revision advice in Pittsburgh
I am looking for any posts from anyone in Pittsburgh who has had revision surgery at UPMC regarding their experiences. I had RNY in Nov 2002 and lost about 95 lbs, and now over the last year I find that the weight is coming back on - my PCP suggests that I go back to my original surgeon, Dr. Hamad, to see if anything is wrong. I never did lose the last 50 lbs, despite my best efforts and now I wonder if I qualify for revision surgery. Does anyone have any advice for me? Thanks.
Hi,
I am from Pittsburgh and I had my original WLS 9.5 yrs ago in 1998. I lost about 160 lbs, felt great and was thrilled. In late 2000 my weight lost slowed down and I felt like I could eat substantially more. I told the doctor and he be littled me. I chose not to return. In fall of 2001 I went in for a hernia repair and they did an upper GI said my stomach size was what the expected. Before i left the hospital I had hernias again.
I through my hands up in the air and quit going to surgeons. In 2005 I had a bowel obstruction and when I saw a different surgeon I asked about revision...I was about 25 lbs below my original weight. The doctor told me that I would need to eat only 2 meals a day before they would even consider checking my stomach etc.
Last summer I went to my pcp first time in a few years and was diagnosed with diabetes and high blood pressure. We talked about my WLS and she suggested I go back to a surgeon. I refused. Finally in November my pcp and diabetic educator talked me into going back to the surgeon. I went to Joseph Colella and he did an upper GI. The results showed a fistula and I am having revision surgeon either 4/21 or 4/28.
Dr Colella is not with UPMC he is West Penn AGH, but I thought the info may help. Please keep posting so I can see what happens with you.
Good Luck in your quest.
Danna