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Bariatric Surgery/revision surgery for severe gerd?

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Expert: - 4/10/2009


Question
I had a gastric stapling (partition) in 1980 when i was 17.  this was purely a restrictive surgery..no bypass involved.  I had good results initially..lost 130 lbs. and 25 years later i still have some restriction but have developed severe gerd and regurgitate bile and acid in my sleep causing aspiration/microaspiration which is beginning to damage my lungs.  I have found no help from traditional doctors.  considering revision surgery to rny, but am worried about health risks from malabsorption and will they be able to do this type of revision on such an old surgery?

Answer
I would suggest that you approach a specialist in bariatric surgery.  Without knowing what's going on "inside" it's difficult to advise.  Previous surgery, especially surgery that long ago, complicates the situation but that should not be a reason to discount the option.  Revision may or may not be an option. However, maintaining your current situation sounds to be dangerous.

Please make an appointment with a bariatric specialist (surgeon) and explain your issues exactly this way, answering any other questions they may have.

I have no medical training; I'm simply a previous patient.  I hope that you have alternatives that can help you avoid further damage to your health.

Thanks for the question and please review my assistance via the allexperts.com website.

Good Luck to you, Courtney.
Steve
Steve

Bariatric Surgery

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Steven West

Expertise

I can answer any and all questions from the perspective of a weight loss surgery patient. I have had Gastric Bypass Surgery - Roux-en-Y - and can answer questions from the perspective of one who has experienced the pain and suffering of murderous obesity. I have mustered the courage to open myself to the opportunity to live life again! Let me help you get there, too! Weight loss surgery isn't for everyone, but for those who fit some specific criteria, it is a viable option. With the rise in obesity in America, there are suddenly weight loss surgery centers springing up on every street corner, it seems. Choosing to have weight loss surgery is a major decision in your life, and choosing the right center can mean the difference between weight loss success and failure. There are three main types of weight loss surgery being performed today at most all surgical weight loss clinics: the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, which creates a small stomach pouch and bypasses part of the small intestine; the Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, which is similar to the first surgery, but is done laparoscopically, so it reduces the size of the incision, and reduces the pain and recovery time of the surgery, and the LAP-BAND surgery, which is a band fastened around the stomach to create a small pouch. Weight Loss surgery is not for everyone who is obese. In most cases, candidates must be at least 100 pounds overweight. Surgery should be the last resort, rather than a quick-fix. Surgery is a long-term answer to managing your weight, and you need to be aware it will change your life.

Experience

I am a post operative patient of Weight Loss Surgery (Gastric Bypass, RNY). I am interested in providing coaching for pre-operative and post-operative patients.

Organizations
Member of obesityhelp.com.

Publications
Profiled in Obesity Help Magazine.

Education/Credentials
Bachelors Degree in Computer Science. I am an engineer working for Computer Sciences Corporation in the Washington, D.C. area.

Awards and Honors
I am a retired veteran with over twenty years of U.S. Naval Service.

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