Proximal to Distal RNY WITH Lap Band

I am scheduled to have surgery on June 5th with Michel Gagner, M.D. in NY. I will be going from a VERY proximal RNY to a distal RNY as well as having the Lap Band applied. I have lost about 85# since my original surgery. I am still about 100# away from goal, according to the charts, and Dr. Gagner feels this will give me the best results. Any thoughts out there, or anyone been down this road already? Any advice would be appreciated! Terri

Hi Terri, I am 1 week out from a revision from a VBG to a distal RNY. I am doing pretty good except that I have a G-tube hanging out of my left side. YUK!! Talk about uncomfortable. But pain wise I am doing good. You should go on Yahoos' revision group. They are great and and there are several on there and I also think that some went to Dr. Gagner. Just go into your yahoo search engine and put in GB revision group. I am sure it will come up that way. Good Luck and I wish you the best!!!!! Robin

I have to wonder why Dr. Gagner isn't switching you to the DS instead of putting a lap band on your RNY. Perhaps this might be an option that you want to follow up with him. Both he and Dr. Pomp do the DS.

Hello Sarah - I don't even know where to begin. My second journey began in October of 2004 when I flew to NYC to have a consult with Dr. Gagner regarding my failed very proximal RNY. At that point, Dr. Gagner looked over my films, EGD report, etc. and recommended either being revised to a DS or a distal RNY...strongly leaning toward the DS. I will be the first to admit that I did not do my research and was scared of the DS at that point, so I chose the distal RNY. On 12/08/2004 I went back to NYC and Dr. Gagner was only able to perform the first part of the revision (repair of the stoma and pouch), but could not proceed on to bypassing more at that point because I had already been "under" for over four hours and he was afraid of muscle breakdown, etc. So...I basically am headed back to NY to have the rest of the revision, as well has having the Lap Band placed, as I seem to have a rather easily stretched stoma...and this should take care of that part of it. I have spoken with Dr. Gagner on the phone about a possible DS...but at this point, he feels it would be WAY to risky...and probably no way he could do it laparoscopically. So...there you have it. Trust me...after learning what I know now, I would (if I could) go for the DS. From what I understand, the bottom part of the distal is very similar to the bottom part of the DS...it's the top part that is quite different. If you have any advise though, please send it my way! Thanks. Terri