Hello!

[Kkohl]

I'm new to all this and having a bit of trouble navigationg I'm looking for doctors that do the DS surgery. Closest to me. I live Lincoln Ne. I would prefer laperscopic. In 2008 I have the bypass surgery done and was successful for about three years now I have gained it all back and more. But this time I have really committed to making this lifestyle change. The first time was not required to do anything I just went and had the surgery and had zero follow up care. So again if anybody has suggestions of doctors who do the DS and or around Lincoln Nebraska I would much appreciate it. By the way I also did a Google search but it must be very outdated I couldn't find anything current.

 

[Larra]

Hi and welcome!
The real problem is that you don't just need a surgeon who does the DS, you need one who does revision of gastric bypass to the DS, in other words, RNY to DS revision. This is a much more complex and higher risk surgery than a virgin DS, and there are only a handful of surgeons who do it. None of them is located near your location. You will need to travel, as do most people seeking this type of revision, so accept that idea now.
The closest to you that I can think of is Dr. Simper in Utah. The best known are Dr. John Rabkin of Pacific Laparoscopy in San Francisco, and Dr. Ara Keshishian in Glendale, CA (a suburb of Los Angeles). All these surgeons are accustomed to working with patients from out of town.
You also need to accept that these revisions are almost always done open, not laparoscopically.

 

[southernlady]

Welcome @Kkohl

 

[KathrynK]

Welcome! Keep us posted on this journey!

 

[Kkohl]

Hi and welcome!
The real problem is that you don't just need a surgeon who does the DS, you need one who does revision of gastric bypass to the DS, in other words, RNY to DS revision. This is a much more complex and higher risk surgery than a virgin DS, and there are only a handful of surgeons who do it. None of them is located near your location. You will need to travel, as do most people seeking this type of revision, so accept that idea now.
The closest to you that I can think of is Dr. Simper in Utah. The best known are Dr. John Rabkin of Pacific Laparoscopy in San Francisco, and Dr. Ara Keshishian in Glendale, CA (a suburb of Los Angeles). All these surgeons are accustomed to working with patients from out of town.
You also need to accept that these revisions are almost always done open, not laparoscopically.

Wow. Thanks so much for your reply! I've been reading through these posts and you all are SO INFORMED! I want to be as informed as this. What's a good place to start? Also why would it probably be open vs lap? Just curious... I'm open to traveling was just looking for the closest. My Dr said St. Louis but did not name a Dr. Or a hospital to call. Thanks again!

 

[Larra]

I've never heard of anyone in St. Louis, or Kansas, doing RNY to DS revision. To answer your other questions, this is a huge, complex, high risk operation. Your surgeon will need to take apart your RNY, completely restore the original anatomy, and THEN do a DS. it's a big deal. While, in theory, it can be done lap, it is almost always done open for safety reasons. But that's an issue to take up with your surgeon.
As to becoming more informed, this website has a pretty good search function, so you can look up topics of interest. You can also reach out to people who have had your type of revision and ask about their experience. RNY to DS revision is not an easy process.

 

[Settledownnow]

Welcome @Kkohl! There are a few of us here who had a RNY to DS revision. I was concerned when you said you had no follow-up care with your RNY. My RNY was in 2003, so I understand completely as the same happened here. Have you been checking your bloodwork? Taking supplements? Where are you now with your health?

 

[galaxygrrl]

Welcome!!!!! Fan of Dr. Rabkin here. But they are all good

 

[Kkohl]

How do I find others who have had the RNY to DS surgery?

 

[nedsmehlp]

Welcome! I had the VSG to DS revision, which is quite different, with Dr. Keshishian. I know he is experienced with RNY to DS. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Dr. Keshishian. He is amazing and such a caring person! I traveled from Kansas. It went really easy! They have a motel that gives a discount to Dr K patients, and my husband and I used UBER, which went really good. Just call his office and he will personally talk to you about a revision. Just meeting him gives you all the confidence in the world in him! Good Luck, hope this helps.

 

[Kkohl]

Thank you! Everyone on this sight has been so helpful and kind. Did you have to make multiple trips out to see him? And did you have insurance coverage or self pay?

 

[Kkohl]

Welcome @Kkohl! There are a few of us here who had a RNY to DS revision. I was concerned when you said you had no follow-up care with your RNY. My RNY was in 2003, so I understand completely as the same happened here. Have you been checking your bloodwork? Taking supplements? Where are you now with your health?

I originally had my RNY done at Ft Lewis WA. I had very very little pre op guidance and before my 6 week follow up our 4 yr old son passed away. I never went back. Didn't care. Then 6 wks later we discharged from Army and moved back to NE. Obviously I was loosing weight so I really didn't care nor have the mental energy at the time to seek a Dr here. That was 2008. In Oct 2016 I decided it was time. I had never gotten labs or taken supplements. Still don't really know what I should take. I planned to have a revision (didn't know there were different kinds) went thru all the hoops and requirements only to hear Tuesday that the Dr doesn't think simply making pouch smaller will yield the results I want/need. I am 100% committed to doing things right this time! But since he won't help I feel totally hopeless and defeated. Not sure where to go from here. Some of the stories on here scare the crud out of me with bad experiences with revisions. My health tho is not good. Very limited mobility which helps nothing. Borderline diabetes. Bad sleep apnea. High blood pressure. Of course depression from all of this.

Sorry to ramble on..

 

[Munchkin]

I originally had my RNY done at Ft Lewis WA. I had very very little pre op guidance and before my 6 week follow up our 4 yr old son passed away. I never went back. Didn't care. Then 6 wks later we discharged from Army and moved back to NE. Obviously I was loosing weight so I really didn't care nor have the mental energy at the time to seek a Dr here. That was 2008. In Oct 2016 I decided it was time. I had never gotten labs or taken supplements. Still don't really know what I should take. I planned to have a revision (didn't know there were different kinds) went thru all the hoops and requirements only to hear Tuesday that the Dr doesn't think simply making pouch smaller will yield the results I want/need. I am 100% committed to doing things right this time! But since he won't help I feel totally hopeless and defeated. Not sure where to go from here. Some of the stories on here scare the crud out of me with bad experiences with revisions. My health tho is not good. Very limited mobility which helps nothing. Borderline diabetes. Bad sleep apnea. High blood pressure. Of course depression from all of this.

Sorry to ramble on..

The first thing to do is start at the beginning. Start taking a prenatal and calcium(and usually a dose is more than 2 pills) every day. Drink more no calorie fluids and avoid all carbs and sugar. Start exercising. Start where you need to start and if that's chair exercises, fine. Just begin and continue. Consistently. No matter what happens on the surgery issue you need to start getting yourself in better shape. You can do this.

None of us can go back and 'fix' the past. But we can take small steps in the right direction every day. You have been through a nightmare and I am so sorry for you!

 

[Larra]

I'm so sorry for the loss of your son.

@Munchkin has given you some good advice to get started on feeling better. I would add that with RNY you also need to supplement B12, either with injections or sublingual (under the tongue) as it isn't absorbed when swallowed with your operation.

Yes, all this revision stuff is scary, but it's actually a good thing the surgeon didn't want to just make your pouch smaller, because he's right that doing so doesn't seem to help much, if at all. None of this is easy, and the risks are real. On the other hand, you face risks by remaining MO and by having sleep apnea, and your quality of life sounds poor. So you always have to weigh the potential risks against the potential benefits, and also consider the potential risks of doing nothing. No one here would ever tell you that having a revision is easy or try to minimize the risks. It's up to you to determine whether or not it's the right course for you. What we can and will do is direct you to the surgeons experienced in doing RNY to DS revisions, because having the right surgeon makes a big difference.

 

[Settledownnow]

I originally had my RNY done at Ft Lewis WA. I had very very little pre op guidance and before my 6 week follow up our 4 yr old son passed away. I never went back. Didn't care. Then 6 wks later we discharged from Army and moved back to NE. Obviously I was loosing weight so I really didn't care nor have the mental energy at the time to seek a Dr here. That was 2008. In Oct 2016 I decided it was time. I had never gotten labs or taken supplements. Still don't really know what I should take. I planned to have a revision (didn't know there were different kinds) went thru all the hoops and requirements only to hear Tuesday that the Dr doesn't think simply making pouch smaller will yield the results I want/need. I am 100% committed to doing things right this time! But since he won't help I feel totally hopeless and defeated. Not sure where to go from here. Some of the stories on here scare the crud out of me with bad experiences with revisions. My health tho is not good. Very limited mobility which helps nothing. Borderline diabetes. Bad sleep apnea. High blood pressure. Of course depression from all of this.

Sorry to ramble on..

Go to the doc and asked to have your bloodwork done. You can become very, very sick from vit/min deficiencies. Vit/min deficiencies can lead to many serious problems. You will not be in shape for any future surgery until you check and get all levels fixed. Also, the vit/min supplement schedule for DS is heavier, and to be really honest, if you cannot commit now to checking your labs and taking supplements, then DS would not be right for you.

Below is a list of bloodwork to request for RNY. It will be about 10 vials of blood. Your doc may tell you that you do not need it. YOU DO NEED IT. Demand it. Keep reading, reading, reading to inform yourself about vit/mins. Use all of the WLS boards to help inform yourself. You can post your lab results here (remove your name and all personal data) and people here will help you understand the results and offer some guidance.

CMP
Lipid Profile
CBC with differential
B12
Bili-direct
Ferritin
Iron/TIBC
PTH
Magnesium
Calcium
Folate
Thiamine (B1)
B6
Vitamin E
Vitamin K
Uric Acid
Vitamin A
Vitamin D (25 hydroxy)
Zinc
Phosphorus
Copper
Selenium
Prealbumin

Here is a link to Vitalady's RNY vitamin/min supplement schedule.

To find other people on the board who have had RNY to DS revisions use the search bar. There is also a revision forum on the website you can get started reading. Please, go get your labs checked and begin supplements immediately.