Hello!

StormyWeather

Member
Joined
Jun 5, 2021
Messages
11
Hey there,

This is a second chance journey for me. I was just approved for a revision surgery, RNY to DS, with Dr. McKinlay in SLC, Utah.

I had RNY in 2013 and at first, it seemed to go really well. I lost weight the first 6 months and then it just stopped. I started having issues with food intolerances that I had never had before and a lot of pain with it, dumping syndrome for a lot of foods, and pretty much sick every day. I honestly thought it was the tradeoff for being able to lose the weight, so I never really questioned it, until about two years later, when weight started coming back. I was never able to get down to goal, or even close to it, so even with the weight I lost, over 115 pounds, I was always still obese and quite ashamed. I went on Nutrisystem, Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, tried Phentermine, Bontril, Noom, hired a personal trainer and a nutritionist, but nothing was working to lose the weight again. It took a lot, but I went back to my original surgeon, who told me there were no options for me and I failed the surgery. Literally, he gave me a pamphlet that said "You've failed bariatric surgery, now what?". I just kind of accepted that and let it all go, deciding that there was nothing further I could do.

By chance about a year ago, I had found this site and through what I learned here and my own research, I figured out that I might have options and while I play a role, the RNY might not have been the best option for me to begin with. To be honest, I did not even know the DS existed at the time of my first surgery and my original surgeon never mentioned it, as he said the RNY was the gold standard that worked for everyone. What I have since discovered in that someone that was my size to begin with, 57 BMI, the DS is probably what was needed from the beginning and for some, the RNY is not the best option in any way.

I scheduled a consult with Dr. Simper, but it appears that Dr. McKinlay has taken over for him and that is who I was scheduled with in February. I have to say, I really liked the office and I did not feel judged at all, which was a relief. I just received insurance approval this week and was told I should get my surgery date within the next week. I was terrified I would be denied, but now that it was approved, I am just as terrified. The only thing worse is knowing that if I do not do something now, I will probably always be this way.

Anyway, that is just a little backstory about me. I am grateful for this forum and the opportunity to meet and learn from everyone here.

Thank you for listening!
 
Welcome StormyWeather
Dr. Mckinlay isn’t on our radar as a RNY to DS surgeon. Get him to expla how he’s doing it, also ask who he proctored with to lear.

After your surgery when your operative report becomes availabl, get it, cover the personal information and then either share it here or send it to me in a conversation. We’d love to add him to the vetted revision list maintained here.
 
Welcome StormyWeather
Dr. Mckinlay isn’t on our radar as a RNY to DS surgeon. Get him to expla how he’s doing it, also ask who he proctored with to lear.

After your surgery when your operative report becomes availabl, get it, cover the personal information and then either share it here or send it to me in a conversation. We’d love to add him to the vetted revision list maintained here.

Hi Southernlady,

Thank you for the response! I was under the impression that Dr. McKinlay was vetted as an RNY to DS revision surgeon? I might have misspelled his name, as I've seen it spelled a couple different ways and that could be the confusion. I am seeing Dr. McKinlay from Rocky Moutain Associated Physicians in SLC, Utah. He trained and assisted with Dr. Simper, and it appears, he is now the primary surgeon that is doing the RNY to DS revisions for the practice. He did explain the procedure and I was able to verify that it is the true DS and not the SADI/SIPS or Loop surgery.

Thank you for the information and responding!
 
Hi and welcome!
I'm nearly certain that Dr. Simper did RNY to DS revisions, so if Dr. McKinlay worked with him I would guess that they did them together. But, there is nothing stopping you from asking him how many he has done and what his experience with these patients has been in terms of recovery, complications, and outcomes. And you already know that he does a real DS, which is great and a very good sign.
Please keep us posted about your recovery and progress.
 
Hi and welcome!
I'm nearly certain that Dr. Simper did RNY to DS revisions, so if Dr. McKinlay worked with him I would guess that they did them together. But, there is nothing stopping you from asking him how many he has done and what his experience with these patients has been in terms of recovery, complications, and outcomes. And you already know that he does a real DS, which is great and a very good sign.
Please keep us posted about your recovery and progress.

Hi Larra,

Yes, Dr. Simper did RNY to DS revisions and both Dr. Simper and Dr. McKinlay appear to be on the vetted surgeons list, at least the one I found on this sight (hopefully I was looking at the right one!). I did ask those very questions, as I've learned a lot from these boards! He has done approximately 100 of them. Most of his patients are able to return to normal, meaning resume desk work and daily life, by two weeks out and it's very rare to have anyone need more time beyond that. I did ask about complications, as I was concerned about leaks and he stated the practice started observing that when leaks did happen (approximately 10%), they were happening in virtually the same locations in every patient. He altered how he stitches certain parts, and that has diminished the leak rate even more. He did explain that outcomes will vary, as part of it depends on me and sticking to the diet and upholding my part of the bargain, but it would be very possible for me to lose enough to get a normal BMI. He requires regular follow up for the first year and at least labs faxed every year after that.

Thank you for your response and the input!
 
Most of his patients are able to return to normal, meaning resume desk work and daily life, by two weeks out and it's very rare to have anyone need more time beyond that.

Wow, two weeks seems unusually short for a recovery time for RNY to DS conversion....

Can any here who have converted from RNY to DS comment on the timeframe for return to desk work?
 
I did a virgin DS and needed every bit of the 4 weeks I took off work. Even then I had a few issues when I first returned. 2 weeks seems like too little time to me.
I am so glad I didn't let my doctor do the bypass and pushed for the DS. I have been very happy with it. I hope you have as good of results with a conversion.
 
Everyone is different. I had my crap band removed, hiatal hernia repair and DS at 47 with Dr. COTTAM. I have a desk job and returned to work after a week.
 
Everyone is different. I had my crap band removed, hiatal hernia repair and DS at 47 with Dr. COTTAM. I have a desk job and returned to work after a week.
Wow.... That is impressive. I have a desk job too, but drive to work is 45 min.
I'm about 2 1/2 months out and I finally feel like I'm getting back to a sort of normal.
Finding out about probiotics was a godsend.
 

Latest posts

Back
Top