Expert: Karla K. - 4/19/2008

Question
I had a Gastric Bypass operation 4 years ago. I did loose only 4 stone in that time and have put 2stone back on. I currenlty weigh 18.5 stone and I am desperate. Would It be possible for me to have a gastric band fitted? is there anything else that can help me?

Angela

Angela

Answer
Hi Angela:

Yes, you could definitely have an Adjustable Gastric Band placed over your pouch.  That has been successful for many RNYers as an easy revision.  

Another minimally invasive option would be to look into the EROS, ROSE, or StompahyX procedures.  Basically, an endoscope is placed down your throat and a device is used with fasteners to make your pouch smaller.  These devices are in clinical trials in the US, but they may be available in the UK now.  I'd ask your bariatric surgeon.

One final fix would be to have a revision.. either to a more distal or extended Roux-en-Y or to a Duodenal Switch.  Because more of your intestines are bypassed, there would be less opportunity for calories to be absorbed... hence you would lose more weight.  With either of these choices, you would have to commit to taking daily vitamins and having labs for a lifetime, just like you do now with your RNY (I hope!)>  There are two surgeons that come to mind in Europe which may be able to help you.  Dr. Baltasar is in Spain and is well regarded as one of the best.  You can find out more about him at http://www.bodybybaltasar.com/  and http://www.drbaltasar.com ....or search for his name on YahooGroups to join his support group.

** Dr. Aniceto Baltasar (photo)
E-mail: a.baltasar@aecirujanos.es or baltasar_ani@gva.es
Board Certified by ACS (American College of Surgeons)
Member of ASBS (American Bariatric Society) and
IFSO (International Federation of Surgery for Obesity)
Founder and President of SECO (Spanish Surgical Bariatric Society)
C/ Cid 61

03803 - Alcoy
Alicante, SPAIN
Phone: +34-96-533.25.36 and +34-654-06.40.93
FAX: +34-96-533.25.36 and +34-96-533.04.00

http://www.drbaltasar.com (in English and Spanish)
http://www.seco.org (in Spanish)

Dr. Himpens is also well regarded.  He is in Belgium.

Dr. Jacques Himpens
E-mail: obesitascenter@hotmail.com
Algemeen Ziekenhuis St. Blasius
Kroonveldlaan 50
9200 Dendermonde
Belgium
phone +3252252574
fax +3252252833
website: http://www.azsintblasius.be/webdb/SBDsite_AZSBD/frameFP.jsp

I've also been told the following surgeons in Britain are quite good..and all do both the Duodenal Switch and Extended RNYs. (No doubt they could do a Band over your pouch as well.)

London

     Kesava R Mannur FRCS
     Email: kmannur@yahoo.co.uk
     Phone/Fax: +44 (0) 20 8227 0767
     The London Independent Hospital
     1 Beaumont Square
     London E1 4 NL
     UK
     www.londonobesitycentre.com

Guernsey

     Michael Van den Bossche MD FRCS FICS
     Email: michaelvdb@cwgsy.net
     Tel: +44 (0)1481 238565
     Fax: +44 (0)1481 237782
     (Secretary: Mrs Glenys Domaille)
     The Medical Specialist Group
     PO Box 113
     Alexandra House
     Les Frieteaux
     St Martins
     Guernsey GY1 3EX

Southampton

     Michael Van den Bossche MD FRCS FICS
     Email: michaelvdb@cwgsy.net
     (Secretary: Mrs Viv Walters)
     Tel: +44 (0)23 8091 4458
     BUPA Hospital Southampton
     Chalybeate Close
     Tremona Road
     Southampton
     Hampshire SO16 6UY


I'm assuming you're in the UK because you mention stone. It just occurred to me that you may be in Australia.  If so, try one of these surgeons:

New South Wales

     Dr. James Ritchie
     Email: keyholesurgcntr@bigpond.com
     Phone: (02) 9221 3919
     8th Floor
     187 Macquarie St
     Sydney, NSW 2000
     http://www.keyholesurgcntr.com.au

Victoria

     Stephen Blamey MB BS FACS FRACS
     Email:slblamey@netspace.net.au
     Phone:+613 9887 8530
     301 Blackburn Road
     Mount Waverley, Victoria 3146

     Mr. Harry B. Frydenberg FRACS
     Email: harryfry@ozemail.com.au
     Phone *613 9421 1166
     Epworth Centre for Bariatric Surgery
     Epworth Medical Centre
     Suite 2.1, 173 Lennox Street
     Richmond, Victoria, 3121

     Simon Woods FRACS
     E-mail woods@surgicalconsulting.com.au
     Phone: 61 3 95761411
     Suite 44 Cabrini Medical Centre
     183 Wattletree Rd.
     Malvern Vic 3144

Western Australia

     Mr. Leon Cohen
     E-mail: leon@global.net.au
     Tel: 08 9370 9729
     Fax: 08 9370 9732
     Mercy Medical Centre
     Suite 1a Level II
     Ellesmere Road
     Mount Lawley WA 6050


I hope this helps.  Good luck!
Karla