First appt with Dr. Rabkin Wednesday for Revision RNY-DS

 

Sharon, 

Who is your surgeon??

 

Dr. Rabkin in San Francisco. He is the best I hear and that is what I want, but is sure is the most expensive.

Lee,

 

I had my RNY to DS revision almost 14 months ago and the pooping issues, comparing my RNY and my DS.  My DS is a wlak in the park compared to my RNY.  I had diarrhea with my RNY, unless I took my iron twice daily and with my DS, I have soft, pudding like consistently.  Both types of poop stink pretty much the same.  Of course YMMV.

That is good to hear because I have been hearing all kinds of stories and it is really good to hear it from people who are going through it.  

How was your pain after your revision?  That is my biggest fear.

I had a virgin D.S., and 2 "C" sections- vertical incisions. the pain is only on the surface,and the abdominal muscles if they are cut. There is no pain deep inside the body cavity, no nerves there. My D.S. was laparoscopic, pain only where they inserted the instruments. Really only one cut hurt, where they removed the portion of stomach, only one requiring stitches inside, glued 1/2" all surface cuts. Don't worry about any pain. There is such a wide variety of pain meds they can give you, as long as you need them. Most people are off the heavy meds within a few days to 2 weeks . Getting out of bed was the most difficult, with a bit of pain. I spent 2 1/2 days in the hospital, once home, I had no pain at all if I didn't move. I was able to take care of my self while in the hospital, walking the halls with no problem, several times a day, getting up and down  from bed without help. 

My 2 "C" sections were more painful. I couldn't have heavy meds because of breast feeding. I recovered, the painful days were short lived, and eased quickly, and improved daily. Don't worry.

My revision will be open and removal of gall bladder and appendix I believe,  that sounds like all kinds of pain to me Sandra.  But you are right they will supply me with pain meds that I will definitely make use of.    Oh goodness the thought of walking right out of surgery is something that scares me I will admit.

I had both removed at the same time. There shouldn't be any difference in the post operative pain whether they're removed or not. Will save you from possible surgery in the future.

I had my appendix and gallbladder out at the same time. Didn't feel anything in the appendix area. While he was in there, I asked to have all the D.S. areas checked, and an upper G.I. since Dr. Kemmeter was the only one who knew my rerouting. My PCP approved, thought he was the only surgeon qualified to know his way around. I know your nurses will be having you walk the halls ASAP. My instructions were to walk the same night of surgery. To the bathroom and back- haha, not as far as I thought. Relax it helps to go into surgery confident and calm.  ;-)

I know we have to walk right away I'm just scared.  I am going to do my best and calm down because I am really freaked out and I guess that is why I keep asking everyone I come into contact with about the pain.  It is good to know that the removal of the organs don't cause any additional pain because my brain had me thinking that extra cutting caused extra pain.  LOL.

Sandra it sounds like you can handle pain well with what you have been through.

My first major surgery ever in my life was 2 years ago- total hysterectomy, uterus cancer, ovaries, cervix all removed. I'm a cancer survivor, it was completely contained in the uteruses wall, and had not spread. Going through all this, not knowing pre surgery what the outcome would be. I gained 30 lbs immediately, with post surgical menopause. 4 months after the first surgery, had the D.S. All these were lap surgeries. Next gallbladder/appendix, lap= 12 lap scars, and 2 "C" section vertical scars. 2 months ago had plastic surgery- circumferential body contouring- butt lift/augmentation, breast lift/augmentation, abdominal muscle tightening, outer thigh lift/lipo, Not back to the gym yet. Still deep slight pain all over. Fast walking the indoor track will be my first step back to my 4 day a week exercise program. Planning a face lift for summer. Plastics is definitely worth the pain, same as the D.S. recovery, well worth it, but D.S. not even close to the body pain because it is a longer recovery period. I have a lift recliner for all my future recoveries. Wish I had it for my first 2 surgeries. With plastics  body and face you cant sleep laying down flat for about 2 weeks. 

Best wishes for your surgery. The anesthesiologist  can give you a pre -surgery sleepy med in your IV, especially if you are nervous. Ask them for an anti-nausia med, they give before you wake up from the surgery. I know you will be fine, really!!!  ;-)