Search the Community

Congrats and best to you. My visit was Monday for May 17 surgery. I agree there is a lot to take in, and the part about open procedure option made me nervous. I am having a revision an had open last time and did not want to go that route again, but with my past WLS problems, what ever it takes. I felt much better talking to surgeon and PA that they have done many of these revisions, and only with excessive bleeding (3% of time) do they have to go open.

Hello all I'll be going in for Surgery this Monday. Exactly two years ago I received the gastric sleeve and loss only 22 pounds. In October I went to have a second opinion from a different doctor evaluate me. He ended up doing a endoscopy and not saying it but basically saying the doctor didn't do what he needed to do. I will be getting the gastric bypass this time around and I'm just hoping I can lose and finally see myself as a new person.

I am almost 2 years out and I have had the pb's and other irritations, but lately it hurts when I eat. I cook meat so long that it falls apart, but it still hurts. I chew until the food is mush, but still have trouble getting it to go through the hole. I'm afraid I have an esophageal ulcer or something is wrong with my band. If I have an ulcer, could it be because the band is too tight? I have 4.5 cc in the 11 cc band, but my friend who had the same size says there should never be more than 7.5 cc in this type of band. Her fill doc put 16 cc in an 11 cc band and it nearly killed her. She gave up and got gastric bypass. Is it possible that if food gets stuck in the esophagus, esophageal ulcers can result? I had a some esophageal ulcers before I got the band despite taking reflux pills for years. They cleared up quickly with treatment. I would like to go to my regular doctor since I had the band done in Mexico and have to drive 100 miles to see the nurse practitioner. What do you all think I should do?

Hi, I agree with misspeesh, and it is helpful to tell people. (although to tell when you asked them not to was pretty rotten and they need a stern talking to!) It is really hard to go through this process and it is even harder if you can't talk to people about it. The key, I think, is educating people. Tell them exactly what is going on - especially stressing that this is NOT gastric bypass and you will NOT be losing 30 pounds a month!!! I have a blog, too,which I send to people who I want to know what I am going through. 100% of them have been supportive - they may be confused, but they are supportive, especially once I explain stuff. So now that the cat is out of the bag, just go with it and explain, explain, explain. Then do the best you can and show them all how this is going to change your life. Oh, the other reason it is easier to tell people is that you are going to be following some pretty specific eating rules and it is easier to follow them if the people around you know what those rule are and why. (ie-not eating with meals)

I had to have a revision due to a slip. The surgeon thought maybe removal and new band, but was able to reposition the current band. This was the 2nd slip I had and it was bad. So, if you or anyone else gets aslip, try and unfill 1st. Gerd and night reflux are certain signs of slips. Karen

Well I'm running out of options. MTF's are not willing to work with patients that do not neatly fit into their program. I've contacted the largest programs in the county and none will take out of area patients. Now I'm researching MTF's closer to me. The Naval Base in Jacksonville, 4 hours away will not work with patients that do not live in the area and they do not do revisions. My only two options now are Fort Gordon (146 miles) and Fort Jackson (111miles). I never thought I would say this but GO ARMY! Just waiting to hear back.....not knowing is tough!

I had the band first because the sleeve was not an option. I personally would not/will not recommend the band to anyone. Not only because of my own personal horror story, but because the stats honestly just suck. You can check out my blog as I have an entire post with information from the band manufacturer in my blog with their most recent findings that 1 in 4 band patients will need another surgery to either repair, replace, or remove and revise to another surgery within the first 5 years. I chose the band because I refused to have RNY. As for pregnancy, I can't imagine being pregnant with the band. The food intolerances along would make me miserable, and I'm so grateful that I was able to revise to VSG when it was time to say adios to my band. I can now eat a very nutrient dense, balanced diet with my sleeve without any puking, sliming, productive burping, or food getting stuck and then having to wretch it up for a good 20 minutes. My blog also has tons of links for VSG research, and articles along with dietary guidelines, and other bits and pieces I've compiled over the 20 something months I've been researching and living with the sleeve. The post in my blog titled "Just to bookmark this stuff" is the band post, and the one that is more recent is all the research links that I found invaluable during my research stage. We are currently trying to conceive, and I"m only 17 months out and have actually been not preventing for almost 9 months now. We know that my body went through hell during my surgeries and rapid weight loss so we are trying to be patient. BUT, we're still hoping for a big fat positive test in the near future. Best wishes in your research.

There is a revision specialist by the name of Dr. Husted. He was writing on another board that the latest studies show that if you surgically reposition or replace a band, you have a 70% chance of another slip in the first five years. He was also referring to a conference he went to in FL and this was discussed a great deal and most at this conference will not be surgically repositioning or replacing bands anymore, they have had very low success with this. Is there any chance that a malabsorptive procedure might serve you a little better? You've been struggling for a long time, three years and not at goal yet... maybe you just need a bit more help?

That's my date and I'm doing RNY bypass I'm nervous as well. I think that it's normal to have some fear after all it us surgery. What has you most concerned?

I'm so sorry. How disappointing. You can do it again. Think of this as being the hernia repair surgery in preparation for your bypass. Best to you -

I am using Dr. Strain at Englewood Hospital in Englewood, NJ. He is at a Bariatric Center of Excellence. He works with two other surgeons, Dr. Ibrahim and Dr. Morales. Dr. Morales just took out my Lap Band yesterday. She was great and Dr. Strain will be doing my Revision in September, he is great too. They also have a nutritionist right in the office (which is located on Engle St.) Their website is www.bergenlap.com

Yup, right there with you, buddy. I had an old fissure that I developed a few years ago after being on antibiotics (for a sinus infection) followed by steroids (for a horrible case of poison ivy). One of my reasons for choosing the sleeve over the bypass was that I was told that sleeve patients had fewer problems with constipation, and I most emphatically DID NOT want to go back to fissure hell . But here I am... I'm hoping that once I can add in more fresh veggies, it will go into "remission" again.

I had doctor appointment this Thursday and I asked him what is my weight goal from his point of view and I was very disappointing with answer I am 5'7" and my weight in the ticket below. he told me that I can expect to loose 80 lbs with sleeve, might be 100lb but he doubt it. and I was a bit shocked. I need to loose at least 100 but better 120. and now I feel like I fail even before staring. he said if I want to loose more I need to do bypass. and I don't want to do this. Why is he ruin my dream?

I have posted in another thread in the ESG subforum a link to an article for regarding successful ESG revision to sleeve, but there seems to be some talk about surgeons not wanting to do sleeves due to the suture anchors and they seem to prefer doing bypass revisions for ESG. On an ESG facebook group I belong to, there is a surgeon who posts occasionally and it was something he mentioned when someone asked the question. I will see if I can find it.

wow! I was just googling "gastric bypass before and after," hit pics, and saw this pic of htis lady- it intrigued me, so I clicked it. gosh I didn't really think about this before, but i can DEFINITELY see how people could become anorexic. I wonder how we go about never becoming that!!!!!! My journey is hopefully going to be one of health and becoming "normal." I know what a healthy goal is for my body type. but who knows what's going to go through my head as I lose. http://suethsayings.blogspot.com/2011/05/sick-gastric-bypass-patient-not-so-rare.html?m=1

I was a little gun shy of another WLS as well. I revised to a sleeve. But... Maybe restriction alone isn't your thing? If you lost 40# in under two years with a band maybe a malabsorptive procedure is a better bet for you? We really do not do well losing/maintaining without a tool. Stats show about 3-5% of obese people can lose weight on their own or maintain after losing their WLS tool. You can try to maintain or even lose but don't be too hard on yourself if you can't do it. You might want to start researching other options? You don't have to do any of them but use this time to consider what else is out there.

Hi, You've decided to take a giant step in your life and all the information and support you can gather around you will be helpful. I am in an HMO organization and have had to go through almost a whole year of prep before being presented for LapBand surgery. In small groups we met 4 times with a nutritionist and have been given a whole binder of info about the effects of the surgery, the necessary diet, the necessary supplements, and more. I was irked at first that I would have to wait over a year for the surgery, but now I am so glad that I have learned all this stuff, I think it will be much more successful than if not. It was also necessary for us to see the psychologist, physical therapist, nutritionist, and physician regularly throughout this prep period. Remember the surgery is not a magic cure, it will take some hard work and adjustments on your part to make it successful... please educate yourself well about the procedure and the necessary diet adjustments you will have to go through. Also look at the differences between lapband and regular gastric bypass so you are sure you are getting what will work best for you. Best of luck to you. Linda P.

Hi All, I'm new to this forum and hoping to network with some great people for support. I am waiting for Insurance approval for VSG surgery with Dr. Mitchel Roslin. He has a practice in NYC at Lenox Hill Hospital but has recently opened a practice at Northern Westchester Hospital in Mt Kisco , NY. I am wondering if there is anyone here on this forum who has Dr. Roslin as their surgeon and could give me some feedback as to their experience with him. I was orginally introduce to him on the ObesityHelp.com site when I was researching Gastric Bypass and was told about the DS. I did have a consult with him back in 09 and he suggested the 2 part (VSG then the switch) due to my BMI and hernia . I have a couple clearances to get and hopefully will be having within a few weeks. I would appreciate any feedback on Dr. Roslin as I have not seen many postings about him since I have returned to OH. Thanks for any input!!! Didi

Not sure if this is helpfful or not (maybe making it easier to know the right decision for you) but I'm 3 1/2 yrs post lapband (slipped, now awaiting a revision to sleeve). I've never thrown up so much in my life. The first 2 1/2 yrs it was daily. This past year, it's weekly. I've gotten so used to it, it's part of my routine. Doesn't even bother me anymore. My mom and sister are like you, however. They just DON'T throw up. Can't imagine. You're making the right choice in getting the sleeve vs the band - especially if you're paranoid about vomiting. Marci

Hi Tyger'sMom…I am 2-1/2 yrs post-banding. I too DID NOT want 1/2 my stomach gone or anything "bypassed"; I didn't want anything permanently reconstructed inside me. I too failed so many times and lost the same 30-40 pounds countless times & was at a point that I was so desperate to not fail again. I was a psychological mess from failing so many times & just needed help! I was willing to put in the work, but the "work" just wasn't enough; it just wasn't working. I opted for the band after a lot of research of all 3 surgeries. I realized that the band was a tool to help me change my way of life…the way I eat, proportions. I too was a diet expert in that I tried and succeeded many times at many different diets, but could never stay on the "diet" forever. I needed a lifestyle change & I needed help with that. I needed to still be able to have a cookie or cupcake or a bite or two of whatever I was craving. Depriving myself just made me not want to stay on whatever diet I was on forever; I needed to learn to be able to have 1-2 oreos instead of half the bag, or 4-8 ounces of food at a time instead of 4 cups of food at a time. I have lost 100 pounds and did so with the HELP of the band, using it as a tool as it was designed. The band is to help you feel full faster and longer, therefore eating less at every meal (and snack). Overeating is where most Americans get into their overweight problems; most Americans overeat (as you know). Eating slowly & chewing…yes, we have to eat slower than usual and chew more. When I was losing weight (I am now sustaining my weight loss), I used a cocktail fork or baby spoon or fork to take smaller bites & I chew, chew, chew 'til mush. I also do not drink 30 minutes before or 30 minutes after eating. Other than that, I have no other restrictions. I am able to eat anything I want & did not have the stuck episodes you will read about on this site. I have only been stuck a few times, but none of them caused throwing up, nor were they painful as described by some other people on this site. If your band is appropriately adjusted & you do what you are instructed to do by your doctor...take smaller bites, eat slower & chew chew chew...you won't have any problems. I would rather take the time to make these small adjustments in my life than permanently reconstruct my insides. I will also add, my family eats out a lot & although I was nervous about this in the beginning, I learned I do take longer than everyone else to eat, but I'm not eating as much so it's not like everyone sits around waiting for me to finish. I was always ok with putting in the effort, the "dieting" and exercising, but I just could not sustain that particular diet and deprivation forever. The band has helped me change my eating lifestyle to moderation, smaller portions. I only eat til I'm NOT HUNGRY ANYMORE, not until I'm FULL! I'm sorry you had a bad experience with the doc you had your informational meeting with, & I agree with everyone else…FIND ANOTHER DOCTOR. Don't let one dr discourage you from changing your life. I too started with another facility, but was not happy, I switched groups & ended up with the MOST fabulous doctors! I have learned by being in contact with a lot of other banisters that the RIGHT doctor makes a HUGE difference as to whether you will succeed or not. Yes, I have put in all the hard work, but I would not have succeeded without the incredible support of my doctors & their commitment to me to follow up with me regularly every few weeks for the first year, being responsible with EVERY fill they gave me, treating me as an individual and giving me adjustments according to what I needed, not what was the norm for whatever # of fill I was on. After care is HUGE in LapBand success. PLEASE find a good doctor who truly cares for you & what is best for you. I hope I addressed all your concerns. The LapBand truly changed my life & I believe in it…I believe if you are a person who is willing to put in the effort, the LapBand can change your life too! I see you are in California? Are you in Southern California?

My revision was yesterday. I feel pretty good with very little pain. Not hungry at all just concentrating on drinking so I can go home. My doctor did say that I had a lot of scarring but said he was able to do the sleeve pretty easily. Now on to recovery!

In Northern Kentucky Getting sleeved 12/28/15 by Dr. Trace Curry!! So nervous, it's a band to sleeve revision and I know it can have additional complications

Why did you have to have a revision? What was the cause and what were the symptoms and what was the process same as the first time.....

Ask your doctor about the liquid protien shots. My doctor told me it was a waste of money. here is how he explained it, anything liquid will stay in your stomach for a very little time before it is passed on through to your bowels/intestine. The idea of having a sleeve rather than a gastric bypass is to allow all nutrients/vitamins/protiens to be absorbed into your stomach then go into your blood stream. If you take the protien in liquid (watery) form it will pass into the bowels/intestine and be PARTIALLY absorbed there and then the remainder will be expelled as waste. So even though you are getting a large dose of protien down, not much is being absorbed. So I would suggest trying going to your health food place or doctor finding a 'unflavored' protien powder and mix it in with your food (soups, stews, sauces, ect). Remember just because it is 'unflavored' does not mean 'no taste', so find something you can tolerate well. Also you can have a spoonful of peanut butter or cottage cheese or heck on some rough days I do a shot of Cheese Whiz (low fat, but 5 grams of protien). Also sprinkle cheese on your food. i hope this helps, but digestion of protien in the stomach is my total goal. But as always check with your doctor. Another goal is to NEVER drink my calories for the day. Instead only solids will have any caloric value.

I completely understand. I was what we call a bottomless barrel! Lol I could eat all day without feeling full, which is how I got up to my highest weight of 368 lbs =/ I can no longer eat anywhere near as much as I used to. 4 oz and I'm stuffed! There are days I forget to eat and have to drink a quick protein shake before bed to make sure I get in my protein for the day. The majority of the hunger hormone, gherlin, is cut out during surgery, making you feel less hunger instantly. I thought I was going to wake up hungry being that I hadn't eaten anything since the night before, and nope! I was drinking fluids because I had to, I didn't want to end up back in the hospital due to dehydration. Same goes with food! I even set alarms to remind me to eat, because I can go all day with my morning protein, but I wouldn't meet my requirements for the day. Sometimes I'm busy and silence my alarm, only to realize after I put the kids to bed, and I'm about to catch a show on TV that I forgot to eat. Both surgeries ate great, both will help you lose the weight you need to lose, but ultimately your success will be all on you. With either you can stretch your stomach beck out. The sleeve had only been around 5-6 years and I have heard of people gaining back 5-20 lbs, but haven't seen anyone gain back drastically. Do searcheson this site, it's very informative! There actually is a thread where someone asks if you gain back weight after the sleeve. Do the same search for bypass. This site helped me choose between the two surgeries also. There are many ups and downs for both, and it's not the easiest decision to make. Best of luck!