Successful RNY revision of enlarged stoma and made more distal? Please Help!

I am scheduled on June 21st for a revision to my original RNY (1999), due to a stretched stoma and possibly making mine into a more distal RNY. I am not sure how long my intestines were made the first time, but my doctor is going to try to lengthen them for a little more malabsorbstion, but nothing too drastic to jepordize my health. I would LOVE to hear some success stories from any of you who were in a similar situation. I originally lost 170 pounds, but never got to goal (about 50-60 pounds from goal), I have recently gained 80 back due to my food falling through an open stoma and constant hunger (I also visit the bathroom extremely too much). Despite constant exercise and dieting, my problem avails. PLEASE reply if you have had success with this procedure. I am excited to get fixed, but am nervous. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING. Sincerely, Melanie :wave:

Melanie, Good luck. I originally had my gastric bypass done in Pgh in 1985--due to the way the told me to eat back then(carbs) I gained about 80 lbs back. My stoma was big about 2 inches. Found a great doc..she placed a lapband around the stoma. So far since 4/4/06 have lost 26 lbs and for the first time in about 15 years feel full. Good luck..Have heard great things about Dr. Colella..I used to work as a nurse in PGH.. Take care... Stacey

Thank you Stacey for the response. Keep me updated. Melanie

Hi Stacey, Boy have I been looking for you. My Dr. just suggested that I get a Lap Band because the openning between my little stomach and my small bowel has grown too large (had a RNY in 2000). I have not heard of anyone doing this... I am glad to hear that it is working for you. Ronni

Melanie, I have similiar problems. I do not know if my pouch is enlarged or staple diruption but I am scheduleing an egd now. My doctor just mentioned revision to me and then kind of backed off maybe because I was kind of scared taken aback never thought of this. I have struggled for 1-1/2 trying to get to goal. I am 5'3" 200 started at 312 in 9/2003 had a hormone problem a year out and had to have a hysterectomy c-section type. I believed rny was transected but maybe it wasn't he did me proximal and said we could check the pouch tighten it up and go more distal. How does insurance work with revision (being you have already been approved and scheduled) What is needed for approval and how long does it take them? Thanks KAM

Hi Kam, I am so sorry it has taken me this long to respond. Things are so crazy right now with surgery next week. I started my journey in 1999 at 398 (5'8). I originally lost 170 pounds but never got down to "ideal weight." Shortly after (2003) I needed an emergency gall bladder removal. I was turning jaundice. Since then I have gained back 85 pounds. I noticed that I was hungry all of the time. No matter how much I exercised, the weight kept coming back on. I guess what jump started my investigation into this was two of my friends had the surgery last summer and they look so fantastic, are never sick, and can eat and drink anything. I knew I must of had some problem. So I began researching revision doctors around the Pittsburgh area and Dr. Colella's name came up on this site as the only revision specialist in the Pittsburgh area. Prior to finding his name, I visited my two friend's doctors and they both refused to operate on me, blamed me, and called me a failure. They told me that I failed the best weight loss procedure out there. Let alone to say I became extremely depressed over this. I thought I would try Dr. Colella as my last hope. If this did not work out, I was obviously meant to live in this world as a fluffy person the rest of my life. At my first appointment, he was so nice and kind. He told me that this was not my fault that it could be a mechanical issue or my first doctor never did me correctly. He said lets do some tests and find out the problem. I finally had hope! I was scheduled for an endoscopy in March where they found out that my stoma was enlarged and my food was falling right through my stomach into my intestines causing my constant hunger (leading to overeating) and my bathroom frequency. He suggested a revision of my pouch and tightening my stoma. I asked if he ever lengthened the intestines to a more distal approach for more malabsorbtion and greater weight loss? He said that yes in some he has, it all depends on what he finds when he is in there. So, the insurance companies can be a BEAR! He sent in my info and I was denied at first due to a change in revision policy for Highmark Select Blue. Apparently they are now trying to make it tougher to have revisions because it was becoming so common. You are now required a 6 month physician supervised diet, medical letter of neccessity from your PCP, nutritional counseling, phychologist clearance, pulmonary clearance, and sleep studies if prone to sleep apnea. This is what has taken the longest, but thanks to Dr. Colella's angel, Delana she collected all my information also included a letter of medical urgency from them and appealed my first denial. She got me approved in less than 36 hours! I just came from my last appointment with him (before surgery) this morning and all of my pre-op work(blood work after 14 hour fast), history and physical, bariatric class, chest x-ray, and EKG. It has been a long day. I am excited for next week, but EXTREMELY NERVOUS! I know the risks and complications are greater and that does scare me, I am young (30), but I am still worried. I am also scared that I may go through all of this(especially a possible open procedure) and still fail my weight loss goals. I only want to lose the 85 pounds I have gained, any more would definitly be a bonus. I am trying to be realistic though. Keep me updated with your progress. Keep me in your prayers, Melanie

I had RNY in 2001 and revised to BPD/DS in May 06. I think this is a much better solution for long-term weight loss. I was constantly hungry and gain 30 pounds of the 130 that I originally lost. Unfortunately, you will see a lot more of this happening with RNY - it is becoming very common.

Hi Kimi, I was interested in that procedure, but there is no one around me that does the BPD/DS. As I was researching it, I also noticed how dangerous it could be for someone out so many years from RNY as myself. I guess if this tightening procedure doesn't work that may be my last option, God willing. Thank you so much for your response. Please keep me updated on your progress, and in your prayers next week for my surgery. Thanks, Melanie