Question:
I know that intestines are removed in an open surgery,

Are they removed in Lap?    — D K. (posted on July 14, 2002)

July 14, 2002
In neither surgery are any parts removed. In Lap or open only affects how things are accessed. The surgeries are essentially the same. In both cases the intestines are rearranged. Dont fear nothing is removed at all.
   — bob-haller

July 14, 2002
I am having DS and they dont remove any intestine.....they just rearrange them and it is totally reversable....They do take out your gallbladder and appendix though....good luck
   — Jenna M.

July 14, 2002
Jenn your the first D/S who ever said nothing is removed. D/S generally have a good bit permanetely removed. Ordinarily they arent reversible, I would check with your surgeon.
   — bob-haller

July 14, 2002
Let's get some clarification of terms here. During an open procedure, the surgeon can view and handled the entire small intestine by hand. During a laproscopic procedure, the surgeon can view and handled the entire small intestine by use of hand controls that inserted into the body. The diffference between the RNY and the DS when it comes to "removing" the small intestine is that they may be moved out of the body (although still connected) during the DS, for the purpose of measuring the length of the entire small intestine. The RNY surgeon has only to measure set amounts as defined by distal from the pouch or proximal to the pouch. The DS surgeon creates a 'common channel' that is based on a percentage of the entire length of the small intestine, as everyone's length varies. For instance, my surgeon discovered that instead of the average 22 feet of small intestine, I had 30 feet. Had he not compensated for a the additional intestine in developing the length of my common channel, my weight loss would not be as successful. However, all the small intestine that is removed to be measured is safely tucked back in upon completion. The one thing that does get actually cut away from and removed from the body (besides the gall bladder and appendix() during the DS is the outer curve of the stomach. This part of the procedure is called a partial gastrectomy, or partial removal of the stomach. The difference between the DS and the RNY is mostly here. The DS cuts the stomach vertically and leaves the pyloric valve in place at the bottom of the stomach to allow regulated flow of food into the small intestine. The RNY staples or transects (cuts) the stomach horizontally, creating a pouch of the upper portion, to which an opening (stoma) is made and connected to the small intestine. And, yes, Bob, people who have the DS can have a revision to have the common channel lengthened if it is made too short and they end up losing too much weight. This is very uncommon however, because of the formula that DS surgeons use to determine the length of the common channel for each individual patient. Hope this helps...
   — merri B.

July 14, 2002
Tanks for the great explnation. My not reversible comment comes from the part of the stomach thats removed. Of course any WLS reverseal will likely cause the person to gain ALL the weight back. Having a reversal is highly unusual..
   — bob-haller