Question:
Is it possible to be a post op RNY and be revised to a DS?

Is it possible to be a post op RNY (11/02) and be revised to a DS? My home health nurse had the DS and suggested this to me and to see her surgeon. I did not think this was possible for someone who already has had the RNY. Don't you need your pyloric valve in place for the DS? I only lost about 70 # with the RNY and now my stoma is stretched so I was told to "diet and exercise". I still need to lose about 70 - 80 # at least. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks, Kelly    — Kelly B. (posted on November 20, 2003)

November 19, 2003
Kelly, I'm not sure about being revised to a DS since our stomach is transected differently and they bypass the pyloric valve in the RNY and not in the DS. However, it is my understanding that we can be made very distal which offers about the same benefits of the DS, only we would still dump as before. I would check the surgeon board and find out who in your area does the DS, make the call to their office and ask if he does revisions to that procedure. From what I've heard, revisions are HIGHLY risky for any weight loss surgical procedure. Michell Curran (vitalady) may be more knowledgable about this as she's had revisions as well. God bless you.
   — Happy I.

November 19, 2003
My surgeon was considering doing this when we came across my stoma problem. When an RNY is 'made' into a DS... the difference is they do NOT touch your stoma; so you will NOT be a 'ds' in that regards. The surgeon would do the lower plumming the same as the DS. So basically, the eating issue would not change... just the 'malabsorption' parts..
   — star .

November 20, 2003
Hey Kelly - yes! It's totally possible. BUT you need to recognize that there are only a few surgeons worldwide who are skilled at doing so. There, of course, is a necessary higher skill level required to do this VERY complicated procedure. BUT - there are lots who have had it done - and are doing fantastically well! First of all, let me direct you over to the Yahoo group that can offer you some excellent help: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DS_Revision/ They are such sweet people - and really willing to help out. Next, I can also recommend a surgeon - it may mean needing to travel - but so totally worth it. Ara Keshishian, MD, FACS E-mail: [email protected] Contact: Dawn Keshishian, RN or Dee Tinkle, LVN Phone: 661-725-4847 Delano Regional Medical Arts Building 1205 Garces Highway, Suite 303 Delano, CA 93215 http://www.gr-ds.com Dr. K is gaining international notariety for his excellence in doing conversion (from RNY to DS) surgeries. He is also reputed to be exceptionally kind, compassionate, and a great advocate for his patients. Best yet, he also works with more insurance companies than any other surgeon I've heard of. Hope this helps! Blessings, dina
   — Dina McBride

November 20, 2003
Actually, Helen, most surgeons are not skilled in the conversion of RNY to DS and don't even attempt this extremely complicated procedure. There ARE, however, several who have become quite skilled in doing so - and there are many conversion post-ops out there who can attest to just how wonderful it is to have a full-functioning pylorus at work for them! Let me know if I can answer any questions, okay? Blessings, dina
   — Dina McBride

November 20, 2003
I see you're in Ohio. Dr Doug Hess of Bowling Green developed the DS in 1988 and does lots of revisions. Dr K is great (was my surgeon) but Dr H is handier! Since you are only 70 lbs overweight now, your insurance may balk and so might most US surgeons. If that happens, Dr Baltasar in Spain would be your best choice, and possibly Dr Marchesini in Brazil. I'm not sure how many revisions Dr M has done--Dina help me out here??
   — Chris T.

November 20, 2003
Dr. Marchesini in Brazil has done many revisions to DS. The trip to Brazil is like a vacation!
   — Cera H.

November 20, 2003
Thank you all for your information - it really helped knowing there are other web sites to go to for information. I really liked all the info / web site of the doctor in Spain !!! thanks!
   — Kelly B.

November 21, 2003
The question is not can this be done in theory, but can it be done for YOU. There are so very many different forms of 'pouch' surgery all lumped under the term RNY that it's impossible to answer this question without knowing exactly how your initial surgery reconfigured your stomach. I can, however, recommend a great surgeon---Dr. John Husted in Nashville, TN. Check out his website at http://www.johnhustedmd.com
   — MsBatt