Weightloss surgery back in the day

amerigirl · January 4, 2010

I was wondering if any new the difference between the sleeve and getting your stomach stapled? I know a lady that had her stomach stapled a long long time ago and it didn't work for her. I know this surgery is new and different and better but what did that do when you had your stomach "stapled"?

Anybody now?

Thanks

i1Linda · January 5, 2010

Yes, it is different, but I don't remember how. I will have to look it up and get back to you.

i1Linda · January 5, 2010

Okay - here is a link to a diagram of stomach stapling.

Restriction operation for obesity

Tiffykins · January 5, 2010

The old stomach stapling from my understanding is similar to RNY without the rerouting of the intestines. Essentially, they just made a "pouch" that was still able to stretch unlike the sleeve which removes the stretchy part of the stomach.

Ready2BHealthy · January 6, 2010

Amerigirl,

Thank you for asking that question. I was wondering the same thing. I wanted to know is there a risk of stretching the stapled portion to cause a leak after the 6 week stage? One year later, two years later?? etc.... I am 39 years old and don't want to worry about possible leaks when I am 50.

Help. I am nervous! My sleeve is scheduled for the 19th of January. As the day approaches...I am more nervous about the irreversible part!

Tiffykins · January 6, 2010

Amerigirl,

Thank you for asking that question. I was wondering the same thing. I wanted to know is there a risk of stretching the stapled portion to cause a leak after the 6 week stage? One year later, two years later?? etc.... I am 39 years old and don't want to worry about possible leaks when I am 50.

Help. I am nervous! My sleeve is scheduled for the 19th of January. As the day approaches...I am more nervous about the irreversible part!

Once you're passed the initially healing stage, scar tissue forms over the staple line. I have done a lot of research on just gastrectomies (not just for WLS, but for other issues such as cancer and ulcer patients), and have not read of one incident with any patients having leaks later in life. Gastrectomies have been performed for decades upon decades. It's only "new" to WLS as a stand alone procedure within the last 5-7 years.

The most the sleeve can stretch is about 8-10oz depending on the size of boughie the surgeon uses. My surgeon uses a 32fr, and he said I'd be lucky if it stretched out to 8oz.

My surgeon said that most leaks occur within the healing period. BUT, if a patient progresses their post-op diet too fast, or overeats constantly inducing vomitting constantly, then a leak can happen later on because it does weaken the staple line.

Also, none of the WLS are reversible in my opinion. The band is not reversible. Yes, it can be removed, BUT once it's placed, and your stomach tissue is sutured over it, your anatomy is forever changed. I'm living proof of that the theory of the band being reversible is very, very false.

Edited January 6, 2010 by Tiffykins

jkrazed · January 6, 2010

Thanks for the info Tiff. I had been really wondering about the stretch capacity, not to sure what size my dr. went with (defenitely planning on finding out), but it's good to know that there is a max stretch capacity.