Gina- RE continuing my Sleeve to a DS

Hey Gina,

The hiatal hernia I developed two years ago,is bad. More than 1/3 of my sleeve protrudes  and is compromising my lungs every time I lie down. One local surgeon has said this is life threatening for me every time I lie down.

I have consulted with 4 local general/bariatric surgeons about repairing the hernia and none will look outside the box as to how to repair it without a full stomach to do a fundaplication.  That leaves us going back to Mexico. I have been in touch with Dr. Aceves,who does vsg and DS among all the other surgeries,of course.  For only $3000.00 more than the cost of the hernia repair alone,i can continue into the Ds portion. I am going to do that because,as you know,I have been trying to get to goal for 3 years and ,frankly,I am not sure I have the fortitude to keep AS strict as it is requiring my body to lose even a minimal amount of weight. If I am going to have another surgery,I think the thing to do is get some malabsorption going as that is likely what I needed in the beginning,and I didn't realize it.

Long story short,lol,I am not really considering any of the revision specialists on the list on DSfacts.com,because this is NOT a revision,just the second part of an established two part surgery. Do you think that is reasonable thinking on my part?

Not a DS person so I don't know about the revision but I am sorry you have to do surgery at all for the hernia.  An all in one sounds possible to me but I know nothing.  Sending you positive thoughts on making the right decision and healing through however you determine to do it.

thanks,Price,for the positive vibes.

I heard that Dr. Aceves learned the DS from Dr. Ungson and was doing them with him.  I don't know if he still is but I have heard good things about him in either case, although I don't know if he is on DSfacts.com yet.

I have the intestinal part of the DS with a 200 cc common channel and I lost my excess weight very quickly and I'm so far having an easy time keeping it off.  Having a longer common channel seems to help me with vitamins and absolutely no bathroom issues aside from constipation which has been a life long issue anyway.  I do watch my diet as far as sugar and white carbs go and I've heard that helps also with the bathroom issues.  I would recommend it to anyone who can remain committed for the rest of their lives to vitamins, protein and follow up.

Thanks for the info,that is what I think about Dr. aceves too. he is not on DS facts yet,but I feel perfectly comfortable using him. he does have rave reviews.

I am TOTALLY committed to the DS lifestyle.Doing it already actually with the sleeve. I have proved to myself these last three years that I can be in control of my food and accountable where it is concerned.

I know you are.  I have seen you around here a long time and I know you have what it takes to be a success with the DS.  I think you will be very happy with it.

Thanks for the support and kind words. yeah,giving up is no longer an option.

I think Dr A is close to being added to DSFacts. If you are a 2-parter, Dr A and Dr U should have no problem. If I'm not mistaken, you can ask that Dr Ungson be there with Dr A. At least that was the way it was several months ago. Dr A may be totally on his own now. I've heard good things about him too. 

--gina

Had an email reply from Dr ungson. he states,without a shadow of a doubt,that he feels absolutely sure and said so in so many words,that with the hernia and reflux already,that i need the bypass. he says if I get the Ds it is only going to mean more and more reflux.

I know he is the expert and i WANT to take his recommendation but I am so scared of the complications of the bypass considering i am self pay. Just don't know what to do.... but am going to have to do something.

Can you send your information to Dr Marchesini in Brazil? You probably need a second opinion. Vitalady thinks a lot of Dr M and he's an approved revision surgeon on DSFacts. I'd hate for you to lose your pyloric valve if you didn't have to.

--gina