Hi all, 

Missed my 2 year revision post. Sorry life is very busy ! I am doing great and still losing, al biet slowly at this point in time. I am now in SINGLE digit sizes ! I am bouncing a 3 lb range and then about once a  month I drop 3-5 pounds. I would NEVER had thought that would be possible. I actually have trouble finding a bra to fit as I am in a popular size now. It's odd indeed. Being my journey has been a bit unusual I finally got brave and cleaned out closets. I went from 4 closets of closets to barely 1. I am working on filling it up with items that fit properly. I can now pull out anything and it fits properly. I am hoping I level off as I like where I am and I am tired of replacing clothes. I can never thank Dr John Rabkin enough for my re-found health.

I sure hope you went to the ER and called Dr K on the way. If you have not I would NOW.

I am not sure how you accurately calculate your BMI without your legs, but your doc is unknown in the DS community. Dr Rabkin or Dr Keshishian are the 2 most wonderful and talent ly DS surgeons in California. Dr Rabkin fixed my messed up surgery. Get a hold of one or both and pack your bags before things get worse. 

In in the meantime stop counting calories and eat protein. You want at least 100 grams a day if not more. Do not eat any carbs while you are getting into one of the docs. Sorry you have been thru so much, but you need a DS pro doc and you need him now. I would suggest as long as you are going to have your wife see him as well for evaluation and see what's happening with her as well. 

Lots of of great advice . Please post an update once you see a True DS doc.

I went clothes shopping as everyone has stated my clothes are hanging on me. NOW I know they were correct....drum roll....size 12 WELCOME to my closet 

If your seeking a revision, go to the best ! It's definitely worth it. 

So sorry Cowboy about what happened. Keep fighting insurance if you have to and SEEK legal advise. I had 3 surgeries, all for DS, first 2 were incorrect. I finally got my behind to California to Rabkin and he fixed me. I am doing great and approaching 1 year from my last revision. FYI on insurance. I had to jump thru their loops for each surgery, but in the end since I met the requirements for WLS, all 2 were paid for except for deductibles and travel expenses. It was totally worth it. Keep fighting.

I think it's more of an OH decision to "improve" yet it's not improving a thing.. 

Okay off my soap box. I have work to do 

Terri, 

Make sure you check out dsfacts.com as well. I get so frustrated with OH changing things here so often, NO consistency. They send me emails saying they miss my posting, yet they are not consistent with the information available here. Why should we spend time here, when there are other places where what you say is not filtered to their liking.  

Who will be surgeon ? Have you decided ? It's a big decision to pick a great one. Best of luck to you. 

Wonder if mine shows up, sorry Mia, dad has been ill and needing lots of help

Check your messages 

Hi Fatherof2, 

You did NOT cross boundries. I try to post as I have time, but life is usually swamped here. I know it's unusual to have so many surgeries. My struggle with weight loss and the DS is so unusual ! My first WLS was with a non vetted doc. I lost well at first. I was lower than what I am now. I suddenly regained weight at about 16 months post-op. He told me it was my fault and his follow up was horrid and he was a distance from me as well. My labs were showing I was super absorbing so obviously something had changed. I underwent testing and doc #2 thought my bilio limb was too long and not the proper measurement and the shape of my stomach was incorrect. So that was revision #1. I only lost 20 pounds with that revision. I did not feel well overall. I had a ton of trouble eating. I asked doc #2 (now retired) what he thought was wrong. He did NO testing and told me it was my fault. I was like WTF. I eat protein first, get in my water take my vits, exercise, etc. He did no testing or imaging to see if anything was wrong. I was frustrated. I am only 5'2" with a family history of arthritis and was struggling with the extra weight.

After a lot of research and talking with insurance company I learned that since I met the requirements for WLS that they would pay for a 3rd revision. I was shocked, but determined. I decided it was time to go to the best in the country. Well one of the best vetted docs where I could use my insurance. That was Dr Rabkin.  He found that my cc was too long, and reduced it to 80 cm, he found a large hiatal hernia which he repaired and said that is probably why I was having so much trouble eating properly. He also adjusted the bilio limb to match the rules for Dr Hess's method of the DS in proper lengths for my body. Dr Rabkin also found a fistula where my body was trying to correct itself from the DS configuration which he took down and repaired. I am praying I never develop another one. Dr R said he had never seen a fistula like mine in all of his years of practice. 

My hope in sharing my unusual journey is that others be sure and go to a vetted DS doc. There is a list on www.dsfacts.com that is quite reliable. I know they are also in the process of updating it. I read that recently, so hopefully it will be updated. I could kick myself for not going to Dr Rabkin in the first place or Dr Keshishian. I live in Illinois now and so it was quite a trip, but well worth it. Do remember a revision loses the weight slower, which is frustrating, but I am determined to get it off. With the holidays ending I am planning on getting back to a pool on a regular basis. It's hard as it's a 45 minutes drive one way, but I have to figure out when I can go along with when they have lap swimming available. My entire story is in my blog if your interested. Pick your DS wisely and good luck on your journey and that it may very uneventful !

Checking in as I am just over 6 months post-op revision #2. I have lost 57 pounds to date. It's nice to be back in the 100's, and I pray I never see that #2 again. I just had labs drawn this a.m., and I am feeling well. The weight loss is a little slower than I had hoped, but hey, this is revision #2, so I can't really complain. My dexascan is not very good and I will be going to see an osteoporosis specialist, except that appt is not until the end of March. I am on the cancellation list, so I will see when I can get in. 

I have fewer food intolerances and can eat anything I want for the most part. Of course, I stick to protein first and water and then go down the list from there. My previous "gotta have food" sensations and cravings are gone. What a blessing. I have less gas than I have ever had, even less than pre-op. I can't recommend Dr Rabkin enough. My intestinal measurements are FINALLY  happy with each other and getting along.

Can't wait to see what the next few months brings, I am ready !

I am a revision, but had several problems, a fistula was repaired and a hiatal hernia, cc shortened and stomach was plicated, not re-sleeved. There is a difference. Dr Rabkin said he would decide when he got in there and he did not like what he found, so he fixed everything ! My revision was open, and I knew what to expect, so it was about the same as the original surgery. I think we all vary and it depends on if your doc finds other problems while in there. 

Merry Christmas to all ...

Life is great, loving my revision, I am just a little over 6 months out now, almost to goal.