Can I get your honest opinion?

I dont think its possible to predict wether a sleeve will develop stricture or not from the techique used (or who did it).  the muscles or tendons or whatever is in there might have jsut developed to pull the stomach in directions that were not normal, causing it to twist and make a stricture.  but trying the balloon sounds like it's worth a try.  it's better than going to a malabsorptive procedure that might have it's own complications later on down the road.

it's normal to have someone assist on surgery, and for more than one doctor to do different phases of the procedure.  I'm used to this as i get most of my stuff done at a teaching hospital but its the norm everywhere i think.  ultimately it's the hospital and primary doctor that is responsible for what happens there and to get it fixed. you should not be paying any extra costs for the repair surgeries.

Pete- they can convert the VSG to a RNY, not sure if how but people on the revision board have had it. It is common for those that get really bad GERD after VSG, RNY also has a different intestinal routing than the DS.

OP, I've seen people on here get the stricture stretched and they go on to be successful. Stay on top of your medical needs and concerns. Good luck. : )

oh.  hmm, i initially looked at the diagrams and thought not.  but you are right, just that the residual 'unused' stomach will be very small relative to the normal RNY.  that's not bad then, and RNY without the huge useless stomach ... good deal!  lol.  i'll fix my post!

Thanks everyone! I'm staying hopeful!

I am willing to bet prior to surgery they made you sign a release indicating it was Ok for the newbie to operate on you.  Not sure how much that changes things legally or anything.  Maybe try tracking down ACBrown and see what her opinion is?  I am so, so sorry about how much you are struggling right now.  Hang in there and sending good karma your way.

As has been said, having an assistant is standard. Someone has to guide the bougie and watch the camera while the surgeon manipulates the stapler. The assistant can be a nurse, resident, or doctor. 

Could it have been user error?  Yes.  The assistant is supposed to make sure that the tension on the stomach as it's pulled around the guide is even. Sounds like it may have been pulled too tight in the area where the narrowing is. Get whatever records they have of the surgery.  Find a medical malpractice attorney to review them. Med mal varies widely from state to state and that's the best way to figure out if you have a claim. 

Hope the endoscopy works for you!

Thank you. I have no problem if others assisted, I just feel like my surgeon should have done the major parts. The resident just acted so nervous each morning when he came to my room and he never would be straight forward in answering my questions.

My husband is an anesthesiologist and believe me, mistakes do happen. You have a right to your operative records...request them. You can let your doctor know that you just what to understand everything concerning your surgery. If there is a video, ask for that too. It does sound like he feels responsible for your situation and is working to find resolution through the use of the balloon and other followup care. He wants to see you recovered too. If you still trust him, then let him bring you through full recovery. You can decide later if there are grounds for malpractice and whether you want to press forward in that direction. That is why every doctor has to carry malpractice insurance.

I'm sorry you are experiencing this and wish for your full recovery. I'm sending you my positive energy.

It may or may not be surgeon error. It's possible. I would be upset too ....but to be honest with you, strictures are a possible complication of VSG. It definitely happens. I wouldn't be mad at the surgeon though because It's one of the risks of surgery that we all should know about before going in and accept as a possibility.   I've read about it quite a few times on here. On another forum I'm on, one girl had a stricture and the balloon treatment worked but it did take 2 tries. The first time helped a little, but she needed it again. After the second time, all was really good for her. She said she was really restricted for the first few months BUT most VSG'ers ARE really restricted anyway those first few months. Try to think of it that way.  I AM sorry you are going through this though. Hopefully the first treatment will work without you having to go back for more. Good luck. 

Thank you for sharing and for the encouragement.