Question:
Long Term, Not Transected, open RNY. Will I have problems long term?

I had my surgery in 2002. My pouch was not transected. I haven't had any problems, but I have read about others who have had their staples come undone or loose, long term post op. I can't find any info on this anywhere. Thanks for your help.    — Allison M. (posted on December 19, 2004)

December 19, 2004
I dno't know that there is any way to answer this question. Will you have problems? There is no way to know. But, you're right that people who are not transected can have problems with SLD's. That's why surgeons transsect. So, I'd say that it would be a good idea for you to make sure you keep on following up with your WLS surgeon and keep an eye on you weight. Good luck!
   — LMCLILLY

December 20, 2004
Run a seach in the Q&A section on staple line disruption, or even "google" it. I've seen numerous references to the problem here and on other sites.<P>And yeah, me too. I had my RNY in 2002 and wasn't transsected, only stapled. So we do have to watch for staple-line disruptions in the future, which I've read can occur roughly 3 percent of the time (over what period of time? I dunno. Does the percentage grow over time? Bet it does, but I dunno). All we can do is watch & wait & hope for the best. My doc even re-staples his staple-line failures (but personally there's no way I'd go back for such a revision just to risk the same problem.).<P>If I had to do it over again (oh please, I hope I won't have to), I'd go with transsection. Live 'n learn. :-(
   — Suzy C.

December 20, 2004
WILL you, as in guaranteed? Not guaranteed. Of our 1994-1995 peer group, my dh is the last one whose WLS is still intact, non-transected. All the rest of us have been revised. Now, that's of those of us who hung out together over the years, not every patient. Mine didn't go til the 5th year and my nearest surgery sister was at 7 yrs. Being prepared is wise, because seeing it happen before me just let me know that it was not a blame/fault issue, but mechanical and just to go ahead and get it fixed. You might want to ask on the Grad list about how many of us had SLD and revised. ASk if we would do it again. I did. I would do it AGAIN if I had to. Here's the link: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG
   — vitalady

December 20, 2004
Well, I am 5years 8months post op and I had open rny and I haven't had any problems so far, I hope this gives you some comfort for the time being. Your friend, Johnlette Hunt
   — johnlette H.

December 20, 2004
My surgery was in 10/01 I am now a little over three years out and not transected. During my initial surgery my surgeon fired 8 rows of staples (that was his standard). At a year out I needed to have another surgery to remove and ulcer and at the same time he refired another set of four rows of staples because the gastroenterologist poked a hole thru all the staples so he could see the other side of my stomach. (we were all shocked at that one). Anyhow, I have 12 rows of staples in my non-transected pouch. <br><br>Four months ago I had an endoscopy for yet another ulcer. At the time, I asked the guy doing the scope to check on my staples and let me know how they were doing. He said that they were loose but intact. <br>For me, I consider it to be enevitable that I will have to have a revision. Who knows if I will, but I am prepared for the worst. I wish I had insisted on trasected, but I trusted my surgeon to know what was best. Three surgeries later, I have changed my outlook on my medical care. I DEMAND what I want. Rebecca
   — RebeccaP