My journey to lose weight has taken most of my life.  Losing weight is not just about food or eating too much, but a combination of genetics, emotions, and habits. My experience began at age 13 and has continued throughout my life.  I have tried everything!  I had a previous RNY Gastric Bypass, and knew something was wrong.  I had seen another Bariatric surgeon who said there is nothing I can do for you because you failed. My primary Doctor asked me “does your husband love you?” Of course, but what does that have to do with me knowing there is something medically wrong with me?  Again, I was brushed off and told to come back in two weeks.  Leaving that day, I knew I was never going back.  I went home and googled, “Bariatric Surgeon”, as I had for the past 3-4 years. Then, through a series of events was put in touch with Barbara Metcalf, a bariatric nurse, who lived in my town.  As I explained my story to Barbara, she shared information with me about Duodenal Switch operation, and gave me names of two surgeons.

I contacted Dr. Ara Keshishian, in Glendale, and had a consultation that week.  Meeting “Dr. K” was amazing!  It was the first time a Doctor did not blame me for my weight.  He explained that each weight loss surgery has different measures of success, percentages of weight loss by surgery, and outcomes.   Dr K told me that I may have been a success with the RNY Gastric Bypass, based on the numbers, however it became clear that I did have complications associated with the gastric bypass.  I was scheduled for an Endoscopy the next week, which Dr. K performed. The endoscopy confirmed that I had a Gastro-gastric Fistula.  Simply put, this was an abnormal connection between the bypassed stomach and the small pouch created by the RNY Gastric Bypass surgery.  Food could travel two ways, thus rendering the Gastric Bypass ineffective, and causing weight gain.

Dr. Keshishian performed a revision to the Duodenal Switch Surgery on May 31, 2013.  This procedure corrected my anatomy, enabling me to lose weight and regain my health once again.  I have had wonderful success and I have lost 104 pounds.  More importantly, I do not have the complication of the dumping syndrome, episodes of nausea and vomiting and am leading a normal life. I am not prisoner to my weight, what I can and cannot eat or the fear of weight gain.

I contacted Dr. Ara Keshishian, in Glendale, and had a consultation that week.  Meeting “Dr. K” was amazing!  It was the first time a Doctor did not blame me for my weight.  He explained that each weight loss surgery has different measures of success, percentages of weight loss by surgery, and outcomes.   Dr K told me that I may have been a success with the RNY Gastric Bypass, based on the numbers, however it became clear that I did have complications associated with the gastric bypass.  I was scheduled for an Endoscopy the next week, which Dr. K performed. The endoscopy confirmed that I had a Gastro-gastric Fistula.  Simply put, this was an abnormal connection between the bypassed stomach and the small pouch created by the RNY Gastric Bypass surgery.  Food could travel two ways, thus rendering the Gastric Bypass ineffective, and causing weight gain.

Dr. Keshishian performed a revision to the Duodenal Switch Surgery on May 31, 2013.  This procedure corrected my anatomy, enabling me to lose weight and regain my health once again.  I have had wonderful success and I have lost 104 pounds.  More importantly, I do not have the complication of the dumping syndrome, episodes of nausea and vomiting and am leading a normal life. I am not prisoner to my weight, what I can and cannot eat or the fear of weight gain.