Question:
Lap RNY vs older WLS techniques and risks

I have been doing a lot of research about WLS and the different types offered. During my research of risks and long term effects, I havent really come across anything negative about Lap RNY (although it is fairly new), but my question is ileojejunoleal bypass and standard intestine bypass, Do they still do these types of surgery?..as they are the ones I've come across in research that seem to have bad long term effects, does any one feel that newer forms of WLS are safer. Also Im wondering if there is anyone out there that has had Lap RNY in say the Last 3-5 years that has had any negative effects..as everything I have come across seems it is all good and happy, and this cant be correct is it?    — jayme1451 (posted on July 3, 2003)

July 3, 2003
The jejuno ileal bypass procedure was typcially done in the 70s. It puts the patient in a state of chronic diarrhea and malabsorption to the point of liver damage etc. if long term. Run do not walk away from any surgeon who recommends doing this procedure. Most barriatrics centers have abandoned this procedure a few years ago. I know a few still do it. In fact, it was recommended to me in February by a surgeon. He wanted to do the jejuno procedure then 6 months to 1 year later do the RNY. I absolutely refused to even consider it. After the consultation, I did a great deal of research on it along with input from 2 other doctors. It is definitely not a procedure I would even consider. Do a search in the library using Jejuno Ileal and you should find some information on it. I also recommend doing a search on google.com to read many articles on it and it's negative and life threatening side effects. <BR><BR> The RNY whether done open or lap is definitely a much safer procedure.
   — [Deactivated Member]

July 3, 2003
The RNY, which can be performed either open or lap has been around for quite a while. There are many 3-5 year RNY'ers, to include those who had it done laproscopically (I usually mispell this!). I'm 16 months post op lap RNY and happy. However, with any type of surgery there is a low risk of complications occuring, even with the lap RNY. Blood clots, twisted bowels, hernias are just a few examples. I had a complication, the twisted bowel that required a 2nd open surgery 5 days after the lap RNY. I'd still do it again to achieve the results I have today. As far as long term effects/risks, there is still a lot we do not know about our long term health. Thats why it is important that we make the committment when we have WLS, to eat right,take our vitamins and supplements for the rest of our lives, and get regular checkups with our blood levels checked. With the RNY, there are different lengths of intestine that are bypassed, with the proximals having less bypassed than the distals. IMHO, the less bypassed the better-better natural absorbtion with less bypassed, unless you have more than 150-200 pounds to lose, in which case the distal works best. There are also some (small percent) for whom the surgery does not work, and there is always a chance of regaining the lost weight if you do not make the committment to follow the pouch rules. Its a lot to consider and research.
   — Cindy R.

July 3, 2003
I had jib in 1981 and a takedown of the same in 2002 after nearly dieing. I did NOT have chronic diarreha. But i had many, many more problems and was nearly in a wheelchair. It has been outlawed in The U.S. for many years because of people dying. They might do it in conjunction with another type of surgery but as an operation alone, it is illegal. They do still use it in Canada.
   — Delores S.