revision rny or lapband

in 2001 i had rny sugery and lost 137pds the first 2yrs then start to gain weight. my surgeon said i must not be eating and doing the right things and said to get back on track ps a yr later when i went back i had gained somemore (65pound). he again told me the same thing. went for another a 2nd opinion she did upper gi and said the pouch seems larger then she would like and sent me for an endoscope. that test showed that i had stapleline disruption she would like to do lapband instead of redoing the rny. i have started to do the preop testing but i really don't know if the lapband is the best way to go any advise. thanks

Mary, I am sorry to hear that you have gained some weight back but good thing you went for the 2nd opinion. See these Dr's think this stuff is all in our heads or we are doing something wrong.. Well I wish you all the best hun in what every surgery you have. ~Hugs~ I had the RNY but making this choice is a personal one and we all have reasons for doing it. I liked the fact that I had no control over the RNY, I know for myself I would "push the envelope" with the lap band (not going for fills or being able to eat sweets) So I needed that control to be taken away from me.... Also I read about the slipping that occurs with the band but I have admit I did not read THAT much about it so maybe someone lese who had it done can give you the pros to that. Take care Debra P

Hi Mary what your experiencing is one of my many fears. I am pre-op and I chose the lap band procedure. What I have learned is, either procedure requires, and the word requires can't be emphasized enough here, a life style change. The lap band is a much less invasive surgery and it is adjustable and reversable. Also mal-absorbtion is a non issue with the band, that is what I based my choice on. As Debra stated you can indeed cheat with the lap band. In my support group some of the post ops often comment about how they can eat all kinds of food. Like, cake, cookies candy ice cream all the crap that got them to where they were at pre-op. I don't want to judge anyone but they are only kidding them selves! The slippage issue is mainly caused by over eatting or eatting the wrong things. Carbonated beverages are out for any lap bander. The carbonation inflates the pouch and surely will cause slippage sooner or later. As my surgeon says just stretch a baloon over the top of a soda bottle and it will inflate, same thing happens to the lap band pouch. At my last meeting there was a woman that claimed she had her stomach stapled 20 years ago and ultimately gained back the 100+ pounds she had lost. Now she too is considering the lap band. I can't or won't tell you what to do but for me I know that I must learn to change my current attitude towards food. When I have my band if I don't learn how to deal with the psychological issues then I too will probably gain it back as well. In my opinion any WLS patient MUST SERIOUSLY and FAITHFULLY EXERCISE and MODI|FY their diet for the rest of their life! If we don't we only cheat ourselves and pack the weight back on. Best of luck with your decision|! Kenny

Hi Mary, I am alittle confused...Did you have RNY or VBG? You state in your profile you had the VBG which is a whole other ball game from the RNY...no bypass intestines, no dumping etc, the VBG seems to be pretty much work like the lapbad but w/out the option of fillings. I'll send you an email! Take care. Tavia

Mary What exactly did youhave for first surgery??? VBG or RNY? Staple line disruptions in past were common w/ either and the RNY now is transected MOSTLY! (goodness I hate to say it but there are surgeons out there doing open RNY w/o transecting the stomach and pouch! and patients having this done sigh)... If you had RNY and had SLD then fixing that should happen, NOT a lap band? I cannot see where that would help much? Or a SLD repair and bypassmore intestines (fromproximal to a distal) http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WLSrevisionsupport/ I htink OH has revision site also! GET A 2nd or third opinion PLEASE! I have never known a person to lose w/ a band after a failed RNY? I know failed bandsters go to a RNY but not usually other way around, many with enlarged stomas after RNY may get lap band over the RNY to make stoma smaller.....? I highly recommend you join the revision yahoo group to get opinions/support from many who have beenin your shoes! HUGS! Take Care, Jamie Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh 320/163 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery) Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King "Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"