Two stage DS question...

Good afternoon...it's been a while since I've been on the DS board, but alas here I am once again. I'll try to keep this brief, then hopefully someone out there can chime in.

Basically, I was scheduled for a DS in November 2012. The surgeon decided to do a 2-stage approach. I'm 6 months post op now and 85 pounds lighter. I had a 6 month check up last week (with the NP none-the-less), and when I asked about scheduling the 2nd stage of the DS, she said I have to wait until I'm out 1 full year. I am upset and feel like this is complete BS, therefore I want to find another surgeon who will complete my DS sooner rather than later.  First of all, Am I wrong for wanting the 2nd stage now or is there a real medical reason why I have to wait 6 more months? The only answer Miss NP gave me was because there was so much inflammation in my intestines and that I need to continue to lose weight so that this inflammation will decrease....yada yada.  Sounds like a load of crock to me.  Second of all, if I were to switch surgeons would I be required to go through the entire process again? Tests, letters, insurance approval?

Thanks everyone. Have a great week!

Barbara

gee I hate when they do that, I know POMP does that often....makes the 2 stagers wait a year, yes it is bs, not sure how it would work if you got another surgeon now?  going thru some of that stuff is dr individualized also...the reason you were given is a bunch of bull....hope you get it sooner htan later

If you are succeeding without the DS, I think their reasoning is quite valid.  My surgeon said it will take a full year for my body to recover.  I am 9 mo out as a virgin DSr.  I have had complications/issues.  My Sed rate is really high which means I have a lot of inflammation in my body.

You have done a great job losing 85lbs.  It's working for you. 

I hope Huneypie will see this.  She is a 2stepper and doing great.

Good luck to your in your journey!

I call bull..................If so far you have the sleeve there is no reason why your intestine would be inflamed from the sleeve surgery. 

All you can do is call a different doctor and tell them and find out if everything you have done so far will transfer to the new doctor. The same would hold true for your insurance.

Good Luck

Assuming you have made a good recovery, as it sounds like you have, there is no good medical reason for this. Yes, there is inflammation inside after any abdominal surgery, but unless there is infection or other reason for continued inflammation, it's usually safe to go back in after 6-8 weeks, though that would have been far too soon as far as weight loss and DS recovery are concerned.  6 months is long enough, and in fact, you will derive more benefit from having the sleeve and the "switch" work together by having the switch sooner, when your sleeve is still providing good restriction.

Of course, there also may not have been a good reason for the surgeon doing the DS in two stages to begin with, but that ship has sailed.

I would recommend talking directly with the surgeon and not with the NP. This is not the NP's decision to make (though of course she may be accurately telling you how this surgeon does things, but still, it's not up to her).

Larra

Hi,

I had my second-stage surgery last week, 7 years after my sleeve, lol!  I originally wanted the DS, but there were no surgeons in my area.  I approached the surgeons who use the hospital where I work about doing the sleeve.  They hadn't even heard of it as a stand alone surgery.  I lost about 130 lbs in a year.  

I personally wouldn't have a problem waiting to have the second stage, for a couple of reasons.  First of all, if I were losing weight steadily with just the sleeve I wouldn't mess with success.  I would use that first surgery until it seemed like it wasn't working anymore.

Secondly, it seems that most of the stretching of my stomach happened in the second year.  The regain of weight didn't start until after that, about year 3, and then it was very gradual at first.  During those first couple of years is when I should have done the switch, I think, after my stomach and intestines had adapted, so I would have the chance to redo the sleeve if necessary, and so that the risks of the second surgery were as small as possible. 

Good luck!

Tonya

Thanks everyone for your replies.  The sleeve is working for me so far, I'm just worried that I'm not going to reach my goal weight with the sleeve alone. I started out with excess weight of 200+ pounds and I've lost 85 already. I know I could get to goal with the DS for sure.  I read my surgical report, and I had no issues other than a 'discolored liver' and a 'thinned gallbladder'. I'm going to hang in there and keep working my sleeve and hold on to the hopes of having stage 2 later this year.

First of all, I've never heard of your surgeon.  Are you sure he even does the DS?  It may very well be why they are stalling.  If anything, I might seek a second opinion with a surgeon who is known for doing the DS.