Question:
Could anyone please tell me how often staple lines are distrupted after RNY's ?

I am waiting for RNY surgery and was wondering if anyone out there knows whether the staple line adheres and seals permanently or is there a chance for it to break open later on. How many of you end up having revisions after five, seven, ten years?    — [Deactivated Member] (posted on December 28, 2002)

December 28, 2002
Mine was at 5 yrs. Most of my peers were already SLD & revised by their 2nd anniversary.
   — vitalady

December 28, 2002
I would reccomend that you find a surgeon who transects the stomach. Mine does. That will eliminate the possibility of staple line disruption down the road because the stomach and pouch are eventually sealed with their own scar tissue in addition to staples and sutures.
   — ediecat

December 28, 2002
I'm with Susan - find a doctor that transects. My doctor does and on top of that he oversews the staples to give extra protection against leakage or losing a staple sometimes in the future. From what my surgeon explained is that keeping the pouch and stomach attached and just stapling between them definitely does increase the chance of a staple line failure if you continually overeat and stretch the pouch. So in answer to your question the staple line must not seal. Hope this helps.
   — zoedogcbr

December 28, 2002
My SLD happened within 6 months of surgery. The transection was 6 months later, now 3 1/2 yrs. out, and doing fabulously! But, I have to disagree with something Chris said...you will NOT get a SLD from overeating and stretching the pouch. I won't say this can never happen, but this is really just another way of laying the blame on the patient, not the doctor. What really happens is the stomach tissue just rejects the staples, it's the body doing what it's supposed to...rejecting foreign objects in its attempt to return to normalcy. But, I do agree with the others, chose a surgeon who transects. Good luck!
   — Leslie F.