Search the Community

Yep. 100%. Had my revision March of 2021. My surgeon warned me that chronic diarrhea could be a thing - and it pretty much is. Some days are worse than others, and yes - sometimes even "emergency" diarrhea - but after all this time I have that narrowed down to when I have too many carbs / gluten. You can take immodium and when it is particularly bad, I do. Good luck. Invest in nice toilet paper. :)

I am paying 7800, but I am a band to sleeve revision. It is more like 7000 for an initial sleeve through Beliteweight.

I would recommend the sleeve. Doctors are offering it more now because insurance companies have caught on to the high success rate it has, and are now covering the procedure. FYI I was told that if you are not happy with the sleeve you could have it revised to RNY, although this choice is very rare. BTW I am 11 days post op and love my sleeve so far. Good luck to you.

Thanks FluffyChix.... I have a new nephrologist and asked him at my visit a few weeks ago. He said that though the bypass can be good, in my case, he's against it. Even though my kidneys are functioning perfectly, given that the bypass changes absorption and anatomy, he doesn't recommend it. The hepatic cysts are really just an extension of the PKD; pretty much a non issue. When I mentioned this to my bariatric surgeon, he doesn't see any issues with the bypass and PKD. He also said that the bypass can be reversed....if down the road it became an issue. I trust him 100%, but I would not go into a bypass revision with the mindset that I can have it reversed. It's too much of an ordeal, and I don't want to put my body through so much surgical upset. I lost almost all my weight with the band, but gained half of it back over the past few years. Like the rest of us here, my biggest concern is continuing to slowly gain; ending up where I was when I started this journey close to 5 years ago. I just wish I'd had the bypass to begin with, but I chickened out and went with the band/plication instead. At 62 with about 40 pounds to lose, I'm not sure I want to do anything further. For now, I will have the band removed next week, then work with the nutritionist at my surgeons office. At least I still have the plication, which should help limit the amount I eat in a sitting. The reality is, with ALL of these surgeries, after the honeymoon period is over, WE need to do the work. I was stellar with the band for the first 16 months, then I learned how to eat past the signal. I know a few people who gained a substantial amount of weight a few years after their bypass, and I know some who have stayed thin for many years after the procedure. In the end, we have to make lifestyle changes for continued success. Not always so easy....

I am having stomach and abdominal discomfort in that area, which feels in a way like cramping. I've been having this for months. I actually want to go to the hospital to get it removed its really bad. I spoke with the doctor he said I should have an appointment but he doesnt want to get rid of it.. This seems strange if anything. Anyone have any advice? This seems really confusing. Would there be any steps I could take before I get rid of it?

I am almost 5 months postop and I'm a band to sleeve revision. I have lost 58 pounds. And I had to have a rotator cuff repair so for the last 8 weeks I have NOT been able to exercise. I am almost at goal, and love my sleeve.

I wanted the sleeve because the bypass scared me. I had the bypass because my surgeon said it was the best option for me and I would lose the most weight. I heard of people getting the sleeve and then having the revision later if they did not lose enough weight. I was having none of that. One surgery only for me, lol. I am so happy with my decision. I have not had any complications and my recovery was a breeze. I know several people who had the sleeve and wish they did the bypass. Bypass 3/27/17 Starting weight 395 Surgery weight 341 Current weight. 255 Sent from my SM-G950U using BariatricPal mobile app

If your stomach is in good enough shape at the time of removal (if your insurance will pay for removal and your surgeon is willing), you might be able to do it all in one surgery and have the band removed and change to another procedure with only paying your surgeon for the revision to the other procedure. The insurance company pays for the OR and band removal part, you pay for the sleeve or RNY. I've heard of it being done in the past. Might be worth asking the question, if you are interested in another procedure. My PCP also told me that depending on the way they write it up you can sometimes get switched to a new procedure even if the insurance company says one per customer. They are taking the band out due to complications, not due to you not following the rules. There is a difference. Medical need, all that. But we know how much insurance companies love to say no.

Im very jealous of all of you who are about to have surgery this week. My surgery is not until May 29th. I HATE waiting. But I've been through this before since I currently have the band and Im very lucky that the process to get the approval for my band removal (due to a slip) and revision to the sleeve was done so quickly. But my band is unfilled right now and I have no restriction and I've already gained 7 lbs back. I've been stuck for the past 6-8 months not losing any weight and Im ready to get back to shedding those pounds!

Hi everyone, I was revised from sleeve to RNY March 16th due to complications and severe case of GERDS and sadly I'm really regretting I'd rather had kept suffering from previous complications... I have yet to eat anything that I can keep down.... Not to mention my weight loss is at a complete halt for over a month no matter how much I work out....and I'm completely disappointed in both of these surgeries and wish I never had surgery I'm still over 200lbs.... Sent from my LG-D850 using the BariatricPal App

I go to MX July 13 for a revision, sleeve to MGB. I'm looking forward to it. I'm hoping to lose 30 pounds. Sent from my MotoE2(4G-LTE) using the BariatricPal App

band superior to sleeve? In 2016 very few surgeons would agree. To many don't work as expected, cause complications, are removed, or revised to sleeve or bypass. Many surgeons won't even do them anymore.

My lap band surgery was almost 12 years ago. It was nearly pain free. I was playing with my then 8 year old on the floor within a day or so. But, I always bounce back right away from all of my surgeries. I’m not a great benchmark. I’m very, very fortunate. My band was not over bypass. Just straight-up lap band on regular stomach. I actually just got it removed and was revised to a sleeve in May. I wish you the very best. Please consider seeing the local surgeon you didn’t choose, the one who worked with you before. I think they will be more concerned with making sure you are okay than some lost business. And update here. I’m concerned about your pain level.

I did SIPS on 12/11 as my only surgery not a revision in the Chicago area. Very pleased with weight loss. Off insulin pump and only on 2 pills a day for diabetes. Lost 50% of excess weight in 2 mos. very pleased with my results so far! SIPS procedure 12/11/17 SW 307 CW 214 GW 160

Definately ask what your Dr's patients average weight loss is and follow up support with a dietician. I have similar Dr follow up to you buts it's the rest of his team that you will deal with more frequently after the procedure. Also, don't be shy in discussing all your fears about the procedure, such as revision rates and post op care. The only way to move forward is to feel very reassured that you will get where you need to be. Even if his bedside manner isn't fantastic, it's so important to know that as a clinician - his work is impeccable. There are no silly questions and nothing you should be concerned about asking. You have fantastic insight and have done your homework so the time will come to make your decision and then it's time to research less and get your head in the "this is happening" game. I also double read every study I could get my hands on but then knew I had to stop and trust my team and my decision. Otherwise I would have found some information that made me question my decision and escalated my anxiety about having the procedure. You've got this [emoji846]

Thank you for asking Melesg. You and everyone on this forum have been amazingly supportive. Well here is how my consultation today went—- I got there about 15 minutes before my appointment time and filled out some forms, very few because most I had filled out online which were more specific and asked about my medical conditions and medications etc. I was called back shortly after to consult with Dr. Sadek. I had a list prepared of questions to ask and here they are with his responses: 1- How many esg procedures have you performed? (I added that I knew it was a very new procedure so I wanted to know his experience) He told me about 40 and that he and Dr. Sharaiha were the only doctors in the northeast that do this. 2- Has any of your patients needed a revision and why? His answer was extremely interesting to me. He told me that only one patient needed a revision and the reason was that he, Dr. Sadek, needed to change his technique. He told me that initially he would suture the fundus of the stomach (I think that is what he called it) in a straight stitch but he found that doing that allowed for a greater possibility for the stomach to stretch because the sutures were not holding well this way. He now sews it up on a diagnol to ensure the best hold of the stomach. He believes this is the reason that some may need revisions to this procedure or why some sutures come undone. He also said scar tissue is good to form around the suture because it holds it well in place and increases the strength. 🤷‍♀️ 3- What happens to the actual stitches or sutures in your stomach? Do they dissolve or stay? He said the sutures are permanent and are not meant to dissolve or be removed. They are supposed to hold your stomach indefinitely. 4- So why then is it possible to gain back some weight? The sutures hold the lower part of the stomach so the upper part can stretch over time if one eats the wrong foods. 5- Any long term data further than 2 years? He said even though it has been performed in other countries for longer than 2 years ago, there is not a big enough group study to give us accurate info for more than 2 years. 6- is this procedure reversible? He explained that the sutures should stay in place but if the procedure does not yield enough weight loss or there is regain you can then go in laparoscopicly and cut the sutures and remove them and then proceed to a laparoscopic gastric sleeve. You can also after years if needed convert it to a laparoscopic gastric plication which is the same as the esg but done with incisions. I was told that the procedure would probably take one hour- one hour and a half to perform and he believes that if he starts at around 7:30 that by 10:30-11 I would be going home. He told me I didn’t need any clearances or blood work because I had no comorbidities. The only medicine I am taking is phentermine which he agreed because I was taking it for so long is no longer effective at all. He gave me a pamphlet with my preop diet of liquid only for one week prior or at the very least 3-4 days prior. Nothing after midnight the night before and nothing the day of. Post op diet is clear liquid for 3-4 days then liquid for two weeks. Then another two weeks of purée. Then one month post op is smaller portions but I will be into see him one week post op to go over that in more detail. He believes I should lose between 25-40% of my excess weight which he estimated should be 30-40 pounds. (I can only hope🙏) Finally, I booked a procedure date for FEBRUARY 6, 2018 I’m on my way guys!!😬😬

Oh Melinda...I'm so sorry that you've had complications. I'm 16 months post banded and have had much success. Posts like yours worry me that things can just as easily go wrong for me as well. I see that you mention that you had no warning or other complcations. Did you get regular follow up with the surgeon's office? I don't know what I'll do if my band goes south. It saved me and I can't imagine not having it. Please keep us posted on how you are doing and if you revise to another WLS.

Well I never had GERD, and really thats the primary reason for a revision. I may develop it later on, but only 30% of sleevers have this issue.My sleeve was done right, so it definitely isnt an inferior surgery. Actually, the weight loss between GB and GS is very very similar at 5 years post op. Because it is so similar and the rate of complications with a sleeve is lower than with a bypass, this is why my doc recommended it. Weight regain is not a side effect of the surgery (either one...regains happen with bypass just as often), but rather choices made by the patient. I am still losing. I'm confident in myself and my choices. I will check back in July 😊

Hi, I'm getting a lap band removed with a RNY revision in November and I was wondering if any of y'all that have had the bypass are vegetarians? What is your "go-to" protein? Thanks!

Its definately hardest until you starting getting fills that make you realize you really WILL stop feeling hungry all the time and you WILL feel satisfied with a small amount of food - it was that way for me anyway. I am still on the liquid phase of my diet since my revision surgery but normally when I go to a restuarant I try to choose something healthy. Unless its Friday night. On Friday night I eat whatever I want (but I don't binge!) and that usually means Papa John's bread sticks with LOTs of garlic butter or Outback Steakhouse cheese fries. Ohhh yum. I like to eat at El Pollo Loco because the chicken is fabulous and its easy to remove the skin. I like Taco Bell because one soft taco is filling and a lot less calories and fat than a hamburger and fries. But for the most part I cut calories when I cook at home by using light or fat free substitutes as often as possible. I always eat low-cal, low-sugar ice cream and I always use "I can't believe its not butter - LIGHT" for the other things. So that helps a lot too I think. The thing I like so much about the band is that it puts control of food back in my hands. Before I had the band I would literally eat out of control and just gorge myself trying desperately to feel satisfied and never feeling it. Now food doesn't control me and I find it easy to make the right decision about what I eat or prepare for myself.

Welcome @@Good apple I initially went into the process dead set on the sleeve. I too had no compelling medical conditions, and was given the choice of either the sleeve or bypass. My BMI when l started the process was 46, but by the time I got to surgery it was a high 39. I had a number of reasons for finally opting for the bypass. One was the GERD issues that some, but definitely not all, experience with the sleeve as post ops. There are even a few who have had to revise from sleeve to bypass for this very reason. I just didn't want to take the chance that I might be one of the unlucky ones to develop this issue. I don't think I could have handled the possibility of a revision down the line. I also thought that I might benefit more having the restrictive and malabsorption components working together to help me reach my ultimate goal weight, and more importantly, maintain it. I had a very wicked sweet tooth and knew the mere "prospect" of dumping would aid me in keeping that in check. I was never really concerned about the Vitamin deficiencies as I've always taken them. Now at five months out I can say in all honestly that I made the right decision. I feel better than I ever have, have more energy, and I'm only 22 pounds away from goal. I've never dumped, had no complications, an easy recovery, and I stick to a very healthy diet. I finally kicked a lifetime soda habit, don't eat bread, Pasta, rice, or sweets. I never could have accomplished any of this on my own, because I've certainly tried. I was always hungry before, no matter how much I ate, but now I'm in control of my life again. It is amazing, simply life changing. I feel reborn! Either procedure is great. If the sleeve had been my only option I would have taken it in a second. But I had a choice and this was the best one for me. Good luck!

Hi! I am doing well, starting to feel like my old self. Just really tired, not sleepy, but just fatigued. Like yesterday I did some minor cleaning and I felt exhausted lol. I am think doctors prefer sleeve because of less complications? I am not sure. But yea, so far I am happy with my revision. I will know the real deal once I start eating food again

I am in. Starting a little late but I know I am going to need some support over the next few weeks. I am getting a port revision on Friday and I am hoping to actually have some restriction along with that. He is going to put 6ccs in. We'll see. That is what I am "supposed" to be filled to now but I am not sure that it always worked. After the first fill they had a terrible time getting into my port. Anyway, I set a small goal but I want to ROCK it! I would love to be under 250 come Christmas!!:wink2: ~A

Did anyone’s dr tell them to drink juice post op? Sounds crazy to me. Long story short my revision is tomorrow (not wl related but for reflux) and my new dr said for the first week post op just drink juice mixed with water. But in my head i’m like why on earth would you want me to drink sugar? Like it sounds so backwards to me but idk. I’m also not allowed to have food until january, has anyone else had to wait that long? My first time around, i started slowly eating soft foods after about a week or 2 and i was fine, the weight came right off and hasn’t come back.

Thank you everybody ! Your input meant alot . I called my insurance today they so cover baractric surgey and revision surgey it just up to my doctor's notes on what they do . my appointment has been moved to friday the 16 or 17 th not surs what day lol . I now going around getting my diet doctor notes who I have seen every month for 2 years and lost a grand total of 12 lbs in two years lol ya after I had the flu which thank god she documented . Also have to get proof of my gym memembership and my personal trainer notes that I had for one month . Notes from my denist about how years of threwing up is really start to destroy my teeth and notes from my obgyn about my prenancy diabeties and the other weight related issues and also blood work and see my primary care doctor. I also have my husbands insurance as a secondy insurance so maybe they might step up where my insurance won't . Sorry I feel like I am a pain with all the questions . I just went into the lap band without thinking or doing my homework . Which I regret so bad now ! I have been heavy for 20 years now all I what is to finally be free from this weight ! And tyi dye best of luck with your surgey !