Surgery update

Karen,

I know it would be easy to get lower than low.  I have been fighting that thie weekend.  I just can't let myself get too down.  Life has to go on.  I can imagine that I might have been having second thoughts about the whole thing about this time!    It's time for me to take control of my own destiny and buckle down, follow the rules, and get on with making the most I can of the tool I already have.    I am struggling right now for sure.   I have a great guy in my life who is very supportive and is always around for me.  That has made this much easier.   Thanks so much for your support.

Dorothy E.

Hi Dorothy.  I am so sorry.  What a bummer.  I chose to have a lapricopic revision, because I had heard that the ROSE and STOMAPHYX don't work that well.   This is only something that I read on the revision board.  I have no medical knowledge about the procedures.  My doctor went in and stapled the stoma all the way around and inserted bovine tissue to assure that it would not stretch again.  Previously, (2003) they used to sew the stoma and found in later years that they had a tendency to stretch.  My stoma had stretched from 8 to 20-something.  It isn't exactly a second honeymoon, but close to it.  I have lost about 25 pounds since the end of May.  Work the tool...and good luck.  Love, Diane

Thanks, Diane.   I guess the Rose was not for me.  It was rather costly finding that out though.  Congratulations on your second honeymoon.   I will look into other options.  Meantime, I can still try to do the postop protocol I would have done after the ROSE to a certain extent.    I had been grazing way too much and consuming too many carbs.   I am hoping to lose the 30 pounds I have regained at least and then we'll see.   I KNOW HOW TO DO IT!   

Dorothy E.

How disapponting. So sorry for you.

Can you ladies tell me how one can know if the stoma is stretched?  How do you know if you need a revision?

Thanks, Barbara.   The only sure way to know about the stoma being stretched is to have an EGD.    I guess some signs would be weight gain and not feeling full after eating a moderate amount.  Over time I think most people experience some stretching.    Only having the surgeon do a visual examination of the pouch and stoma will give a definite answer.

Dorothy E.