Good evening,
Two weeks ago I had a CT scan of my stomach (with contrast), specifically the unused portion to determine existing blood supply. Yesterday I had an endoscopy. After waking from my very short nap the surgeon informed me that the endoscopy went fine but after reviewing my CT, it appears I do not have a good blood supply going to the other side of my stomach. Basically, the surgeon would not want to use any portion of the remaining stomach if there is a risk of it dying, leaving me a gastrointestinal nightmare.
I admit I am a slow processor, so there was no rapid fire Q&A session. The conversation was directly after the endoscopy meant only to be a brief update. The rest of this discussion is to be continued at the next visit. Funny, my mother was with me and actually got a little happy when she heard he could not do the surgery (SMH). Had to break it to her later that I may not be done pursuing this procedure.
After that announcement the surgeon moved onto other procedures, a distal RNY(?) and some transoral stitch... kinda stopped listening while maintaining an appearance of being engaged. I am not interested in any other procedure. The distal sounds like a bowel moving nightmare and more restriction seems ineffective. My pouch is already smaller than the average (non-bariatric) person, even if stretched & that is no longer working.
If the revision cannot be done, it cannot be done and I can accept that but there is something irking me.... I'm not sure what it is. I am left with these questions-
1. Is this really about a "high or reasonable likelihood" of stomach death? OR
2. Is this about the surgeons' comfort level with RNY>DS revisions? OR
3. Both "1" & "2"
4. Would a seasoned RNY>DS revision surgeon look at my CT scan and come to the same conclusion?
AGAIN, I certainly don't want the surgeon operating ON ME if it's outside of his comfort level. Nor am I interested in compromising my quality of life simply to take a chance. It is absolutely the right and responsibility of a surgeon to weigh the risks and tap out. But I don't want to be a sold a bleak outcome based on personal discomfort.
The idea of not being revised does make me wanna have a mini adult temper tantrum but I don't have time for that. Dr. K keeps coming to mind but I cannot afford his program fee +travel +lodging, which brings me to Dr. Ayoola, on whom I pushed the pause button after deciding to pursue a surgeon in closer proximity. Should I even schedule a follow-up appointment with the current surgeon? Perhaps he will have a change of heart by our next visit... hmmm, that might be concerning.
Thoughts please...
Two weeks ago I had a CT scan of my stomach (with contrast), specifically the unused portion to determine existing blood supply. Yesterday I had an endoscopy. After waking from my very short nap the surgeon informed me that the endoscopy went fine but after reviewing my CT, it appears I do not have a good blood supply going to the other side of my stomach. Basically, the surgeon would not want to use any portion of the remaining stomach if there is a risk of it dying, leaving me a gastrointestinal nightmare.
I admit I am a slow processor, so there was no rapid fire Q&A session. The conversation was directly after the endoscopy meant only to be a brief update. The rest of this discussion is to be continued at the next visit. Funny, my mother was with me and actually got a little happy when she heard he could not do the surgery (SMH). Had to break it to her later that I may not be done pursuing this procedure.
After that announcement the surgeon moved onto other procedures, a distal RNY(?) and some transoral stitch... kinda stopped listening while maintaining an appearance of being engaged. I am not interested in any other procedure. The distal sounds like a bowel moving nightmare and more restriction seems ineffective. My pouch is already smaller than the average (non-bariatric) person, even if stretched & that is no longer working.
If the revision cannot be done, it cannot be done and I can accept that but there is something irking me.... I'm not sure what it is. I am left with these questions-
1. Is this really about a "high or reasonable likelihood" of stomach death? OR
2. Is this about the surgeons' comfort level with RNY>DS revisions? OR
3. Both "1" & "2"
4. Would a seasoned RNY>DS revision surgeon look at my CT scan and come to the same conclusion?
AGAIN, I certainly don't want the surgeon operating ON ME if it's outside of his comfort level. Nor am I interested in compromising my quality of life simply to take a chance. It is absolutely the right and responsibility of a surgeon to weigh the risks and tap out. But I don't want to be a sold a bleak outcome based on personal discomfort.
The idea of not being revised does make me wanna have a mini adult temper tantrum but I don't have time for that. Dr. K keeps coming to mind but I cannot afford his program fee +travel +lodging, which brings me to Dr. Ayoola, on whom I pushed the pause button after deciding to pursue a surgeon in closer proximity. Should I even schedule a follow-up appointment with the current surgeon? Perhaps he will have a change of heart by our next visit... hmmm, that might be concerning.
Thoughts please...
