Tonya L & Laura C guess what Dr. Duncan said????/

I met with him over a hour last Thursday......No, if I have an enlarged stoma too bad baby he does not do, nor does he know of any gastric bypass surgeon in the Atlanta area that can fix this problem. He could refer me to a study center to have it done in a "trial study" only. It probably means I'd have to travel if I decide to procede with the procedure. Of course no long term studies are available regarding the long term effects or risks of this procedure. Dr. Duncan said he was not doing it because it is not FDA approved. I showed him the posts I'd printed off the message board saying he is telling people he can do this and he apologized and said he certainly did not mean to mislead me or others that he was doing a procedure to fix this problem. They will be doing a scope to make sure my outlet is normal. If it is he wants to do another upper GI to be sure I'm not developing a fistula. He also apologized for the staff (Dr. Scott & Michelle Williams) issues by explaining "they're in training". I said and that is why I insisted on seeing you. I told him I felt like a "failure" at WLS and he assured me that I would be successful, maybe not as fast as I wanted to but I'd get there. He wants me to instead of eating 3 meals a day w/1 snack have 5 small meals a day (of course low carb) 2 can be protein drinks if I want. He also wants me to focus more on resistance training and less on aerobic. So he listened, made me feel like my concern was important and when the test results are back "he" wants to see me again. Debbie - 33.5 lbs.

DEBBIE IM SORRY THAT YOU HAVING PROBLEMS ESPECIALLY WIRH DR SCOTT AND MICHELLE I CANT STAND THEM THEY ALSO TOLD DR DUNCAN THE PROBLEMS I WAS HAVING WAS A FISTULA AND FINDING OUT WHEN THEY DID EXPLORATORY SURGERY THAT ADHESIONS HAS ATTACHED TO MY LIVER FROM THE OLD STOMACH AND DREW THE LIVER UP TO THE STOMACH THEY HAD TO RELEASE IT AND PUSH THE LIVER BACK IN PLACE. I TELLYA THINGS CAN GET FRUSTRATING BUT HANG IN THERE I HAD 5 SURGERIES SINCE MARCH 3 2004 AND FINALLY FEELING GREAT FOR A CHANGE. IF ICAN BE MORAL SUPORT PLEASE DONT HESITATE TO EMAIL ME.

Hi Debbie... Sorry to hear about your troubles. I don't think I am understanding what your saying about what Dr. Duncan has told you. But I guess waiting to find out the results of the scope, is the first thing to do. Alot of the worry could be for naught. But it seems to me that he or another surgeon could fix this problem. This is just my $ .02, but I know from having worked in the medical field for the last 25 yrs that doctors and surgeons don't like to admit mistakes or failures on their part. Why wouldn't a surgeon want to fix something that was either not done right, or failed in it's healing process. If someone had, say a lumbar disc herniation and had it repaired, and during the night, it re-herniated (as happened to my sister) the surgeon would go back in and fix the new herniation (again, as happened with my sister). So if your stoma has enlarged, for whatever reason, why not go in and tighten it up. Yes, it would be another surgery for you, but after having gone thru everything you have for this surgery, it would be worth it to have it done right. OK, so it might not be as easy as what I imagine in my mind (this is after seeing a video of my own surgeon doing this RNY surgery) but even going in laprascopically and reattaching the intestine to the pouch wouldn't be that diificult. Like I said, this is only my opinion, and I by no means claim to be all that knowledgable about the process. But I think I would have to call every surgeon who is very skilled in bariatric surgery and find out if anything could be done. Hopefully, your scope will be normal, and you will just be one of the slow losers. Slow is better than not at all. I am glad that Dr. Duncan spent the time with you that he did. Having a Dr who will take the time to listen to your complaints and concerns is very special. Sorry about my soapbox posting.... I'm off now.... And best wishes to your finding out the best news you can. Susan Lap RNY 12-1-04 285-230-155 (-55)

wow, Debbie, you must be super strong to have gone through so much. Have you checked on the national board to see if anyone else knows much about an enlarged stoma? Did Dr. Duncan say how this can happen, or is it something to do with the original surgery? I am praying that a solution will come your way, cause you've put up with way too much, already! Keep us posted - Barb in S. Ga.

Debbie WOW ....I guess he was totally wrong in what he told us ,....man well this kinda sucks ..When are you going in for your scope ? i am very instered in what they find and what they will do to fix it .....Man i am just shocked right now to be honest with you .....And i know that surgerns will not admit when they are wronge they will blame anyone and everyone before they will say they jacked soemthing up ...so that is not on our side eaither .........Well keep us posted and i hope it is nothing too bad !!! Laura