Question:
my mom had the surgery in 1986, she is having problems keeping anything down, her Dr.

my mom had the surgery in 1986, she is having problems keeping anything down, her Dr. is now saying she may have to have a reversal. Does anyone know if this can be done laparoscopic or is it open??? thanks for all the help!!!    — Jenni O. (posted on August 13, 2003)

August 12, 2003
I would get a second opinion so she doesnt regain all the weight. What surgery did she have back then? VBG. RNY?If its a VBG this is extremely common and she can be revied to a RNY. My surgeon does these revisions all the time LAP.
   — bob-haller

August 12, 2003
I would be interested to know which surgery she had. The old JIB (intestonal bypass) was common in the eighties. I had it in 1981. Last year after having a blockage and multiple other serious health problems, I had to have an emergency reversal to save my life. I immediately started gaining weight and in 6 months, I had gained all my weight back plus twenty more. So, the surgeon that did the reversal recommended RNY. I had that in feb. and have been very happy with my results. The surgery I had (the old one) did not involve any stomach stapling so it was very easy to reverse but extremely dangerous and it took about five hours to do because of all the adhesions. Your mother more than likely has lots of adhesions also and will probably have to be done open. It would be great if they could do a revision instead of reversal. I had no choice at the time.
   — Delores S.

August 12, 2003
I would also recommend she get a second oponion if they only want to undue the original operation. I also know someone who had the surgery many years ago and she had the surgery reversed because she had so many problems. Now she is morbidly obese once again and depressed because of it. A revision would be so much better if possible.
   — Carrie D.

August 15, 2003
I had surgery in 1981 and couldn't keep meat, veggies or any dense type foods down. I was constantly throwing up and still not losing weight because all I could keep down was soft stuff and I ate that all the time. I had a revision done in October of 2002 and I've been able to eat whatever I want. I've lost over 100 lbs. and feel so good. Hopefully your mom can have a revision done. Mine was open due to adhesions, but I did okay and I have no problems chewing and eating meats, veggies, fruits, anything now. Good luck.
   — cleo718