Thinking about a revision surgery with Dr. John Alexander of Dallas... Thoughts anyone?????

 

Hi there. Ok I had a VGS in June of 2009, dropped 70lbs and have since gained 30 back. I'm 30 this year and 288 now as well as back to miserable from the weight gain! Life has changed completely and not the way that I was hoping it to be!!! Divorced within 6 months after getting the surgery, since then graduated college, had another little boy, and starting teaching! I've managed to stretch my pouch out back to where I was before my surgery. You would think being a cash patient and spending 14k with Dr. Nick Nicholson would have kept me on track, but it didn't!!!! I'm thinking about doing the gastric bypass, and yes I have researched it for months and months now... My main concern is Dr . John Alexander. I have read so many horror stories about him and his wait time and scars from his surgery... but at the same time I read the same things about Dr. Nicholson and my scars are almost invisible.... can anyone help me out with thoughts and opinions on Dr. Alexander PLEASE!!!!

First off, you know you can hear "horror stories" about ANY doctor/hospital/nurse-right? I have been a nurse 30+ years, and can't begin to tell you al the stories I have heard about "my cousin's hairdresser's next-door-neighbor's brother-in-law's wife's boyfriend's mistress who gained her weight back"..the list goes on and on...WHERE are you getting the information? From the Tx medical board? From the OH boards? From actual first hand pts? How many? I am NOT saying this to flame you-just trying to put things into perspective.

You have been thru an awful lot since your WLS-enough to make ANYONE gain weight, and feel they had "failed"..but YOU ARE NOT A FAILURE!!! Super CONGRATS on getting your degree, and on the birth of your son!!!

Have you had your "guts checked"? It may very well be that your VSG is still "functional", and that you do not even NEED additional physical surgery. You say you don't think you "stayed on track". being cash pay, or having insurance, doesn't seem to make much of a difference when it comes to trying to stay on track. At one point in my journey I had a 70 lb regain. My guts were working just fine, but my BRAIN and HABITS needed  MAJOR revisions. With the HUGE SUPPORT, of my TMB FAMILY, right here, I was able to lose that regain, and more, finally raeching "goal" at 9 yrs post op. This is a JOURNEY-for a lifetime-not a race.

Neither Dr. Alexander nor Dr. Nic were my personal surgeons, though I have met them both, and know pts of both of them. I have only heard positive things. I'm sure someone, with more info, will chime in. You are absolutely RIGHT, in doing your homework.

I'm not sure what you mean by "scars"-inside or out? Inside scars, like adhesions? Outside scars don't matter, IMHO-way better than fat rolls.

My best advice to you would be to "interview" as many surgeons/clinic programs as you can. Go to their seminars, etc..but FIRST..examine what YOU are doing NOW, as far as daily habits, etc...What might you CHANGE, so as perhaps honestly not even NEED another surgery?

We are to help/support you EVERY step of the way!

Gina AKA Nurse Diva

 Ditto what Gina said.    Dr. Alexander wasn't my surgeon either but I have heard good things about them.   Trust me....as she said you will hear good and bad about all of them.   When in reality...it is usually the person ISN'T doing what they surgeon required of them if they are putting them down.   I feel that most of them are very caring of their patients and want them to be a huge success with their weight loss.    I would go and have a swallow test to see for sure that your pouch is stretched out before even considering a revision.    Good luck to you.


Hugs and blessings ~~~ Vivian

HI There -  I"m by far the best person to be on here giving any kind of advice....
I've too had a 60+ regain -  Like Gina - says -   YOU CAN DO THIS...
I'm working on the brain, heart, my lifestyle and my habit "revision"    I know my re-gain is because of what I was doing - not making the best decisions in the world.

Congratulations on having the surgery in the first place.   If you didn't do what "you were suppose to do" at the beginning - like someone told me -  what makes "us" think that we will this time around?          I took a look back and saw Gina's story and I"m telling you.....if she can do it -  anyone can -  so with the slap in the face that I received from someone bringing out the inevitable to me.........I had to make the choice to quit experimeint.........eating candy here and there just "cuz I thought I deserved it"   

I am NOT bashing you one bit - so please do not take this as a bashing - like I said - I'm by far the perfect one......Oh yea - I wanted to be the WLS "posterchild" of the yr 2007....didn't happen...but I did get healthier...........and it is my choice to make my tool work for me  and it does work as long as I listen to the tool and not my heart  (We can always eat until our heart is content - but " that is NOT a healthy choice..

Good luck......I personnally don't have any opinions about either doctor as they were not mine either - but I've heard good things about them both -   I believe that Dr. Nic training my surgeon for the RNY proceedure - my doc - at almost 5 yrs out here -  still thinks that I'm a success... 

GOOD LUCK AND GET INVOLVED WITH PEEPS HERE ON THIS BOARD -  we LUV everyone (Huggs))))))))))  

Phyllis,

I too have had a weight gain.  So far about 70 lbs.  Just by thinking the very same way you describe.  I have had other issues, bad car accident 2010 and lost of surgeries, but still bad eating habits is what it all comes down too.  I am trying to get back on track, but darn it is a slow process.  I have an appintment with Dr. Barker today to get an EDG and see if everything is ok, and that it is all in my damn head.  I am not so sure that it is.  Anyway we can do this.  WE had surgery to be healthier and eating any other way IMHO is just plain stupid.

Did u have your surgery with him after all?