Question:
Has anyone out there had their staple line break down.

I saw my surgeon this week to go some x-ray's that I had done. He told me that the staple line had broken down and I had food going in two places. He wants to redo the whole surgery again. I'm not sure I'm up for this. I would like to hear from anybody who has had this problem and what they did about it. Thank you for your time.    — Carol T. (posted on September 29, 2000)

September 28, 2000
I have heard of this happening to other unlucky folks before. It is not your fault! Possibly, the staples were never attached well in the first place, or also possibly, your body could have reacted to the staples and somehow rejected them. It is so soon after your original surgery that I know it must be very hard to consider doing it all over again, but if you do go for it, please make sure the surgeon is going to close your pouch differently this time. Most surgeons now prefer to transect the stomach (cut it) and oversew the exposed edges. That will be stronger than just stapling alone. Good Luck!
   — Lynn K.

September 29, 2000
I had a VBG in 1984. I reached goal and stayed there for 2 1/2 years, then was suddenly able to eat again. I gained some back, and then 85 more with two pregnancies in three years. I found out last October that the staple line was disrupted. I had the VBG revised to RNY April 2000 and have lost 92 lbs in 5 months. I would do it again in a heartbeat. My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner, or I would be near my goal right now.
   — [Deactivated Member]

September 29, 2000
Yes Carol, I had a broken staple line, too. My original open RNY was on 8/11/99. When I was about 6 months out, I had an upper GI which showed the popped staple. Some people's bodies just reject the staples, and it's no one's fault, it's just one of those things that can happen. I had to change insurance cos. pretty soon after I found out, so it wasn't until 8/24/00 when I had my second surgery to transect the stomach. This time I did it lap, and I was home in 3 days and actually went to the mall the day after I got home. I feel fabulous, and within 3 weeks had lost the 16 pounds I had gained in the last 6 months. I finally feel like I'm back on track again. I'm so sorry this happened to you so soon after surgery, but make sure your doctor will transect your stomach this time. Good luck!
   — Leslie F.

September 29, 2000
My staple line disrupted a year ago, too. Originally done 10/94, I lost 150 lbs and held steady for years. I am also of the belief that we don't actively disrupt our staples, but that the body rejects them in certain ones. It is FRIGHTENLY common among us, sadly. I was always careful with my volume, drinking while eating, all that. My husband is a 1995 model and has always been a bit more casual. Well, VERY casual about volume and his staple line is still intact. As time goes on, among those of us in our support group done about 94-95, besides my husband, there's only one other left with an intact staple line! Our doc changed his technique to transection in 1996. I was redone in January of this year and lost the 12# I had gained. I can well imagine your frustration, but I'm hoping your will be fine with your revision and it will only be a speed bump on your way down to a normal weight and lifestyle!
   — vitalady