Considering Revision from failed RNY need advice if I should even try

Thank you so much for sharing your story with me. You are the first person who has actually had it done that has shared results. I am very grateful. Do you think ROSE does not work or was that it did not work for you. May I ask, what did it feel like in terms of recovery and eating after the ROSE. I am so sorry for your weight regain. They are offering Stomaphyx and ROSE as revision surgery for failed bariatric surgery at DUKE in North Carolina. I am amazed at the stories I am hearing and how such a top flight school like Duke is pushing procedures that don't work. I wish ROSE worked. I am very scared of complications from RNY to DS and my "gremlins" keep telling me I'll regret it or I'll fail at that as well. If I have to self pay I would basically spend my life's savings and I know if it works that's a fair trade. But, I have a wife and think it would be selfish if it failed. I am trying to find both good and bad information from people who went RNY to DS and it spans the spectrum from weeks in the hosptal with complications to a very easy recovery. Thanks so much for sharing. I am starting to get consistent feedback that rose does not work. What do you think you will do know hummungbirdflower, if I may ask?

I had revision from RNY to DS. I am 6 months out ant about 11 pounds from goal. Recovery has been a struggle but I would do it again in a heartbeat. More of my road to DS is documented in my Profile. I am happy to answer any question you may have.

Good luck with your decision.

Whit

Whit,

Thank you for your kind reply. Did you have to travel for Dr. K? I am all the way on the east coast and I am wondering how long I will be out west if things go well? May I ask what prompted you to take action? I am a bit overcome with fear and complications. I have told my wife that if I could die on the table or have a trouble-free recovery, I would accept that bet. Did you have your pyloric valve reinstated? Does that change things? Anymore dumping? May I ask, how are your bowel movements. I had problems with RNY and that also scares me about DS. I am trying to get educated and talking to folks like you has been my best resource. I am new here and people have been very kind to me and I am grateful.

There a couple of doctors on the east coast that do the revision from RNY to DS - there is a list on this board you can check.  Specifically, I know that Dr. Mitchell Roslin in NY does it (and is on the list here).

I had the ROSE in the clinical trials (so I didn't pay for it) about 5 years ago.  Endoscopy and barium swallow test confirmed that my stoma was stretched and basically while I still couldn't eat much at a sitting (compared to my husband), the food just goes through me and the feeling of fullness doesn't last long.  Follow-up endoscopy in the trial showed that the little plastic anchors/staples that make the stoma smaller had fallen out (which is what happens most of the time) and it was considered a failure.  I had RNY back in 2002 and lost 130 lbs. (300 down to 170).  I have regained and lost numerous times (all due to bad food choices which I take responsibility for).  There have been times when I've considered revising to DS (and I know my insurance will cover it), but I still know that I must continue to resolve my own issues around why I make the choices that I do in terms of my emotional eating.  I am in therapy and we continue to make progress.  I am convinced that revising right now will most likely result with unfavorable results over time if I don't get the psychological aspects fixed.  When I had RNY, I thought, "That's it - I will be thin at last!" forever.... but life got in the way :)  I will get it one day and continue to try and learn and grow and work on myself.  DS may be in the future, but for now, I will wait.

Don't get the ROSE - not a good long term solution....

Dear smile750

Thanks so much for sharing your story. Wow it really hits home with me and I am glad I found out about the Rose failures as I was thinking it would be an easy fix. I wish I never had the RNY, but I am thinking I would feel better if I got my pyloric valve back in place. It is one scary decision. I had complications with my RNY and wonder if that is an omen that a DS revision would go awful? I wish I would have had DS in the first place, but no doctor even told me I had a choice. Hopefully RNY to DS will improve as more people get the revision. Again, I am grateful to you for sharing your story.

Tomson

Just wanted to tell you that more DSers struggle with constipation than do with diarrhea. And treating constipation is sometimes fun, as it involves eating some fatty 'treats'. (*grin*)