Question:
Need your help and advice on extended distal procedure?

I had a gastric bypass in July of 2000. It has not worked. My doc now wants to do a extended distal procedure where he would go back in, another open surgery although he says not as invasive or as long, and move the connection further bypassing nearly al my intestines. Currently there is six ft. bypasses. Has anyone had this done, how did you do? I need all the information or advice I can get now that I have been "reassessed" by my general doctor and cleared for more surgery. Should I get a second opinion or continue on with what my surgeon wants to do. I have talked to others that have nearly all there intestines bypassed and they love it and say of course what I already know is that vitamin intake is critical. What is the wieght loss like at this point? Did you lose more? Please read my profile! I could use all the advice I can get so I can make the right decision. Thanks!    — Sarah B. (posted on June 10, 2003)

June 10, 2003
It sounds like your stoma is enlarged and a revision might work for you. I have a friend that had her entire small intestine bypassed and went from 300 to 130 in less than a year. Great weight loss and very quick. By the end of that year she could only work part time due to her weakness and fainted frequently. She then got chronic diarrehea and was eventually put in the hospital. They could not stop her dumping and her organs began to shut down. The Dr. admitted that he bypassed too much and that she was so malnourished that she was dying. He quickly went in a did a revision that bypassed less of her intestine and saved her life. She has now recovered and feels better than ever. She is back to work and going on with her life. I cant guarantee that this will happen to you but bypassing the entire small intestine is a very drastic procedure and your chances of being nutritionally deficient are very high. There should be no reason that a normal proximal bypass shouldnt work for you except that your stoma is enlarged then you would not have the loss you expect. Check out the physicans area of this site for a list of Dr's in your area. I wish you the best of luck and good health.
   — missysworld