Please research your surgey options extensively

Hey guys,

 I just had my  consult yesterday  with Dr. Keshishian for revision to the duodenal switch to correct complications I have been having with my fobi  pouch gastric bypass. i have severe dumping, vomiting, reflux, hypoglycemia, and constant nausea. These issues can happen with the RNY, but are much more likely with the fobi pouch.

If I knew about the DS surgery before, there is no way in hell I would have had the fobi pouch. I do not intend to start a surgery wars thread here. We are men and don't need that kind of bull **** I just want to point out to anyone looking into wls that there are more options than just the lap band and gastric bypass. As you do your research I would encourage you to look into other options so you can make an informed decision on having surgery. Unfortunately the informed consent laws do not require surgeons to educate you on all of your sugery options, so please research.

www.dsfacts.com is a great site. It explains the DS surgery very thoroughly. Another option is the VSG, which is the restrictive component of the DS surgery.

Best wishes to all:-)

Yehuda

I agree 100% and preach the same thing.  However, if you are stating that one surgery type is SUPERIOR to another, you are doing all a dis-service.

As I said in the other thread. I never said anything about superiority.

And I apologize.  As I said, I recently had issue with 2 individuals who did just that!  My apologies.

Not commenting at all on which surgery type is superior.  I had a revision from fobi pouch to VSG in August, could continue to a full DS in a second stage but I've decided against that.  One thing I will say is that although my original fobi/rny was open, I was blessed to have the revision done laproscopically and there is no way I'd be opened again if I had the option of Lap, what a difference.  Anyway, as the original poster said, be sure to do your research and do what is right for you.

 I'm sorry that you have had so many complications.  They are possible with almost any kind of surgery and WLS is major surgery.  You were especially at risk at your starting weight.  I'm glad that you took corrective action at a relatively young age.  Hopefully, you will be feelin much better soon.

Thanks Bob.

It's just a bummer to me that I didn't really know all my options before. I was so desperate to get the weight off that I just listened to my surgeons advice on wls without doing thorough research. It was a bad idea. The fobi pouch has far more episodes of these complications than the RNY.

Yehuda

 I was about 575 when I saw my surgeon.  I wasn't enthusiastic, but my sister-in-law is a nurse and she suggested RLS.  The first doctor I went to see refused to operate on me but he gave me a list of doctors who would probably do the surgery.  I now know that he was trying to make his success rates seem better than other doctors.  He has come under a cloud of suspicion with a spate of deaths of his patients.  I guess it could have happened to anyone.  

Way back in 2000, there wasn't a lot of info about WLS.  I know I'd go to the surgeon's office and everyone would be hopeful.  I managed to get my surgery about 4 months after I signed up due to a cancelation.  Many people were waiting a year or more just to have the surgery.  And, many health insureres were not covering any WLS.

I wouldn't apologize for saying the the DS is a superior surgery. Why is it superior? The amount of excess weight loss is more then any other surgery, the amount of weight loss retained out 20 years is MUCH higher then any other surgery, and it's the only surgery that allows you to eat "normally" (both in terms of quality and quantitiy of food) and maintain your weight loss long term. Is the DS for everyone, no...people do need to take suppliments post DS (just like any other surgery...including RNY, VSG, and the Band). But until they come up with a magic pill to make people lose weight, it's the closest thing to magic.

What makes me sick is that there is someone posting on this forum with an almost 100 lb weight regain, which is COMMON for the lap band, still advocating that surgery and suggesting to people that it might work for them. WHAT???? Are you kidding me? What does it take for people to wake up and smell the coffee? The band has been rejected by some counties that practice socialized medicine because it doesn't work (I believe it was sweeden for anyone who cares). Every study about the band shows that it does not have long term success in keeping weight off of MO people, and it's almost completely ineffective for SMO people. There is a 1 in 7 chance that you will have MAJOR complications, and need the band removed, and a revision to another surgery.

I'm all about being "nicey nice" but stupid is as stupid does, and if you are sitting there with a 100 lb regain...stop advocating the surgery you had. It doesn't work.

Scott

 I had my first RNY (distal) done 11-14-00 and my revision on 01-21-05.  I wasn't aware of many other surgeries at that time.  Wa DS even available then?  How can you project what the 20 post-op experience will be for a surgery that hasn't been around that long?  I'm not looking for an argument.  Rather, I'm just wondeering about your statements.

Oh, and I may be in a bit of a sour mood because Chase just called about a fraudulent charge on my credit card.  It's for only one dollar but we'll need new cards.  Why would anyone do this?  Life just seems too complicated for me sometimes.  This is just another detail that my wife will have to fix.