JIB to RNY?Anybody with Kaiser?(Xpost,Long)
I have the 26 year old jejunoileal bypass that was popular in the
70’s, and must be reversed/revised due to the oxalate kidney stones
damaging my kidney! I changed our drywall business over to Kaiser,
because they will at least hook my 14″ intestine back up, to deal
with my malabsorption problems. When I met with the surgeon on
Tuesday, he said I definitely needed a revision, because I would gain
back my 125lb weight loss. I was totally surprised that he would
offer me any other WLS. It seems that he wants me to go through their
program for MO since I never had to do any life style changes with
the JIB, and if I don’t have the RNY I will gain my weight back. MO
people are not normal people that just eat too much, it is how their
body absorbs and uses the food they eat, plus they eat more because
of the feeling of hunger from the food flow. I am a fan of the
duodenal switch, but I am not convinced that I would get rid of the
kidney stones. I feel that having to watch my diet for diabetes, and
oxalate has helped me learn to control my diet better, at least for
the past 5 years. I told him that I was resigned to just having my
JIB reversed, and if I start to gain weight despite my vigilance, I
would try a tummy tuck and exercise before considering any other form
of weight loss. My cousin plans to go to Spain for the DS in 2003,
and I am hoping to be recovered by then, in case I want to go ahead
with the vertical gastroplasty part of DS and tummy tuck and thigh
lift, that Dr. B has already discussed with me. I also told the
Kaiser doc, that I did not want to exchange my kidney problem, stone
problems, arthritis, edema, and anemia for a life of vomiting, stoma
obstruction, and monthly Vitamin B-12 shots for the rest of my life
and end up possibly gaining weight anyway. I would love your input on
this matter. He has stated that they have had to revise many gastric
bypass patients to RNY and I thought they were the same thing! Also,
I was wondering if anyone has had the RNY through Kaiser. What is the
program like? Do they charge for it? Please feel free to email me
privately if you wish. twoshurs@ juno.com
Thanks,
Vicky
twoshurs
August 27th, 2004 at 8:15 pm
Vicky,
I can’t answer the question on what you should do with
regard to a revision. However, I couldn’t let your
note pass without comment regarding your worry of
having a lifetime of vomiting, stoma obstruction and
B-12 shots. Please don’t make any decisions based on
that information. I have thrown up only twice since
surgery (lap rny), both times because I ate much too
quickly. I don’t have a ring around my stoma (my
choice) and I haven’t had any obstructions. I also
take two sublingual B-12s a week and my vitamin levels
are excellent. It is true that there can be
complications, including the ones you’ve cited, but
very few people on this board or in any of the support
groups I’ve gone to have experienced any of these
complications. Before you make any decision, please
continue to research and ask questions. Then you can
make an informed decision on what’s best for you.
Best,
Jennie