lap band or realize band after RNY

Does anyone know of a surgeon in Virginia who does a Lap or Realize band after a RNY?

I do not personally but you may want to check Dr. Bautista at Commonwealth Surgeons here in Richmond.  Good luck!

Which surgery did he do for you?

Dr Bautista did not do any surgery for me.  I had the head surgeon in the office, Dr. Hutcher.  Dr. H does not do the banding of any kind...only open RNY that I know of.  I have seen Dr. B on a few occassions for follow ups and er visits (when I had strictures pretty early out) and he is great.  I do recommend him if Dr. H is not available.

I do not know anything about either bands, really but the surgeon that Tammy suggested, Dr Bautista, did my lap RNY on April 30. I know, at that time, that he did do the lap band but I do not believe that he did the "realize" band. However, Dr Bautista is the absolute best. I wouldn't trust any other surgeon to take care of me. He has the best bed side manner and has a great personality. Many of his patients are on this board and will speak very highly of him.

I suggest that you contact his office, Commonwealth Surgeons, and speak to the bariatric coordinator, Hilary, Surratt, @ 804-285-3225. She is the best & full of knowledge. Good luck with all that you are seeking.

Could you explain a bit more as to why you're looking into this? Additional surgery is a pretty drastic step, and you'd be hard pressed to find surgeons who will revise from one type of WLS to the other without having exhausted all other options (diet, exercise, water, protein, etc) first.

Having said that, I know that a friend of mine, jhickey, was revised from Lap Band to RNY at the end of May this year. His revision was due to the fact that his band had slipped up around his esophagus and could not safely be filled any longer. You might want to PM him for more information about that.

There is also a new procedure, called a stomaphyx (something like that, I forget how to spell it, the ad isn't on the front page of the board anymore. ) that basically is this little implant that goes into your anastamosis and sort of artificially shrinks it up again. I believe this is increasing in popularity among surgeons; I know mine (Dr. Moazzez, but he's in northern VA) performs it.

Finally, your best bet is the revision board, though that's not local like the VA board, and you're not as likely to get a good match.

Good luck!

Julie