RNY revision to DS
Hello all;
I have been visiting my Bariatric surgeon for the past 6 months to be evaluated for a revision from RNY that I received in 1996 to a DS. I started at 394 lbs. and my lowest was 174 in 1999. over the years I maintained under 200 lbs. At 49 I stopped working and went out on disability. I gained 75 pounds in less than 5 years. My current weight is 265. I really need some to share their experiences on this conversion. I never want to get back to that 394 pound woman, too many co morbities then and too many now.
I can't answer from personal experience because I never had a revision, but I can tell you that it is a complicated and challenging operation that only a handful of DS surgeons offer. The surgeon you have listed as your surgeon is not known as a DS surgeon at all, let alone one with the DS experience necessary to perform this operation (far more difficult and higher risk than a virgin DS). It involves completely returning the RNY you have now to the original anatomy, and THEN doing the whole DS. What often happens is that patients end up with something other than a DS, which they are told is "just as good" or "similar" or something like that, but it isn't.
I think there is general agreement that revision to DS is the best option for someone with a failed RNY - and keep in mind that it is the RNY that failed, not you. the failure rate longterm for RNY is substantial, and you are not alone. I would recommend that you get in tough with some of the surgeons who are well known for doing RNY to DS revisions, accepting that you will need to travel to get this done, but that the extra effort is worth it.
Larra
Hi there! I had a revision from the RNY to a DS in March of 2013. I was 62 at the time and had gotten my weight back up to 280 from the original 304. I had a fistula which
is a fairly rare complication from the RNY and was unable to lose weight because of it. My surgery was 5 hrs. I had my surgery done at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma , Wa and had a wonderful surgeon. I haven't had any complications. He told me he would do a tummy tuck once I lost 80lbs. In January of 2014 (10 months later) I had lost 80lbs. I had a tummy tuck along with a hernia repair. I continued to lose weight and am currently at 160. I would like to lose another 20lbs and feel that will come eventually. I just need to get a little more focused. I feel wonderful and have absolutely no regrets. I only wish I had not only done it sooner but wish I had done the DS instead of the RNY. My food allergies and digestive disorders are very minimal now compared to the complications I had with the RNY. My joint pain is minimal compared to where I was at too.
good luck with your decision. If you have any questions please feel free to ask.
Sharon
Sharon, I am looking over the posts for revision and saw yours and just had to ask about your joint pain...I had a Ryn Y in 2004 and since around 2006, I have been to every kind of dr there is...and about a yr ago had a laminectomy (back surgery) where they said would free the nerves and stop the constant pain, but even though it helped my back pain, it did nothing for my constant leg and joint pain. I have been diagnosed with low vit D, low B12, low iron and had to have 2 infusions. I originally lost 230 lbs and kept it off for around 5 yrs and then started gaining and have gained around 100 lbs back...one problem I am running into is there seems to be no surgeons in Ohio that does this complicated surgery...
I believe that malabsorption I had with the RNY totally contributed to my joint pain. I would bump your VitD3 up to 25,000 and get your Vit B 12 under control. that will help so much with your joint pain. It won't make it go totally away but it will help significantly. My vit D and vit b12 were always low but I now have them under control because I started taking large amounts of those 2 vitamins (under a Drs care). I believe that the DS also helps me to absorb things much better now too.
Hi Sharon,
I am Tricare Prime South and trying to get to Madigan Pathways Program for the DS. I had RNY in 2002 and started at 375 LW is now 275. I have maintained that since 2002 but can not lose anymore. I had a double hip replacement in 2009 so I really need to do something so I can remain healthy. Can you tell me if they are still doing DS at Madigan? I have been trying to call to no avail :/
Thanks for any info :)
Carmen
Louisiana
Hi Carmen,
Just saw your message. They are still doing the DS out at Madigan as far as I know. I had Dr. Preston Carter as my surgeon. He was wonderful and is considered the very best. I would see if they can schedule you for the Pathway Program then request Dr. Carter as your surgeon. I wish I could be of more help to you. Go on line and get the number for the General Surgery clinic out at Madigan and talk to them about the Pathway program. That might work better then going thru Tri Care.
Sharon.
PS- If you have any questions to where I may be able to help feel free to call me or email me
253-985-0582
Thanks Sharon. I had an appointment with a bariactric surgeon who does not do the DS. He did leave it up to me as to what I think would work best for my situation. He doesnt do the DS but would refer me to someone who does it. Since Tricare prime wil not cover DS by a civilian Doc, I am going to try and get my bariatric doc to refer me to Pathways at Madigan thru Tricare. Hoping this will work and Magigan takes me. Not sure what else I can do.. Pray Pray that it works :). Will keep,posted..
Hi Sharon!
I was so excited to see your post about your revision ftom rny ro ds at madigan!! I just got a tricare approval for me to go to madigan for a revision to ds from an rny I had in 2002. I staryed at 375 got down to 280 where I am at now. I have about 100 more to lose. I had a double hip replacement in 2009 so I am really needing this so I dont have to have another hip replacement so soon. Any info about the madigan program would help me so much! I will be coming to WA from Louisiana. Tricare will reimburse me but I have to pay upfront for travel expenses. I am so excited!?
