Question:
1984 Horizontal Stapling failed. Planning Open RNY-Any similar experiences?

The Surgeon at the informational meeting I attended said second surgeries loose slower and don't loose as much. Is this always the case? I'd hate to go thru this again with 2 strikes against me - but so far looks like I will try again, providing my insurance approves...Anyone revised from "old style" simple stapling to RNY with information to share??    — Shadow51 (posted on December 31, 2002)

December 31, 2002
Hi, Carolyn. Don't lose hope. There is light at the end of the tunnel! I had a horizontal stomach stapling back in 1984 / then I had a revision to lap rny in 9/2001. It has been a new lease on life for me. It is true that I have lost slower than the first timers, but I still lost. I origonally had my stomach stapling in 1984. I weighed 268 at that time. After many years of yo yo dieting, and struggling I finally had my rny in 2001 weighing in at 258 lbs. just 10 lbs below my beginning weight! But now I am at my Dr.'s realistic goal, and just 6 lbs from my own personal weight of 146 lbs. I cannot tell you how hapy I am w/my body. I would recommend this revision to anyone who had an inferior surgery in the 80's. If you would like any more info e-mail me at: [email protected]. I wish you the best. Patti Meadows
   — peppermintp

January 1, 2003
Hi, I did not have a horzontal stapling, but I did have a VBG back in 1995 at 295 lbs. I lost down to 160, then a couple of years ago I developed a staple line disruption and gained back up to 240-250. I was revised to RNY in July 02 and have lost about 60 pounds. I currently weigh 188, tomorrow is my 6 month anniversary. I feel that this weight loss was slow compared to surgery "virgins", but I am thrilled with it. I don't know about the loosing as much part, but I am pretty determined to get back down to at least 160 (at 5'7"). Then I will work on getting to 145, my ultimate goal. Good Luck.
   — Ali M

January 1, 2003
I had the stapling surgery in 1983 and only lost 35 pounds. Talk about a disappointment. I had a revision to RNY in May 2002 and so far have lost 82 pounds. It is true that I have lost much more slowly than "virgins" but I have lost TONS of inches and am very very proud and please with the results so far. When I had the revision I was wearing size 34/36 and now wear 22/24. No way would I have ever been able to do this in 7 months without the revision. It was harder to bounce back with this surgery but then again I'm 20 years older and the yo-yo dieting has caused so much abuse to the poor ole thing that I'm really amazed I did as well as I did. Another thing - on December 2, 2002 I had to have emergency gall bladder surgery. It has been much harder to get over than the revision because they had to leave the incision open due to so much infection in the gall bladder, but I can tell you this. There is no way I would have done even a fraction as well as I have if I hadn't had the revision. I say GO FOR IT - YOU WON'T REGRET IT!!!!! Good luck!
   — Vicki H.