JohnnyMadison

I had gastric sleeve revision to RNY on Monday (today is Wednesday). This was due to uncontrollable GERD which caused Barrett's Esophagus and a a hiatal hernia . The total procedure was ~ 3 hours. I have had my left hip replaced (twice, due to a recall) and VSG. The RNY was for sure the most painful of all. I believe it was mostly due to the surgical gas and it is dissipating (Gas-X did seem to help). Swallowing is already better without the hernia and I haven't had a lick of acid reflux which is amazing after a 7 year battle post-VSG. I had kept most of my weight off (5'11" / 205#) and so they didn't bypass as much of my intestines as normal and they made the pouch bigger. While I didn't have to do a pre-op supervised diet, because insurance treated it as a GERD-related procedure, I still had to do the group sessions at the hospital which was a repeat of all I know. For me the battle was accepting that I needed revision, I viewed it as a failure of the original WLS which was not the case -- I had kept 100#+ off for 7 years. But there is just that perception.

I was revised from VSG to RNY due to horrific GERD and Barrett's Esophagus a week ago today. I had kept off 105# of an initial 125# weight loss but due to two hip surgeries stalling my running, had regained about 20# in year 6. But overall I was still happy with permanent weight loss. I had an abdominoplasty in 2013 where they pulled me pretty tight. Since discharge, the vast majority of my pain has been along the part of my incision adjacent to the abdominoplasty. Surgeon says this is common. Anyone else experience this?

21 lbs is fantastic at 1 month ! I was sleeved 12/04 and have lost 18.0 lbs in the 16 days since. My surgery weight was 303 now 285.

I had gastric sleeve revision to RNY on Monday (today is Wednesday). This was due to uncontrollable GERD which caused Barrett's Esophagus and a a hiatal hernia . The total procedure was ~ 3 hours. I have had my left hip replaced (twice, due to a recall) and VSG. The RNY was for sure the most painful of all. I believe it was mostly due to the surgical gas and it is dissipating (Gas-X did seem to help). Swallowing is already better without the hernia and I haven't had a lick of acid reflux which is amazing after a 7 year battle post-VSG. I had kept most of my weight off (5'11" / 205#) and so they didn't bypass as much of my intestines as normal and they made the pouch bigger. While I didn't have to do a pre-op supervised diet, because insurance treated it as a GERD-related procedure, I still had to do the group sessions at the hospital which was a repeat of all I know. For me the battle was accepting that I needed revision, I viewed it as a failure of the original WLS which was not the case -- I had kept 100#+ off for 7 years. But there is just that perception.

I'm in Wisconsin and can only speak to my experience for VSG>RNY revision insurance approval. I had really bad GERD and my endoscopies showed Barrett's. So Blue Shield (my employer is in CA) approved it immediately for GERD and did not impose any pre-operative requirements such as monitored weight loss, etc. So my recommendation would be to pursue it for complications and not WLS if you want a quick approval.

I had VSG on 11/30/2012 and have kept off about 110# in the 6.75 years since then. I am ~ 25# overweight but right about at my original goal. I'm 5'11" (male), 195#, 34" waist, very fit and active, etc. I was down to 175# when I ran marathons but have had a few hip issues that are now resolved and had a minor regain. I actually really like how I look / feel at this weight as I looked a lot older at the lower end.
I'm pretty happy with my weight loss. But since about 2 weeks out I've had ridiculously bad GERD. I get an annual endoscopy (familial cancer syndrome) and ever since VSG, I have had erosions show up from the reflux. This last time it was diagnosed as Barrett's Esophagus, which is a pre-cancerous syndrome.
I cannot control it fully with meds. I either take 5-6 PPI (200-240mg esomeprazole magnesium) or 6-8 extra strength Zantact (900-1200mg ranitidine). These are of course way above the recommended limits and in the case of the PPI there are long-term risks associated with it they don't want for me as I need good bone density for my hip implant.
The bariatric surgeon (University of Wisconsin) has recommended for years that I convert to RNY and after the Barrett's Esophagus diagnosis, my PCP and the genetic cancer team both strongly recommended it as well. So I'm going to do it despite not really wanting to. I have been approved by my insurer and have an early November surgery date.
I have several concerns, most notably that I don't really have more than 25# to lose or I drop to the < 18 BMI range and I don't want to be there. The surgeon says he will make a larger pouch and a smaller bypass portion but it's still there and I work out all the time so I already know I will lose more than I want in the beginning.
I guess I have a bunch of questions. Feel free to answer any and all if you've had this type of revision:
1. How long did you take off work? I'm told 2 weeks. I usually work from home at a computer. Was there much pain?
2. How long before you could work out again?
3. Did you lose more weight than you wanted?
4. Did it resolve your acid reflux (if that was the reason)?
5. Were you able to enjoy good food at special meals (holidays, etc.) with RNY? I'm terrified of losing ability to have a nice meal with family. What does a normal meal capacity look like at a year out?
6. Are bowel movements normal at some point?
7. Could you drink alcohol again? I'm fine going months without but at some point would like to enjoy a glass of champagne again. I can't right now as carbonation is brutal.
I'm just reluctant even though I know I have to do this. Any re-assurances would be helpful.

Legitimate scientific numbers indicate that about .1% of patients die in the hospital: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090420170804.htm
Probably outdated information indicates that Dr. Garcia has performed over 2000 WLS, although I believe the number is probably higher. If the statistical models were accurate, then he absolutely should have at least 2 patients who died while in the hospital, and it appears that none have, so he is running ahead of the curve.
The 30 day mortality rate for gastric sleeves in the US is slightly higher at .11% http://www.generalsurgerynews.com/ViewArticle.aspx?d=Obesity+Care&d_id=410&i_id=736&a_id=17274
Dr. Garcia experiencing 1 death within 30 days of surgery for a minimum of 2000 surgeries (probably higher) means he has a mortality rate of .05%, which is less than half of those being treated in the US. Those are great statistics.
This is major surgery and none of us are in picture perfect health. Any doctor who says there is no chance, or no risk, is lying. Dr. Garcia's success rates appear to easily exceed those of his counterparts in the US. I know that I am taking a risk but I'd rather take a chance on wellness than spiral into chronic illness.
I personally think that the mortality rates in the US and Mexico are shockingly low. This is a very unhealthy population.
My guess is that some of the coordinators are in-fighting. Heck, in my hometown we have two hospital systems in protracted litigation, running ads against each other and pulling patients from shared services. So, battles between health care coordinators is not solely a Mexican thing! http://host.madison.com/news/local/health_med_fit/uw-meriter-feud-escalates-into-court-battle/article_93e93688-0cb6-11e1-9396-001cc4c03286.html

Legitimate scientific numbers indicate that about .1% of patients die in the hospital: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090420170804.htm
Probably outdated information indicates that Dr. Garcia has performed over 2000 WLS, although I believe the number is probably higher. If the statistical models were accurate, then he absolutely should have at least 2 patients who died while in the hospital, and it appears that none have, so he is running ahead of the curve.
The 30 day mortality rate for gastric sleeves in the US is slightly higher at .11% http://www.generalsurgerynews.com/ViewArticle.aspx?d=Obesity+Care&d_id=410&i_id=736&a_id=17274
Dr. Garcia experiencing 1 death within 30 days of surgery for a minimum of 2000 surgeries (probably higher) means he has a mortality rate of .05%, which is less than half of those being treated in the US. Those are great statistics.
This is major surgery and none of us are in picture perfect health. Any doctor who says there is no chance, or no risk, is lying. Dr. Garcia's success rates appear to easily exceed those of his counterparts in the US. I know that I am taking a risk but I'd rather take a chance on wellness than spiral into chronic illness.
I personally think that the mortality rates in the US and Mexico are shockingly low. This is a very unhealthy population.
My guess is that some of the coordinators are in-fighting. Heck, in my hometown we have two hospital systems in protracted litigation, running ads against each other and pulling patients from shared services. So, battles between health care coordinators is not solely a Mexican thing! http://host.madison.com/news/local/health_med_fit/uw-meriter-feud-escalates-into-court-battle/article_93e93688-0cb6-11e1-9396-001cc4c03286.html

What I don't like is that this post has the word fatalities in the title and is clearly designed to scare off prospective patients for Dr. Garcia. I feel like the mods should just remove the whole thing.

I agree .. The title of the thread needs to change. Dr Garcia is a wonderful surgeon. I chose him too. I did the research and loved everything about him. And this thread looks bad to his name. But hopefully people who see the thread name will take the time and read on and find out all the good stuff about him.
I didn't get a chance to find out just how great he is ... My experience has nothing to do with him
I still think he's amazing.
He's one of the best out there ...

What I don't like is that this post has the word fatalities in the title and is clearly designed to scare off prospective patients for Dr. Garcia. I feel like the mods should just remove the whole thing.

What I don't like is that this post has the word fatalities in the title and is clearly designed to scare off prospective patients for Dr. Garcia. I feel like the mods should just remove the whole thing.

What I don't like is that this post has the word fatalities in the title and is clearly designed to scare off prospective patients for Dr. Garcia. I feel like the mods should just remove the whole thing.

Experiences posted should definitely be first-hand because things can get changed as they pass from person to person, lost in translation, etc., so if the poster did have a friend with a bad experience with the coordinator, it should be posted by the person who experienced these issues.

Experiences posted should definitely be first-hand because things can get changed as they pass from person to person, lost in translation, etc., so if the poster did have a friend with a bad experience with the coordinator, it should be posted by the person who experienced these issues.

I want all the information I can get, the vinegar and the honey.....

My experience with a lighter me and dr Garcia was fantastic, that was 8/31.

I personally like having a coordinator in terms of being able to answer questions, etc. That's just too valuable for me. They also schedule your rides and all of that.

I'm told that Dr. Almanza has switched from a recovery house to the Hotel Ticuan, and patient satisfaction is much higher as a result.