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I've heard lots about sleeves and that they can give you bad heartburn. What about bypass. My surgeon says after healing there shouldn't be much problem, but I'm hearing from some people that they are still taking omeprazole years later... What about you?

mood swings and other hormone-related weirdnesses are pretty common after WLS. It's supposedly due to estrogen being released from your fat cells (where it's stored). It'll level out and stabilize after a few weeks or months (hopefully weeks, though!) bypass patients have issues with extended release meds, but I don't think sleeve patients do. But they may need to play around with your dosage or have you switch to a different brand if this one is no longer working.

I'm 7 months out from gastric bypass, and my new relationship with food is still a challenge, but a little easier as I get used to it. I was told to eat 3 meals per day and avoid snacks, and I've been really strict about sticking to that. The only things I have between meals are sugar-free Jello or popsicles, 0-calorie or low-calorie beverages, and protein shakes. And of course the three meals I eat are still very small (~4 ounces each) and have to be mostly protein. I have a rotation of go-to meals that I eat all the time, and they're mostly things I can prepare and freeze in individual portions. It feels really limiting sometimes to know that I can only pick three things to eat each day. I keep finding delicious-looking recipes on Pinterest that I want to try, but there's sort of a waiting list to get new meals onto my menu. It's especially hard when I buy fresh vegetables and it's a race against time to eat them before they go bad. I usually eat with a tiny fork or spoon to help me take small bites, and I set a timer to go off every 30 seconds. I take a bite, chew for ~30 seconds, then wait 30 seconds until the next bite. Now, I've read about the benefits of "mindful eating" and how you should eat without distractions, not eat in front of the TV or computer, etc., but I would go INSANE if I tried to eat this way and had nothing to do while waiting for the next bite. I'm always doing something else while eating, whether it's watching TV/YouTube, scrolling through Facebook, working, etc. Sometimes I eat lunch while working, and I don't take my next bite until I finish a task. I can make a protein bar last over an hour that way. I don't know, maybe this is a bad habit, but it's how I roll... It's also kind of hard to get used to taking so many pills, but I've gotten a pretty good routine down. The challenge is that I have to take calcium 3x/day and iron 2x/day, which have to be at least 2 hours apart from one another and at least 4 hours apart from my thyroid medication. I use an app called Medisafe to remind me at specific times (at this point, I remember on my own, but I still like to track when I take them), and it also tracks how many I have left so I know when to refill or reorder. It does kind of feel like this stuff has taken over my life sometimes, especially if I include my daily workout plus walking, and it seems like A LOT because I spent so many years not thinking much about what or when I was eating, not taking any pills, not exercising. But it's gotten a little easier over time as it's become part of my life and part of my routine.

It can be done - it is called a total gastrectomy and is usually done for cancer, gastroparesis or other severe gastric problems - but it is something of a big deal to do. The long term functional difference to your RNY is small, but healing time is the big issue - the esophagus (eating tube) is only a two layer structure compared to your stomach pouch which is four or five layers (depending upon how you count things) so the direct attachment to the intestine is trickier than the stomach to intestine. This was an option I looked into some years ago on a cancer issue, and the partial gastrectomy (basically an RNY) had a normal RNY post op healing and eating progression. The total gastrectomy would have required several months on a feeding tube to let things heal before any food could be introduced. So, this is not something to go into lightly. (And, no, I never had either procedure done - second and third opinions indicated that they weren't necessary, at least for the time being.) Something else to look into - have they determined if the GERD is acid, or bile? That's a big difference in treatment, as if it is bile reflux, the basic RNY structure is already somewhat predisposed to that, and taking out the pouch will no help, and likely make it worse. A possible clue here is that the anti-acid meds aren't working, and they wouldn't if it was a bile problem. It sounds like your problem, or a good part of it, is a weak Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) which is the muscular valve between the stomach and the esophagus. That can be weakened by your obesity history (though that was a long time ago), by over eating - over stuffing your pouch can put pressure on it and weaken it, or by some other disease mechanism. There are procedures available specific to this problem that may solve things without having to go through the gastrectomy. Do some research on surgical treatment for GERD. You need to research and find a surgeon who is very experienced with bariatric problems and revisions to figure out what exactly is going on, and then what the proper solution would be. The RNY (or any procedure, for that matter,) does occasionally cause significant problems so you need someone experienced with that. Good luck in working this out! Note - there are some Facebook groups that cater specifically to people with total or partial gastrectomies, so that would be a good place to look to get a better idea of what living with that procedure is like.

Agreed - best decision I made! I was sitting on the fence because of the lap band but so happy I did the revision. For the record, you helped me in that decision. So, thank you! I made it to 147 this morning. I am going to search for a personal trainer to help with a body transformation now that I am no longer in the "overweight" area. I will be spending some time this weekend going through clothes - its time to clean out closets;) Have a great weekend!

A face lift was going to by my next and last plastics procedure, but based on my less-than-optimal scar healing tendencies, both me and my surgeon decided its probably not best for me. While the incisions for the face lift are supposed to be hidden in your hairline and around your ears, it would likely not be so well hidden on me. And we are talking my face, so I don't want to risk it. Sooo....I decided I'm going the fillers route. I've been meaning to go for a proper consult for months, and reading this post spurned me into action, LOL. I've spoken to her briefly twice before when I was in for followups with my PS surgeon for scar revision. I've JUST got off the phone and booked a proper meeting for next week! My areas of concern are my sunken under eyes, the nasolabial folds (i.e., marionette lines), and my neck. Also I am considering addressing my jaw as the last time I spoke to her she said an inject-able in my jaw will relax my muscles there (as I am a night time teeth grinder) and will result in less headaches and a less wider face. Interesting, huh? In terms of cost, injectables are probably a little more expensive in the long run vs plastics, but its a scar thing for me. Further, most people who get face lifts, still get fillers anyway as face lifts alone don't address volume, only skin tightness. I have seen endless amounts of before and after pictures of people with face/neck lifts with FABULOUS results. I think your best place to start would be to book a consult (lots of places are doing virtual consults), with a surgeon to get basic info. It wouldn't have to be the surgeon you ultimately decide on, but at least you can get some info and a baseline to compare with other surgeons. Keep us updated if you can! ❤️

I’m thinking the GERD is from my regain, is there a bunch of hoops to jump through? My sleeve was done at north memorial hospital and when I went there about revision, the doctor stated that revision wasn’t an option and I needed to see dietitian and exercise more, I explained I was doing all that but I had some med changes and it caused a little weight gain. They said it would be at least a year of supervised diet and excersize then we could talk about a revision, uggg. what clinic did you go to and what hospital is surgery going to be done? mom sure it would be better than traveling to Rochester for all appointments. thank you

Hi !! So sorry you are going through this and I know EXACTLY how you feel !!! I had so much anxiety and fear for months after this revision wondering how I was going to not gain without my restriction. I was pretty flipped out but here I am 9 months later and the smallest I have ever been. Its crazy not to feel anything and very stressful but there is this thing called dumping that will keep you in line and believe me you dont want to mess with it ! Also the malabsorption of calories is a real thing ! I lost 12lbs the first month and I was at my original goal weight of 180 day of revision. I only lost 14lbs after my original surgery and I weighed 296 that day !! I could and can eat more with this surgery then my VSG but if I over eat I get violently ill ! It really sucked after having the revision but I must say it is better then the sleeve and if someone told me 9 months ago or 6 months ago I would be saying this I would have said NEVER and NO WAY !! Here I sit with no problem staying under 160 where I struggled just to stay at 170s with VSG. Love to hear what you think later down the road. Good luck

I had this fear as well. After a lifetime of being heavy and not being able to permanently lose weight, I wasn't convinced the surgery would work for me. That fear was compounded by the fact that for medical reasons I was forced to have the sleeve rather than the bypass. The surgery doesn't correct the psychological factors that lead to emotional eating or binging. That takes self-reflection or therapy and finding new ways to cope. However, it does address the physical aspects. The surgery will reduce the amount of ghrelin your body produces (one of the hormones responsible for making you hungry). For most people, this results in a reduced appetite (at least for a while). It will drastically reduce the amount you can eat before feeling full and make it physically difficult to overeat. In my case, the surgery even blunted the intensity of my cravings. I may want something I shouldn't have, but it's much easier to just tell myself no post-surgery. In the end, the surgery worked for me just like it does for most people. I lost all my excess weight and so far, I am maintaining the loss. It will work for you too (just be willing to put in the work of figuring out WHY you overeat and addressing those feelings).

Hi guys! I had a gastric bypass R-n-Y in Latvia in 2011. All went well, and I have now a BMI at 20,4. Two weeks ago I had severe cramps in my stomache, and my GP sent me to hospital to "take a look" with a tube down my throat (don't know what it's called in english - gastroscopy?) The doctor found that I have GERD, inflammation in my eating tube (?) due to defect muscle between the pouch and this eating tube. This hurts so bad. Acid-medication doesn't help. I have called a hospital in my homecountry (not Latvia), and asked if it is possible to remove the pouch, and thereby get rid of the inflammation and acid problems. And they could do it. Has any of you done this? The small intestine is placed directly on to the eating tube. How does this work for you?

I’m 2 days gastric bypass post op and I’m in so much pain I can’t get comfortable in any position. All I have for pain is the onQ bag and there’s a little leakage from the spot where that catheter is. I also can’t drink more than 1 oz an hour in tiny sips because drinking hurts. I’m also very bloated and up 10lbs from all the IV fluids. I see all these posts where people feel great a couple days out. I’m a little scared that something is wrong. Has anyone else experienced this?

Thanks for sharing all your information. I am scheduled for revision March 16. My original bypass was 11 years ago and will have my pouch made a smidge smaller and further distallize the common channel a little bit for a little malabsorption. I'm so ready! My only concern is return to work after the revision surgery. I was off 3 weeks with the original. I teach high school and came back for finals week, so had relatively easy days and then another two weeks off for the holidays immediately following that week of work. This time I'm only planning for 2 weeks - pandemic and all has made this school year a whole disaster and don't want to be gone any longer than I must. How long were you home for recovery? I didn't read all 17 pages of this thread yet - so maybe you mentioned that... but any advice you can offer is most appreciated!

I'm scheduled for a surgical revision on March 16. My docs (weight loss clinic) do not recommend the endoscopic procedure. As they put it - its like a bandaid on a gaping wound - it helps a little but not worth the effort to open the package and put it on. Good luck!

You bet! Where are you from? Locally we have a Weight Loss and Wellness Center affiliated with one of our hospitals. They are phenomenal and do ALL of the dealing with insurance and appeals and all of that. I'm happy to share their information if you are near enough to Springfield Illinois and would like their help. My revision was initially denied as well, and within two weeks they had arranged a phone call with the insurance company's doctor and my PA. I didn't have to do a thing except worry!

I’m excited for all you guys! And thanks for the responses! I’m still fighting with insurance on mine. But it’s great to see some updates on revisions. There’s not a lot of info on revision stories and how they go. Would love to keep up with your progress and success!!!

My recovery is going pretty good. I am still on liquid diet. I did however come back to work right away. I had my revision last Thursday, got released on Friday. Came back to work on Monday ! I am not so sour. I was Saturday and Sunday, but since i work from home its not all that bad. I am just really praying and hoping this REVISION puts me back on track to loose weight again. Crossing my fingers !!

I'm just behind you - revision coming March 16. How have you been recovering?

The switch will not help you with the GERD unfortunately. I am doing it because of regain. Allina’s program has been excellent. They commonly do revisions. It may be something to look into!

Yes, my insurance approved after a meeting between my doc and theirs. My original bypass is not "industry standard" - that is - the candy cane part of the intestine that they distallized originally is too long and potentially holding food. While they are shortening that, they'll minimize my pouch and reattach a little further down to give me the benefit of malabsorption. It won't be as drastic as the first time, but it will certainly help! How is your recovery going? How long are you off work?

congrats !! yay ! I just got my revision on 2/18/2021. They resized my pouch and did something else not sure exactly. The doctors explained it but not sure exactly. Are you going through your insurance?

Hi all! I am scheduled for revision of my bypass on March 16! Original stats : 260lbs pre-op RNY Bypass : November 2009 Lowest : 135lbs Plastics - Abdominoplasty; Panniculectomy; Thigh Lift : June 2011 Divorce - Remarried - Regained Sept 2020 : Re-entered Bariatric Program at 279lbs Current : 245lbs I will have my pouch resized and reconnected distally for a little bit of malabsorption. Hoping for ~ 70lb weightloss and then to maintain.

I've been married for almost 42 years and my husband was not in favor of either of my surgeries. I had the sleeve in 2014 for obesity (I had a 36 BMI like your wife) and just had a revision to bypass in October 2020. But in both cases, his concern was directly related to his fear that I was doing something drastic and irreversible for weight loss (sleeve) and GERD (bypass). But I can also tell you that he is very happy with the results. Tells the neighbors how great I look etc. He is very supportive of my eating habits and just thankful that I didn't quit cooking meals just because I don't eat them!! The most important thing you can do for your wife is share your concerns but reinforce that it's her decision and you are there for her both before and after surgery.

I see the surgery more as a strong tail wind that helped me to get to where wanted to go - but I had to do a lot of the work. I don't really eat until I feel restriction, because at that point, I've overeaten and there's a risk of it coming back up. "Full" cues are often different after RNY than they were before, and it takes awhile to figure out what they are. I usually just eat as much as I know I'm supposed to eat (which I pretty much know having been at it for almost six years), but when I do overdo it and get to the point where I'm feeling some pressure in my chest - or a bit uncomfortable - I know I need to stop RIGHT THEN or I'm going to be sorry. Granted, I had a virgin surgery - not a revision - so it may be different for revisionists.

Thank you! You're the only person that I've heard from that gets it! I have 3 friends that have had gastric bypass and don't understand how I could possibly not have a bit of restriction. Have you been losing the weight this time around without the restriction? I'm losing, but only because I haven't had a carb in 7 weeks! I'm worried about long term...

I hope you don’t leave this forum forever. I’m right there with you. I was revised to RNY from a lap band and my idea of “restriction” left with my band. I don’t feel “restriction” now. And many people who haven’t had a revision don’t understand what a shock the change can be. My cue now is more like “uff, I don’t want to eat anymore”. Not a “full” feeling, not a restriction as I knew it. I’m afraid of eating too much too. I follow my program, like you do, and feel like I could keep eating no problem. The only thing that I think has helped me is using a food scale and measuring the food, then eating only that. Even after measuring I don’t feel full, but I’m also not hungry because of the surgery, so I know eating more would be to satiate head hunger. Please don’t be discouraged. Keep reaching out for help and resources.