RevisionTold NO WEIGHT LOSS Hernia Problem....

Hi everyone - I had a VGB about 6 yrs ago here in Milwaulee (Dr. Namhdari)...I lost over 100 pounds but started to gain it all back with-in the last couple of years - I developed a hernia and I have had SEVERE acid reflux PLUS vomiting along with a few other problems including a possible staple line disruption - I went in to have my hernia repaired and the surgeon suggested that instead of him repairing the hernia - he wanted me to go and see a specialist on having a revision - I am not sure if gastric bypass is an RNY - but they are suppose to staple off my stomach (again) and re-attach my intestine. I went to see Dr. Wallace and I got to speak with his nurse - they called me today to tell me that they will do the surgery BUT he can only temporarily fix the hernia and I will have to have it repaired again once I heal from the surgery (I guess it is higher risk for infection) and then they told me that I will NOT LOSE any weight - my reflux will be gone - but no weight loss - so now - I AM LOST - why would I have the surgery if I am not going to lose weight and I will have to have the hernia fixed 2 times - - BUT the problem is that if I do not do it now and I do have a staple line problem - then I may have to have an emergency surgery and it would be really nice not to throw up anymore - I also have a 2 year old daughter and I have NO idea how I can take care of her with my belly cut wide open...PLEASE - if anyone has any suggestions or have been down the same path - please let me know! I only have 2 weeks until my appointment to do all the testing for the surgery....Thanks....Crissy

Crissy- Have you gotten a second opinion?

there are a few reasons why I have not gone for a second opinion...first - I have been reading message boards for a while and it seems that there are very few surgeons around that will even do a revision because it is so high risk...also - everything is happening so fast and my insurance approved right away - and I am so afraid that if I do not go through with it that I may not get this chance again - that probably sounds stupid - but I would like to get some of my problems out of the way - and I have read that soooo many people in my shoes cannot even get approved through insurance - I don't know what I should do - my surgery date is for Jan. 14

The staple line issue would be the biggest reason to go ahead with the revision. That can potentially become dangerous. I don't know what to say about the 2 year old, however I've known a couple people having the open procedure and they recovered pretty quickly. Dr. Wallace is a great doctor and I don't think he'd lead you astray. He's not afraid to say he won't do a surgery if he doesn't think it will be beneficial.

Hi Crissy: I also had a VBG with Dr. Namdari in Milwaukee about 8 years ago. My staple line broke apart and then of course I was able to eat more and gain back all the weight. (see my profile for more details) I went to see Dr. Rebchook to find out what could be done and they did a revision to the RNY for me in August 2003. I have lost over 100#'s and it is STILL OFF!! I am not sure why they would say that you would not loose weight by having a revision. I also had acid reflux bad and had a hard time with food getting stuck before I had the revision to the RNY. The RNY revision should reroute and redesign everything and you should be able to succeed and loose weight as anyone else would that has the RNY. As far as the hernia, I also have one that the surgeon detected when he did the revision. They opted not to fix it because they wanted me to heal and have it repaired later after healing and making sure there would not be any additional hernias due to the surgery. I am not looking at a hernia repair and possible tummy tuck next year. I would ask questions and make sure that the revision they are doing is to make the current VBG into a RNY. It can be done, I had it done and it DOES WORK!! Please feel free to email me privately with any other questions. Good Luck. Vicky