50/50 chance of revision not possible during surgery?

My wife is having revision surgery in 10 days. Everything has been going smoothly (except for an insurance issue that postponed the surgery for 6 weeks). Today, for the first time, her surgeon mentioned that there's a 50/50 chance that surgery won't be possible if there is too much scar tissue from the previous procedure. He won't know for sure until he gets inside to "see what's going on" during the actual surgery. 50/50 seemed a bit pessimistic to me, especially since this was never mentioned before and every test has gone well. Has anyone else been told this? My wife is understandably upset over this information.

What type of revision is she having done?

Yes, I was told that with my band to bypass revision. At the time I was told, if there was too much scarring they would clean up the scarring and I could come back in 3 months after healing for the revision. Or if they felt they could create a sleeve cutting around the scar tissue I could opt for that.

It is for safety reasons. If the scar tissue is too thick the staples won?t hold and then you risk rupture which, of course could lead to death. A surgeon who is experienced with revisions will be able to determine this when they are in and make the call.

Luckily I was able to get my bypass, my roommate not so lucky. They spend 4 hours removing adhesions from his band to his liver and other internal organs...he ended up sleeved.

I was not able to revise to Rny when the crap band came out. The scarring and adhesions were extensive. My doc said I needed 3-6 months before he'd go back in. It took me 3 years to get my head back in the game after the disappointment.

Best wishes to your wife for a quick and uneventful surgery.

My doctor was also not able to revise right away. He told me 2 months of healing before he could try revision (of course I am fighting with the insurance atm about the revision). Many doctors won't even consider same day revision.

If a band is being removed, yes it can take .some time before the stomach is in good enough shape to withstand the WLS. It can depend on how long the band was in and how it was set-up. Please be prepared for whatever the dr views as necessary. Most bands are eventually removed and it is frequently a 2-step procedure to have the band removed and get a 'real' WLS.

I did not get the revision, but the high probabilty that if I got the band, that I would, within 5 yrs, have it removed in favor of VSG or RNY indicated that I would get the RNY the first time.

But, as you know after seeing your DW go through the band procedure - you do whatever it takes and keep you eye on the longterm goal of health.