Question:
My Dr does not transect the stomach. I am wanting to know if this is good?

I HAVE READ ON THIS SITE EVERYTHING I CAN BEFORE SURGERY. I HEARD THAT TRANSECTING THE STOMACH IS BETTER THAN JUST STAPLING IT. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE? WHICH IS BETTER?    — PETIE B. (posted on December 4, 2001)

December 4, 2001
My surgery is 12-10 and my stomach will be transected vertically. My surgeon told me the difference of being transected is that there is no chance of a person stretching there stomach back out and the whole stomach becoming 1 again. My pouch and left over stomach will be totally separated from each other. Hope this helps a little.
   — Debi R.

December 4, 2001
Transection is the best option. I had open rny a year ago without transection and came "undone" @ 6 months. It is the mechanics of the nontransected stomach. It can't form a good permanent seal without transection. I am now transected since 7 wks ago and I am losing again. Type in "staple line disruption" to get more information on this important question. If you have the option, be transected to insure a permanent little pouch.
   — Marilyn C.

December 4, 2001
My doctor doesn't transect either and at first I was bothered because I only looked at it in terms of possible staple line disruption, which my doctor says in his experience (which is considerable) has happened less than 1% of the time. What I didn't understand though was if a stapled stomach were to develop a leak, the waste goes into the other section of the stomach where it is digested and eliminated normally. In the rare instance of a transected stomach developing a leak, the waste goes into the body cavity which is a much more dangerous situation. So, both surgery types have their benefits and their trade-offs. I personally feel safer being stapled with the kind of stats my doctor produced. Will I feel that way if I disrupt? I'm not sure. I would be disappointed, but I'm going to trust my surgeon on this.
   — [Anonymous]

December 4, 2001
Well the way my doctors office explained it to me was that when you transect the stomach you create your new pouch which is the size of a thumb and then they detach the old stomach from the new one that they have created. Some feel that this is better because once they detach the old stomach scar tissue will form and seal the new stomach closed along with the staples which will prevent any leakage. I was told that if they just staple the new stomach and do not transect it that no scar tissue will form and a leak is highly possible, but if there is a leak with a non transected stomach it will just leak into your old stomach and not your blood stream which would happen with a transected stomach and that can cause major problems. So there is kind of pros and cons to both. It is really what you and your doctor feel comfortable with. Hope I didn't confuse you more. If you have any further questions please feel free to email me.
   — Nicole F.

December 4, 2001
my surgeon does not transect as he says his patients have less complications. my insurance co told me that he is their most popular bariatric surgeon & that very very few of his patients have complications, so they approve wls being done by him immediately. my approval took less than 48 hours.
   — sheryl titone

December 4, 2001
I didn't disrupt until 5 yrs post-op, but it can happen any time, as early as 2 weeks to 10-15 years later. The risk of leak is the first few days, but that risk exists with every connection made. For many of us, finally having it breakdown was almost easier than living in terror and watching everyone else go first. It would be my vote to be transected the first time vs having to go through all the insurance ordeal, potential for regain and pain of disruption, all in order to do it AGAIN. I did it again, mind you, but it would've been nice if I didn't have to. My doc started transecting shortly after my first surgery was done.
   — vitalady

December 4, 2001
I think transection is better, you might consider changing surgeons.
   — bob-haller

December 5, 2001
My stomach was not transected, and at almost one year post-op I'm fine. If you like your surgeon and trust him/her (you may even be limited to this surgeon due to your insurance), I wouldn't worry about it. I think having a skilled, competent surgeon you like and who provides good follow-up is the most important.
   — [Anonymous]