GASTROPLASTY REVISION TO RNY

Hi guys, I am a nervous wreck. I just received good news, I have been approved for my revision. I guess in the back of my mind I thought that my insurance would turn me down so I would not have to worry with the thought of having the surgery. I am having so many complications with the surgery in place (vomiting and muscle spasms) that I have no choice but to have it completely removed or revise to the RNY. On my first visit to my doctor he told me that because I have already had a WLS that the risk for the RNY would be higher. This is my major concern. I want to be able to eat healthy and not worry about vomiting. I have decided to go thru with it but wanted to get some view from you guys about possible complications and if any of you had some. Please help!!!! Thanks, shanetta rollins

My doctor told me that the risk for complications double when you have a revision. But think about it this way. Without doubling, the risk for death is about 0.3% (somebody correct me if I'm wrong). So double that. That makes the risk for death to be about 0.6%. Not bad! Many of the other risks involved are very rare, but can happen. That's why it's very important to check out your doctor. Once you know your doctor's history with WLS, it will give you peace of mind. But it's absolutely normal to be nervous. Another thing you need to consider . . . what risks do you have if you don't have the surgery? Can you lose the weight by yourself? Do you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, arthritis, Acid Reflux disease, etc.? I weighed 307 lbs. I'm still having problems with my left knee and can't wait for this weight to come off to relieve some of the pressure. My blood pressure was in the danger zone. I hurt all over for no reason; I felt like I had the flu. I couldn't clean myself in all the important places, and it was causing me to have numerous urinary tract infections. I just can't go back to that life again. It's true that I may face hernias, blockage of my stoma, among other things. But I think in comparison, I made the right decision. One of the things I've noticed about this surgery vs the VBG is that things don't get stuck, and therefore I don't vomit. With the VBG, I was vomiting all the time, because it didn't matter how well I chewed, I couldn't get anything to go down. My doctor didn't seperate my stomach into two parts. He stapled across the top to form the pouch, and then re-routed my intestines. At first I was skeptical about this because of the VBG coming undone, but it also gives me peace of mind, because I don't have to worry about leaks as much. I could leak where he did the re-routing, but I won't have that problem with my stomach. One of the things you need to remember is that your doctor will take precautions before he/she will allow you to leave the hospital. On the second or third day, you will have an Upper GI (where you swallow the nasty stuff) to check for leaks. They won't remove the NG tube until they are sure you're okay. You will get blood thinners to prevent blood clots. Now that you've been through the VBG, you will most likely be like me and want to baby your new stomach. Just do everything your doctor tells you to do, and you'll lower your risks for complications considerably. Good luck, and let us know your surgery date so we can pray for you!

Congrats ! I know that you are nervous but you have heard the words that many long to hear and that is that you have been approved. I am at stage one in the game. Don't have a clue what I am even trying to do. But you are there and just think where you will be in a year from now. Dona

Congrats..... I had the revision last year going from a VBG to RNY and had major complications post surgical. I developed 2 abscesses, one drained surgically in a emergency surgery and another 1 week later that ended up collapsing my left lung, causing my stomach pouch to leak and leading to a fistula forming between my stomach pouch and my peritoneal cavity. I also was on a G-tube for tube feeds for 6 weeks with nothing my mouth during that time period. Although I endured alot of complications I do now feel that they were worth it. It took 3 months out of my life last summer but now I am down to 135 lbs and not vomiting everything up(my VBG had almost scarred my stomach shut). I am off ALL meds, including 2 asthma meds, 2 CHF meds, hypertension meds and have regained TONS of energy. I do still have occasional issues with vomiting and dump big time on any sugars over 10 grams in a serving. The complication rates with revision are double and given that leaks occur in 2-5% of newbies then with a revision remember that it is possible that your complication rate could be higher....probably in all actuality closer to 10%. Does that mean you will have complications? No, but it does give you a better prospective on current complication rates. I have even heard from surgeons that it is actually closer to 40%....remember that complications can be anything from atelectsis of the lungs, post surgical pneumonia, wound infections, to the more serious complications such as a DVT, pulmonary embolisms, leaks, fistula's, and even death. Be sure to check out your insurance policy on issues surrounding complications such as tube feeding supplies.....my UHC policy didn't cover the tube feeds and supplies and $600 a month was a RUDE awakening when we got the bill and then the insurance turning it down saying it wasn't covered. Not trying to sound negative here....just trying to help keep others informed. I pray that you will have a complication free surgery and recovery! May god bless ya! Hugs, Dawn

Thank you for you honest but scary response. I have decided to go forward with the surgery and need people like yourelf to be honest with me about the complications. Question? Did you doctor take through a series of test? Was your revision performed laproscopic or open? Did you start walking prior to the surgery? Did you lose any weight prior to the revision? I know this may be a lot of questions but I do not want to die from this, I have two small kids and want to be around for them. At the same time, the road I am on will also take me out. I am staying prayed up and have all the FATIH in GOD that he will bring me through this surgery. My doctor told me that since my first surgery was performed as an open surgery then my revision would be also. I am scared but I am going through with it. I have not received a date though. I am still going thru test. Thanks again and GOD BLESS. Hope to hear from you soon.