Question:
1984 stomach was stapled, and don't have any idea of long time staples?

Had stomach stapled back in 1984. Things have changed much, what happens to staples after long time? I also gained all the weight since. There wasn't any help on what happens after operation at all. Saw my Dr. once after surgery, saw her once before surgery. I didn't have a clue on what I was getting myself into. Had it done at St. Elizabeth Hospital, in Boston, MA. Doctors name was Susan Stanton.    — Marjiee47 (posted on November 15, 2006)

November 15, 2006
I had a bypass done 21 yrs ago also. My surgery came undone leaving me with 2 opening to the intestine which is called a gastro gastric fistula. This has cause a lot of problems one of them is weight gain, the other is constipation, vomiting, constant pain in the abdomin. A simply upper GI can dignosis this ask your dr if it possible this happened.
   — KCookiebaker

November 15, 2006
I had my stomach stapled about 4 years ago. I have had a drastic weight gain in the last 8 months, (about 40 lbs). I am so worried about the weight gain. I can eat large amounts of food and I can eat any type of food. I have pain in my stomach a lot of the time. Do you think I could have something wrong?
   — melissalowe

November 16, 2006
Hi Marjie. I think it is a CRIME (not just a figure of speech) that some surgeon would perform bariatric surgery on someone and not provide proper patient care, either before or after surgery -- as you stated happened to you. Sadly, many in the medical community are out just for the $$ and, in fact, have little, if any, compassion and empathy for the patients they cut open. I have read stories at this site of way too many people who, like yourself, have gained all of their pre-op weight back. I am convinced that the reason for this is the very situation you describe: inadequate pre- and post-op care. The surgery itself is, obviously, not the only thing that is needed to be a successful bariatric surgery patient over the long haul. I see in your profile that you are the spouse of a pre-op. My recommendation is that you have your spouse psychologically evaluated PRIOR to surgery by a competent psychologist. Some people are simply not mentally/psychologically prepared to do what is necessary post-op in order realize successful and sustained weight loss. Isn't it somewhat senseless to go through the risk, pain, and expense of bariatric surgery without some reasonable assurance up front that one is indeed psychologically fit and prepared to do what is needed for post-surgery success? Also, I recommend you seek a bariatric TEAM for your spouse, not just a surgeon. That team will have procedures in place to get both you and your spouse into the mode of doing things that will heighten chances for successful weight loss after surgery. A surgeon alone probably does not have enough time left in an action packed day in the O.R. to provide the necessary post-surgical follow-up care that is needed for all his/her patients. A bariatric team (including the surgeon of course -- and a psychologist, a dietician, etc.) will take care of those needs. As an analogy, think of getting braces for your teeth (orthodontics). If one simply gets the hardware installed, the procedure is certain to fail without proper followup care. Also, if your spouse does proceed with the surgery, and since you have already had the surgery, I suggest that you might want to revert to eating exactly what is recommended for spouse to eat after surgery. That kind of support will go far to helping your spouse be successful and it may get you back on track too. Please see a bariatric specialist (an M.D. but not necessarily a surgeon) before acting on this last bit of advice. You are older now and may be experiencing physical problems that were not present on your surgery date over 20 years ago.
   — [Deactivated Member]

November 16, 2006
Hi Marjie, I had my stomach stapled in '76. Like you I had no extensive follow up treatment like is given now. Back then there were no pre or post opt classes. I just had a revision to the DS on Oct.17th. In going through all of the pre-op tests it was seen that my staples are still in tact. I don't know if this is any help to you, but if you have any questions feel free to e-mail [email protected]
   — scaryreader

November 16, 2006
Hundreds of us have had older surgeries that have needed revisions. There is a revision group, but the one I'd recommend is the Grad list, where so many of us have had at least one revision. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG
   — vitalady

November 23, 2006
It took me a few days to process the response's I got. Many of you use a word :revision:, no idea what that means. I am so happy you all understand, cos if you ain't been there you dont'have a clue to how I feel,fear, and so disappointed with my surgery. All I have from it is a huge scar on my stomach, which was made worse cos of infection. Not sure if I added this in my first post, but the doctor who did my operation told me the infection was due to all the fat I have. Later I have a lump removed from breast, it to got infected, told that doctor it was cos I am fat. He looked at me and said who in there right mind would tell you that. I am just someone who is allergic to the inside sutures, had nothing to do with being fat. I have tried to find the doctor who did my surgery, but have had no luck finding her, don't know why I want to do this, but would love to look into her face and say all that I wanted to over the years. I got married the same year and by them I had lost over half my hair cos all I ate were empty calories, no nutrition. The doctor on my one and only after surgery appointment, said well eat anything that will stay down. You all know what I did then, ice cream, chocolate, more chocolate, cakes, you name it , she gave me the permission to eat the same foods that made me fat in the first place. Now that I have rambled, still like to know what revision it. If you read this far, thank you for letting me vent, never could before cos no one could understand.
   — Marjiee47