It is possible -- and more and more failed RNYers are having it -- but it is a comparatively more dangerous surgery, has a much higher risk of leaks. The surgeon has to reconstruct the stomach out of the hash that the RNY makes of it, then do a vertical sleeve gastrectomy over those transverse sutures.  Plus take down the unsuccessful rearrangement of the RNY intestines to put them into proper configuration for the DS.  It's a mess -- but better than living with a failed RNY.

That's why we say: Think Twice, Cut Once.

Thanks Ann,

It is possible to get a revision from RNY to DS, but there are not a lot of surgeons who have the skills and patients to do it. It's a difficult and complicated surgery; mine took 8 1/2 hours, then three days later I had to go back into surgery for another 4 1/2 hours because there was a scar tissue flap blocking my new stomach so nothing could get through. That flap had to be removed; which meant taking my stomach apart again.

All that time under anesthesia made the recovery more difficult as did my age; I was 56. However, once I got over the recovery hump, it just got better and better. And after a little over a year of living with the DS, I'm loving life like I haven't done in a very long time; I just wish I had done the revision 10 years ago. 

If you want to know more about my experiences you can check out my profile, I have a bunch of pictures and a pretty detailed explanation of what I've been through. Also here's my 1 year post:

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/DS/4024505/One-year-ago-today-who-could-have-known/action,replies/topic_id,4024505/page,1/

Kerry

Thank you for posting that!

I'm doing great with my RNY now, but if years from now I'm not doing that great and choose to have a revision, it will be to the DS.

Well Jackie, I know what you're saying, I did well with the RNY for about 15 years. However, my success was due to a strict diet and lots of exercise and not because of the RNY. As I'm sure you know, the RNY is great in helping you get the weight off and not so great after a year or so when you need to maintain your excess weight loss.

For me, the food sticking was a big problem as I couldn't eat things like steak, or brown rice; as anything stringy or fibrous would stick and I would end up puking it up. I would also dump on anything with much milk in it; while foods like pizza would work just fine; not a good scenario. When I couldn't exercise the weight started coming back and I lost control; you can read all about it on my profile if you want the details.

All in all, the revision was no fun; but the results have been spectacular and I would endure the revision misery again if I had to in order to get what I have today; I really love the DS.

Kerry

 I had RNY because my insurance paid for it, and I did not have the energy or time to fight insurance.
I also did not know as much about DS as I do now. 
Regardless, I am hoping that my RNY will work for me.  If not, then I guess I will have to deal with it.
I am 55 now, and I do not look forward to surgery 15 years from now.

Food sticking is a big [problem now.  I can't eat steak or any meat ..

I am having second thoughts; you have no idea.  But the fact remains that I just had RNY.
So I'm not having another surgery anytime soon.

I really do hope you can make it work for you Jeane; having a revision is no fun, but it beats being MO.

I don't know what the long term stats are for RNY's keeping the excess weight off, but I'll bet it has a lot to do with your activity level and your ability to eat right. It worked for me for about 15 years because I was very active; I exercised almost every day and I was pretty careful about what I ate. If you read my profile it tells the whole story, but where I lost control was when I found out I had Hep C; which I got from a blood transfusion in 1981 when some of the staples in my stomach tore out and I about bled to death. I didn't know I had the Hep ****il 1996 or 7 and it was the treatment for the Hep C (interferon injections) that made it so I couldn't exercise. Interferon makes you feel like you're coming down with a real bad flu; so I felt like that every other day for a year.

Feeling so crappy led to eating comfort food and no exercise; which is when I lost control of the weight. And it just got worse from there. I developed hypertension, sleep apnea and gout; I was a mess.

Here's hoping you don't ever have to deal with such miserable problems and that your RNY does the trick for you for the rest of your life.

Oh to be 55 again.....LOL!! Actually, I feel more like 30 now than I have for more than 25 years; I feel great! Getting the weight off, eating right (for me) and exercising again has done wonders.

Kerry

 Thank you Kerry.  I hope so too.   It's been a battle - I've already had complications and am just hoping this gets better.

At least I am no longer taking metformin or toprol -- sugar level now normal, and no racing heart.
That is a big improvement.

Two excellent surgeons at the University of Minnesota - there was someone from your area at my seminar two years ago.  I believe MN Medica DOES cover the DS, but it may depend on your BMI.  Contact Tammy Bishop here on OH (Tammy Bishop's Profile) if you need help with insurance appeal issues.  But first contact UofM Bariatric program to find out more info.  Follow up only needs to happen at 3 weeks, 3 months, then annually.

I considered traveling to Dr Buchwald from WASHINGTON  for the privilege of self paying for him. I think you're missing a golden opportunity. I actually traveled much, much farther.

As far as follow up, my pcp right here in town does my aftercare. I do email my surgeon the results, in case he has input, but it's all been easily handled by my pcp.

I had my DS in California with one of the best DS surgeons in the world--John Rabkin. That's right. I live in Chicago.

I had two DS surgeons in my backyard, but I wanted the very best. There is nothing your regular doctor can't handle (provided you have a competent one, not an idiot who barely made it through med school). He/she can order your labs. Your DS surgeon will review them with you and make any supplement recommendations over the phone, etc.

The DS is not some weird mystery to competent docs who can bothered to use even the darn Internet, let alone those who went to med school! Even if you have a RNY in your backyard, your local PCP will be in charge of your post-op care for the rest of your life--NOT your RNY surgeon. The DS is no different. Your PCP will have to get on the phone with your RNY surgeon to ask questions if need be, also.

I do my follow-ups by phone and it's great. If I need anything, he is just a call away. My PCP talks with him directly if there are any issues.

We have a saying on the DS board: think twice, cut once. Do not get a surgery you don't want and don't think will work for you. It's a LOT harder to get a revision to a DS, only a few suregons worldwide can do it once your stomach is mangled into a RNY pouch. Imagine finding a competent revision surgeon where you live!

The lifestyles between the DS and RNY surgeries are vastly different, as are the long-term success rates. THINK TWICE, CUT ONCE, GUYS!

Look at www.DSfacts.com for more info.

Nicolle