Question:
I had my stomach stapled in '84 and have regained all the weight I lost.

My questions is, has anyone else had an RNY? How do the two surgeries compare? Does anyone have any advice, experiences, etc they can share with me Please.    — Linda S. (posted on January 5, 2003)

January 4, 2003
I can't say from personnal experience but... My mother, grandmother, Aunt & Uncle & also a good friend all had the stapling. Mother & friend had it twice do to weight gain. I am scheduled to have the Lap RNY in 16 days. In talking with them they agree that the RNY would have been the way to go. I realize this is only opinion but when I researched the surguries the RNY looked like the one with the best percentage of lasting results. Out of the list above my Aunt & Grandmother are the only 2 that haven't gained all there weight back. Although they have gained a little. In the end one might be better than the other but you can gain weight back from either. I pulled up information on all surgeries & weighed the pros & cons to all & tried to figure out what would best fit me. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.
   — Paula G.

January 5, 2003
The only information I have heard regarding stomach stapling and have seen is that when stapling the stomach rather than a gastric bypass the patient can still tolerate refined sugar/high fat foods. This of course defeats the purpose, for the patient continues to eat these foods in small quantities than more and more. The stomach stretches and the weight is regained or not lost at all completely. With the gastric bypass those bad foods aren't as easily tolerated which is the point of "disciplining" the patient to stop eating them and change their lifestyles/eating habits. Although I have also heard that some bypass patients can still tolerate those bad foods although. It is odd to me that some can and some can't the everlasting bottom line is: You control the weight loss with what you put in your mouth the surgery is a boost or tool to give you that chance to succeed.
   — Wendy K.

January 5, 2003
The Grad list has many people who are revised to RNY from earlier surgeries. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG
   — vitalady

January 5, 2003
I think one difference is where they used to staple. The way they previously did it the pouch stretched more easily allowing more food to be consumed. Its done on an angle now on a portion of the stomach that cannot be easily stretched.
   — Lisa N M.

January 5, 2003
While I agree with much of what previous posters mentioned, one must also remember that with the gastric bypass one no longer produces a hormone called ghrelin, which in essence creates a need to eat more food and for your body to hold on to what you do eat. Normal people only produce a small amount of this hormone. Obese people (especially those who just diet) produce an unusually high amount of this hormone. Gastric bypass patients in general no longer produce a significant amount. You can read further about this if your interested at http://www.gastricbypass.com/ghrelin.htm . Another thing is that you malaborb calories with a gastric bypass - something one did not have an advantage of with the simple stapling done pre-RNY. I would never have done the stapling. I considered it briefly, but I saw too many surgeries fail and wasn't going to go there. The RNY or even the DS seems sound in practice as well as theory. Yes, we still have to work the tool, but the tool is so much better!
   — [Deactivated Member]

January 5, 2003
Hello, I to had the "old" procedure done in the 80's. I also gained the weight back. I am 49 years old and thank god every day for my having the courage to ignore what others thought and to go ahead and have my "revision" on Sept 3, 2002. When I was researching before I made my decision I learned that a revision is not uncommon, and not that complicated, the surgery is a little longer, and because of my age the healing process would be slower. I found a surgeon who was one of the pioneers in WLS, and he explained the differences for me. He did not tell me that a revision was that difficult or more dangerous. I wish I had the RNY back in the 80's, but I am soooo happy I choose to have the revision. I had no complications! I have lost 65lbs in 4 months, which I think is fantastic! If you have any other guestions feel free to email me! The most important thing I did for myself was in choosing the right Doctor!
   — JoAnn W.