Update on me

Here's an old face that some of you may remember and some of you may not know at all!

I wanted to update those of you who know me with the news that I am having a revision done on August 7.   Since my original WLS 5 years ago, I lost 130 pounds.  That was not as much as I had hoped to lose, but I was pretty happy with my results.  Then in the last couple of years I have gradually started to regain until now I am back up by 30 pounds.   I found out about the Rose Procedure here on OH and consulted with a surgeon in my area who did an endoscopy to see what my pouch and stoma looked like.   My stoma is enlarged as is my pouch to a lesser degree.  In addition, he found I had an ulcer which he is treating.  I had no symptoms at all of the ulcer.   I made the decision to have the procedure done.  This is done entirely through the mouth with a short recovery time. In fact I will go home a couple of hours after the procedure and since it is on Friday, I will be back at work on Monday.   I am looking forward to the challenge of being a loser once again.  

I would be interested in knowing about any others with experience in having a revision.   The support of this group has always inspired me, and although my life has been very busy and I haven't taken the time to post, I consider the OFF to be my home.

Dorothy E.

Dorothy,
I have never heard of this procedure.  Will you explain it to me and is it like the gastric bypass?  I know this is a dumb question but, I would like to know.

Thanks,
JOY

Hi Joy,

It is a revision of the original gastric bypass.  First they look at the pouch and stoma by doing an endoscopy where they go in through the mouth with a light and camera and measure where you are.  I had this done a couple of weeks ago.   My pouch and stoma have both enlarged...especially the stoma.   In the Rose Procedure, they go in through the mouth and essentially pleat the pouch and stoma to return them to approximate the original size after the gastric bypass.  This returns that "full" feeling we experienced early postop and should make it possible to return to the weight loss.  A good candidate is someone who initially had a substantial weight loss but has begun to regain.  You must be at least 2 yrs postop from the original surgery as well.   I only started to regain weight in earnest after last fall when I had a series of steroid injections for my back.   The Rose procedure takes about an hour under general anesthesia.  There are no external incisions at all, so the recovery time is minimal and the only discomfort is a sore throat from the instruments passed through the throat.   I had no discomfort after the endoscopy and was told I may not after the revision procedure.    So that is probably much more than you wanted to know.   I first read about the procedure here on OH.  It sounded like a good answer for me, so I researched a surgeon in my area who does the procedure.   It is fairly new, so there is not much data on the long term success.   Hopefully, I will be a success.

Thanks for your interest.  I'll post as I progress through the procedure and afterward.

Dorothy E. 

That sounds much simpler than the original.  I hope I do not gain my weight back but, at least there is a procedure that can be done.  I am doing my best not to gain and follow doctor's orders.  Thanks for answering me.

JOY

Aloha Dorothy.....and I sure do remember you. You came on the OFF about the same time I did but had your surgery sooner by two years because I had to wait so long. I've heard of the endoscopy where they find out the size of stoma and pouch, but I didn't know they went back in that way to fix it. Makes sense....rather than doing the pukas in the belly again.

This will give you a whole new beginning, and I'm happy for you. Good luck and let us know the details.

Aloha nui loa,

Maui Karen

Thanks, Karen. 

it's always a pleasure to see that beautiful face!!!!!
dorothy i'm not "up" on the procedure myself- and i often wonder if my stoma is "proper" by the feelings i have...i'm excited for you!!!!
sending you special hugs and prayers for success with this new chance you are grabbing!!!!!!
please try to stop by more !!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks , Margo.

Well of course we remember you!  Welcome home.  Please let us know how your procedure goes.  Prayers and best wishes coming your way.
Debbie

Thanks, Debbie.  That means alot.