12 Years post-op,bottom of stomache has expanded and today I found out staples have...

 I am having a bad day, 12 years ago I lost 100 lbs..now I have gained back 60 and am always starving. Two years ago I went to Boston and a Doctor tried  to endoscopically tighten my stomache hole leading to my intestines because it had expanded to 23 cms. It did not work so today I went in for an upper G.I and the radiologist informed me my staple line had failed. Now what? I have heard of a great doctor in New York but I live in Va. I don't mind traveling though and what if my insurance denies the claim..is this dangerous? If I fix it ,is it a revision and I will lose the weight? I heard the second time around is very dangerous with many more risk.  I  would appreciate any input, hopefully some one else has been through this and can explain it all to me. Would you do the revision and what is involved?

Vivian, I am so sorry for your news.  Surgery 12 years ago was so different than surgery today I am being told .  I have a great surgeon that does do Revisions and surgeries to correct these types of issues .  Neil Hutcher . At Commonwealth Surgeons .  If you need this surgery , I would think he could write it to definatly show it is medically necessary.  I would defintley keep researching this and get it done . There are risk in everything we do , especially surgery . Dr. H will go over all the risk with you . But I truly think you can get this done .  Do not losse hope !  If you need to talk .. PM me here .. If you want the # to the office .. let me know too .  Hugs,  Natalie

Hi Natalie, thank you so much for responding to my message, I am interested in getting your doctors #  and talking to you also. I am new to the site and not really familiar on how to do things. I live in va and my # is 757-409-1523. Did you have the revision also? Why and when? Thank you again, Vivian

Vivian, I'm' sad to hear your news. I agree with Natalie that the procedures of today are so different than they were 12 years ago. You were a pioneer with your surgery the first time and your weight loss showed your success! You can be successful again and I agree that it's worth following up with surgeons in this area. Dr. Hutcher is well respected and so are the folks at VCU (where I had my surgery done). You have options and there are answers for you, I'm sure! Good luck - prayers are coming your way and please keep us posted on your journey.

Hi, Thank you so much for the kind words, I will be in contact with Dr. Hutcher once I get his #. I will keep every one posted,

Vivien, I am sorry about your bad day but you already knew something was wrong and that was why you had these tests, right?..... We all love our surgeons and my surgeon, Dr Halmi of Virginia Weight Loss Surgery Center in Woodbridge, VA is one of the best in America. He does revisions, has a wonderful support group, great staff and is an excellent surgeon....  Please don't hesitate to give his office a call or go and see him.... .http://www.virginiaweightlosssurgerycenter.com/ Many insurances will not let you go out of State for surgery so you may need to call and check with them. Dr Halmi's office will do all the talking to the insurance for you..... I am only 2 years out but would do the surgery again in a heartbeat or go for a revision if I had to.... Good luck Jackie

Hi, Thank you for the information, I will contact him right now. God Bless and Thank you, Vivian

Wow you are having a bad day.  Thank goodness there are so many great doctors out there who would work with these issues.  I would definitely look into the surgeons in your area & get the info from your insurance about a revision.  You may also want to check out the revision forum to get more info from there. http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/revision