Question:
Questions about Revisions

Okay I have a few questions I was talking to a surgeon today I had surgery almost 2 years ago and I started at 257 and I am 200 right now...My surgery was a failure and now that I have a hernia I want to see if the doc can perform a revision of the original surgery...He said that most likely the original surgeon didn't bypass enough intestines or made my stoma to large he dosen't know yet until he does some tests. I really want to get down to where I am no longer obese anymore... I followed all the rules exercised, protein and water..I just thought I was a slow loser but my weight loss stopped at 8 months. My questions are will my new insurance company pay for a revision (Aetna Patriot HMO)?? I have heard of lifelong problems with revisions when the doc has to take more intestines off.. Well any info will be helpful Thanks    — Dusty S. (posted on September 24, 2003)

September 24, 2003
Hi Dusty: You're not the only one whose surgery didn't work out as well as hoped for. I'd love to know the results of your tests, and what you plan on doing once you know. I might be needing a revision as well. Best of luck to you, and please keep in touch if you have the time. S
   — sherry hedgecock

September 24, 2003
Other than a second surgery being a bit more risky than the first, I've never heard about lifelong problems with revisions. Rather, I've heard about many more successes, as well as some cases where the revision didn't help the desired weight loss. My suggestion would be to go to a surgeon who's done thousands, yes, thousands of weight loss surgeries, not just hundreds. People seem to fall in love with their surgeons, and although they may be good at a first surgery, they may not have adequate experience with revisions. A revision can work wonders and, because you've already lost some weight and, often, have fewer co-morbs, you're usually quite a bit healthier. So, although the revision is a bit trickier, as patients, we're usually a lot less risky. Good luck.
   — Leslie F.