RNY revision to DS

Hi folks!

I have questions about RNY revision to DS and I’m sure these questions have all been asked before. However, I was getting frustrated poking through all the postings to try to find answers, sooooo, I thought I would put all my questions into one post.

Before I start on my questions let me give you my history.

Up until my middle 20s I didn’t have a weight problem. I was very average, tall, very active, curvy 5’8” 150lbs. I swear overnight I ballooned to over 200+. Apparently this is normal for the women on my paternal grandfather’s side. And they die early from obesity issues.

I did all the diets & programs including Optifast and injections. Lost then gained it all back and then some. In 2003 I found out about wls and started to pursue it through my insurance, Kaiser. Kaiser said they didn’t do the DS and I didn’t know I could have challenged them.

I was denied the first time because of a BMI under 50. I was at 326lbs and a BMI of 47.9 and no co-morbidities. 2 months later I was diagnosed with diabetes and a bulging bladder. I was approved and started in the Kaiser Bariatric program in December 2003. I had lost 12lbs during the intervening 6 months.

Kaiser required me to loose an additional 31 pounds before I could schedule to have my surgery. I went to Curves 6 days a week and ate Kaisers 1100 calorie diet. It took me 9 months to loose those 31 pounds. Doc said I had a very slow metabolism, most likely genetic. (Ha)

I still mind my eating, I'm still very active however the weight is just creeping back on.

Highest weight 326lbs

Program approval 314lbs

RNY on 10/25/2004 at 281lbs

1 year post op 177lbs.

Lowest weight post op 175lbs.

Goal - 150lbs

Maintained at 190 for 4 years

Currently at 241 to 252.

This year is 10 years post op.

 A couple of weeks ago, a friend of mine who had the DS 4 years ago, told me that they are doing RNY revisions to DS. I’m ecstatic but need to do my research first before I start the ball rolling.

 So here are my questions;

What is the criterion to have the revision surgery?

My insurance is still Kaiser and they still do not do DS.

Has anyone challenged them for revision approval?

If so what steps/hoops did you have to go through?

What do I need to do and/or have in order before I challenge them?

How long did it take to get approval?

Where/who did they refer you?

What is the post op recovery time?

Those who have had the revision, what is the hardest thing living with the revision?

What do you have to do differently now from the RNY?

Is there anyone in the SF East Bay area that would be willing to meet for coffee and let me pick their brain?

I’ll happily take any suggestions for info gathering. As I said this my first step toward the  possibility of revision surgery.

I think that is it for now. I know I’ll have more questions.

 Thank you!

That's a lot of questions!

Long story short, yes, revisions of RNY to Ds can be done, though it's a complex and high risk surgery. I can guarantee you that Kaiser won't approve it, you are going to get denials and have an uphill battle. Some people win that battle with appeals to the DMHC (dept of managed health care), some don't. There is far, far too much to discuss here. I will send you a pm.

Larra