Please share your experiences of RNY revision to DS - I really need some advice

I am interested in hearing from folks who have had a gastric bypass (RNY) that failed and then had a revision to DS. I am facing this decision myself and it just  feels so daunting. I am aware of how hard it is to find surgeons with this skill and I am also wondering if most people feel the revision was a good decision or one which they regret. My stoma and pouch have expanded and I do not feel that the RNY is the answer for me. I have been reading about the RNY to DS revision and it seems like some have had positive experiences while others have been in the hospital for weeks. Were you able to have the revision done laparoscopic or was it open? What was it like to have the pyloric valve reintroduced? Did your "old" stomach wake up and start working or did you have nerve problems. What would your advice be to someone facing this choice? I am very grateful to you for sharing your experiences and advice and I know that there is so much wisdom here. 

Hi Tomson

I had my RNY converted to a DS 2 1/2 months ago.   When I made up my mind to do it the first thing I did was looked for a doctor that had concrete experience doing this surgery.  Doing your research you will find that the two doctors with the most experience is Dr. K and Dr. Rabkin, both are in California.  I wanted to go with Dr. Rabkin even though he cost more I wanted the most experience and expertise so you go for the best and not to mention he is only 45 min from me.

I looked at videos and I talked to people and I mean a lot of people about this surgery and educated myself on just what I was getting into.  But by the time I woke up from surgery I realized that even though I thought I was prepared I was not prepared for the pain of this surgery.  But that is where pain meds come in.  I was in the hospital for 5 days and they were rough.  I left the hospital with a feeding tube that I had for 6 weeks which also caused me a lot of pain, so much in fact that I pulled it out myself.  Dr. Rabkin and any surgeon who is doing this surgery is doing it open and trust you want it to be done open because it is a COMPLEX surgery and you want them to have a clearing viewing field.  The funny thing is my incision from being opened didn't cause me any pain it was the inside pain and that dam feeding tube.  You have to remember because this surgery is so complex there is a chance for a LOT of complications and they do happen all the time, I was one of the lucky ones and had no complications at all.

You asked what it is like to have the pyloric valve reintroduced?  I don't notice any difference, I eat my protein and get my water in.   

Did your old stomach wake up and start working or did you have nerve problems?

You no longer have your old stomach for it to wake up and do anything.  This is how it goes.  your RNY is taken down and your old pre-WLS tummy is rebuilt as if you never had WLS, your RNY intestines are also put back to original factory setting you were born with.  Then after this is done the doctor cuts your newly rebuilt tummy into a sleeve which is the first part of the ds, the then re-routes your intestines again.  Dr. Rabkin also removed my gall bladder and apendix.  So my surgery was like 5 surgeries in one hence the pain.

What would your advice be to someone facing this choice?

My advice is, if your body will lose weight Lose IT, exhaust every avenue before doing this because it is a hard surgery and the recovery is really long and painful.  I am still at a point where I am regretful and I think that may be because I am sick a lot.   But if you have tried everything and nothing works then the choice is yours but go into it educated, talk to people, watch videos, and know the commitment that the DS requires for LIFE.

I paid for my surgery out of pocket because my insurance wouldn't pay.  I paid $40,000, but I hope yours will pay.  If you decide to do it go with a vetted surgeon who is very experienced in doing this, it is your life and it's not worth saving a few bucks to put yourself at risk.

I have lost 31 pounds thus far.  The weight loss is slower with this revision, but speaking to other revision people they have done really great with their loss and I am hoping to follow in their foot steps.

 

If you have anymore questions you can ask,  my private message on here is not working so you will have to ask in a thread.  But anything I am willing to answer, even the stinky poop and fart questions.  

Make your decision with knowledge, it's no joke.

 

***************************THIS IS MY EXPERIENCE, OTHERS MAY DIFFER.*********************

 

Lee,

I am especially grateful to you for all the time you took to write such a detailed response for a stranger. What a kindness you have done for me. I am indebted to you and I wish you every success on your continued journey. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers as I remember my early struggles from 8 years ago. Time heals, but it sure takes its own sweet time. I am married and my wife is much smaller than me (which seems obvious) but I am wondering if you needed any outside care after surgery or were you pretty much able to take care of yourself? You sound like one tough cookie. I wish I had your courage!

Warmly

Tomson

Sorry to but in on post. Lee I have being trying to write you...but it wont let me send. Wanted to see how your are doing...your pain, your spirit.

Tomson

Lee gives the best advise ever. She actually told me exactly what my doctor told me. I wish you good luck in your decision

Tricie

Hi Tricie

I don't know what has been going on with OH private message, mine has been messed up forever.

I am doing pretty good, my pain is pretty much gone.  I throw  up only about twice a week now and I am going on vacation on July 9.    I will give you more details as soon as OH fixes the private message.

 

  Hi, I had my revision 10/17/06. That day  weighed 340 and wore a size 36 jean. Today my weight goes from 150-155 depending on water weight and I wear a size 5/7 jean. From a sized 56 top to a 12. I woke up from surgery with no or very little pain. I did come home with a drain in my stomach that was a bit uncomfortable but not really painful. I do have some gastro issues. I have to be REALLY CAREFUL ABOUT PASSING GAS. That's the only real problem I've had, but  can mostly control it by not eating greasy foods which also helps keep my LDL low.

  I don't visit here as often as I used to, so if you want to ask me anything you can e-mail me ok?

[email protected]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scaryreader,  you did RNY to DS with little pain?  Woooo you are the first person I have ever heard say that, was it open?   Who was your surgeon?  and more importantly what drugs were you on?   LOL    I am 2 1/2 months out and sick all the time.

It is finally good to hear someone who didn't have  a lot of pain, man I wish that were me.   I am going to read your journal.

It wasn't  my thread but I am glad you replied because I am learning stuff from as many revision people as I can.

Dear Scaryreader,

You sound like a superhero. I wanted to ask you, if I may, when you got your first RNY and how long did it last and what made you decide to go back and get the DS revision. How did you weight that calculus in your head? Also, you did not mention if you had the conversion surgery done open, but I am assuming you did. I work and I wonder how long the recovery time will be for someone? How long were you in the hospital post-op? Did your insurance pay or did you self pay? I am afraid to ask, but I guess I should. What happened with your bowel function and passing gas. Do you know if diarrhea is a common complication and how did you manage it, just in case you had it. I was asking about the pyloric valve because I had terrible dumping problems and the idea of ending those is one appealing thing about this surgery as I understand that the pyloric valve is restored. Thank you for your willingness to share and please know that I wish you every success on your continued journey.

Warmly

Tomson

Dr k did my revision 2 1/2 years ago and I would do it again in a heart beat And i was totally self pay. Yes, there was pain, as in most surgeries but not the worst I've ever experience. Yes, I had trouble the first year with vomiting. But I've lost weight, my diabetes is gone and I feel the best I've felt in years!

Dear Teachmid,

You sound like a person of tremendous courage. Would you be willing to give me a transfusion? I am astounded about how resolute you are despite have such complications. I am so glad your diabetes is gone and I wish to thank you for sharing your experiences with me. I am very grateful to you.

Warmly

Tomson