Question:
Is resecting the stomach the same thing as transecting ?

Sorry, if the topic and sub-topic are a little off..it's a generalized question, but if anyone had any specifics regarding Dr. Tillman in Colorado that would definitely help me! I plan to switch back to One Health HMO from Kaiser Colorado. (Don't use Kaiser Colorado, unless you have no choice or the patience of Job). I am researching Dr Tillman who now does the lap RNY and when I called his office to ask if he transected the stomach, rather than just stapled, the assistant/receptionist Beth didn't know what I was talking about...After I explained it more, she said that he did re-sect the stomach, but I don't know if that's synonymous with transection or if she's talking about something completely different! Please let me know! I still need to find out if Dr. Tillman will let me do a medial or distal lap RNY or if he just chooses based on his own guidelines, but I want to make sure all the other bases are covered first. ( When I asked about the distal, medial, proximal issue I was told I need to discuss that w/Dr Tillman so it does at least sound like it's decided case by case. If anyone has asked Dr. Tillman about this as well, please let me know that as well!) Thanks, Anita    — Anita N. (posted on January 25, 2001)

January 25, 2001
Transecting separates the stomach into two sealed units. RESECTING removes the entire old stomach. Also, called subtotal gastrectomy. "subtotal" because it's not the WHOLE stomach because you get to keep the pouch. I had this done during my revision last year. I had a 30 yr history of ulcer, I wanted it GONE. Does the receptionist speak medical fluently?
   — vitalady

January 25, 2001
Michelle, She's really nice, but I don't think she's medically fluent, at least not in regards to WLS, otherwise she'd probably have known what I mean when I asked if the stomach was transected, I would think. Plus, I asked one of Dr Tillman's former patients and she said that Dr Tillman told her the stomach was stapled but still there and the unused portion would shrivel up, so that doesn't sound re-sected. Since he does lap and also removes the gall bladder to prevent future surgery, I would hope he also transects to prevent future surgery due to staple line disruptions or pouch leakage. Unfortunately, I can't switch back to One Health Plan until the beginning of September, so I don't want to harass them too much when I'm not even a patient yet! *grins*
   — Anita N.

January 25, 2001
Ohh, btw, I mean Dr TillQUIST. I don't know why I keep saying Dr. Tillman. I'm probably just getting senile in my 'old' age. sorry! :) Anyway, I know he does lap RNY (which is what I want since I can't get the BPD/DS locally) and now I'm just checking on the transection and whether or not I can get a lap distal RNY. Is it harder to do a distal lap RNY than a proximal lap RNY btw ?
   — Anita N.

January 25, 2001
It is technically more difficult to perform a distal RNY laparoscopically, but it can be done. My surgeon does them (100 cm common channel), although my own surgery was open because of extensive scar tissue from prior surgery. My stomach was transected and the gallbladder removed at the same time. A friend of mine just had the exact same procedure, same surgeon -- but lap. To my surprise, we both had about the same amount of post-op discomfort and similar recovery times. However, she will be able to wear a bikini . . . I had wanted lap myself, but didn't hesitate to switch to open in order to have the distal bypass.
   — Linda B.

January 26, 2001
Hi Anita..had my LAP RNY 10 days ago...doing well...one thing I thought I would mention...before my surgery I sat down and asked my surgeon if he would do a distal...he said that of course the risks are higher for distal but that the benefits only equated to a %5 higher weight loss..therefore he only does in the middle...food for thought.
   — Debora H.