Did your surgeon reinforce your pouch?

This is geared towards the RNY'ers... I know of one surgeon in the metro that does this and I hope his patients chime in, but I am wondering if anyone else's surgeon reinforced their stoma or pouch, as a means to prevent stretching later down the road? If so, what type of material was used? Also, did your surgeon put a wire on your blind stomach as a means to find it in an emergency situation? A bariatric surgeon told me he does this because if there is a bowel obstruction, the bowels are going to back up into that blind stomach and in an emergency situation, he can locate that wire ring on X-ray and stick a needle in it to start draining it. This could be the difference between life or death. I know these are intense questions, but we all may benefit from the answers, especially those still researching.

Wow!  I literally have no idea!!!!  Guess I need to make a phone call and check it out!!  GOOD TO KNOW!!!!  Thanks!

I believe Alayna's surgeon did the reinforcing thing. I wish all surgeons did this. It only makes sense. I have never heard of the wire thing. How interesting.

Lori

I haven't heard of the reinforcement of the stoma  - it would be interesing to hear/read about. Wondering if this could be an issue if someone had a stricture and needed the stoma to be stretched. I know my surgeon placed a "marker" in my stomach that was transected, because he told me he did that.

My surgeon did reinforce my stoma - I love that fact.  I had my surgery lap and he also made about a 4 in*****ision on my left thigh to remove some connective tissue from the large muscle there.  To tell you the truth my leg hurt more than my gastric bypass....lol.  But I think that it is well worth it. I have not heard about the wire on your blind stomach although that really makes sense. I don't know if I told you what you wanted to know but if you have any other questions feel free to ask. Jenn

My surgeon, Raymond Drew does the reinforcement with the fascia in taken out of the thigh muscle.  That did hurt more than the actual surgery on the stoma! I went from 26/28 to 8 in 2 years and went from 317 to 162.  I'm happy he did it too...little or no scarring, etc.  I hope that helps!

Jenn - who was your surgeon?

Dr Chute was my surgeon - he is in the same practice as Dr Drew.  To my knowledge that is the only group of surgeons in the metro area that does it.

Jenn

Yup, I'm pretty sure only the surgeons at Abbott do the reinforce thing.

I met with dr. drew today and he said he can either use tissue from my thigh or altraderm - some sort of fabricated tissue - I voted for that - one less cut to heal.