Question:
does every Dr. transect the stomach because of limited space?

Hi everyone! I have just found out the my Dr. that will be performing the lap RNY transects your stomache because of the limited space he has to work with. That the stomache sits in two different pieces. ( if your reading this Cheryl, hope I am explaining it right!) I'm having a hard time visualizing and I'm wondering if other Dr's performing the lap are doing this the same way. Is this is a routine Lap or just MY Dr. that does it that way?    — Tonna (posted on November 27, 1999)

November 27, 1999
Although I am easily confused, here is my understanding of why stomach is transected. When the small pouch is created simply by stapling, there is a far greater risk of line disruption later, and that can produce weight gain and/or other complications. It seems the most problem free approach is to divide the stomach, staple, and then over sew. No worry then about disruption of the staples, leakage into lg stomach, etc. I had open RNY and this is the approach my surgeon used. Cindy
   — Cynthia B.

November 28, 1999
There are actually three ways the RNY can be done. One involves no actual separation of the pouch and the remainder of the stomach. Instead several rows of stitches and staples are used. The second way involves a physical separation of the pouch from the remaining stomach (transection) which prevents staple line disruptions where the body tries to reconnect the two parts. The third way is the transection and removal of the remaining stomach (resection). I chose this way because once "disconnected," the stomach would never work properly again and I would have no way to chose an easy way out of this when the going got tough. As a physician myself, I would definitely recommend transection at a minimum, ir not resection.
   — Carolyn M.