashville, TN. Check out his
website at http://www.johnhustedmd.com
— MsBatt
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