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I experienced this same thing...back in Oct of '01 I had WLS and in Mar of '02 found out I was expecting. What a shocker! Not only was I a recent WLS patient, but I had high blood pressure, and I was approaching 40. Now 11 years later I have a beautiful daughter that I wouldn't trade for anything in the world! Here's what I can tell you about my experience...I did continue to lose weight during my pregnancy. I did have gestational diabetes, but that is not uncommon. My advice is to make sure you have an OB/GYN that is familiar with WLS (mine actually did a bariatric rotation with my weight loss surgeon). Don't forget to take care of yourself. The demands of a pregnancy and taking care of a newborn can be so overwhelming and for me it was very easy to lose sight of my weight loss goals. I just had a revision in November and although I don't regret it, I sure don't recommend it. Take care of yourself now. Don't lost sight of your goals. What you do now to take care of yourself will make you a better mom. Enjoy your pregnancy, but take care of yourself!

My lapband was removed in April and I am getting the gastric bypass on 12/21. I ended up with reflux and a small hernia from the band. I feel better since the removal, but I do not want to risk more issues by getting the sleeve. My bmi is around 39 now, but it was above 40 when I started the process. I am happy with my choice to get revision surgery. I'm getting closer to the date and I have a few nerves like everyone else. I think I would regret backing out at this point in the future, so I'm going to go forward to improve my overall health. Good luck with making your final choice.

I have about the same problem you have!!Went in at 270 and only lose 70 pds with the sleeve .I'm doing my work on having the revision because of the GERD...it is bad, I didn't have any of this before the surgery. Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

I had GERD before my VSG surgery in 2014, and it only got worse over the next six years. Nothing helped, including PPI's. Fast forward to 2020. After a bunch of diagnostic tests to verify my GERD/Gastritis/Esophagitis, I had bypass surgery October 2020. I haven't had GERD since. I'm off all acid reflux medications. I've lost 56 lbs. since surgery and feel better than I felt in my 40's (I'm 64). I've got a ton of energy, walk 5 miles five days/week and do aquatic fitness classes 5 day/week. I'm loving my new, healthier self and so glad I made the decision to get the surgery. Yes, it is a life-long decision and I've forever changed how I can eat and process food, but so worth it! Needless to say, I would recommend the revision to anyone with severe GERD.

How the heck do I know what sleevers end up looking like? I never met one. Lol. Actually, I meant to add that the bypass patients that are over 2 years out look good and normal, so that sickly look does seem to go away over time. Temporary, like the hair loss. Weight loss, although nice, is not my biggest concern. It's health. The bypass surgery will help the sickest of people to become healthier, but the same way that it is more powerful for them, it may be too powerful for a less-sick group. I appreciate the feedback about how my post came across.. I'm not trying to scare tactic anyone, I just like for people to weigh all their options. A good friend got the band because she thought her only other choice was the bypass, and that was more surgery than she wanted. She might have been a good candidate for the sleeve. There are two major problems with the sleeve that isn't as much with bypasses. GERD and leaks. Both tend to show up within the first few months. Many that get severe gerd go on to revise to bypass. Leaks can be a real nightmare, fortunately they are relatively rare. The bypass tends to have similar numbers of complications near the surgery, but more that show up later down the line. As I said, more severe procedure for the sicker people. The other thing to keep in mind is bypasses have been around a while. The sleeve is relatively new, so we don't know what will happen in 20 years... for all we know, they may be an unsustainable fad like the lap band. You want scare tactics? Ask me about DSs! Lol!

I'm 5'1. My original goal weight was 110 lbs (BMI of 20), but I revised it upward to 130 because I was losing so slowly and thought I'd never make it to goal. 17 months post-op I reached 118 pounds (BMI of 22). My body's decided to settle here for now. I like how I look at 118 lbs and have been in maintenance a little more than a year.

Name........Start......Current......Goal......To Go CindyG......................190....................190.............175................15 Momto1plus1..............178...................178.............159...............19 Shortgal......................176...................176..............168...............8 Shalee04...............178...............178..........168...........10 Ok I will jump on this spring bandwagon. I wasn't a very good bandster during the holidays and ate wayyyyyy to many goodies and gained 6-7 pounds. Also being on bedrest for 5 weeks after my tummy tuck didn't help either. I finally broke down today and scheduled a fill for next week. It has been a year since my last one, I know my band Dr is going to chew me out for waiting so long. Sigh. it's ok tho I still weight a hellof a lot less then I did a year ago when he last saw me. I have started back to the gym, my wound is almost healed and I will have a revision to fix the scar tissue probably in April sometime, I'nm not looking forward to that. But in the meantime I want to tone my legs back up, they haven't had a good workout since October and boy does it show, :eek:especially now with the tummy gone.

Thanks. I think I'm considered a but of a slow loser but I am happy with it. I'm a revision so I was warned that could happen. Good luck to you!

Terry, I am so sorry to hear that you could not have your sleeve done at this time. However, you know that you will be able to do so in the future. It would have been worse news to hear that you were not a viable candidate due to the scar tissue. Good luck. I am going in on October 25th for a band to sleeve revision and scar tissue is one of my biggest fears. I have had my band in July 2007.

I am not a surgeon but that seems like a lot to me. I have a 32F and at 5 weeks I can hold 2 - 3 oz. 2 oz for me is the rule but some real soft foods I can hold 3 oz (like pudding or yogurt). Maybe you should talk to him about a smaller size? Ask what size he is using and why. It is your body, you have a right to ask. I seem to remember that it is difficult to revise again once you have been sleeved because the staples can't be found after healing has taken place. Seriously, this might be your only chance. Be cautious even if it means a delay in surgery. Just my humble opinion.

After the leak repair, my lungs would not recover. That landed me in ICU for 5 days, on a ventilator. I had the revision, then 2 days later the leak repair. Myself and my surgeon knew that I was higher risk because of my surgery being a revision, and my complications. However, I had zero other health risks, zero co-morbidities, nothing else was wrong with me. I had 3 leak tests. 1 in the OR, one the following day, and then the final one that was performed when the leak was found on my 2nd day post-op. I was in the hospital 10 days total. During the final leak test is when the leak was found, 2 hours before my discharge. I was up talking, walking, laughing, feeling good, no fever, no pain until I drank the contrast Fluid. I swallowed the gastrographin solution and had immediate pain radiate across my abdomen, they performed the ct scan and confirmed the leak. My surgeon does not oversew as there is a great debate on whether it stresses the staple line or not. Some of the most noted surgeons oversew, some don't. The reason for the cost is because of the ICU stay, the additional testing, and medications used, the additional doctors that came in on my case, the central line, the additional diagnostics performed. The reasons for my 2cent comments is because you stated that you were scared, that you didn't want to ruin the rest of your life because of this surgery, your concerns with complications especially since you are self-pay, you asked for advice and what our concerns were so I answered honestly and openly. If I were in your situation, I stated what my concerns would be. I wasn't trying to be negative, I was telling you my honest opinion. It isn't always the thing people want to hear, but it's what I thought I could offer. If you are at peace with your decision, and trust your surgeon, then I promise I have nothing but best wishes for you, for your surgery and journey.

I've been in a 2 1/2 week stall, it's driving me crazy. I'm trying to be patient because I've read enough threads to know its common but that crazy voice in my head keeps saying "this isn't going to work like the band" I'm going to have my husband put the scale in his car so I can't weigh every morning! Revision 1/31/13 by Dr Cabrera and Venezuela in MX

Yep. I just got mine removed 5 days ago and so glad I did. I had so many problems with GERD and initially wanted to revise to sleeve, but based on my history of GERD, my surgeon says that the sleeve would cause me to continue to have the same reflux and heartburn due to the high pressure of the sleeve so He recommended bypass and after thorough research, and I am an RN with several friends who have had both sleeve and bypass..... and numerous conversations with my surgeon, I will be revising to gastric bypass in November. The removal of the port has been the most painful. I stayed the night in the hospital due to pain control because he also removed the scar tissue around the band as well. Adhesion removal can be painful. I was on IV Dilaudid every 4 hours, IV Toradol and Norco in the hospital. They switched me to percocets and I have been fine on those. Take a pillow with you to hold against your tummy to splint the incision so you can cough. Also get a start on taking some over the counter miralax to help with constipation because pain med can cause things to slow way down, on top of the anesthesia. I have asthma so I needed breathing treatments and I used my incentive spirometer every hour while awake to exercise my lungs which helped me greatly! They leave the incisions open to air and seal them with Dermabond, a type of glue. I am healing quite fast. Here is a pic of my incisions. He did a total of 3. The biggest was where the port was. Make sure your decision is yours and also listen to your surgeon and what will be best for you. The next few months will be the hardest, however I still feel restriction post op.

Hi all, i was banded in 2010 and in aug 2014 it was removed as the band failed.. In oct 2014 i was revised to sleeve and its the best decision I've made in my life. I have GERD since being sleeved however, i haven't had a bout of reflux for about a month now. So i believe its well and truly under control ????. I started off at 383lbs, I'm currently at 235 lbs and still losing. I can eat almost anything i want just really small amounts . I do have a problem with eating anything with corn and any leafy greens.. Thats about it! Wishing you every success with your Journey.

I just got back my blood test and everything was good but my AST was almost out of range and my ALT was out of range at 35. I noticed it climbing every blood test. I'm at 1 year 7 months after my RNY revision. I was so concerned so I did a search here and found this. Thank you. I don't drink or do any of those "don't do this or it'll hurt you liver" things, even the diet no nos are not foods that I normally like, so I wasn't sure what is causing this. I have a check up with my bariatric team in a couple weeks but seeing this calmed me. Thanks again!

I'm 52 and was sleeved on 2/19/13. I am now down 116lbs and happy for the sleeve. I've had two neurosurgeries in the last 14 months which limited my activity and still lost weight. My neighbor who had Lapband three years ago and lost 100lbs but regained 110 lbs due to complications. He underwent a revision to the sleeve after seeing my success with the sleeve. Good luck whatever you decide. This has been one of my best decisions ever, as I am now the lightest I've been in 36 years.

That is really horrible to hear about your friend. I am sorry for your loss and your friend's family's loss. But, question, she had bypass then the sleeve? Not possible. Perhaps they did a revision or something on her pouch or intestines to correct damage. All surgical interventions carry risks, and revision/corrective surgeries even more so unfortunately. The best way you can honor your friend's memory is by taking care of yourself, physically and emotionally, and making the most out of your weight loss journey and your life in general. Each day is a blessing and an opportunity. Best wishes.

I had the sleeve in 2016 then had two babies and ultimately, regained almost all of it back. I have PCOS and infertility (had to do IVF), but no gerd. Will I be approved for revision from regain? I have BCBSIL PPO.

Hey! I'm doing really well. Thank you for checking in on me! As of this morning, the scale showed 197.9. That's a total loss of 60 lbs. I'm in awe at my progress but so so grateful to be where I am so far! I hope everything goes well for you and UHC covers thst revision. I've heard/read such horrendous experiences with the band and feel horrible for anyone stuck with it and the complications they have to endure. Sent from my SM-N910V using the BariatricPal App

Sassyfrass,I recently read many of your posts since I have UHC also and waiting to hear requirements for revision to RNY from band. I'd be interested to hear about your progress and experiences. Do let us know.

In my opinion the sleeve should be the default surgery for everyone unless they are dealing with: 1. Type 2 diabetes (especially if they are on insulin, or have trouble controlling their blood glucose levels) 2. GERD 3. Food addiction (we all like to eat, but the true food addict would benefit from possible dumping and the malabsorption component) 4. Particularly high BMI.. in which case a DS might be a better option than RNY 5. Physiological factors (for example: lap bands can damage the stomach, making RNY a better option) 6. The patient doesn't want to risk "another surgery". RNY is "one-and-done" (usually). Sleeves sometimes need revision.

Thank you very much. I appreciate that. I had RNY surgery. “Not obese enough”??? If you medically qualified for the lapband then I don’t understand why you wouldn’t have medically qualified for the sleeve as well. They go by BMI and I believe it is the same for sleeve and band. (40 or, if you have comorbidities then it can be 35) It sounds like you likely used a general surgeon instead of a bariatric surgeon. Both are qualified to do the procedure but a bariatric surgeon is far more educated on the actual Bariatrics aspect. They are much more informed and actually take a couple of years to specialize in WLS. As opposed to a general surgeon who only learns the procedure and then does it. He doesn’t take that extra time to learn the ins and outs of it all. Even being on the smaller side of overweight, I still don’t understand why a surgeon would perform a procedure that has SO MANY complications and such an incredibly small rate of success. Why would he perform this operation at all? It is such common knowledge within the bariatric community that the band is a hugely bad idea. If you said you had it done several years ago then I might understand more, but you had this in 2017. The surgeon should be ashamed. Did he tell you the complication rate is far higher with the band than with any other procedure? Did he tell you people lose far less weight with the band and the rate of regain over a 5 year period is almost double that of the sleeve and RNY? My surgeon told me it won’t be long before we are seeing commercials saying “if you’ve had the lapband and had complications, call the law office of...” I’m very sorry this happened to you. I am super angry for you, to be honest. Your surgeon did you a huge disservice. I actually had a lapband for a long time and the loss was incredibly slow. After several years, I developed complications and nearly died. I had to have the band removed. I chose to also have a revision to RNY and it is a completely different experience. It’s so much better. If you continue experiencing pain or the other issues you mentioned, I would strongly suggest finding a new surgeon and having a consultation. Try your best to find someone who specializes in Bariatrics rather than just a general surgeon. I had a general surgeon with my band too because I really didn’t know the difference, to be honest. It was a huge mistake. I wasted a lot of years of my life with that awful band. Again, I’m very sorry. I’m seriously angry right now. I can’t believe these surgeons are still doing this procedure. Please don’t give up. I know this is hard. It’s so hard. But just remember why you did this. You wanted a healthier, better quality life. You can still have that. It may just happen a little differently than planned, that’s all. As of October 12, 2017, I am 4 months post op and have lost 100 pounds. I have reached my goal weight and could not be more ecstatic!

Hi! I had a revision of my sleeve (VSG) to RNY on 8/29/22 for a hiatal hernia repair and severe acid reflux. Since then I feel like I’m doing okay and no longer have any acid reflux symptoms. My only concern is every time I drink something cold to room temperature my stomach hurts really bad. I can sip on warm bone broth and that doesn’t seem to bother me much. I know I’m just out of surgery and healing but should I still be feeling pain in my stomach almost two weeks out? Any insight as to why this is happening would be greatly appreciated! 😊

Completely anecdotal but I've had both surgeries. I had the band in 2008 and got revised to rny in june 2013. Both surgeries had the same recovery tine for me and the stages for food were virtually the same. The only difference for me is I was hungry post band (that shocked me and was hard emotionally). Whereas with rny I didn't have any hunger and literally had to put my eating on a schedule. The pros and cons are well documented. Consult with your doctor. My philosophy is if I trust this person enough to open me up I sure better trust their judgment too. My story isn't a bash against the band or a rah rah for rny, it is simply my story. My last bit of advice is to enjoy the process. Recovery physically goes fast and is over in a blink. It is the mental stuff that's harder... I still struggle with my new body but am told that will get better with time. Good luck!

April 17 revision from sleeve to bypass due to GERD