Question:
Has anyone ever had the stomach stapling before the RNY?

I had stomach stabling in 1981. It never work at all. I only lost 20pds. I am interested in having the RNY. If anyone has had this done, please email me and tell me how your recovery was and how you are doing now?    — Marshal T. (posted on February 4, 2001)

February 4, 2001
Hello, I had the VBG (stomach stapling) in 1997 and had it revised in May of last year due to a mechanical problem with the VBG and crappy eating habits of my own doing. I now have a proximal RNY with a transected pouch and I feel it is the best thing I ever did. I don't dump much so I have to be super vigilant with my foods but I am currently sitting a 1lb away from my goal of 160 and trying to decide if I want to shoot for 150. I am wearing size 10 jeans and life is good! I encourage you to get the revision. Good luck! Kellye
   — Kellye C.

February 5, 2001
Hi Marsha: I didn't, but I've talked to a number who have. One thing the previous poster is KEY to what probably happened to you. The stomach was not "transected" before -- that is, cut apart. You simply had a staple line to make you a smaller stomach, and that staple line broke open, giving you the larger stomach again. Many, many people chat on ObesityHelp.com who had a surgery like yours years ago and they have successful revisions to RNY. However, make sure you get a surgeon who 'transects' the stomach so it won't ever break open to the larger stomach again. Just make sure you diligently follow the directions, especially during the first couple of months, so you don't overeat and break open your stitches and leak into your body -- very dangerous! Weight loss surgery has come a long way and continues to improve all the time.
   — Cindy H.

February 5, 2001
Hi Marsha! I had some weird surgery in 1980, supposedly a stomach stapling. The surgeon stapled my stomach completely shut and a month later another surgeon opened it back up. On October 4, 2000, I had an open RNY with transected stomach. As of 1/8/01, I have lost 62 pounds. My surgeon did say my surgery took longer than usual to get through the scar tissue and residue from the previous 2 surgeries, but that everything went well. As long as your surgeon is aware of your past surgery, you should have no problems. Best of luck with your surgery. Vickie Ames
   — Vickie A.