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I took Biotin months before my first procedure with VSG to prevent Hair loss and found that my hair loss was extremely minimal compared to others in the community. I still continue to take biotin to this day yet I'm still worried about hair loss with revision surgery coming up, haha! I hope it has helped you!!!

Hello!
I am looking to introduce myself and possibly get some advice or insight from others!
I had a VSG in October of 2016. Weight DOS was 288, lowest weight I reached was 198 within about 6 months of the procedure. I developed terrible reflux that I managed with OTC medications, and maintained this weight loss almost effortlessly (I did go to the gym 4-5x weekly and ate small portions - stuck to the rules as best as I could) until the end of 2019.

But to backtrack a little - I was diagnosed with breast cancer in May of 2018, so by the time I was through with chemo, steroids, horrible lethargy...you get the picture... the weight piled back on within a year of finishing treatment, and by the end of 2019, I had gained 60lbs back. I am in no way trying to play the "cancer card" or blame it on that, I know I am fully responsible for the way my weight journey has turned out, but if I had to pinpoint when it started to go downhill, I'm pretty sure it aligned with that.

Presently, I am at 261 and am seeking a revision due to the reflux, a severely dilated fundus that was seen on both a CT and an endoscopy, and the weight regain.
I guess I am just looking for others who are also seeking a revision, or others who have recently had one who may have any words of wisdom!
Lastly, I have Harvard Pilgrim and my authorization has been submitted by my surgeon and is now in the "pending medical review" stage. Anyone else with HP, roughly how long did it take to hear back? My program coordinator said anywhere from 1 to 2 weeks, but I was just wondering if anyone had any personal experience.
Thank you for reading and I'm looking forward to "meeting" more people on here!

I agree 100%. I under went VSG in 2015 at the recommendation of my surgeon. I was initially looking into getting RNY but he stated since I was young and without children, it would be best to undergo the sleeve procedure. However, I'm 7 years post op, experience severe GERD, regained a good portion of my weight loss (my fault completely) and am now in the self pay bucket for revision as my current insurance under my employer outright refused any type of bariatric surgery.
I'm not saying all this to scare anyone, I'm just saying DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU. I wish I would have put my foot down on the decision between VSG vs RNY but all and all, I did it and it is what it is. It works for some, but not for all. Unfortunately I fell into the "not for all" and it was definitely USER error. I can't speak on it, but I feel I would have had a better success rate with RNY vs VSG which is why I'm looking into the self pay option for the revision surgery.
I would say to anyone looking into bariatric surgery to RESEARCH and ask a lot of questions at appointments/support groups. In the end like I said, do what is best for you. 😁

4 years post-sleeve, yes, I do regret it. The sleeve has a pretty high rate of revisions to gastric bypass in the long run due to either really bad acid reflux or inadequate weight loss. It also makes you more likely to get a hiatal hernia post-operatively, which may not sound like a big deal, but it has had a real effect on my quality of life. I didn't have a hiatal hernia until after the sleeve.
Knowing what I know now, I would have never had bariatric surgery in the first place, because I was quite healthy in spite of being fat and bariatric surgery made my quality of life worse instead of better. However, if I did want to go through bariatric surgery, I'd rather get the RNY. At least the RNY has stood the test of time over many decades and cures acid reflux instead of making it worse like the sleeve does.
Personally, I would only recommend bariatric surgery to people who already have health issues from being fat. Then it is worth the risk that the surgery might create its own problems.

Last month I converted from vsg to rny. It was the best decision. One, my gerd is gone. I sleep better. We all know how important sleep is when it comes to appetite... Etc. Two, weight loss and restriction are better for me this time around. It was not apparent until I moved to solid foods. I can see why some doctors call it the gold standard. I have zero side effects. I feel the same except I can't eat more that 50g of soft/solid food, and I have to chew it like crazy.

I had avoided rny for so long. I was scared of changing things around in my body. That was a bad decision or of sheer fear. This time, I literally had no choice due to years of gerd. Good luck in your decision. My two cents.

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