Ok, so not sure if I will get any responses here or not..but here goes anyway.  I met with this 2nd surgeon on Monday to discuss a possible revision.  Basically my story is this: had RYN back in July 08.  Did have complication per my surgeon told me post op and operation took 4 1/2 hours but she said all ended fine.  I started at 220 pre-op and got down to 170-180 mark at my lowest.  That lowest was achieved 7 months post-op.  And YES, I followed all rules and complied with the program..getting in my protein and being a gym junky (really toning up my body).  Never understood why I didn't get any lower thought.  Anyway, I maintained that weight for about a 1 1/2, then after that, my weight has been climbing ever since.  I noticed within the last year or so, Ive been able to eat larger amounts of food.  I am still big on protein as I love fish, lean meats, fat free re-fried beans, fat free cottage cheese, eggs whites..etc..and still exercise 4-5 days a week walking.  I just don't get it.  Had a EGD done with 1st surgeon (not my original surgeon)..found my pouch & stoma dilated.  Had a consultation with this 2nd surgeon and when operative report was received by both 1st surgeon & 2nd surgeon, the operative report stated in the "description of the procedure" that I was a man and I had a lap-band??  Wth?? I called the hospital and got a call back from Med Recs Dept and the lady said she didn't know what happened but that they didn't know if it could be redone b/c Dr. LaMaster's (original surgeon) would have to go back and re-dictate the whole operative report and didn't know if she could do that b/c it was a surgery that happened 4 years ago..but she said they could send all the records from that surgery like the physician's report and this should have any information regarding any complications and/or why the surgery took an extra hour & a half to complete.  Anyway, this surgeon wants to do an upper GI to check out the limb created when the original was done.  My question is what can I expect from this upper GI?  whats the procedure like?  Any other information anyone wants to share is appreciated as well..also I've had pretty irritating abdominal pain almost daily for the last month or so..this cannot be a good thing :-/

I will describe my upper GI. put on a gown, go to the xray room, stand on an upright table (leaning against a L shaped table while standing). Take small sips of Barium, white chalky substance tastes like Malox. while tech took video (actually pictures so fast it looks like video) of the substance going down my throat into my pouch and thru the stoma and into the upper intestines. I took sip after sip while the pictures (looked like video) were taken. I got to watch and it looks really cool. Table lays down with me on it, take more pics. whole process took about 15 minutes.

Thanks Muzzled..what was the purpose of getting yours done though?  I mean was it just to see if the pouch & stoma were stretched?  I'm just confused why this surgeon is ordering an Upper GI when I already had an EGD done.  I would have thought any concerns or questions regarding that part of my anatomy could have been answered by the EGD report...I dont know, kind of confused on this.  

Mine was to see if my pouch had stretched but in your case maybe he is needing a visual record of what your limb looks like. Maybe to see if you had a distal or Proximal I don;t know though. Just thought I would describe the process. I know you saw one surgeon who wanted another 6 months from you, is this surgeon a different try at it?

Thats correct.  The first surgeon I saw said that because of my insurance, they would require another 6 month supervised diet regardless if my pouch/stoma are stretched.  This 2nd surgeon didn't feel that was the case at all.  His only problem is, he would feel more comfortable doing a revision if he found something wrong with my limb or something I guess versus just doing a revision because.  He didn't say it was totally out of the question, but he did tell me he just felt more comfortable doing that because the complication rate is so much higher with revisions and the weight loss is not always as good as the first time around.  He was a very nice doctor though and was honest about what kind of revisions he has done and hasn't done.  So we'll see what happens.  Obviously I hope they find something so a revision can be done.  Another suggestion one of his nurses said was starting back on all this vitamins, get in all protein first, add in the weight loss pill Phentermine and then obviously doing exercise.  She said doing all these in combination has worked well for other patients trying to get gained weight back off.  So after we find out the results of this GI..depending..that may be the way to go (the nurse's way)..which in all honesty..even though its not what I want, I am willing to do that bc the bottom line is I WANT AND NEED THE WEIGHT OFF!! *lol*  

 Keep us posted. You sure have had a time of this. Praying all will finally work out soon.~Angie Davis   ( I just rejoined OH after 8 yrs and nned to get my status updated.)

I thought Phentermine was one of the "Phens" that where taken of the market?  I was asked on a form today if I had taken it and answered no.  I guess I don't know what it is than.

 Totaly diff med.  just got put on this. It is very temporary but after 1st week Ive had more energy and less appettite. It is prescribed under supervision for obese. Hope this info helps~ Angie Davis

Thanks for the info!

Phen-Fen was Pondamin and Phentermine.

Pondamin was completely pulled off the market.

Phentermine is still prescribed.

I actually saw my PCP yesterday so he could write me a referral to a 2nd surgeon (second opinion) and he told me about the Phentermine. It is the other half of the Phen-Phen that did not have a problem. I had actually researched it previously a couple of years ago so I was familiar with it.  He on his own offered it to me if I wanted it saying he has seen it successful in other patients. I have 3 surgeons picked out for a revision (one down two to go) if I am turned down by all three then I will go on the Phentermine. I am just kinda skeptical about long term sucess given it is an appitite suppressant only. I actually kinda resent having to travel and see a psch, nut and then the surgeon just to see if he will even do the revision. Talk about having to pay to get an answer. I would rather fax over all needed test results and then be told if it appears as though he could work with it. Then have the inperson visit and get a final decision then go see the others. Ugh, talk about a racket.

Thank You for the clarification. I thought it was one half as my two sisters where on Phen-Fen. They both did great but, they had a responsible doctor that tested to make sure they had the chemical deficiency they required it. It was too bad there were so many irresponsible doctors that prescribed it to those without the issue and got it removed.

One sister did go on to get a DS and is doing good 10 years out. The other has never been able to lose weight since they took her off.

They sure like the hoop they jumg us thru.

Oh, and Tonya you sure are a pretty looking man.  I would have never guessed from you avitar
.

Have you researched going from your failed RNY to the DS?  It has the BEST long term statistics for getting to goal, and KEEPING THE WEIGHT OFF!!!!!!!!!

You owe it to yourself to at least do some research to make THE BEST decision for YOU!!!!!!

Please be aware that not all surgeons perform the DS, so if you ask a doc who only does RNY about the DS, they are losing your business, a.k.a. $$$$$$$$!!!!!!

DSFacts.com has a list of vetted DS surgeons.  But since you already have an RNY, you list of qualified surgeons SHRINKS dramatically for the RNY to DS revision.

This link below is what "sealed" my decision to have my RNY to DS revision surgery
http://www.dssurgery.com/about/publications/duodenal-switch-safe-operation.pdf

Please take a look in my profile for a current list of RNY to DS surgeons


Good LUCK with whatever YOU decide!!!!!
-Jamie

Thanks for the info Jamie.  I had an upper GI done on Wed and according to the radiologist they found nothing out of the ordinary.  :(  So basically this 2nd surgeon I saw will call me sometime in the future to tell me he doesn't feel comfortable performing a revision since there is nothing to "fix".  Oh well, very disappointing but I guess @ least I tried and made an effort.  Sucks so bad actually!  Just in disappointment mode right now, but I'll get over it..anyways, thanx again for the support and information! 

 

 

--Tonya

Nothing was found out of the ordinary for me, either.  But, my RNY STILL FAILED me!!!!
The disappoinment is natural, but it still SUCKS!!!!
Come and check us out over on Weighlosssurgery.ProBoards.com, that is where the veterans from here went to.  More insight, more info, more support is ALWAYS a good thing!!!!


-Jamie

 Tonya, I've had it ALL!!  Lol...Upper Gi, etc.....honestly - the UGI only tracks the direction of fluids...for example...I had a report that mentioned a fistula (when the old stomach attachs to the pouch etc.  the Upper GI tracks the fluid going down the pouch.  To determine the SIZE of the pouch you have needed a ENDOSCOPY.  That's a scope down your throat and that shows how dilated your pouch is...I've had that done a couple of times.  An alternative for you - if you have the RNY is to check was is the length of the Roux Limb. Mine was 76 cm and not to say that I was not compliant and that it was a cause but I didn't achieve the weightloss I wanted. So the new surgeon I saw did the endoscopy first to deterine size and then the revision he did was the distal RNY - which is making me 150cm back (which was another 75cm) and hopefully I should be losing weight...I had a few complications but Im in the mend and we'll see I HOPE that I can lose the weight but Im doubtful. I know Im not eating enuf or proteins, etc...and now Im working out but something gotta eventually give! lol..