Revision of RNY or DS

I am sooooo confused and would appreciate any advice you guys could give me.

Back side of the story, I had an initial gastric bypass rny in 2002 initial weight 323, went down to 225 and am now currently at 274.  

I went to a surgeon interested in getting a revision by way of DS.  Surgeon stated they do it initially.  AFter all of the testing, and checking, i have been cleared for a revision to the initial RNY, the Dr now says that he does not do a DS, but will revise the initial RNY.  I really thought I wanted the DS but I am hearing about complications and how difficult the surgery is, and now im' getting scared.

Should i pursue the revision to the rny, or continue to pursue the DS.  I found a surgeon here in ATL that does the DS (one of 2 drs), and am awaiting a consultation with this new surgeon that will tell me what my options are.   

But for the people who can offer any advice, I am listening, b/c the more I research both, the more confused I get.  it seems like the RNY revision is the safest, but the DS produces the best results. 

Sounds like you got snookered. You were led to believe that this surgeon could revise you to a DS. Now, after all the waiting and testing, he says oh no, it's too dangerous, we'll just revise your RNY.

Well, it's true that RNY to DS revise carres significant risks. However, it's also true that this surgeon led you on. This is an operation he does not have the experience to do and never intended to do, and if his only concern was your level of risk, he should have told you from the get go that he doesn't do it, there are risks, and offer you a more limited revision of some sort. That's not what happened, and now you're in the difficult position of either accepting what he's offering or starting over with another surgeon.

There are only a handful of surgeons who do RNY to DS revision. None of them are in ATL. Yes, there is at least one excellent DS surgeon in ATL, but I have never heard of him doing a RNY to DS revision. If you still want a DS you will need to travel. In my opinion it's worth the effort. REvision proximal RNY to distal RNY has not been shown to be beneficial. Revising further to ERNY may help you with weight loss but carries increased risks of nutritional deficiencies down the line as you will now have a combination of more malabsorption (like the DS) but without the normal control of stomach emptying (thanks to your RNY). It also will not resolve any problems you may have with your pouch and stoma, you could still have dumping if you already do, you will still not be able to take NSAIDs - in other words, the benefits are far, far more limited.

It's your choice, of course. I wish you well with whatever you decide. It just makes me angry and sad when I see people being misled, and that's what I believe happened to you.

Larra

Lara I wasn't and still am not even sure how to respond to you.  I'm just confused as ever now.  So Dr. Dennis Smith doesn't do the RNY to DS, b/c his front desk said that he did.  I'm currently awaiting him to call me back as he is supposed to be reviewing all of my test from the first doctor.....  I can't imagine I'd travel somewhere.  I have too much going on, work, school..  a side business... omgosh..  I keep being told that the results vary.. some ppl lose 10lbs while others lose over a 100.  Questioning what makes the difference in the weight loss for RNY revisions.  THANK GOD I STOPPED DUMPING SOME YEARS AGO.. really hoping that doesn't come back EVER...  

I JUST KEEP REREADING YOUR POST..  I FEEL SO CONFUSED..  I DEFINITELY DON'T WANT TO WASTE TIME. and I keep hearing you say the the benefits are far more limited, sigh.  I feel like I could cry.  

I really appreciate your feedback..  and your suggestions.. YOU WERE SO HELPFUL. 

Dr. Smith has an excellent reputation as a DS surgeon, but last I knew he didn't do RNY to DS revisions. He does lap band to DS revisions, but not from RNY. I wi**** were otherwise, and if he has started doing them that would be great, so let us know if he has.

Larra

Do more research and find a Dr that does DS, if not you will always wonder if it had been the right one for you.  I had stomach stapling in 1980....never lost any weight.....had all kinds of stomach problems. The staple line came loose and I actually had two complete stomachs.  The GI doctor said this was why I couldn't loose and never would until it was corrected.  I had DS in June....It was a breeze compared to the first surgery.  I have  not had any complications at all!  I had to have a lot of repair work.  They had to remove one stomach....remove lots of scar tissure.  I have had a real slow start on eating....lots of things don't settle with me but they haven't in a long time.  I feel my weight has been slow in coming off but my body has been thru alot.  My knees and and feet have wore out from all the extra weight and I have a difficult time to exercise.  I wish you the best and keep us informed on how you are doing.

I do plan to find a dr. to the RNY to DS, only I can't afford to travel to other states back and forth for this procedure currently.  I am so happy to hear that you are doing well and that the DS was a success for you.  You are an inspiration.  What a story that you have.  Two stomachs, wow!!!!  But happy things are better now and praying for your continued success....  I really appreciate yor feed back.  

I guess just more investigation and research...  

Dr. Smith does have a great reputation for Ds, but like Larra, I don't know of anyone who got a revision with him.  Perhaps he started doing them?  That would be awesome if he did, so let us know after you meet with him.  The DS revision is only more complication to someone who doesn't know what they're doing, and if the first surgeon you met with never did the DS, then I'm not surprised of the scare tactics he gave you, because in HIS hands, it would probably be very dangerous if he never did it before.

I have a good friend who was sold the ERNY as "practically the same result" promise of a DS revision.  She lost about 50lbs in the last 6 years since that revision, and is still a size 20.  Is that the result you're looking for?  Even a local surgery is going to require your world to stop for at least a month for you to recover, be it local or away from home.  Just consider how many more revisions you're willing to put your body through before you poo poo simple logistics.