RNY to DS questions
Hi there! I am 12 years post RNY and have experienced a 60 lb regain. I started over 400 lbs and lost 200. I was never below 220. Now I am back up to 280 after having kids back to back. Anyway - So I am consulting with Dr. Keshishian next week about a RNY to DS revision. I wanted to ask those who have had this type of revision....what is the recovery like? Of course I know that complications can throw it all off, but on average how long until you were able to walk up and down stairs and be mostly independent? Any other words of wisdom? I really appreciate any experiences and advice!
Chrissy
Good Morning Chrissy! I am a revision from RNY to Ds. I can appreciate your concerns. I did a lot of reading, thinking and praying before taking that step for a revision but am so grateful that I did. It has literally given me back my life. I am 63 so no spring chicken. I had an RNY done back in 2005. I lost about 50lbs then stopped losing. I ended up with a fistula ( basically the pouch reattaches itself to the remnant stomach) and was unable to lose anymore. I slowly started regaining my weight back and ended back at 284. I decided to check into a revision because I was unhealthy , miserable and going nowhere. My surgeon told me that it would be impossible for me to lose weight the way my stomach had configured itself. Revisions are more difficult to do but many have had great success. My revision was done in March 2013. I am down 90lbs- I am not a fast loser but I am losing and thats all that matters to me. I feel so much better. Other than being sore and ending up with a hernia my recovery was uneventful. I am hoping that by my 1 year anniversary I will be around 160. From what I hear you have a very good surgeon. The only advice I can give is take your supplements, get in your protein and water and don't obscess with the scale because your DS will do its magic with or without you being traumatized by the scale! Oh , and in an nswer to your questions- I was able to walk back and forth to the bathroom almost immedietly, gradually started adding more and more walking. The hardest thing was sleeping in my bed which took me about 6 weeks.Eating was a huge adjustment for me tho.
good luck to you!
Sharon
Good Morning Chrissy! I am a revision from RNY to Ds. I can appreciate your concerns. I did a lot of reading, thinking and praying before taking that step for a revision but am so grateful that I did. It has literally given me back my life. I am 63 so no spring chicken. I had an RNY done back in 2005. I lost about 50lbs then stopped losing. I ended up with a fistula ( basically the pouch reattaches itself to the remnant stomach) and was unable to lose anymore. I slowly started regaining my weight back and ended back at 284. I decided to check into a revision because I was unhealthy , miserable and going nowhere. My surgeon told me that it would be impossible for me to lose weight the way my stomach had configured itself. Revisions are more difficult to do but many have had great success. My revision was done in March 2013. I am down 90lbs- I am not a fast loser but I am losing and thats all that matters to me. I feel so much better. Other than being sore and ending up with a hernia my recovery was uneventful. I am hoping that by my 1 year anniversary I will be around 160. From what I hear you have a very good surgeon. The only advice I can give is take your supplements, get in your protein and water and don't obscess with the scale because your DS will do its magic with or without you being traumatized by the scale! Oh , and in an nswer to your questions- I was able to walk back and forth to the bathroom almost immedietly, gradually started adding more and more walking. The hardest thing was sleeping in my bed which took me about 6 weeks.Eating was a huge adjustment for me tho.
good luck to you!
Sharon
Bless your heart Sharon I am glad that you are doing well... I too am considering RnY to DS surgery. I had RnY over 13 years and have gone from 568 to 365. Through out that time I have been up and down more up then down. I am seeking DS from Dr. k and from my investigations it looks like he could very well be the best at this convertion.
With revisions, the weight loss tends to be slower and not as dramatic. But....it happens.
I spent 2 weeks in CA after surgery . About 6 days out we move to my sister in laws home with lots of stairs, I took them slowly but did them.
I didn't need much help after about 10 days. Initially you'll go home with drains and a feeding tube. I felt much better when the drains came out at about 10 days. I took the feeding tub out myself at 6wks
Good luck
-Gail-SW 257 CW 169 GW 165
