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stacyrg2

Gastric Sleeve Patients
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Posts posted by stacyrg2

  1. Posted

    I would definitely like to be included. I'm 25 months post op (although I'm revising from sleeve to RNY because of GERD . . . would that make me a newbie??) I think there are definitely issues that only face those of us father away from surgery. Thanks for making it based on surgery date and not number of posts . . . I read way more than I post.

  5. Posted

    I am converting from sleeve to bypass on 7/1 because of severe reflux. I didn't have any reflux prior to surgery and it didn't develop until a year post op. I know some people have had their reflux/GERD resolve with the sleeve surgery, but in hindsight, if I had reflux prior to my surgery and I know how horrible it can get after, I never would have had the sleeve. I would have had bypass. I want to make it clear that the only reason I am converting to bypass is in an attempt to cure my GERD and protect my esophagus. I am a true believer in VSG and am maintaining a 120+lb weight loss. I am currently having a hard time accepting the loss of my sleeve. I in no way believe that bypass is the better surgery for all people. However, knowing what I know now, I do believe it is the better choice anatomically if you have a prior history with reflux/GERD.

    Good luck with your decision.

  7. Posted

    I'm revising sleeve to bypass on 7/1. My reflux is out of control, even on maximum dose PPI - Protonix 40 mg/Dexilant 60 mg and Zantac 300 mg a day. I also have a gene mutation that affects the rate I metabolize PPIs so they offer me little to no relief. Also, my insurance co. has advised me that they no longer will cover the Dexilant, which is the only med that provides me any relief. My surgeon said I have a 95% chance of leaving the hospital off of my acid meds. Since I haven't revised, I can't offer you any post op advice. I do know I've been dealing with the increased acid for the last year and revision was truly my last resort. However, I've talked to some of my surgeon's revision patients (he gets referrals from other surgeons as well as his own patients, so he's done quite a few revisions) and they all say choosing revision was the best decision they've ever made. I'm torn because I LOVE my sleeve. I'm maintaining a 120+ lb loss and I have no food issues. I fight the urge to cancel the surgery on a daily basis. But I know I can't live the way I am for much longer and I'm tired of fighting my insurance co. for coverage for my meds or alternative procedures. Also, I don't want to risk developing esophageal cancer in order to keep my sleeve. So, I'm putting my faith and trust in my surgeon and will go through with the revision. If you have any questions, feel free to message me and I'll give you any info I have. Good luck.

  8. Posted

    My surgery was three months after attending the informational seminar. I had no insurance mandated waiting period, and it took me that long to schedule all the necessary appointments. I was working full time at the time though, and scheduling was difficult because of my job. I thought the 3 months was a fast turnaround.

  9. Posted

    When you say regular sweet tea, I'm assuming you mean made with sugar. Do you count the calories in the tea towards your overall daily calories? I looked quickly and, for instance, a large sweet tea from McDonalds is 280 calories. If you don't count those calories you're consuming way more than you should. If you are counting them, then you're not leaving enough of your calories for dense Protein which is needed for sustained loss! Good luck with your continued loss!

    Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

  10. Posted

    I guess I'm exceedingly lucky. My surgeon is knowledgeable about nutrition and does not hesitate to share that knowledge with his patients. He will also sit with you as long as needed to answer any questions you may have. The program uses a Registered Dietitian who will work with you to create a personalized meal plan. When I was having issues with blood cholesterol, she met with me to go over my food logs and sat down and calculated my new macros based on the calorie consumption set by my surgeon. She also went out of her way to research nutrition for distance runners (again based on my personalized nutrition macros) and developed a plan I could use when training for longer distance races. When I see the lack of help other post surgery patients get, I realize how grateful I am to have landed in the practice I did.

  11. Posted

    Yes. My total cholesterol went from 154 to 306. Now that I'm in maintenance (maintaining a 120+lb loss) and my calories have increased, my cholesterol is leveling off. Down to the low 200's now and my surgeon and PCP believe it will continue to drop. Mine was caused by malnourishment during the losing phase. My calories were very low and my activity was high (I trained for and ran 4 1/2 marathons, plus did other physical activity). I know many here will doubt the cause, doubt my doctors' intelligence, etc. but their diagnosis and treatment was borne out by my other lab values and it reversed when my calories increased and stabilized. My doctors did not, and still do not, believe I need statin drugs. It is NOT all genetics nor is it caused by the type of food you eat.

  12. Posted

    I chew gum after every single meal. For me, it accomplishes two objectives: (1) it helps with dry mouth since I religiously follow the "no drinking for at least 30 minutes after a meal" rule; and (2) it's a signal to my brain to stop eating. I've never had a problem "swallowing" air (frankly I don't even know what that means) and I've never had a problem with swallowing gum. I've walked into my surgeon's office chewing gum (and holding a drink from Starbucks with . . . gasp . . . a straw) and he didn't blink an eye.

    Mints are also a daily occurrence for me.

  14. Posted

    I had the gastric sleeve done 2 1/2 years ago and I lost 70 pounds and have kept it off. I LOVE MY SLEEVE. But I have terrible GERD and Acid Reflux that has caused many problems. I am going through the process now of getting ready to have a revision to a bypass. I prefer the sleeve but the bypass will clear up the reflux issues I'm having now. All of the surgeries work but they are just tools and its up to you to pick your meals and stay on your diet. Good luck to all who have not had surgery yet, you are going to love it.

    That is precisely the position I'm in. I LOVE MY SLEEVE. It is perfect. It offers great restriction but allows me to eat anything. It's perfect except it's trying to kill me with the excess acid. I'm going through a mourning period right now and know that I'll be sad to see it go when I revise to bypass on 7/1. My sleeve gave me a life I could never imagine. I'm really tired of people bashing the sleeve as an inferior surgery and reassuring new patients that you can revise to the better surgery when your sleeve fails. For the most part, sleeves don't fail, people do. Do the hard work and your sleeve will reward you. Although I'm losing my sleeve and will technically be a "RNYer" I will always consider myself part of the VSG family.

    Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

  15. Posted

    I developed severe reflux after my sleeve surgery. I'm 2 years post surgery and will be revising to bypass on 7/1. There is not a particular food or drink that causes my acid. I can have it just with Water. My acid level was measured at 409% greater than normal. I'm currently taking a combination of Protonix/Dexilant/Zantac daily and I remain uncontrolled. I hope it resolves for those of you having issues with reflux

  17. Posted

    I'm revising from sleeve to bypass on 7/1 because of severe GERD. I'll admit I'm going off the rails a bit. I have a perfect sleeve (other than the fact it's trying to kill me with acid) that tolerates all food. Do I know how my frankenstomach will behave after surgery? No. So while I stayed on plan 98% of the time during weight loss (and I'm maintaining a 120lb loss to prove it) I am eating foods now that may bother me after surgery. Last night I had ice cream. Did I eat a pint? No, but ice cream is not something that is a part of my every day diet. Did I enjoy it, yes! Am I going to eat it every day until surgery? No. I guess what I'm trying to say is I don't think a "food funeral" means your not ready for surgery, that you're lying to yourself, or that you won't be successful. We all start this process in our own way and I don't believe I'm hurting myself by having ice cream. Maybe I'm speaking in the voice of a 2-year post op but I really think you need to do what you need to do to get to the starting line. However once you're at that line (the pre op diet, whatever that means to you) you need to be fully committed. I wish all of us luck!

    Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

  18. Posted

    Having GERD would indicate that medically bypass is something you should strongly consider because it will cure your GERD, while a sleeve very well may make it worse. Definitely discuss it with your surgeon.

    That said, you can certainly lose 100 lbs with the sleeve. I've lost over 200. With either surgery, you need to be committed to healthy eating for the rest of your life. Without that commitment, you will pretty much certainly fail. With that commitment, you will succeed with either surgery.

    I agree 100% with Bufflehead. I didn't have GERD prior to surgery and had the sleeve. I was successful and am maintaining a 120lb loss. But I developed severe GERD after surgery that is not controlled by medication. For that reason I'm converting to bypass 7/1. I know there are many on here who will say that the sleeve cures GERD but that has not been my experience. Knowing what I know now, if I had GERD ore surgery I never would have had the sleeve

    Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

  23. Posted

    As with any insurance company, but particularly with Aetna, please make sure you get everything in writing. Don't be afraid to call their customer service line and have them spell out, in clear terms, what PRECISELY is required. I had my initial surgery with Anthem and had zero issues. My company has since switched to Aetna and I have had nothing but problems with them. My best advise is to get EVERYTHING in writing

  24. Posted

    I would agree that you should try and switch to a different PPI or adjust your dose. I'm 2 years post sleeve and developed horrible GERD that is not controlled by medication. I'm on Protonix (40mg) before Breakfast, Dexilant (60mg) before dinner, Carafate (before Breakfast, lunch and dinner and bedtime), and zantac (before bed) and it doesn't control my symptoms. I also have acid/bile rise into my throat and wake up choking on acid numerous times a week. I'm currently waiting for approval to revise to bypass which I'm promised will eliminate my GERD. Definitely try different medications/combinations. Hope you find something that works for you and that you get some relief!

  25. Posted

    Thanks, @@OutsideMatchInside .

    But I hasten to add that this theory of mine is just that -- a theory. It's sparked, however, by things I've read that were written by surgeons who do a lot of WLS and on outlier, negative results reported by some sleeved patients. (I've been reading WLS boards for almost three years now.)

    Long story short, if I were choosing a sleeve surgeon today, I would be asking much more detailed questions than I did two years ago. I'd make the questions open-ended and encourage the surgeon to talk as much as she/he wanted to. E.g.:

    * What can go wrong during the surgery with the surgical stapler that you and other surgeons use?

    * In what percentage of those WLS surgeries you have performed has the stapler(s) "screwed up"?

    * How do you think your skill with the surgical stapler compares to those of other bariatric surgeons?

    * When you're shaping the sleeve, what are you trying to achieve? And how do you do that?

    * What other tools do you use to shape the sleeve?

    * Would you draw a picture that shows how much of my stomach you're going to remove and how my sleeve will look after you have shaped it?

    * Months post-op, after the sleeve has healed, what does the ideal sleeve look like next to the hiatal valve and next to the duodenal valve?

    * Do you ever leave any of the fundus during surgery -- and if so, when and why would you decide to do so?

    FTR, I've never had any problems with my sleeve (so far). My post-op recovery was pretty easy. My mild acid reflux (which I had pre-op) is about the same as it was pre-op. I've never thrown up post-op. I've followed my surgeon's eating protocols closely. I'm maintaining well (so far).

    Knock on wood.

    I think those are excellent questions to ask. I'm currently preparing for a conversion from sleeve to bypass . . . not because of weight loss issues, I'm maintaining a 120 lb loss 2 years post surgery, but because of GERD uncontrolled by medication. At one of my appointments, I asked my surgeon to draw out the procedure to explain how it will eliminate my GERD and reverse the damage to my esophagus. He did, and it was amazingly helpful. ( I have that drawing hanging up in my office . . . my bit of modern art.) Anyway, I think it's beneficial to everyone to ask pointed, precise questions so they understand what is being done to their anatomy.

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