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Single step or separate procedures?

Julcsi

Member
Went to see an NHS doctor at my local hospital to get my result for my x ray. I asked for his opinion regarding revision surgery and what he said was that in England most surgeons recommend removing band first then do another procedure. He said that he recommends for me to go to Belgium (Dr Dillemans) who does it as a one step op.
Has anyone else been told the same?
 

Mazza

Administrator
Staff member
My surgeon does a two stage revision. The reason being that the stomach can be too damaged once the band is out to convert to another procedure. Of course until they open you up, they won't know this for sure.

A few months, or eight in my case, allowed my stomach to heal that bit more.

I saw the pictures of my stomach with the band out and to be honest, there was alot of scar tissue there. I also saw it post sleeve and the surgeon showed me how he was able to make me a long sleeve (I'm tall, hence the long sleeve).
 

Julcsi

Member
Mazza if your second surgery wasnt funded by the NHS but from your own pocket would you have gone for two surgeries not just the one? Thats what i wanted to find out!
 

Mazza

Administrator
Staff member
It wasn't really a factor @Julcsi. I didn't just get offered revisional surgery, it was a long, long road. I was actually really ill when my GP referred me to a gastro intestinal specialist initially and probably about three years ago. At the time I had no idea I would eventually be offered revisional surgery.

I had lots of health problems. I couldn't bend without my stomach and bowel falling through my hernia and being sick. I couldn't sleep without the acid rising and with it the pain going into my sinuses and ears. I was also suffering from malnutrition, a prolapse bladder and diverticulosis, coupled with the fact that if I take after my mother these things would of killed me in the next ten years or from my fathers side I have a very high risk of getting bowel cancer.

The band was removed to resolve my esophagitus, which if left untreated and worse case scenario, could of lead to Barratts Esophagus and cancer. The revision was the second stage to my three stage recovery plan which will ultimately lead to a hernia repair. As I mentioned above my intestines and bowel are getting trapped in my hernia and there is a risk of whats in it twisiting and dying, it now moves in and out more freely though. I also had multiple adhesions which needed to be removed to get my stomach and the contents of my abdomen into a healthy and pain free state. A lot of that work was done at the same time as my sleeve.
 
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