Leak/hole complication from revision RNY -> DS

Hello,

I had RNY in 2006 and 2009. In March 2012 I had the revision from RNY to DS by Dr. John Rabkin who is known to be one of the top surgeons for this type of surgery. I have a hole in my stomach which has been one of several complications. I had a stent put in a 4/18/12 and give my upper GI results it is healing but very slowly. I am on a feeding tube and have nothing to eat or drink for two months. I am have (4) other drains of which two are connected to a suction machine.

My question is about a second opinion or if there are doctors which specialize in this type of leak/wound healing. The stent I read about on line and seems like an very accepted way to heal but for me it has not closed the hole completely. Dr. Rabkin's office is saying to just wait and it takes time and I am on the right course.

I am worried because within a few weeks my job is no longer protected. I could lose my job of 15 years along with all the other issues which are coming up with being tethered to an IV pole in my bedroom. I am a Mom to an 8 year old and a wife... neither jobs I am doing well at the moment.

I was just wondering if there is something else I should be doing based on the folks out there who have had follow on complications.

Thanks, Terri

Hi Terri. I responded to your other post the other week and shared my leak story.
When I was sent home I still had the leak but it was contained. After several procedures/surgeries that didn't work I was sent home with the leak for time to heal. That was in 2008 and I have had no problems. For me it just took time but maybe someone will have a better answer.  It must be so frustrating for you.

Hi,

Thanks for responding. Time seems like the  answer though it can be frustrating. My next appointment is 5/25 and then on 5/30 I go to get the stent removed. The stent can only stay in for 4 to 6 weeks. I am hoping depending on the upper GI results on 5/25 that they might do a second stent but obviously I don't know the answer to that. My friends say I should see a wound specialist but I have always considered those doctors for external wounds like the surgical incision.... My one positive is that the wound vacuum was removed last Friday and my original surgical wound seems to be healing well.

Thanks everyone, Terri

Terri, I'm sorry you are having such a tough time of it.

You are right, wound specialists have expertise in the treatment of external wounds, not internal leaks. It sounds like Dr. Rabkin is treating the problem correctly and that you are going in the right direction, it's just very slow progress. Given that your poor stomach was on its third surgery, maybe this isn't surprising, but it's still frustrating.

If you want a second opinion, get one from an experienced GI surgeon. Someone who treats wounds on the surface isn't going to be able to help you with this one. I hope things will improve in time to save both your job and your sanity, but I think your best bet is to stay the course.

Larra

Terri,

I am sorry that you have had complications. An RNY to RNY revision and then to DS that is a lot of surgery and very high risk (I was scared stupid about my band to sleeve revision & springing a leak).  From all I've heard over the years about Dr. Rabkin - he is one of the best out there.  And from everything I've read about leaks over the years unfortunately they take time to heal.

Try to remember that worrying will not change your situation.  It will instead probably make your healing worse.  You may be in a much better place in a couple of weeks.

Never hesitate to have a second opinion to ease your mind.

(((BIG HUGS)))
Leila

I'm going to stress that I don't know whether it's feasible for you to return to work, BUT I do know from ADA law that so long as you are actually working, your employer must make resonable accomodations to you based on your medical condition.  This means if they can do something to change your work environment or restructure your job duties while still performing your essential job functions, they must legally accomodate your health needs, otherwise they're in violation of ADA.  There are more exceptions to this if your employer has less than 50 workers.  It also only "works" if you can actually resonably do your job WITH resonable accomodations.

Hi,

Thanks. I work for a huge company.. Cisco Systems based in San Jose, CA. At the 3 month mark with the disability leave job protection is no longer guaranteed. I cannot do my job at this point and when I an could be months away. I transition to Long Term Disability which is still a Cisco approved leave and the amount of pay I get is reduced. It all follows federal/state law. Hopefully when I am well enough my manager will take me back but at of 6/7 that is up to Cisco and not me anymore.

It is just one of many, many things that my complication is causing problems with - job, summer plans (we spend summers in MA usually since that is where family is), husband, child, my own frame of mind (trying to not sink into depression), etc... I am have no idea when my life might return to normal.

Thanks for everyone's help. Terri