Question:
Revision - necessary for all?

Hi there! I am four months post-op and down 80 pounds. I am having no difficulties and feeling great (knock on wood). I have been reading in the library and was wondering if it is common for all who had WLS to necessarily need a revision. Is this less common with the present procedures or is it just something you have to deal with. Personally, I had open RNY - I couldn't really tell when reading in the library if one surgery more than another seemed prone to revisions. Thanks in advance for your advice!    — stacey L. (posted on September 1, 2002)

September 1, 2002
Most revisions are VBGs to RNYs. Over time our surgeon says 80% of VBGs gain their weight back. Its a sad problem. Although some VBGs do fine.<P> The other big revision is transceting pouches that were not transceted during the first surgery. Michelle Curran has had this trouble. Its always better to pick the right surgery the first time. The RNY transceted is presently considered the gold standard of WLS. The remaing revisions are rare. Like Barb Henson who had long term troubles with her DS. <P> Lastly Its not a revision but a follow up surgery for hernia repairs. 30% of opens devolop a incisional hernia because the muscle wall is cut. The rate for LAP hernias is near ZERO. Consider this when selecting a surgeon. Good luck on your adventure! WLS is THE BEST decision I EVER made. I lost 130 pounds and feel GREAT! Jen my wife is down almost a 100 but has a way to go.
   — bob-haller