Search the Community

Just a quick update, possibly to give hope for healing- Had my repeat EGD on 11/16, 5 months after my marginal ulcer was found so that I had to take that yucky compounded immediate-release omeprazole w/ sodium bicarbonate & Pepcid & Carafate. I still have gastritis (stomach pouch irritation) but my ulcer has healed! I was really afraid I would need a revision or worse, a reversal. I am able to eat now without pain-yea! I have stopped losing weight which has been a huge concern for my family & friends; my mother says I look "gaunt." I am so glad I did all the online research I did on marginal ulcer healing; Bariatric Times is a great resource, geared to the medical profession so the terminology might be a bit difficult. Keep the faith, everyone. You could be as fortunate as I have been. Good luck to all.

The sleeve will mean risking worse reflux that can turn into a more serious condition, then you will have to revise to a bypass anyway. SKIP THE EXTRA STEPS. I suggest you speak with your team again but stick with the original plan

That's exactly what my doctor told me! I am doing a revision from Band to Bypass. He will not do a sleeve on me. He said, "I will not set you up for failure again."My surgery is on Dec. 12th. Jacie63

Some thoughts. The sleeve is 100% not reversible. Full stop. 80% of your stomach will end up in the trash. The bypass *IS* reversible, contrary to popular belief. Since nothing is removed, only rearranged, it's all still in there in the off chance you have a major issue and need to put back. The sleeve will almost always exacerbate GERD and Reflux issues. The bypass will almost always cure GERD and Reflux issues. Not everyone with the Bypass gets dumping. The sleeve can still experience dumping. The malnutrition and "side effects" are minimal and controlled with ease. There are a number of Bypass Patients that are getting 100% of their required nutrition from food alone, no supplementation needed. But even still, a few supplements a day aren't really a major issue and it works into a daily routine with ease. Between the 2, The bypass beats out the sleeve on all metrics of weight loss, rate of loss, % kept off, etc. It might only be a few % points, but the Bypass wins out each time. For me, I was banded in 2011. The sleeve wasn't approved at that time and I was scare of the Bypass because I didn't want anything "permanent" (I wasn't aware of the reversal potential at the time) I wanted something that could be removed... well, I got exactly what I asked for, non-permanence. I was originally looking at revising from band to sleeve. But my surgeon would not do band to sleeve revisions due to increased failure rate due to scar tissue from the band intersecting where the staple line for the sleeve would go. I mulled over the options, which were do nothing, remove the band and that's it, or remove the band and revise to bypass. I opted for the Band to Bypass and I could not be happier with that choice. Wish I didn't let fear control my choice in 2011.

It certainly is reversible. The Sleeve is not. However Bypass reversals do not happen often due to how complicated they are. They are typically only done if there are major issues with a patient. Sleeve folks can get dumping as well... and Bypass folks don't all get dumping. You are still healing. You need to focus on that right now. For the "weakness" are you following your post-op diet? What does your daily water intake look like? Whats your daily protein intake look like? Have you discussed your issues with your PCP / Surgical Team / Nutritionist? If not... Why not? I'm coming up on 9 months post-op Band to Bypass revision. The first 2 months were tough. I had lots of times when I could have given into the emotions that were running rampant. But, it gets better. You just need to really focus on doing what you are supposed to be doing, consuming what you are supposed to be consuming and working with your doctors. I couldn't be happier with my Bypass now.

Congrats on the surgery. Between the 2, diet is pretty much the same after the initial post-op diet. Typically Bypass patients are on puree's before they leave the hospital while sleeve patients are on liquids only for a month. Between the 2, the Bypass has a higher rate of loss, higher success rate, higher rate of lbs kept off, etc. Only a few percentage points between the 2, but the Bypass wins out each time. *Insert "winning is winning" meme* I have not seen any Bypass patients that wished they had the sleeve. I do know many that had the Sleeve that wished they had the Bypass or end up getting revised from the Sleeve to the Bypass. As a Band to Bypass revision myself. I am beyond happy with the Bypass and truly do wish I had gotten the Bypass back in 2011 when I had the Band installed.

I had GERD and went with the bypass because of it. It really doesn't have many more side effects than the sleeve does, and malnutrition isn't an issue as long as you keep on top of your supplements (you have to take some supplements with the sleeve as well). I would not recommend getting the sleeve if you already have GERD. I've seen too many people have to revise to bypass because of it. Maybe you'll be one of the lucky ones, but I'm not sure I'd want to risk it.

Yes Gastric Bypass is reversible, a lot harder operation than the original one. The only person I know of on Bariatric pal, her pen name is @ Ronnysgal, she went through a bypass revision .

Dec 3rd revision

Hi, my date is also the 12th! I'm having a revision too, LapBand to Bypass. Good luck with yours. [emoji4] Jacie63

@Danny Paul It's a sobering reality that any of us can gain weight. I hope anyone who has a large gain can overcome and get a treatment plan that works for them. (Revision, diet or other) Many reasons for regain. Medical issues, medications, diet, complications, hormones, mobility issues......The list goes on. You are right, Surgery alone will not make your weight loss successful. The work does not end after goal.

I had it for 2 decades pre-op and my surgery was 4 years ago. I have been taking a PPI since immediately post op, but when I had some regain I REALLY had it return BAD. I've since lost the regain but have also had an EGD that shows another hiatal hernia so my GERD is still there. I've been in nutritional ketosis for about a year which has helped some. I'm hoping after another 20 lbs or so it will totally resolve. If not, I'm seriously considering a revision to RNY because I don't want to take a PPI any longer.

I'm 4 years post VSG and also struggled with some regain about 2 years post op. I really struggled and gained back about 40 lbs. It took a doctor giving me some sobering health news (an issue that I originally had VSG to help combat was creeping back into play) to kick my butt into gear. I realized that it was only going to be ME doing the work, and that rather than look at a revision, I had to just get it together and DO IT. I've successfully lost all my regain and still have about 20 to go. I think many people who regain consider a revision because YES it s super easy to lose initially post op and I think there's a thought process that a revision will result in that easy, fast weight loss again, but my surgeon reminded me that a revision is NOT a reset button and that the body doesn't usually respond the same way after a revision.

I was attending one of my group sessions last week and a person who had had a gastric sleeve two years ago spoke at the meeting. The person said the first nine months were a dream come true with a weight loss of 125 lbs and reaching goal. This person went on to state that taking the weight off went pretty much to the surgeons plan. At first, this person measured and weighed all foods, made sure to eat proteins first and did not mix water with food and did moderate exercise such as parking the car away from the building and walking the stairs. By the one year mark old habits started to creep back. The need to eat processed foods and snacks came back. Why? Because goal weight was met and because it was so easy to lose the weight. This person thought that snacking and eating off plan would be counterbalanced by more rapid weight loss. Well, as the pounds crept back getting them off wasn't as easy as it was in those first nine months. With that came a feeling of hopelessness and the cycle that made this person obese to begin with started all over again. By this persons two year anniversary 85lbs was regained. This person was brave to tell us this story and to warn us that WLS is not the end of our obesity. In fact, it should be a wake up for us that our success at a healthy life is a struggle each day. This person is looking into a revision to gastric by pass but one wonders if long term success will be maintained or is this person doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past? For those of you with long term success you truly are remarkable, dedicated and an inspiration and I hope to learn from you and your successes as I read about them here on these forums.

My Dear Bari Brothers and Sisters, You may have noticed that I too have been missing from the Scene for a while. Not for lack of love for you all. Following my honeymoon of no work, I had to go back and as you may know a grueling international travel schedule followed. An as exciting and glamorous as going to places like France and England may sound, it does take it’s toll, and has been so tough for me to resist the endless temptations along the way, not to mention the drag on my noon existent time. And since I work with computers, when I fly home, I usually go dark and stay away from electronics, as my 6 and 8 year old miss me and I want to spend every spare moment with them. To add to that, we have all been severely debilitated by a series of illnesses. My daughter had Coxsackie Virus, My son had stomach Flu, I tested postive for Strep and then the bugs started to cross pollinate so we all suffered greatly with a bouquet of bugs Then of course the Holidays were upon us and...yeah, we had to get our act together and travel to family etc, so I have been go to GO, and all those things I put on hold while I had and recovered from Surgery, well they all caught up with me. From a weight perspective I really don’t know how I’m doing :\. And here is why: Pre- Surgery Weight 271, Surgery Day August 22nd 2018 257, current weight 226 So Weight loss since Surgery (approx 3 months ago is 31lb and total loss is 45. Not monumental like some, but then again, this is my 2nd revision, I had band to Sleeve to this so like when I had the Sleeve, at the 3 month mark I had lost on 15 more lb than I have now :(. I’ve lost enough to be able to feel better and have several non scale victories...not ashamed to take pics with kids, easier fit in airplane seats, more energy, feel better about myself, my cloths are fitting great, more optimistic about the future, did not feel such dread going to see family on Thanksgiving, etc On my trips, where I have had hotels with kitchenettes, I’ve avoided eating out all together, doing fabulously grocery shopping, walking min 10K steps a a day and loosing weight. When I travel and there is no fridge or kitchen in the hotel, its much harder. An unlimited food budget coupled with crazy irresistible deliciousness makes it tough tough TOUGH to resist. In my last trip to France, various cheeses, and even Breads found their way into my world. Nothing near the copious previous quantities but enough to make me uncomfortable emotionally. The crazy part is my pouch did not resist at all. Very scary, as one with multiple surgeries I am crippled with the fear that this shall fail too. Which brings me to my next point. Following my stricture release a month ago, I no longer throw up, a good thing you might say BUT, I also seem to have lost my restriction!!!!! I mean, I don’t know where and HOW I am able to put away what I do :(((((((. Beyond sad and bewildered. Another problem is that my bloodwork revealed that my Anemia was worse...so on the 16th of Nov, I went in for an Iron Infusion. Now I had that last year with my Sleeve and I had a series of Iron infusions...7 in total 3 weeks apart and I left each infusion RAVENOUS and stayed that way. Gaining tons of weight before each next one. Well this time seems no different in that I am RAVANOUS ALL THE TIME, since I got it over a week ago. That coupled with the seeming loss of restriction is desasterous. I’m snacking on crackers and nuts and I know that stuff adds up. Last night I did a test to see when I will get full. Tried eating what would normally be considered healthy ways to fill yourself. Removed my Vegan restrictions and had at least 5 strips of deli roast beef...not full, a cup of leftover Green Bean casserole...than a big cup of chicken tortilla soup...nada...a big bowl of Green Beans, Brussel Sprouts and curried chickpeas followed....and 30mins later I was in a grazing mood again, grabbing Oat Crackers covered with no sugar chocolate and chia seeds...and guys...yeah, not a peak from my pouch and somehow I never got to a full or satiated feeling. Too depressed to even call doc about it. What can they do? I’m just 3 m out, this has GOT to work for me, and I’m like if at 3 months I’m able to devour all that...what hope is there at a year or two. Been down this road too many times. Trying hard not to be depressed...I gave up my Wellbutrin on Surgery day and have been doing great, but this...food preoccupation and seeming return of hunger plus lack of restriction has got me seriously in a funk. So for those suffering from too much restriction, I repeat, relish it..it does NOT last! This coming from me who was throwing up at a sip of water and now just 3 short months latter, I’m like praying for restriction. Frustrating does not begin to cover it...I just don’t know what to do. It’s also the week before my period when I’m usually most carb needy, so that is probably playing in too....idk, any thoughts? So yeah...here is where i find myself. About to go walking, it’s cold but I’ll brave it, if for nothing else, than to increase my Serotonin naturally (and catch up on my work calls as I do). And that’s what’s up with ellie123. Hope you all had an awesome thanksgiving, miss you all and hope everyone is doing great.

And we are hoping you find the solution that is right for you. A lot of sleevers getting revised for just that reason.

Hey OllyC, I have a BMI of 32 and I am getting a revision on December 17, 2018 - band to sleeve. Your post sounds just like me throughout my life. Athletic, on occasion skinny for me, mostly fit with some excess weight, but now feel very chubby!! I'm getting revision done in Mexico!!

Yes, from what I can gather, the majority of his procedures are still bands. But he is a pioneer in the field and lives with the band himself, so he has a unique perspective. I also wonder about the practices of the other doctors that banders have used. Not every doctor has the advantage of how huge the NYU Langone network is. The care is exceptional. Earlier this year I had to go to the ER unrelated to the band (dehydration because I played seven hours of tennis without realizing that I was dehydrating!) I couldn’t keep down a sip of water as a result, so I went to their ER. As soon as I mentioned that I was a Fielding patient, they had the on-call doctor from Fielding’s office doing a consult, did an esophagram, did an unfill, gave me more fluid via IV than they would a non-band patient because they understood that I would have more trouble than most for a while. It wasn’t even a bump in the road because I got proper care. If you don’t have easy access to your team, I can totally see how the band is a less attractive option. I wouldn’t, for instance, do the trip to a doctor in Mexico for the procedure because you won’t have your team when it’s all over. I’m a battleaxe. I have to stay active here so we all have that support base. But I do think the website founder should do a dedicated forum for revisions.

Jendkopp, understood. But consider this from the point of view of someone whose only option was the band. We all chose our procedures knowing the risks. I understand that people want to and need to share their experiences, but it is not helpful to flood those of us who have the band with horror stories. Perhaps there should be a dedicated forum for procedure revisions. But I don’t participate in this forum to be told that my choice is wrong and that I will fail eventually. I’m not saying that you personally have done that, but it has been my experience here. I come here to speak with other banders about their day to day with the band. This is supposed to be a support group.

This is from my doctor's ESG FAQ https://bmiclinic.com.au/endoscopic-sleeve-gastroplasty-faq/ Can I have an ESG following a gastric balloon, gastric sleeve or gastric bypass? ESG following gastric balloon: Recent research has revealed that people who’ve had a gastric balloon do less well following ESG in terms of weight loss. For this reason, we do not recommend ESG to anyone who’s has previously had a gastric balloon. ESG following gastric sleeve: Endoscopic revision of a gastric sleeve is possible, however the weight loss that results is only approximately 10% of the baseline weight. There are likely more effective options which you can talk through with your Bariatric Specialist. ESG following gastric bypass: Endoscopic suturing is possible via a procedure called TORe, Transoral Outlet Revision.

Late getting in on this post, but I had my Lap-band removed back in February and revised to SIPS. I couldn't be more happy as well. I had serious acid reflux and heart burn, and like some others, constantly throwing up if the wrong food hit. It was just no way to live. Besides, I never lost more than 50lbs with it, and then gained that back plus some. So not very successful. Since the revision back in February 2018, I have lost over 100lbs and feeling great. I went for the lap-band because it seemed to be safer than the other WLS methods and less invasive, but it was a nightmare. Glad to be relieved of the lap-band contraption.

I have a sleeve however I had asked my surgeon about ESG as I would hVe preferred no staple line. He doesn’t do them but said he is now doing revisions on other surgeons ESGs because they are failing six months out. Idk why they’re failing, my surgeon is considered one of the best in my state, so it could be lack of skills by the others.

Where to start? I'm 5 and 1/2 weeks out from my bypass revision and God help me, I ate half a bag of doritos last night. Not one of those single serve ones, a big one. I don't normally have them in the house but I've a house guest over so of course I bought some snacks as an excuse. What was even worse was, no dumping, no runs. It was like my body was before surgery. I'm so cross at myself. I've been on a stall and struggling to keep my calories at around 1000-1200 a day, which given I'd eat more like 2000+ before surgery is a huge change, but eating Doritos was a really really really sucky decision on my part. Grrrrrrrrrrr. Sent from my SM-G930F using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi Bypass lady. I'm in Vic too. Scheduled for my revision from band to RNY in Jan. If you are in a lot of pain I would advise you to call your surgeons room and see what they advise.

I assume this is what is known as the endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty for those who have it as a primary WLS and not revision. I can only give a perspective from a recovery point of view and with an Australian slant as practices may be different elsewhere. There is generally no overnight stay in hospital in Australia. My doctors instructions include: two weeks pre op diet, one day clear pre op. On day of procedure and day following - no fluids/foods instead have iv infusions. Three day clear liquids, three weeks free liquids, one week puree and one week soft. Then typical diet with one cup volume while losing weight with focus on proteins and veges. Portions to increase or snacks when in maintenance mode. Prior to procedure I was required to take nexium for one week and then three weeks following to lower stomach acid. Took a fairly strong anti-nausea tablet before procedure, and then two different types of anti nausea meds for three days after. I was fortunate, I only had some stomach cramps for up to three days. Recovery has been great with the ESG, a lot of people are back at work within days.