Clarification Question about The RNY

We just went to our firt NUT appt. at Vandy. WOW lots to learn...and kind of confusing. Im going to have to read through the packet they gave over and over. So during all the info she gave she mentiioned our stomach pouch was going to be the size of a medicine cup.  Then she said they actually take out the upper intestine. That totaly confused me! But she insisted thats what happens. I thought the RNY was just a bypass of the upper intestinal system.  Do they actually take it out of your body? and just keep the stomach and deuadenum inside?

If I were you, I'd ask the surgeon who will be performing it.  They did not remove my intestines with RNY, they clipped it and re-routed it.  Everything is still there, just rerouted. But, they might be doing things differently there or doing a different type of procedure.  It changes so much...  hope this helps.

I think I'd be asking for more info too. None of the info I have ever read or heard about RNY involves the actual removal of any of our digestive system, only the rerouting of it. With the DS they do remove the outer curvature of the stomach but none of the intestine is removed.  I think someone miss spoke.

Hi had Dr. Richards, know Jamie & Jennifer the Nuts, all excellent people.  To answer your question NO they do not remove anything.  If you go on Vandy's web they have a animated video showing the procedure.  Basically they separate  the upper lobe of the stomach stapling that and the old stomach (for lack of a better term) then following the old stomach they cut apx 18" of the upper intestine (making the old stomach look like a balloon with a tail).  Then taking the intestine left after the cut and reattaching it to the upper lobe of the original stomach (commonly referred to as the pouch, which is your new stomach).  Then reattaching or grafting  the other end of the intestine from the old stomach farther down the intestine.  So in essence you will have two stomachs both connected to the intestines.  The pouch were you store and breakdown food and the old stomach which is still producing everything else for the other organs. I too live in Clarksville and are very pleased with the surgical and support staff at Vandy. C'ya Bob

I was sure that it was just a bypass, but no matter how I asked her she still insisted it was taken out. I just quit asking after about three tries.  Hey Bob!  You just had yours done right? How are you doing - One thing that I was also kind of curious about  was how to eat and drink. The way she described doing it seems like you have to have a pretty rigid schedule. Seems like hubby and I are going to have to practice that one. Do you really feel like eating and drinking after the surgery or is this something that you have to push yourself to do? Thanks everyone for the clarification.

Janice, I'm doing great had surgery April 1st took about four days to feel normal. April 19th had a stricture and had a out patient dilation procedure. But virtually no real pain once home.  Yes at first the no soda and not drinking with your meals, taking small bites and chewing, chewing, chewing are an adjustment.  But you will be light years ahead if you can start now. I'm still having to tell myself to take small bites and chew, chew, chew!  They do have a rigid schedule as do other Hospitals (each their own). After surgery eating for me is a nuisance, something I do to get protein and liquid in, if I didn't journal each day I would come up very short.  I'm not complaining and I'm sure in time food will have an appeal to it hopefully not to much appall. Hopes this helps. C'ya Bob

Hi Janice.  My buddy Bob's explanation of the RNY was right on target. Dr. Richards did my RNY on April 28.  Everything went perfect and I have had no problems whatsoever. Like Bob said, eating is a nuisance at this point - something I have to do to get in my protein. As for appetite, I really don't even get hungry at all.  I keep a daily food and fluid journal to make sure I get in the necessary fluids and protein.  IMO, Dr. Richards is top notch, as is the entire Vandy staff.