Question:
Do people with transected stomachs have shorter life spans?

I have been told be my PCP that the people she knows who have had their stomachs transected (completely cut away from the pouch) are not with us anymore. Does anyone have information regarding this or is there a long-term post-op person with a transected stomach still around?    — TBarr (posted on July 1, 2005)

July 1, 2005
What a bunch of hooey. Thats a NEW one on me, never heard that before. I am 4 years out this month and very glad I am transected. Michelle Curran is transected after a SLD, I think she is over 10 years transected, not certain. In any case your POCP doesnt know what he is talking about:( Is he supportive of WLS?
   — bob-haller

July 1, 2005
I thought I read your question wrong at first. Your PCP is from way outer space. Darlene in California had her weight loss surgery 5 years ago and is doing great. I have read of others doing so well several years after surgery. Where is your PCP getting her information from? I am just 3 months out and feel fantastic. Wiwh I had done this sooner. Hey, maybe it is time you switched PCPs? Karen
   — KRWaters

July 1, 2005
There is no evidence that I've reviewed indicating a shorter life span for transected patients. In fact, the transected patient is less likely to develop a fissure longer term because there is no channel that can develop into the remnant stomach. The stapler used for laparoscopic RNY transects as it seals both pouch and remnant because it is preferred.
   — SteveColarossi

July 1, 2005
Well, my husband and I are still alive!!!! I can understand when a lay person gets information incorrect, but she is a doctor and should be better educated than that! If I am not mistaken most RNY patients are transected.
   — ChristineB

July 1, 2005
Thanks for all the info. I was not transected and had the RNY about 4 yrs ago. I wish I had been transected though because I didn't reach my goal weight and have gained about 20 lbs. now. Part of my intestines just below the pouch is enlarged allowing my food to go thru the pouch and into the "other pouch" and I can eat more. I am looking into a revision to fix that and am thinking about being transected if I have a revision. My PCP is not supportive of the WLS - she says it is not natural and that is why my body is trying to compensate by forming that "other pouch".
   — TBarr

July 1, 2005
Tana, I am 3 years out (tomorrow!) and I was transected. Your PCP works for you, fire her for incompetence! She obviously does not know what she is talking about and is spouting total BS to support her own prejudices. Find a new PCP, one who is supportive. If you have proof of a staple line disruption or enlarged stoma, you have a good case for revision. Good Luck! <p> Sorry, but this just burns me up. Unnatural, indeed. Ask her how she feels about heart bypasses for those with arterial disease. That is not a "natural" state for the human body either, but it is a viable option to extend the life of those with heart disease and to help them inprove their health. And to head her off at the pass, they approve heart bypass surgery even for those patients that are responsible for their own conditions (i.e. smokers and poor dietary habits).
   — Ali M

July 2, 2005
If I'm not mistaken, the whole WLS thing got it's start from patients who required partial stomach removal due to disease. Example: stomach cancers. As a result of the 'partioning off' of the healthly remainder, Docs saw a dramatic weightloss. Hence a 'new' medical discovery.
   — PaulaB

July 2, 2005
I'm 5.5 yrs from actually RESECTED (took lower stomach out), 11 yrs from original. Pretty good, Bob. lol Nothing is different without the lower stomach than before, except I don't get ulcers any more. I fail to see the down side to that one! I know ppl over 20 yrs out.
   — vitalady

July 2, 2005
That is crazy...My surgery date is 7-6 and I will be transected as well. My surgeon will not do WLS with the technique that you had for the sole purpose of what you are going through. Check out SALSA.md that is the website of Dr. Waldrep. There is a tone of info on there!! Good luck and get tough with your PCP. I would fire her. Imagine whatelse she may be talking out of her b-t about....
   — princez76

July 3, 2005
your doctor is CRAZY. I am still alive.lol... I had a (vbg) with banding, vertical banded gastroplasty in 1996. I have had NO complications except I am now alergic to milk products. Big deal I love milk but I can live without it. If you take care of yourself and take the right vitamins, eat the right foods, and excercise you will be around for a long time. I met a person once that had the vbg 20 years ago. Find a new doctor. the one you have obviously has no idea about the different types of surgeries available to overweight people. I was 243lbs went down to 125lbs when I was sick, thats when I found out I was alergic to milk and now I am 150lbs because I have been a full time college student for the past 3 years. i do workout 5 times a week, but college students generally gain weight because of sitting and studying all day. good luck, if you or anyone else would like to talk more please email me [email protected]
   — shana1569

July 5, 2005
I guess the question I would ask your PCP is does she know for sure that those she KNOWs (and were these patients of hers?), who are no longer with us, what did they die from? I sincerely doubt that anyone can die from a transected stomach unless they died from complications due to surgery. Most of us have transected stomachs, and are much, much healthier. I would ask her, so, how many of your obese patients are still around? Either you heard your PCP wrong, she disapproves of bypass surgery or there is more to this story....
   — Cindy R.

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