Question:
Whats the best type of surgery to have?

I am scheduled for stomach stapling 9-20. I have been talking to different people and they have recommended having the gastric bypass instead. I am very confused and it is getting close to my surgery date. Please give me any advise you have on the results, problems, etc... on this types of surgerys.    — lorie S. (posted on September 10, 2002)

September 10, 2002
My surgeon said that stomach stapling only last for 5-9 years. I had open rny on 6/20/02 and would do it again in heartbeat. I decided I wanted open rny because it's all they do at the Bariatric Center I went to, sure the scar isn't the most attractive thing, but it's part of me like or not :) By the way I work with a lady that had stomach stapling over 5 years ago and she gained most of her weight back. Good luck on whatever YOU decide, I knew going into the surgery the open rny is what I wanted, I had no doubts, just be sure you are confident with your surgeon and the surgery type that you're having.
   — stacjean

September 10, 2002
Not an expert here, but as I understand it stomach stapling (which I didn't know they were still doing that procedure) the weight of the food tends to break through the staples eventually, causing the person to gain back the weight. The RNY (open or lap)they cut away (separate)the stomach from the pouch and re route the intestines (bypass)so you can't "break the staple line" I would totally recommend the RNY. I had the open and am 100% happy with that. Good Luck!
   — ZZ S.

September 10, 2002
Actually, some surgeons who do the RNY gastric bypass do stomach stapling instead of transection. Yet, the surgery is still called RNY or gastric bypass. So, it's not enough to go by those names -- you have to ask the surgeon if he transects the stomach or staples it. Staple line disruptions are rare, but they do happen, and they're not necessarily a function of eating too much.
   — Suzy C.

September 10, 2002
I am also not an expert. I had VBG about ten years ago and I have a staple line disruption and have gained all back and then some! My surgeon will do RNY but he will not transect he uses 8 rows of stales and then reinforces it with sutures. Some times you don't choose the doc will. Hope this helps Cynthia M
   — Cynthia M.

September 10, 2002
IMHO and from talking to people, all the surgeries are lumped into "stomach stapling". It is true, most of the surgeries use staples to some degree. The staples used now are made of titanium and are "supposed" to outlast even the youngest patients. Most surgeons also fold the staple line under and reinforce with sutures to help assure there will not be a leak. In short, gastric bypass and stomach stapling mean the same thing to most people, especially those who have not researched thoroughly. I think you need to discuss with your surgeon WHAT surgery you are having. Too many of us go into this blindly> We want to lose weight NOW and accept whatever bone is thrown to us without understanding EVERYTHING.
   — grammie5