Hi, I could swear I responded to this and my post seems to have disappeared into cyber ether. So here we go again.
I'm a revision from RNY to DS, and this is indeed a very complicated surgery. And as Chicarita noted, also can be revising from a lapband. There are several of us revisions on here; and with any major surgery, we definitely need to know, be prepared for the good, bad and the ugly.
I have been fortunate to have had a very smooth process, I thank my surgeon Dr. Keshishian for that and the universe for giving me my life back. I had a lot of complications after my lap RNY, readmitted a week post-op, in the hospital for 6 weeks, second open surgery to fix the problem, wound infection after that, seromas and hernias...*sighs* I didn't have any actual food intolerances, some of the horrible ones others developed with their RNY, I had moderate dumping, and couldn't get, stay, under 200 lbs and it was a nightmare for me. Also was severely anemic.
So I went into my DS revision knowing about what could happen, and sometimes worse...but decided to move forward. I was terrified too by my weight esclating back to 240, and just felt like a living dead person. Dr. K said I was the the worst he'd ever seen in terms of depression, despair and just giving up.
Here's a couple of threads that might be helpful to you:
Revision surgeon threadweightlosssurgery.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=7262Dr. Roslin Keynote, Does the patient fail the procedure or does the procedure fail the patientweightlosssurgery.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=speaker&action=display&thread=3804As for the differences between the DS and RNY, there's no question I wish I'd had the DS first, it wasn't an option for me with my insurance, and I wasn't as informed about it as I wish I could have been in 2002, and was afraid of doing something 'too dramatic'. I sorta bought at the time that the RNY was gold standard, and saw so many people doing really well, and...*sighs* I know many who have, but just as many who haven't, if not more, all of us with the similar/same issues.
Also, now having had several surgeries, mostly open after my RNY except my recent hernia repair, which was lap, and SO frickin' painful, I wouldn't let that be a deal breaker/issue. Yes, there are more risks of infection with open vs. lap surgeries; my surgeon won't do revisions lap, he said he just can't see everything, and that makes sense to me.
I just posted on another thread about the differences for me between the RNY/DS. Reposting it here.
Before I had my first time at the rodeo (RNY in 2002), I had gotten 'the memo'. That I needed to learn how to eat different, make it a way of life, not think of it as a diet or program. So learning how to handle/cope stress better, social situations, work when you have to eat what is served for business meetings, etc. I had some practice with.
As for the actual physical adjustments...with my RNY I developed a few food intolerances and had to be diligent about eating protein first (but stuck with lean, low fat), moderate good complex carbs, water, some supplements - multi, iron, B12, calcium citrate. I dumped. Exercise became a regular part of my day.
With the DS, I do all of the above except dump; AND, I get to EAT a lot more really good, fun food, more protein, full fat, and more of it. No more calorie counting. Certain carbs disagree with me, even the good ones - white flour does me in, unless it's something that is topped with a good dose of protein and fat (like the bun of a cheeseburger, or tuna sub from Subway), broccoli/spinach/cabbage if the quantities are too big, and, sugar alcohols (so no Atkins products for me). I have to watch the coffee consumption too, one cup ok, after that....
I take more supplements - the above plus D3, A, K, folic acid, magnesium, Bcomplex instead of B12, proferrin instead of regular iron, keep an eye on my labs to see where I might need boosts.
If I have a 'sour' stomach and have to go, I can't hold it, I have to GO, fast. I've had some embarassing accidents, mostly at home but a couple of times while out. Oy.
So in my opinion, these food intolerances are minor for the return of getting my life back - same for supplementation. No one would know I had any kind of surgery, the DS really throws them because I eat full fat
and the only thing is I can't consume large quantities, though I can do pretty well volume wise in the morning on an empty stomach.
I'm beyond grateful for the second chance and that I was complication free. There are several of us revision stories on here, and you should read as many as you can. Some people have had a pretty rough ride. Ultimately, it is a very personal, individual decision about what is going to be best for your long term future. I'm single, no dependents, I have insurance, and decided that risk and all, I was going to try again and hope for the best. I was terrified the entire time and this place got me through it all.
Keep posting, reading, asking questions!
and the only thing is I can't consume large quantities, though I can do pretty well volume wise in the morning on an empty stomach.
)
