MY SURGERY NIGHTMARE!

Thank you!

She had an OPEN surgery, not laparoscopic. Interestingly, on her surgeon's web page, it lists 3000 OPEN procedures done, but no LAP procedures done. Also, surgery time is 45 minutes and he says he does 12 per week! As a reference, my surgeon does many more lap procedures than open; each lap surgery is 2.5 hrs. (yes, more anesthesia time, but much less pain and quicker recovery time for the patient.) An upper endoscopy is standard pre-op procedure with my Dr. I'm not judging, just saying..........

Hi Barbara -
Both surgeons that I had consulted also required an endoscopy as a pre-requisite.  This is a very unfortunate situation and my heart goes out to her. I wish all weight loss Dr's would follow a set of standard practices.  In this particular case, if the Dr. had required the endoscopy it may have prevented her much pain and heartbreak.

 

That's what I'm thinking, Nancy.... during the upper endoscopy, the Dr. may have been able to dilate the esophagus, making it possible for her to have her surgery. I would also question the reasons he does so many open procedures vs. laparoscopic. With 12 per week, yes, he has lots of experience, and only 45 min surgery time, but at what cost for his patients? As I said before, I'm not judging....... just saying.

Every surgeon is different.
I had every pre-op test known to man, didn't have an endoscopy though.
At the time, my surgeon only done 1 per week and I was in for well over 5 hours. I came out just fine. Sometimes, things happens and it's out of our control. The surgeon can't help her esophagus is too narrow.
just saying...

I strongly urge you to research the DS and the Sleeve. Either of these would leave you with a small but still fully-functional stomach---and as you pointed out, you've not had problems getting food down as a pre-op. (*grin*)

The only way I can imagine that the size of your esophagus would be a problem would be with the RNY and its pouch, or *possibly* the pouch created by the Band.

I'd also consult with a different surgeon , as yours doesn't do either the DS or the Sleeve.

Another surgeon in his practice does the Sleeve.  Lap procedures are also available.

-Cyn

Wow.  I'm so sorry you had to go thru all that.  How disheartening.  I hope you do find out why you have a narrowed esophagus.  As another poster already said, these things happen for a reason and despite the suffering you feel now, should you have a serious health issue with your esophagus, it would only be that much harder to deal with in conjunction with a WLS surgery.  Whatever the outcome, I wish you all the best. 

I am so sorry for your disappointment and frustration.

I had "open" distal-RYN July 30th this year. I had open surgery because I was so heavy. My highest weight was 409 lbs. I have complete confidence with my surgeon, he is the head of the Bariatric Dept. for the University of Illinois Medical Center in Chicago. I also was required to have a Vena Cava filter installed prior to my RYN proceedure because I have a blood clotting disorder.

My "Open" surgery took almost 3 hrs. and 15 minutes. To preform "open" RYN surgery in 45 minutes sounds unbelievable.

By the way, I had no complications and started a full time college schedule 3 weeks post surgery. I am a 50 year old returning student and I'm down 123 lbs from my highest weight.

I hope you do seek out another surgeon for a second opinion.
 
Anything worth while doesn't come easy. What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger. (Perhaps a lap-band is the way to go for you.)

Take care and have a Merry Christmas. At least you can eat all the Christmas goodies.

I am so sorry that this happened to you. I can't imagine how devastated and frustrated you must feel. 

Has your doctor suggested that you have an EGD at this point, to get more information about what is happening? I would also suggest getting a second opinion from a different surgeon before you agree to any surgery that it not your top choice. You may find a different surgeon who is comfortable giving you an option other than the Lap Band, if that isn't what you want.