Question:
My open gastric bypass did not work, not by any fault of mine-the surgeon screwed up.

He was supposed to make my pouch the size of a thumb, but he didn't. I was able to eat as much as I did before the surgery--overnight! I did not out-eat this surgery. My RNY was done in February of 2003. Does anyone know of any revisions that can be done? I consulted a new surgeon a couple of years ago, and she said the safest option would be to do a lap band on top of my already stapled stomach. Unfortunately this can cause erosion to my stomach, and a hole would be fatal. I'm still at the end of my rope concerning my weight. Imagine making the biggest decision of your life to have gastric bypass surgery, and then not have it work. It's still horribly upsetting, five years later.    — [Deactivated Member] (posted on November 9, 2007)

November 9, 2007
I'm sorry - I don't know your first name but I am so sorry about your difficulties. I just saw my surgeon for the 2nd time yesterday to discuss my surgery. I'm having the Lap-Band because of scar tissue and adhesions from a previous surgery (30 years ago!) that resulted in an abcess. My surgeon warned me of 3 big complications: band slippage, band erosion, and flipping over of the injection port - all would require reoperating, and occur anywhere from 3-15% of the time (the highest is the port flipping). According to him a revision may be possible after the problem is resolved, and treatment may require removal of the Band. My surgeon saif the hole is dangerous and possibly fatal, or may require prolonged hospitalization to repair it. My suggestion would be to contact a Magnet Hospital in your area that has been recognized for excellence in care and is designated as a Bariatric Surgery Center by the American College of Surgeons, than find an board-certified surgeon who specalizes in bariatric surgery and has good surgical success rates. Also, a good surgical group offers pre- and post-op support - nutritionists, psychologists, and regular support froup meetings. I would hope they could better answer your questions and concerns. Another thing I thought of that may be helpful to them is to obtain a copy of the surgical notes from your first surgeon. Good luck, and please keep me posted. My e-mail is [email protected].
   — obeseforever

November 9, 2007
Many skilled surgeons have done revisions on patients with poorly performed RNY's. At Texas Tech in Amarillo, there is surgeon Ralph Crum who has done lots of involved revisions and has performed them laparoscopically. Also, the group in Boston, at Brighams and Womans, is performing amazing procedures repairing and revising RNY's using specially designed endoscopic tools. There is hope for you-- try not to despair.
   — SteveColarossi

November 9, 2007
Go to several other Surgeon's before deciding on the ONE to use. Have you've had an Upper GI to see exactly what's going on in there? Dr.Rehnke in St.Petersburg Florida does Revisions, in fact he did my Girlfriend's just this past Janruary as she's lost 100 pounds already. Her first was in Boston 15 years ago with a revision 10 years ago but all is finally fixed the right way now.
   — Michael Eak

November 10, 2007
Were you transected? staple line failures are pretty common. You need a EXPERT for a revision like my surgeon Dr Philip Schauer head of the ASBS who heads up the cleveland clinics obesity center. Its all a matter of finding the right surgeon.
   — bob-haller

November 10, 2007
contact Freeman at 1-800-675-3934 or www.freemanandco.com he is great with a great track record people come to him from all over the US. I had mine the 23rd of Oct and have done great already lost 40 lbs.
   — JohnK334

November 12, 2007
Go to ObesityHelp.com or duodenalswitch.com and check out the duodenal switch (DS) surgery. It is a nother form of weight loss surgery, but NOT the gastric bypass. You will have a much better chance of getting your weight off and not regaining with the DS. Not many docs perform this particular surgery so you may have to travel out of state or even out of the country, but it sure is feasible. I am seeking a revision from a failed gastric bypass and have to travel 3 hours to my new surgeon. Please check it out before you have a revision to another RnY (gastric bypass)
   — KRWaters