Question:
Anyone had stapling of pouch instead of transecting??

Has anyone had the pouch seperated by 4 rows of staples instead of cut away(transected) from the stomach? If so, were there any complications? Is weightloss as good as the other?    — Ruthie K. (posted on August 7, 2002)


August 7, 2002
I had open RNY-distal on March 2, 2001 - My pouch is not transected, but has the four rows of staples and sutured around the staples. I have had no complications, I can eat anything, and I don't dump. I started out at 305 pounds wearing a 26/28 and am now between 147-152 and wearing 8/10. I don't know if weight loss is any better one way or another, but it's done good by me. But I do believe staple line disruption is the biggest issue between a transected pouch or not. Best of luck!!
   — Tracy C.

August 7, 2002
My Dr. did 8 rows of staples on the pouch. I am only 3 weeks postop but if you click on Dr. Gaskins patients profiles I am sure you'd be please with their various results...
   — MF

August 7, 2002
I was not transected two years ago. I have 8 rows of titanium staples. I had serious concerns about this for a long time post op (I didnt realize the whole transected thing pre op). When I was early post op (3-6 months or so),I emailed my doctor and asked him what my odds were for a SLD. He said at that point it was almost 0. But then why was I hearing about these people with SLDs? I was very worried. Well as of last year I know I didnt have a SLD (endoscopy, unrelated to WLS). At two years out, I weigh 140, BMI 23, size 6. THANK GOD. In reptrospect, I probably would want to be transected... I dont believe that there is any downside and one less worry.
   — Jeannet

August 7, 2002
My surgeon does not transect. He told me he believes it unecessary since the stapler he uses spits out 4 rows of staples at at time and he goes across the area 3 times. This means 12 rows of staples. After over 300 surgeries with no disruptions, I guess he knows his stuff!
   — [Deactivated Member]

August 7, 2002
I was not transected. The first time. My original staples lasted 5 yrs, much longer than most of my peers. Given a choice, I would not do a surgery that was not transected. The fear factor (would myins or not?) was almost as bad as the regain, while I waited.
   — vitalady

August 7, 2002
I had 8 rows of staples and was the first patient to disrupt (at least that was known) with my surgeon. I followed all the rules and came "undone" at 6 mos postop. I didn't regain but I could have. Had a revision to transection at 11 mos postop and have lost an additional 50 or so lbs, for a total of 110 lbs. I never felt comfortable with just the staples cause I always felt it could come undone....even years from now. My surgeon does only transected rnys now. I am glad mine disrupted in a way because now I have a permanent pouch. I am sure some people will not disrupt with just staples, but I was one of the low percentage that disrupted. And believe it or not, I found out on 9/11 last year! That was a terrible day for America and for me in this way too. I was devastated when I found out I had disrupted. I have read that without transection, the scar tissue necessary to form a solid seal will not form. If this is true, why don't all surgeons transect? When my staples went out, I had no symptoms and just could eat more. And not a lot more, just more than others (like my twin who was transected 3 mos after my first surgery). When I compared, I knew there must be something wrong. Sure enough, there was. My leak was very small and was at the top of the pouch. The pouch was still very tiny so it didn't stretch at all. When I had the revision, I didn't have to have all the intestinal stuff done, it was all ok. The surgeon just went back in and stapled/cut with the stapler. Although the surgery was open again, the recovery was quicker. Sorry for rambling on and on!!!LOL!
   — Marilyn C.

August 7, 2002
Yep, another one here...8 rows of staple & a SLD. My own opinion is that it has nothing to do with a surgeon knowing his stuff, it has to do with the stomach muscle doing what it's supposed to, rejecting a foreign object, the staples. Most doctors don't start seeing their patients for this until a few years out, mostly because the patients don't know they've disrupted. I found out at 6 months, and a year after my original surgery, had a lap transection. I wish they'd get their acts together & start transecting the first time out. JMHO
   — Leslie F.

August 7, 2002
This is a hot topic which comes up from time to time. Stapling v. transection. Which is better? I think the more interesting question is, why do some transect & some don't? Each side must have their own reasons, wouldn't you think? And I think there are positive & negative that come with both. I asked this question a long time ago, and I received a wonderful answer here. The surgery I will have is the surgery that my surgeon performs best!
   — Valerie B.

August 7, 2002
I had a Gastroplasty in 1988 and have never had any problems with staple line disruption, only vomiting which I won't have anymore problems with after DS surgery. My only problem has been weigh gain and I'm having DS surgery in a few weeks. Kathie
   — Kathie S.




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