BCN surgeon that does revisions

Hi All,

I'm having severe reflux & pain issues with my band that haven't gone away.  My original surgeon is now at Barixs in Yspi (and I don't like his follow up) so I need to go somewhere else. 

Any recommedations for the southeast Michigan area.  Wayne or Oakland county.

Thanks!

Dr. Kevin Krause is one of the leading revisionist in Southeast Michigan. I think the world of him. He is at Beaumont Hospital Medical Office Building in Royal Oak.

That's who I selected to try and go see.  I talked to his office and i need my upper GI & paperwork first.  So i'm hoping to get that done in the next few days.

thanks!!

Let me know how it goes. I chose him and beaumont because of their support center and his skill.

Which WLS are you interested in revising to?

DS revision surgeons are the cream of the crop, so in your area, there is one I could recommend:  Dr. Hares.  If you are interested in the RnY, the last I knew he would not provide a RnY, even on a virgin surgery, but he is in partnership with a number of other surgeons, so you could still check out his practice.  Dr. Hares only performs surgeons open.

My surgeon is the absolute best in a several state area, and does do some revisions.... more LB to DS than taking down a RnY to revise to a DS, but that isn't your issue.  He removes more Gastric Bands than he is willing to install... so he is VERY familiar with the damage they can do and what needs to be done to minimize any issues (scare tissue) the band caused.

A 2-2.5 hour drive to get the best health care available would not have me settling for another surgeon just because they are local.  If I were in your situation, I would be consulting with Dr. Paul Kemmeter at Grand Health Partners in Grand Rapids.

 

Hi Kim,

Thanks for the info.  I've compared all the sugeries and the DS just isn't for me.  I'm having severe acid reflux and I know that having the DS does not resolve it because of the size of the sleeve that is left and the amount of acid does not decrease.  So I'm going with the RnY.  Plus the way that you need to eat for the DS just doesn't appeal to me.  I've never been a big meat eater and my probably has never really been volume but sweets.   I know that the DS is a wonderful option for people who fit the criteria and lifestyle it needs.  Which if my husband decides to have any type of weight loss surgery, I would probably have him really look into the DS just because I think he would be most successful with that type of surgery.  Although his problem would be the vit regiment.  He's horrible about remembering to take meds. 

I've known a lot of people that have had their acid reflux / GERD clear up post-op DS, but it is certainly a gamble.  The RnY is definitely a better bet when this is the problem you are attempting to address.  Oy, to have had GERD be even a priority when I was considering WLS!  It was just so far down on the list.  It does suck though, and my RnY aunt's has gotten worse post-op, so you just never know.  Hopefully whatever surgeon you go with has a lot of experience in this area.

I was a vegetarian for eight years, and I'm still VERY picky about meat.  My desire for it definitely changed post-op, as in I crave it.  I think that our body triggers the body for what it feels it needs.  But, I do get most of my protein via powders.... I just can't be bothered to eat much most days!

I was very inconsistent with my vitamins pre-op, but now it is just second nature to take them.  They feel more like medicine / must take as opposed to vitamins which I always felt were optional.

Anyway, if you are willing to travel, still consider Kemmeter.  He really is the best abdominal surgeon you could get fairly "locally".  You really don't know what damage that band has done to your fragile stomach tissue, and you definitely want someone stilled in removing these things if they encounter any issues that need addressing.

Hope that this next step in your journey gives you the relief from the issues you are having!

 

Thanks kim!  I really appreciate the advice and info.  RIght now once i get my upper GI tomorrow, after the results come in I'm going to see Kevin Krause at Beaumont in Royal Oak.  He's one of the top revision doc's in southeast michigan and I've heard really good things about him.  But I will definately be grilling him on how many revisions he's done, etc.  

I think if I had it do over again.. and I was at my original 300 I would have opt'd for the DS.  But with the acid reflux I have now, I just do want to risk the chance of it continuing.  I just don't want to take the gamble because i'm so freaking miserable right now with it.

Hey Melissa,
Just a little FYI...
I had horrible GERD before my RNY 3 years ago.  The surgery helped the problem a little, but not completely, as  I thought it would.

I still have to take 2 Prilosec every day or I get that burning feeling.

Just wanted you to know that the surgery doesn't always cure this problem.....even though most docs say it will.

Good Luck!

I needed to read that...thank you.