KattattaK

I am sooo afraid to have revision surgery! It's weird, because when I had the lap band done in 2005, I was so ready. But now, it's just not the same. I find myself thinking crazy thoughts about not being able to get anything down or suffering from malnutrition and malabsorption or what if I develop stomach cancer and there's no stomach left once the cancer is cut out. It's INSANE!!! The fact that there's no going back and the surgery is permanent really get to me. What happens if it doesn't turn out right and I'm just stuck with no way to reverse anything!? Like I said, I think crazy thoughts this time around. The lapband traumatized me for all other surgeries! LOL!!!

Your rate of weight loss will depend on the type of surgery you had. I had RNY gastric bypass surgery and the weight dropped off quickly but I leveled off and slid into maintenance phase at 7 months. Sleeve patients lose weight at a much slower pace, encounter many stalls along the way. They can achieve almost the same amount of weight loss as RNY patients but it may take them a couple years to reach that weight loss.

When is the last time you lost an average of 12+ pounds per month through the old-fashioned way of diet and exercise? 37 pounds is a little more than 12 pounds monthly.
You're actually losing faster than me. I lost 33.5 pounds at 3 months post-sleeve.
What matters is the fact that I'm 2+ years out and maintaining a 100+ pound weight loss, whereas many people in my shoes who lost faster have started to regain. It's not the speed or rate of weight loss that matters. What really matters is your ability to keep it off.
I should also mention that I eat 2000+ calories per day in maintenance, while those who kept their intake too low for too long seem to struggle with regain.
Good luck to you.

@bellabloom -- if this approach to living is working for you, then that's fantastic. The issue is that for probably 90% of the people posting on this forum, that won't work. It is more or less how they have always lived their life and ended up morbidly obese for it. The problem is, people will read what you write, take it to heart, and then watch everything fall apart. It is like the people that talk about needing carbs for intense exercise. That's true, but what happens on the days that the exercise, for one reason or another, doesn't happen, and you eat the carbs anyway? Pretty soon, you're just eating a bunch of carbs again like you did before and the weight starts coming on.
To each his own. Anyone who engages with this forum often knows the beliefs of certain people because they say the same thing all the time. (I count myself in that camp. People who have read my posts know exactly what I have done to be successful.) The problem is that people read and hear what they want to read and hear.
I remember an old Roseanne episode where Dan and Roseanne were trying to lose weight. Some of her co-workers commented that if she would just walk every morning, she could eat anything that she wants. All she heard was "eat anything that she wants." The walks happened for about a week, then they stopped, but the "eat anything that she wants" never did...

Awesome! Congrats!

I am sooo afraid to have revision surgery! It's weird, because when I had the lap band done in 2005, I was so ready. But now, it's just not the same. I find myself thinking crazy thoughts about not being able to get anything down or suffering from malnutrition and malabsorption or what if I develop stomach cancer and there's no stomach left once the cancer is cut out. It's INSANE!!! The fact that there's no going back and the surgery is permanent really get to me. What happens if it doesn't turn out right and I'm just stuck with no way to reverse anything!? Like I said, I think crazy thoughts this time around. The lapband traumatized me for all other surgeries! LOL!!!

I am sooo afraid to have revision surgery! It's weird, because when I had the lap band done in 2005, I was so ready. But now, it's just not the same. I find myself thinking crazy thoughts about not being able to get anything down or suffering from malnutrition and malabsorption or what if I develop stomach cancer and there's no stomach left once the cancer is cut out. It's INSANE!!! The fact that there's no going back and the surgery is permanent really get to me. What happens if it doesn't turn out right and I'm just stuck with no way to reverse anything!? Like I said, I think crazy thoughts this time around. The lapband traumatized me for all other surgeries! LOL!!!

That's what I've been leaning towards. Just weird, when I started having problems with my band, I immediately wanted and was ready to have it removed and be revised to a different surgery. It took years for them to help me out and now I am super nervous about and scared to have revision surgery. I am not even interested in having the surgery, but I do realize I need it to help with weightloss. I can't do it on my own, especially with my metabolic and hormonal abnormaloties. I need to be brave. Every time I think about surgery, I get major anxiety. Been this way for about 7 or 8 years now. Hoping I get over the fear an axiety soon!

I looked into both. I "only" had 107 pounds to my goal, though, and felt the sleeve could get me there without the malabsorption. I wanted restriction without the dangers of malabsorption. In addition, I'm a military spouse and we've spent most of the last seven years overseas. Getting regular blood panels could be tricky, especially in remote locations like our current assignment. And having a surgery that requires me to have them could keep us trapped in the states, essentially limiting my husband's career.
For me, the added stresses and possible complications didn't seem worthwhile. However, if there is a more significant amount of weight to lose and access to high quality, regular medical care, I think the DS is a good option.
I see no reason not to do the sleeve, and if necessary, continue on with DS at a later date. The way a DSer and sleever eat is totally different, though. I know this isn't nice, but I've always kind of thought of the DS as the "lazy" way...how hypocritical is that? Check out ObesityHelp's board on DS. They eat all of the junk we avoid. I feel like it's not guaranteed, but that coming out on the other side of a sleeve leaves you with a more rounded, healthier relationship with food.
I'm biased and freely admit it. I didn't want a surgery where it would be perfectly okay to eat bacon cheeseburgers sans bun for the rest of my life. I wanted to be healthier while still eating like a regular person.
Best of luck whatever you decide,
~Cheri

That's what I've been leaning towards. Just weird, when I started having problems with my band, I immediately wanted and was ready to have it removed and be revised to a different surgery. It took years for them to help me out and now I am super nervous about and scared to have revision surgery. I am not even interested in having the surgery, but I do realize I need it to help with weightloss. I can't do it on my own, especially with my metabolic and hormonal abnormaloties. I need to be brave. Every time I think about surgery, I get major anxiety. Been this way for about 7 or 8 years now. Hoping I get over the fear an axiety soon!

Sorry it took so long to respond!!
Mine was empty for a month before surgery. The most I ever had was 4cc in a 10cc band. The hardest thing for me is the full feeling. I don't generally have it with the sleeve until it is too late and I'm over stuffed. For me, gas was much easier to deal with and recovery was much easier with the sleeve than the band. Don't worry about weight loss for the first month. Just follow the plan that your dr gave you and heal!! Loss is slower than for first time sleevers, so don't compare yourself to anyone! My quality of life has greatly improved so if I don't lose another pound, it was well worth the 15k for the revision! Good luck tomorrow! Let me know how it goes!


Banded 2010 weight:327
Sleeved 12/28/16 weight:253
Currently 220.7 lbs
106 lbs down!!
Heather in Texas

One and done is everyone's hope. However, my surgeon actually encourages his patients to try the sleeve first (due to the large success rates his patients have experienced with it) and explains that the "switch" or DS portion of the surgery (rerouting of the guts) can be added down the road if necessary.

This is true. Puts things into perspective. Thanks for the encouragement! @hmm33502

I know exactly how you feel! I hate it so much and think it's so unfair :(. Like, I am already fat and covered in acne, you gotta give me a beard too? whine whine

@MowryRocks DSers take more Vitamins than those with the sleeve.

I'll have to look in to bariatric fusion!

Bariatric Fusion, which has everything you need in a pill after surgery, 25$ a month. Theres also prescription Vitamins they can prescribe you

My surgeon also discussed the stats with me, which is what gave me pause about just doing the sleeve. This is hard work, for any of the surgeries, and I want it to be a one and done kind of thing. I lost a lot of weight by doing weight watchers and high impact exercise several years ago. I thought I would never let myself backslide like I have, but I did. So I don't rule it out with the surgery either, but the DS gives a little more security against weight regain. I do realize that any of the surgeries will require a high level of compliance with the diet and exercise to be successful long term.
I'm leaning toward the DS, but the thought of changing the way my gut works by moving my intestines around is terrifying to me. My husband is worried about it too and is hoping I choose the sleeve only. I still have time to research and decide, but for right now, I waffle back and forth as to what to choose.

My experience has been great. Significantly better than when I had my band. The gas wasn't anywhere near as painful, I was off of pain meds on day 3 and back to work in a week. Getting used to the sleeve is really different because I'm used to the full feeling that I would get with the band. The feeling is nowhere near the same. It is really crazy how I have to make myself eat because food is just not appealing to me. It is easy to eat healthy because I don't have the crazy cravings and food is fuel instead of enjoyment. I know that not everyone has this kind of experience, but my sisters and I have had the same experience. It is just a phenomenally better experience, in my opinion. Congrats on your date! Just don't compare yourself to first time VSGrs. We typically lose more slowly as revisions. I am finding that my speed of loss is about the same as with my band. I can't wait to hear about your journey! March is your removal or are you having both at the same time? I asked to keep my band. It is my little trophy!


Banded 2010 weight:327
Sleeved 12/28/16 weight:253
Currently 222.9lbs
104 lbs down!!
Heather in Texas

I had mine done in 1 surgery only because I was self pay and it would have cost me an extra $4500 on top of the price of the sleeve. My doctor explained it as a benefit to do it in 2 surgeries, especially if you have a drastic slip, erosion, or prolapse. Giving the stomach time to heal and return to normal allows for a better sleeve. I just couldn't afford the extra $ or time off of work. They explained that once they remove the band, they evaluate the condition of the stomach and go from there.


Banded 2010 weight:327
Sleeved 12/28/16 weight:253
Currently 222.9lbs
104 lbs down!!
Heather in Texas

Thanks for this info! I had no idea. I've actually been told the opposite by both surgeons and friends who have had the DS. On the other hand, my friends who have the sleeve have never mentioned unexpected bowel movemmets.

NEVER EVER EVER go to the Grocery store when you are 3 days in to your pre-op liquid diet. My preparation left a lot to be desired. I decided that starting my liquid phase 4 days early was a Great idea lol. They almost had to mop up the drool on aisle 9. I wasn't even obsessing over any of the wrong foods but those Rotisserie Chickens were calling my name laying there looking all Sexy. I am Thankful to say that I survived and left the Store felling like Conan The Barbarian all Rough, Tough and Victorious.

Hahahahaha thanks for understanding!

You hit the nail right on the head!!! I feel bad for my earlier comment.

Holy cow! I didn't realize!!!! My apologies!!! Hahahahahahahha

Hahahahaha thanks for understanding!