|
|
Post by creecree on Jul 26, 2014 15:55:22 GMT -5
I received a RNY in 2004 and lost 125lbs. I felt great, looked fanstastic, and kept if off for several years. In the last 3 years I have started to gain the weight back. Oh, let me add that although I lost 125lbs., I never got to my goal weight of 180lbs. I know for my height the "doctors" say I should weigh around 150lbs., however, I do not want to be that small. I want to weigh no less than 180lbs. I feel that will look good on "me".
Anyway, I never got below 200lbs. I am now weighing about 235lbs., and I am considering have a revision. I have an appointment to see the surgeon that is planning to do the revision while he repairs a hernia next Monday. I have, however, made an appointment with another surgeon to get a second opinion on this procedure.
Has anyone else ever dealt with a similar situation?
|
|
|
|
Post by illinids2 on Jul 26, 2014 16:05:51 GMT -5
I received a RNY in 2004 and lost 125lbs. I felt great, looked fanstastic, and kept if off for several years. In the last 3 years I have started to gain the weight back. Oh, let me add that although I lost 125lbs., I never got to my goal weight of 180lbs. I know for my height the "doctors" say I should weigh around 150lbs., however, I do not want to be that small. I want to weigh no less than 180lbs. I feel that will look good on "me". Anyway, I never got below 200lbs. I am now weighing about 235lbs., and I am considering have a revision. I have an appointment to see the surgeon that is planning to do the revision while he repairs a hernia next Monday. I have, however, made an appointment with another surgeon to get a second opinion on this procedure. Has anyone else ever dealt with a similar situation? Numerous revision patients on here who have had great outcomes, so you are in the right place. |
|
|
|
Post by goodkel on Jul 26, 2014 19:56:58 GMT -5
Welcome!
We have many people here who have revised to the DS from the RnY.
You are far from alone.
Who is the surgeon you are seeing next Monday? Who are you going to for the second opinion?
|
|
|
|
Post by Joanne on Jul 26, 2014 20:11:07 GMT -5
Revisions from RNY to the DS are complicated surgeries, but a good option for many people. It is critical that you find and use a surgeon experienced with this type of revision. If you go to someone who is not qualified or experienced in the revision, one of two things is likely to happen. First, he may talk you out of it or offer you an inferior option (such as band over bypass, an ERNY which they may call DS-like, or something else). Secondly, he may actually attempt to do it. Putting yourself in the wrong hands for such a complex surgery is not a risk I would take.
A revision in the hands of a qualified surgeon is possible, and a good option for many people, but certainly not something to take lightly or to rush.
Looking forward to your answer to Kelly's question about who you're consulting with. We know most of the qualified revision surgeons and can help steer you the right way.
|
|
|
|
Post by historytracker on Jul 27, 2014 4:26:58 GMT -5
I had my RNY back in 2001 and had the same issue. I started at 380 and got down to 220 then I had some close family members pass away and lost my job I gained weight and went back up to 285. I tried dieting on and off again, but never got down to my goal weight. What I have learned now was that I was too high for my starting weight.
It took me 3 years to make the decision to have revisional surgery and I choose DS. Now I am just a month out from the surgery and I would not have changed a thing. It is important to find the right surgeon and see what are your options because you do not have a lot of weight lose. When I started I needed about 130 pounds so this was the best option for me.
|
|
|
|
Post by illinids2 on Jul 27, 2014 7:30:50 GMT -5
I had my RNY back in 2001 and had the same issue. I started at 380 and got down to 220 then I had some close family members pass away and lost my job I gained weight and went back up to 285. I tried dieting on and off again, but never got down to my goal weight. What I have learned now was that I was too high for my starting weight. It took me 3 years to make the decision to have revisional surgery and I choose DS. Now I am just a month out from the surgery and I would not have changed a thing. It is important to find the right surgeon and see what are your options because you do not have a lot of weight lose. When I started I needed about 130 pounds so this was the best option for me. Hon I am not sure what you mean by being "too high for my starting weight"? Yes, the DS would have been the best choice for you at that time, but a high weight isn't why RnY's fail the patient. RnY's fail the patient because if you look at it logically, for people with metabolic disorders it isn't a surgery designed to last the long term as the RnY requires one to diet their entire lives because there is no malabsorbtion. Restriction doesn't work for the long term and when the pouch stretches out you are left with a stomach that can be as large as 30 oz. That isn't going to work long term for the vast majority because if one could diet and keep the weight off we wouldn't have required WLS. |
|
|
|
Post by Girlrocker on Jul 27, 2014 10:41:35 GMT -5
Hi, I'm an RNY revision to DS, had my RNY in 2002, revised to the DS in December 2011. Back in the day - and still - surgeons will say the DS is 'only' for the heavyweight morbidly obese, but that's not the case. It's a surgery that offers as illinisds2 points out a metabolic re-set, due to the switch portion/malabsorption. This is key to not just losing the weight, but maintaining the weight loss, something I never could do before bariartric surgery or the RNY. My RNY surgery weight was 280, all time high 315, DS revision 240. I never got to my weight goal with my RNY, or even close, battled to stay in 190s, did 'ok' the first five years and then bam, it kept coming back, had to diet more vigorously, was working out 6-7 days a week, 1-2 hours a day including a rigorous bootcamp class. It was awful.  My whole story is here, with links to my posts during my recovery: weightlosssurgery.proboards.com/thread/9004/girlrockers-journeyAnd there is a revision board here you can page through. You are NOT alone, and being in a support community helped me a great deal through this entire process, just as one did when I first had my RNY. Welcome, ask all the questions you need, read as much as you can, feel free to PM me any time. |
|
|
|
Post by historytracker on Jul 28, 2014 5:07:10 GMT -5
I had my RNY back in 2001 and had the same issue. I started at 380 and got down to 220 then I had some close family members pass away and lost my job I gained weight and went back up to 285. I tried dieting on and off again, but never got down to my goal weight. What I have learned now was that I was too high for my starting weight. It took me 3 years to make the decision to have revisional surgery and I choose DS. Now I am just a month out from the surgery and I would not have changed a thing. It is important to find the right surgeon and see what are your options because you do not have a lot of weight lose. When I started I needed about 130 pounds so this was the best option for me. Hon I am not sure what you mean by being "too high for my starting weight"? Yes, the DS would have been the best choice for you at that time, but a high weight isn't why RnY's fail the patient. RnY's fail the patient because if you look at it logically, for people with metabolic disorders it isn't a surgery designed to last the long term as the RnY requires one to diet their entire lives because there is no malabsorbtion. Restriction doesn't work for the long term and when the pouch stretches out you are left with a stomach that can be as large as 30 oz. That isn't going to work long term for the vast majority because if one could diet and keep the weight off we wouldn't have required WLS. What I mean by "too high for my starting weight" for RNY is that if DS were available in 2001 - this would have been a better choice. Starting at 385 and getting down to 220 I was successful for the RNY and my surgeon was pleased with my weight loss. Problem I wasn't - I wanted more. At 220 and 5'5" I am still considered obese. Now that DS is available I would not recommend RNY to anyone with a high weight. The long term studies from DS show that patients have a better chance of maintaining weight loss. Now that we all prefer this. Besides who doesn't like bacon and enjoy the other benefits such as malabsorbing fats |
|
|
|
Post by PrettyGirlBounce on Jul 28, 2014 15:51:58 GMT -5
Welcome to the boards! I am also a revisionista.  |
|
|
|
Post by PrettyGirlBounce on Jul 28, 2014 16:00:08 GMT -5
Revisions from RNY to the DS are complicated surgeries, but a good option for many people. It is critical that you find and use a surgeon experienced with this type of revision. If you go to someone who is not qualified or experienced in the revision, one of two things is likely to happen. First, he may talk you out of it or offer you an inferior option (such as band over bypass, an ERNY which they may call DS-like, or something else). Secondly, he may actually attempt to do it. Putting yourself in the wrong hands for such a complex surgery is not a risk I would take. A revision in the hands of a qualified surgeon is possible, and a good option for many people, but certainly not something to take lightly or to rush. Looking forward to your answer to Kelly's question about who you're consulting with. We know most of the qualified revision surgeons and can help steer you the right way. CreeCree this is the best advice given!!! Be VERY selective when choosing a revision surgeon. Your life depends on it - literally. I speak from experience. |
|
|
|
Post by creecree on Jul 29, 2014 16:56:56 GMT -5
Well, I got bad news today. My surgeon told me that because my BMI is below 50, I would not qualify for the DS surgery. He said that he could reduce the size of my pouch and stoma and that should get me to a "healthy" weight. I am feeling some kinda way right now.  I was going to see Dr. Enochs in Cary NC. However, when I went to a "support" group. The doctor that was there and the nurses both said that I would probably not qualify. I give up!!!!  |
|
|
|
Post by west4thavenue on Jul 29, 2014 17:03:30 GMT -5
 Creeree, look at my stats! I was WAY below a 50 BMI when I went to see the surgeon. Is it your insurance or the surgeon telling you that you have to have a BMI of 50?
|
|
|
|
Post by Girlrocker on Jul 29, 2014 17:48:51 GMT -5
Well, I got bad news today. My surgeon told me that because my BMI is below 50, I would not qualify for the DS surgery. He said that he could reduce the size of my pouch and stoma and that should get me to a "healthy" weight. I am feeling some kinda way right now. I was going to see Dr. Enochs in Cary NC. However, when I went to a "support" group. The doctor that was there and the nurses both said that I would probably not qualify. I give up!!!! Creecree, NO, do not give up! Is this being imposed by your surgeon or your insurance company? Does the surgeon you saw do the DS? I wasn't close to a BMI of 50 either, at my revision I was 240 lbs at 5'5 and considered a 'lightweight'. Surgeons saying the DS is 'only' for severely morbidly obese (heavyweights) are not correct. The DS isn't just about losing weight, but actually maintaining it because of the metabolic reset it offers in the switch portion of the surgery. Reducing your pouch and stoma is a temporary fix to a surgery that already doesn't work for you. We have a vetted surgeons list here on this board for surgeons who do the DS, and, who do the RNY to DS revision. It is VERY important that you see an experienced surgeon in this particular revision and it's possible you might have to travel. More surgeons are starting to do it, some people here have had a surgeon not on this list for a variety of logistics; just as surgeons are being added to the DS list too, with great results so far. But they also researched a LOT to have an experienced surgeon. There are surgeons we know on the east coast and in the midwest. Traveling for surgery is more common than you think, so doable, tons of advice/guidance from people here who have traveled for surgeries. Here's the link to the revision surgeon thread: weightlosssurgery.proboards.com/thread/7272/revisions-vetted-surgeons-listAnd here's the one to the DS surgeons thread: weightlosssurgery.proboards.com/thread/2084/list-vetted-surgeons-north-america |
|
|
|
Post by Joanne on Jul 29, 2014 18:55:51 GMT -5
Well, I got bad news today. My surgeon told me that because my BMI is below 50, I would not qualify for the DS surgery. He said that he could reduce the size of my pouch and stoma and that should get me to a "healthy" weight. I am feeling some kinda way right now. I was going to see Dr. Enochs in Cary NC. However, when I went to a "support" group. The doctor that was there and the nurses both said that I would probably not qualify. I give up!!!! This isn't a reason to give up! This is what we totally expected to happen. This is why we pressed you for the name of your surgeon. What happened is you went to a surgeon that doesn't do DS revisions. I have never even heard of him as a primary DS surgeon at all. This is exactly what I was telling you in my earlier post what would happen if you went to an inexperienced surgeon. Don't give up, and don't settle for a smaller pouch - which by the way there are plenty of studies out there that show that won't help. Go to a vetted DS surgeon from the list Sharyl shared. You may need to travel, but you will get an entirely different story. |
|
|
|
Post by goodkel on Jul 29, 2014 22:22:57 GMT -5
Well, I got bad news today. My surgeon told me that because my BMI is below 50, I would not qualify for the DS surgery. He said that he could reduce the size of my pouch and stoma and that should get me to a "healthy" weight. I am feeling some kinda way right now. I was going to see Dr. Enochs in Cary NC. However, when I went to a "support" group. The doctor that was there and the nurses both said that I would probably not qualify. I give up!!!! That was only their uneducated opinion. Did they read an actual copy of your insurance policy? I suspect that that doctor does not do the DS. You can't expect a surgeon who doesn't do the DS to recommend it. A Ford salesman will not send you to get a Mercedes. Don't waste your time with Dr. Enochs, either. That practice does not do the DS: www.surgerync.com/follow-bariatric-surgery-procedures.phpNow I haven't heard of him doing revisions, but you might want to consult with: Ranjan Sudan, MD * Duke Center for Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery Durham Regional Hospital's Health Services Center 407 Crutchfield St. Durham, NC 27704 Phone: 1-866-637-0711 toll free If he won't do it, the closest known revision surgeon that I am aware of is Dr. Elariny in Northern VA. |
|
dawn4511
Junior Member
Posts: 92
Surgery Type: Revision
Surgery Date: 08/14/2014
Surgeon: Dr Dennis Hong
|
Post by dawn4511 on Jul 30, 2014 8:17:58 GMT -5
Don't give up. Anything worth having is worth fighting for. It took me two years but I finally have a date. Don't settle for less. We got your back.
|
|
Creeree, look at my stats! I was WAY below a 50 BMI when I went to see the surgeon. Is it your insurance or the surgeon telling you that you have to have a BMI of 50?
