Question:
4 Years Post Op, Regaining. Seeking Info About DS Revision

I have gained 80 lbs back during my 4th year post-op, and I am scared.    — jenjenviola (posted on July 21, 2003)

July 21, 2003
I know its done but don't have any specific info for you. You might want to check out http://www.duodenalswitch.com. I also know that the yahoo groups for Dr. Marchesini (who performs the DS in Brazil) has a lady on there who is in your same position (maybe even worse off) who is scheduled to have her revision with him very soon. So you might want to check that out. [email protected]. Hope I got that right. If not its pretty easy to find if you just type in his name. Maybe you can find info there. I'm curious as to whether or not you know what kind of a failure you've had with your surgery. Have you been checked for a staple line disruption or is it that you need a more distal bypass?? Just curious as to why you're switching from the RNY completely??
   — Shelly S.

July 21, 2003
Hi Jennifer, I'm so sorry you're struggling! I'm a DS person and really love it. The one thing I want to stress is that if you do get a revision, make sure that the surgeon is very experienced in doing revisions! They are tricky and require a knowledgable hand. The complication rate is higher, but it certainly can be done. You can find a list of surgeons at http://www.duodenalswitch.com; Drs Hess and Keshishian do lots of revisions, and there are probably others too. You might want to join http://groups.yahoo.com/group/duodenalswitch/ and perhaps http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OSSG-Revision/. I wish you the best, and feel free to email me.
   — Chris T.

July 21, 2003
As a previous poster said, have you been checked for a staple line disruption yet? I'll be 4 years post-op in August, and when we had our surgery, fewer surgeons were transecting than are now. If you are not transected, that may be the problem. So, have that checked first, then decide if you want a revision to a different surgery. Also, as the previous poster said, when you have a revision, don't just go to your original doc because you know him or her. Go to the absolute most experienced doctor you can find. Revisions are far trickier than first-time surgeries. I would look for a surgeon who's done at least 1000 WLS's, not just a few hundred. This was the advice given to me by several surgeons before I chose Dr. Gagner to transect my stomach after a SLD. There's no time for loyalties at this stage...not trying to scare you, just being realistic.
   — Leslie F.