Looking for a Revision Surgeon?

Hi All -  I am 2 weeks out from Gastic Bypass revision surgery at Barix in Ypsilanti,Mich at Barix.  My doctor is Steven Poplawski.  This was NOT lapband over bypass, it was a complete revision of the original failed surgery I had in December 2007. I was initially nervous because everything done previously has to be disconnected and reconnected which, of course, can be much more dangerous.  But in Dr. Poplawski's hands all went fabulously. For those looking to have revision surgery or the initial Gastric Bypass surgery, I would highly recommend Dr. Poplawski and Barix.  You can click on find a surgeon on the ObesityHelp website to see how many surgeries he has had. 

I would be happy to answer any questions you might have about this revision surgery!

Melodie

Hi Melodie-a revision is not possible for me, so I am just being curious.  If you don't want to answer I understand.  What was your initial surgery?  bypass length, stoma size, pouch size.  What did he do in your revision?  Why did he do your revision?  I looked on your story page and I couldn't see anything.  I had my RNY in 2006.  I only kept off 16 lbs. in the first 11 months and I regained to 235 lbs.  It has taken me 15 months to relose almost 50 lbs.  Every pound has been a struggle.  The thought of living my life like this worries me.  My doctor wants me to take cholesterol medication and I have chosen not to because I don't want to extend my life because the hunger is so terrible.  But, like I say it is not possible for me and I am just wondering.  20% of us fail intitially.  That is a lot of us struggling along so I think revisions will be growing in number.  I was part of the Restore trial that was abandoned and the Rose procedure took it's place.  Best of luck to you.  Daisy

Hi Daisy -I do not know why I am having such a problem navigating this website, but it took forever to finally be able to respond to your reply.  I looked at "your story", but I guess I never even saw the opportunity to write my story.  Not sure where that area is on the website. 

My initial surgery was Laproscopic RNY.   However, I initially lost 85 pounds, but that stopped at about 6 months when I started eating real food.   I never felt full and kept questioning my original surgeon and internist who just pooh poohed it as to my having to watch what I ate and measure everything.   That ticked me off because it did not make sense that the window was closing so soon.  I then began to haul my body out of bed at 5:00 in the morning to walk and also joined a gym and worked with a personal trainer and still started to pack on the pounds.  I was furious.  So when I confronted my surgeon with that data, he finally told me that he was unable to make the pouch small enough because my liver was too large.   I asked why he did not do an 'OPEN' procedure.    He said he could put a lap band on my stomach, but if I had wanted a lap band I would have done that originally.  He said he could do a revision, but he had only done 1 or 2.  Let's just say...I ran out of there.  That is when I started investigating options on the internet and through support group discussions.   In researching, I kept seeing Dr. Poplawski's name popping up.  So when I visited Obesity Help, I was able to see how many procedures he had done and the comments from other patients. 

I got an appointment with him late last year.  I asked if he would take me on as a patient...most bariatric surgeons will not touch someone else's patient.  He said he would, but it did not mean he would perform surgery on my...diet and execise...yadi, yadi, yadi....  I told him my story so he did an upper GI.  Well...when he saw the size of my stomach he and I almost croaked....it was gynormous.   That is when we decided that a revision of the original surgery was necessary. 

It is my understanding that I have a 2 oz pouch, but I don't think he bypassed any farther than the original surgery...but I could be wrong.   I am going to ask that. 

I am unclear as to why you cannot have a revision.  Also, what is the Restore and/or Rose procedures?  I would like to know.  You sound like you are doing all the right things.  Please write back because I am really interested.   Thanks for responding to my post.  Melodie

Daisy, why isn't a revision possible for you?

It is a long story but the bottom line is that I have never told anyone I had a rny.  If I have a revision there is a very great chance that my friends and family will find out.  I would rather be fat than go through the shame of having them find out I not only had the surgery, but failed at it too.  thanks for caring,  Daisy

Hopefully one day you'll come to the realization that your health is more important than what someone thinks of you.  I'm sure it would be much harder on your friends and family to lose you prematurely due an obesity related health problem than it would be to take a couple of possible knocks because you're not getting the support you deserve.
I wish you'd reconsider.
Debbie M.