Ready2Live!

I had a botched sleeve in October 2017 and couldn't reliably hold down anything (including water) for the next 6 months until it was converted to bypass by a new surgeon. I am now able to eat again and feel so much better. Unfortunately my weight loss prematurely slowed and stopped due to getting almost zero calories for so long then finally hoarding calories when it had them again. But my situation was pretty unique so hopefully that will not be the case with you at all!

Just checking to see how you are doing. I assume you are out of the hospital now- hopefully!

I am so very sorry you are going through this. I have had a number of complications stemming from my 10/2017 sleeve operation requiring two additional surgeries (one converting me to bypass) and multiple hospital stays. I just got out of the hospital a week ago today actually. My experience has not been nearly as long or difficult as yours and it has been a huge struggle for me. I cannot imagine what you are going through but I pray that the complications end and you get healthy so you can stop suffering and enjoy life. Please keep faith. It will get better.

Just seeing this! I hope you are doing better and will not need further surgery. I can somewhat relate due to having complications my surgeon didn't take seriously post op either. It is incredibly frustrating. Its almost like after the big money surgery, some doctors/practitioners don't want to be bothered with follow up care. I am so happy you kept pushing for yourself and got some treatment before it got even worse. I will be praying for you. Keep us updated

15 hours ago, Starfish23 said:

Whoa.... glad that’s over for you

Me too! Thanks!

23 minutes ago, Starfish23 said:

You and I have the exact same scenario. I am happy to hear recovery is easier. I have seen posts from someone with bypass that they have a drain. Did you?

I did not have a drain, but did have a chest tube because of how high my hernia went. Apparently that is not typical with hernia repair. To be honest, the chest tube was awful. I could not breath without being in pain, but I didn't have it long. I doubt you will have to have one though!

I was just coverted from a sleeve to bypass with hernia repair. Even though the surgery was much more extensive, I am finding the recovery to be easier. Like UKHEIDI, I am tolerating liquids much easier than with the sleeve

Just had the bypass yesterday to correct issues I had with my sleeve. Feeling very good so far. Likely discharged by tomorrow!

Congratulations and thank you for sharing what has been working for you. Great tips to try!

4 hours ago, tuckersmom said:

I’m curious... I’ve seen many posts of people going from sleeve to bypass. Can I ask why? The sleeve is so popular now that I’m quite surprised at the number of people who end up going to a bypass later on. I am not a candidate for sleeve due to GERD so bypass for me. But the sleeve was what I wanted.

I have structure that can't be corrected with dialation or a stent. Below the stricture, I also have twisting of my sleeve. Bypass is pretty much my only option to get food in and stop vomiting all the time.

Many people do the revision due to developing severe GERD post sleeve surgery. Bypass resolves the GERD.

I too will be having a revision from sleeve to bypass on 3/29 due to complications.

I am sorry you have had a rough go.

If it helps, your post is reminding me that it is going to be another major surgery with more recovery. You are helping me to be better mentally prepared.

How are you feeling now?

Congratulations! Glad to hear things are going well.

I am going from sleeve to bypass on 3/29. I will keep you posted!

Very happy to hear you are feeling better.

If you have more energy to spare, feel free to come by and clean my house lol j/k

RNY 3/29.

It will actually be a revision from a sleeve due to complications

Looking forward to not throwing up anymore!!!

For those who have already been bypassed this month, how are you doing?

10 hours ago, FluffyChix said:

Prayer to you!!!

Thank you!

9 hours ago, mylighthouse said:

I'm sorry to hear that, sounds awful. Wish you the best!

Thanks. It has been very rough. Looking forward to hopefully keeping down food after the revision. But, honestly, nervous about another surgery with more potential risks/complications. I am praying everything goes well for us both!

Following! I too am having a revision from sleeve to bypass due to a stricture and constant vomiting. Not really sure what to expect.

6 hours ago, Prevanwarrior said:

My surgeon says strictures can happen to anyone but they are mostly a concern for revision patients (lapband to sleeve) and a smaller bougie used during surgery.

This was one of my major concerns because a friend of mine had to have a revision to bypass because of a twist. They tried dilation 6 times before they tried the stent. And eventually there was just nothing that could help other than a revision.

I guess the point is she tried dilation 6 times and a stent before she gave in to bypass..

My opinion is keep trying that 3rd or fourth dilation may be the one that really helps.

Most of us pick sleeve because we really don't want a bypass.. this is why I don't think some surgeons should shrug off a stricture like it's an easy fix..because sometimes it's not and its' important for people to know.

Thank you so much for your reply and I hope your friend is now doing well!

The more I read, the more it seems like narrowing due to scar tissue and narrowing due to kinking/twisting/angulation may need different treatment.

I am working on getting a second opinion and upper endoscopy but hoping to avoid bypass if possible. But ultimately will do whatever necessary.

6 hours ago, Rae5148 said:

Please go to your dr immediately and tell him to figure out if you need to convert to a bypass. A kink in angular is a bigger deal than you think.

I ended up doing dilations 10 times and a stent before I finally had the courage to find a new dr. When I got my second and third opinion I was told if your sleeve doesn’t respond to dilations or stent after three months it needs to be converted.

I waited almost a year by time I left dr (10 months out) and 2 months for insurance to cover it. Exactly one year from original sleeve surgery went in and there was too much damage to fix it by bypass and I was told I needed a thoracic surgeon. It broke my heart waking up and not having the bypass done. I cried for days and accepted the fact I would have to live with out eating the rest of my life. My esophagus was completely damaged by acid reflux and i didn’t sleep and was so scared. Luckily a Surgeon was able to make me a tiny pouch bypass two months later without cutting up my entire esophagus. But I went under not knowing what the surgeon was going to do.

Stenting and dilation are dangerous and almost killed me and caused a lot of damage. Please tell your surgeon to fix it or find someone who will. This your life.

Thank you so much for your response!

I am so sorry you had to go through all of that but happy they ended up being able to covert you! I cannot imagine needing everything removed- I didn't even know that was a possibility.

I am just figuring out how serious this all is and am more then a little upset that my surgeon does not seem to be overly concerned.

I am working on getting a second endoscopy with a new doctor and a second opinion on a treatment plan.

I was thinking of trying dilation up to two more times because it did work, if ever so briefly. Then maybe a stint and options for surgical repair to straighten the angle. I am hoping this may be on the table due to my only having one bend.

If needed I will move to bypass. It is not my ideal choice but you helped me understand that I need to move quickly with treatment and assessing options before things become critical.

How are you doing these days?

Thank you so much for your reply and I hope your friend is now doing well!

The more I read, the more it seems like narrowing due to scar tissue and narrowing due to kinking/twisting/angulation may need different treatment.

I am working on getting a second opinion and upper endoscopy but hoping to avoid bypass if possible. But ultimately will do whatever necessary.

Congratulations!!!! So happy for you.

On 2/20/2017 at 6:28 PM, Rae5148 said:

I'm a few weeks short of four months post op. I have never progressed to full food as I have a twisted sleeve. I noticed this when I was transitioning to puréed

And soft foods that I would get an intense pain and backed up saliva. I also would feel a pain when I drank anything hot and then it Sounds like a clogged drain that the liquid finally passes through. At two months post op I had a swallow test and was told I had strictures. When the dr went in to stretch them out my stomach was twisted like a cork screw with five turns. The dr has straightened it out twice since and said she can do it one more time and then I have to look into a stent or bypass.

Has anyone had an experience like this?

Hi Rae,

I am a little over 3 months out and my experience with food has been very similar to yours early on. Most foods and thicker liquids not going down and vomiting back up with thick mucos-like saliva.

I did barium testing and an upper endoscopy. I have (thankfully) only one sharp angular bend in my stomach, but apparently it prevents foods from readily passing.

They dilated during my endoscopy and that helped with the vomiting very breifly, but it has returned.

What worked for your situation?

Twists are not super common and I haven't found much information. Additionally, my surgeon has ideas but has not experienced this before.

Thanks in advance!

I am so sorry you have gone through so much.

My situation is not quite as severe but I do have a sharp angled bend in my new pouch, which is the presumed cause of my vomiting since about a week post op. I had balloon dilation and vomiting resolved for a little over a week then returned.

My surgeon thinks serial balloon dilations may work but I know this treatment is more suited to strictures and he admitted to never having a patient with this complication.

Have you been to the Cleveland Clinic yet? Any update on progress and how you are feeling?

Try Syntrax Nectar in the fruit flavors. I had a hard time keeping anything down and had to get multiple rounds of IV fluids but Syntrax nectar goes down easy (not too thick or sweet). I tolerate it mixed with 16oz of Water just about as easily as I handle water!

I was having a hard time handling Protein and just got the Syntrax Nectar variety pack. You get 17 individual packs, one of each of the flavors they offer. I am loving the fruit flavors (all I have tried so far). They go down smoothly and arent too thick or sweet.

I had trouble getting protein in before but this is working for me. Hope you find what works for you!