Amy*

Thanks so much for your reply. You’re right, it could be the TORe that my surgeon is planning on doing, he had mentioned an endoscopic procedure so I made an assumption about the ESG but I could be wrong. I’ll find out on Tuesday when I have my appointment. I’ll definitely ask those questions. Hopefully it’s a good option for me.

If you're looking at revision options, my surgeon is discussing a non-surgical option with me of an ESG (Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty) which is where they go in via your esophagus and stitch the pouch to be smaller again from the inside. There are no incisions and it's done quite quickly. I have a consultation with my surgeon next week to get more information but it looks like a good option with some success. Edited for spelling

Hi all, I had the RNY (revised from gastric band) 7 years ago and had amazing success. I got to my goal weight in 5 months and kept the weight off for over 5 years. In the last 18 months, I've had some medical issues that have resulted in me regaining almost all of the weight. Now that I have resolved those issues, I am maintaining my weight, but finding it impossible to lose again like I did before. There has definitely been some stretching of my pouch, which my surgeon has confirmed. So I guess my question is, has anyone out there had the Edoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty done? I have an appointment with my surgeon next week to discuss non-surgical options and I think this will be one of them. All of the research I've done shows it's a great option for regain after bariatric surgery but I'd love to hear from someone who has had it done. If you have had it, how did you recover? Did you lose as much weight as you did with your initial surgery? Did you keep it off? What was the post op diet like? Any and all feedback and comments welcome! P.S: I'm in Melbourne, Australia

Hi all, I am experiencing reflux sypmtoms two years post Gastric Bypass (revision from lap band) and ultrasound didn't show anything so I now have to have an esophageal manometry and 24 hour PH test done. Both tests involve having tubes inserted up my nose and down the back of my throat, and it's causing me some anxiety thinking about having it done. I woke up with an NG tube after the surgery and having it removed was quite uncomfortable, so I'm nervous about being awake while having two seperate tubes inserted. Can anyone talk me through their experience? Did you gag/choke while they were putting the tubes in?

Hi all, I have had a lot of success with my bypass (revision from lap band). I successfully lost 30kg (66lbs) in the first 6 months post op, and I am proud to say I have maintained my loss for the last two years. I am looking to lose the last 10-15kg (22-33lbs) and I am struggling. To be perfectly honest, I feel like I've learned how to 'cheat' the bypass and what foods I can eat to not feel like I'm on a diet, but also not gain weight. I've been doing it for so long now, that any sort of restriction in calories or intake feels like a diet (which I haven't done in so long!) that I'm struggling to stay on track. Is there any advice for someone like me? I don't have a whole lot to lose compared to what I've done already so I want to go slow and steady. Thanks in advance! Amy

That's awesome Bellarose! I will be 3 months post gastric bypass on Sunday and today I officially hit 20kg lost! 24kg to goal weight, it's getting closer and finally starting to feel achievable.

I'm doing great - 7.5 weeks post op (RNY gastric bypass) and I'm 13.4 kilos down! Seeing the surgeon tomorrow for my second follow up appointment and going to talk to him about dumping that seems to happen when I eat a bit much. I don't really have a trigger to tell me when to stop eating but I don't really get hungry either so I kind of just eat when it's time to, and try to stick to the right portion sizes. We'll see what he says, hopefully things will get to 'normal' soon. How is everyone else doing?

Kogo - Helen Bauzon is very well known for working with bariatric patients. Check out her website she has heaps of information. She consults out of a few locations and you can do telephone or Skype consults too. I'm seeing her for the first time in Glen Iris on the 15th July. Oh and I'm having similar issues to you so I'll be asking for advice on that too!

My answer would be exactly the same as Notinks, with the addition of the fact that there is no adjusting/fills that are needed for the bypass so you come out of surgery with the process pretty much complete with the exception of recovery of course. I'm having the bypass done next weekend, 6 months after having my band removed and I can't wait.

Hi all, I saw my surgeon today and he's booked me in for surgery next week! As a private patient, I don't need to wait so I'll be having the procedure done next Saturday 2nd May. Please send all the good juju and any last minute advice would be fantastic! I can't wait for this next chapter to begin.

I got my surgery date today! And it's in 10 days!! Saturday 2nd May I'll be having the RNY gastric bypass. After four prior surgeries, ending the removal of my lap band, I can't wait to have this journey come to an end, followed by a new beginning! How's everyone else?

Thanks mrs kaje, I have PHI as well so I'm hopefully going to use super just for the gap too. The wait to go public is just too long!

Hi all, I can't remember where I read this, but someone mentioned that you can pay for your surgery by withdrawing from your super. I have the form to apply for this, but it says that your medical practitioner (I assume your GP) AND medical specialist (I assume the surgeon) have to confirm in writing that you require treatment for one of the following: A life threatening illness or injury, or An acute or chronic pain, or An acute or chronic mental illness, and That the treatment is not readily available through the public health system I will be attempting to get approval using point one and point four, that it is a life threatening illness and that it is not readily available through the public health system (waiting period is approximately two years). Has anyone else used this option before? If so, did your medical practitioner and specialist use the 'life threatening condition' option, or something else? Any help would be great!

Thank you all so much for your replies, it sounds like the process varies depending on the surgery, surgeon and patient needs etc. I will ask my surgeon what he specifically intends to do in my procedure, but in the meantime you have all put my mind at ease. Thank you

Hi all, I am seeing my surgeon in a couple of weeks to hopefully book in for a laparoscopic gastric bypass following the removal of my lap band 6 months ago. I've been doing a lot of research about the procedure itself and I understand that I may have both a drainage tube and a feeding tube inserted during the surgery, which will stay in place while I'm in hospital. I assume that both tubes will be inserted directly into the stomach rather that the feeding tube being nasal or through the mouth, but I was wondering what everyone else experienced? In particular, the following: Did you have both a drain tube and a feeding tube? If so, where were they inserted? How long were they in for? Did you have any discomfort or pain while they were in? How were they removed? Was that painful? I've had a drainage tube in before and that was no problem, but I have a very strong gag reflex and I'm worried about a feeding tube going down my throat, even though logically I know that, with this type of surgery, nasal and oral tubes aren't recommended. If anyone could share their experience I would really appreciate it!