Question:
2 part question...

with the rny operation(open or lap) do you have to take medcation the rest of your life? to aid in degestion of food. and second question does anyone know if you have the surgery in MX do you have to go back there for follow up or could i find a dr in dallas TX where i live to do follow ups??    — marcelle1070 (posted on April 19, 2003)

April 19, 2003
Rhonda: I had LAP RNY about a week and a half ago. I am on NO medications. You DO have to take vitamins for the rest of your life (multi-vites, calcium, B-12 whenever doc says to). There is one medication that most surgeons prescribe after surgery, but ONLY if you still have your gall bladder, and ONLY once you start solid food. Actigal (sp) will be prescribed to prevent gall stones from forming. On average, most people are on it for about 6 months at most. So, unless you're taking medication for something else, this surgery does not warrant "life-long medication"...Hope that helps***Amy-Lap RNY 04-09-03, -16lbs.
   — Amy A.

April 19, 2003
I had Open-RNY with a complete stomach seperation with Dr.Aguirre in Ensenada,Mexico on 3-27-03, my total cost for my surgery was $6,500.00. I have never had to take any medication to aid in digestion. Only Vitamins. If you still have your Gallbladder I know Dr.Aguirre removes it at the time of surgery, because there is a higher chance of you getting gallstones after the surgery if you don't have them already from yo-yo dieting. As far as follow-up care I use a PCP here in Florida for *EVERYTHING* I never have to go back. Also if something does go wrong with my surgery I can go back to Dr.Aguirre and he would take care of the problem at no cost to me other than travel. Which is not very much.
   — latrishanickle

April 19, 2003
I can only answer the part of your Question regarding Mexico. I am having surgery with Dr Aguirre in Ensenada. I do not have to back to Mexico for followups, I will be followed by my PCP here in Las Vegas. I did go in and talk to her before hand to make sure this was something she was supportive of and to see what she would want from my surgeon so that she can care for me. She plans to contact him to get his reccomendations for follow up care. I feel totally comforable with my PCP doing my follow up care. I have also contacted a surgeon here to make sure uf there was a problem I could get care if I had to. I would reccomend you make sure there is a surgeon willing to care for you in an emergency!!!!!!!
   — jennap

April 19, 2003
I am not on anything to aid digestiom or to keep gallstones from forming and I have my gallbladder. I DO take my vitamins and one pepcid per day and potassium three times a week. The vitamins are for life. The other stuff is not.
   — Delores S.