Search the Community

For me it was gas or a burp that caused that problem. It was from drinking too fast. They did keep me on nexium for the first 30 days post op and then we stopped that. Bypass is supposed to cure acid reflux. I had very severe reflux and Gerd prior to RNY. I have never had another episode. My chest pain always comes from drinking or eating too fast. I have learned to avoid that and then I don't get the burps stuck. Sometimes when I have to take a pill I find myself gulping instead of sipping and that creates gas in my tummy. I am 9 months post op and even now if I get a burp stuck it is uncomfortable until it comes up. Drinking through a straw can cause that as well. Adds more air into your pouch.

Under the premise that the most important component of your car is the nut holding the steering wheel, I don't have a real preference; it's a tool and the most important part is still what's between the surgeon's ears. The doc who adopted our local support group, one who is well regarded for doing complex revisions, has mentioned that he has no real preference to them - he uses them if the hospital he is at has it and it is available, but he isn't specifically scheduling himself around it. My real concern is would the robot help a surgeon who is low on the learning curve, say on doing sleeves, be less likely to make a sleeve with a stricture? Or if the surgeon is one who is apprehensive about working around a fatty liver be less likely to close up and send the patient home without completing the job?

Check with your team. While there can be similarities, different surgeries can have additional vitamin needs. Bypass often has very specific vitamin needs but sleeve not as much. I only had to take a multi vitamin with my sleeve & stopped taking them at around 8 months. Surgeons have different requirements too in regard to whether you can swallow vitamins or need to get gummies/chewies or patches. Plus your blood work may show you need or don't need a specific vitamin/s as well. Vitamins are too expensive to just randomly buy them without finding out exactly what you need first. Some will make you nauseous so be warned & yes don’t take your iron with your calcium. Spread them out through out your day if yiu have trouble with them.

So I feel like I'm ranting, but I'm really searching for information. My 08 band has slipped, pouch is stretch, so-on & so forth. Insurance WILL NOT pay for revision to sleeve - denied for not seeing doctor for 3 years, might not cover fixing of this band and will only cover "emergent" to take the band out. The PA said I can live on a 2-4 week liquid diet, high protein, low cards and they'd try to submit for insurance to cover going in a repositioning this band. Is this safe? They think I can live with the "complications" of the slip by not over eating, swelling my belly/pouch, and making better choices. When, or IF, the band causes such discomfort they will submit for emergent surgery to take out. I'm really lost, pissed, and getting fatter by the day - what would you do? Do I fight with insurance doctors? My next appointment is Nov 4th to review my liquid weeks and see how I'm feeling. If I choose good foods and don't over eat the symptoms are much less, burping, pain in back/shoulder, reflux, but if I do what overweight people do - EAT and eat wrong then I pay. Thoughts anyone?

I am 4 days post op had band removed to bypass and the Dr said the bank was in an akward position against my liver and the skin to cut through from bypass was tough but i was doing fine until day 4 and stopped being able to swallow much at all got a slight fever felt horrible Dr done lots of tests including ct feels confident this is from inflammation and will get better soon I am still on hospital worried and depressed. Has any body else e experienced this?

Ok hi all I'm wanting to Touch base with the light weights and revision RNY's. I myself am a lightweight and a so to be revision. Sleeve to Rny . I had the sleeve 6 months ago and only lost 35lb after 12 weeks if no weight loss and 14 weeks of no inches lost It was suggested to me to get a revision . I'm getting the RNY for its metabolic reset value and to loss the rest of my 60lbs. I was 244 the day I was sleeved and 209 today 5"6. So how was your weight loss? Did you loss slow? How many lbs a week did you loss? Are you a first time lightweight or are you a revision light weight?

Hi again @OhioSparkle. There's also @ CMD516, she will be going to Riverside late Autumn- Early Winter, hav8ng the same Dr Rana Nnoi had. There's Lynn in Cincinnati, Marcus,up in Fremont, DRoseman in NW Ohio, I think Bowling Green And there is my other Bari-pal Merc Merc, now she is extra-special. She had her surgery on July 25th at Nationwide Children's Hospital. Until her I wasn't aware they,have,an Adolescent Bariatric Program. Since she had her first,surgery there, she,had her Bypass done there also. And Dr,Marc, the head guy and Dr Needleman, my own guy ,did it together. Ask any of us any questions and we will do our,best to answer. You are a good mother by investing in their future, insuring they will have and keep their mommy. And you will,be a more fun mommy when you can do more, play more and be fun to be around. Don't believe the horror stories, that's all they are, stories. Keep talking to Nnoi and me, we will tell you the up side to it all, lots more joy than sorrow to this. And go ahead and answer Sosewsue61 if you like , I also will be a bypass, I havemy reasons why it's better for me, but notwithstanding, I love everyone of my sleeved buddies, we are all fighting the same weight wars, after all! So smile, be sweet to the kiddos and we will talk more when you have time, okay?😝

Hi Ohio Sparkle, I am also a Buckeye, live 15 miles from Ohio' s Center which is Centerburg. FYI,My Mama graduated from there in 1935. I meet with my surgeon Dr Needlman next Tuesday 7/17/2018 for my presurgical appointment, I am hoping yet that day I am assigned a surgery date. I will be having a RnY bypass at Ohio State University-Wexner Medical Center in Columbus. I stand 5ft8in, weigh 321 down,from a high of 356 last October. I have strawberry blonde (redgold) hair fair skin, walk with a cane because I have 2 replacement,knees, wear glasses mostly because of Old Age, also I have had a cataract removed from my riight eye plus I have been near sighted since childhood. And last but not least i,am 72 years old. Betcha, I. can beat,your obesity story. I was born at he end of the Second World, only child 0f my parents. After every nursing,i was to be fed a 8 oz bottle of Carnation Milk formula. At I year,i was 36 inches,tall and 35 lbs. That is roughly the size the size of 2 1/2 year olds. So I have been big my entire life.

I chose bypass because I wanted to lose the most weight without having to go back in. No other health issues besides being over weight.

Hey all! I'm new to this forum but a lot of the topics have really helped me so thank you!! I actually had a Band to Sleeve revision 6 days ago. Everything is going great so far.. No real pain.. Been doing clear liquid diet now since my surgery. I'm wondering when you all made that transition from Clear liquids to full liquid? My body is craving nutrition.. I must only be getting 150 calories a day right now. I know all surgeons have different plans but I feel like my body is ready to advance. I'm very weak too which is what bothers me the most. So far I've lost 18 pounds since my weigh in last Monday which is insane. Would love any advice I can get! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

After I had my port revision I had pretty good restriction but I could take a bite or two and it would sort of hurt but then if I waited a few minutes I could go ahead with my meal and to me was eating too much so I decided to go and get another fill. Well when I did this he moved me up to 1.6 and the rest of that day and most of the next day I couldnt hardly even swallow liquid or even saliva was uncomfortable and I was burping up acid so by the next afternoon I decided to go and get some taken out. The medical assistant went in and tried to get it and she couldnt get it out so she called the nurse in and she tried and by then she could only get like less than one cc to come back out and now I have no restriction at all. My question is has anyone experienced this? I am scared that somehow the first girl somehow punctured the tubing or something and all my saline leaked out. I am scared now because I just recently had the port revision and I dont want to have to go back in now and have something else fixed. Can anyone advise? I cant get another appt with the dr until December 20th when he is back in town.

Today was my consultation to see if i qualify for WLS...I HAD MY MIND SET ON THE SLEEVE...BUT HOWEVER THE SURGEON THINKS GASTRIC BYPASS WOULD BE MORE BENEFICIAL TO ME. ANYWAYS MY STARTING WEIGHT IS 245 MY BMI IS 43.4 & IM 5'3...I MEET WITH THE NUTRITIONIST IN A WEEK TOMORROW...IM OVER THE MOON WITH EXCITEMENT!!!! I HAVE PCOS, JOINT PAIN & A LITTLE JOINT PAIN! [ATTACH]2567[/ATTACH]

My RNY was on the 19th of September and the Doctor has me crushing all pills until the 19th of October. I can hardly wait to bypass the foul tasting ground up meds. I've been mixing with unsweetened Applesauce or Oikos Triple Zero Yogurt

Hi, I had the bypass in November 2014 at that time i wore a size 26 and it was stretched to its limits but I wouldn't get a bigger size i was so ashamed of myself. I will admit I was terrified , I was the last lady down for surgery that day (17) and when I woke in intensive care I felt wonderful, yes I had some discomfort but I knew that I would lose my weight and a big emotional weight lifted off me, I swear it helped me recover faster. I was kicked out of intensive care after 2 hours and sent to a regular ward. I had a few problems initially with my new stomach but it was quickly sorted ( i couldn't drink cold water everything had to be tepid or I was sick) but it was the start of the new me . I am now wearing size 14 and I'm still losing weight although more slowly now , I go out and enjoy myself with friends and even wore a bikini on holiday earlier this month ( key hole surgery ,love it no big scars). So if you are still trying to work out which op to go for my vote is the bypass as once it is done that's it, no more filling and adjusting the band , or worries it may slip. you can't over eat because after eating a small amount you are full. The downside is you do need to have a B12 injection every 12 weeks and to take calcium and vitamin tablets. Well whatever you chose ladies ( and gents) I wish you all the best. Chysalis2butterfly

I choose the sleeve for three reasons: 1. My surgeon okayed drinking alcohol (down the road) with the sleeve and recommend lifelong abstinence with bypass. 2. My surgeon said the same about NSAID'S. I have quite a bit of arthritis and even down 80 lbs, I still need my ibuprofen. 3. I like the idea of just cutting off some of my stomach as opposed to all the plumbing rerouting and the whole dead stomach thing. I'm not sure about the whole hunger thing. If I avoid simple carbs, I'm not hungry, but if I eat them, I still want more (I'm in month 4).

When I started my process I originally was going to do Lap Band. I want as minimum done to my body as possible as far as surgery goes. After my consultation with the surgeon, he said he basically stopped doing the band and recommended the sleeve or bypass. I ultimately decided sleeve because I figured I would rather lose part of my stomach than rearrange everything. It has been good to me. It will be a year on January 31st. I have lost about 150lbs and started out at 323lbs. It all really depends on what you end up preferring. I haven't had any issues so far since the surgery.

@@mckwestla I think it is a personal decision and each of us has our own reasons for our selection. For me it was the fact that long term data about the sleeve is showing almost as good total weight loss as the bypass, using a simpler procedure with less risk and less side effects (malabsorption, dumping syndrome, etc.) I also consulted with my surgeon and based on my weight, health and reasons behind my weight gain he agreed that the sleeve was the best option. If you haven't already, a good conversation with your surgeon should help you decide. I would ask about the residual effects of both procedures. For example, the sleeve removes about 75-80% of the stomach, including the fundus which is where ghrelin (hunger hormone) is generated. Thus, sleevers have relatively little actual hunger. The bypass does resect the stomach but leaves the old stomach, including most of the fundus in place. I think it would be worthwhile to know whether the same ghrelin reduction occurs in the bypass. Also, I've heard that the sleeve has, over time, less risk of stretching than the bypass pouch. I don't know this to be the case, just have heard it and it is worth asking about. Hopefully the surgeon you select can help you choose the best procedure for your needs.

Prior to having my band placed, I had a significant history with GERD, and was told by my surgeon that complications were very possible. Because of that history, when my reflux got worse, I was ruled out as an acceptable candidate for the sleeve because of my GERD. After 22 months I did have to have my band removed to get some relief from my reflux. Two different surgeons warned me that I would have even more complications with the sleeve, and advised if I opted for revision surgery my only option would be bypass. So far, I am doing well with keeping my weight stable without my band and no weight gain since December. I hope you feel better....you did not mention if you were taking Nexxium. I was taking it 2X a day, and it did help the most.

Excited to have replies. Infinite Butterfly - you hit the nail on the head saying when you said "focusing on other stuff instead of my next mean". That is me - I actually talked with my surgeon over the phone on Friday. We are acquaintences, and he also performed my lumpectomy for my Breast Cancer in January 2013. I thought I had been having gall bladder pains and he called because they were having to reschedule some appts and he wanted to talk with me. He said at one point that there was something he wanted to discuss, but did not mean it in a bad way. I told him I knew exactly what he was going to say and was going to bring it up to him during the appt. He said that he liked the Sleeve over Bypass and LapBand because it was metabolic also and not just a physical one. He explained about the hormone. I also would not choose the bypass because before I started teaching I would for a gastroenterology group. I saw too many people with complications with dumping syndrome. And as a science teacher, I can understand removal over rerouting. Our intestines were made to flow a certain way. I will still have some stomach after the surgery and food will flow through it like our bodies were made for. My college roommate's husband (who is an OBGYN) also had this done. So, I kinda figure that if a doctor has it then it should be pretty safe too. He is next on my list to call before the appt.

I still have no word on revising this band. I checked with insurance coordinator yesterday and she said its still in pending. I'm not having terrible problems if I don't overeat, but I'm steadily gaining. Probably up another 2-3lbs. I have no self control and I just sit in front of a desk all day long. I'm about to start popping dextrim - LOL...I'm sure sometime in my weight loss trial and errors I did that.

It is major surgery, but the percentage of complications is very low. You will most likely have an EGD as part of preop diagnostics and be put under for that, so you will experience being put under prior to surgery - then you will get an intro to anesthetic that way. Why did you choose bypass? Do you have reflux? Do you want the 'dumping aspect' as a deterrent to sweets? I am just curious.... Welcome and try to read the forums, and ask questions.

I was revised from band to sleeve on Jan. 8. I'm down 20/lbs and walk on the 'dreadmill' about 2 miles a day. Feeling great. My weight loss has been slower because I'm only 10/lbs away from goal.

I had my second visit with my surgeon today. I verified that he DOES in fact perform sleeves. However, he stated that he's only done 6 of them to date. Now, mind you he's had extensive experience with bypass and the lap band. So, my question is would you feel comfortable having him do your procedure? I mean someone's got to be the "firsts", right? Do you think that he'd be even more wary/alert because it's a new procedure to him? Just curious to get others opinions.

Yes I had surgery on 10/22 bypass would love a surgery support buddies

Dr. Aceves is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. (FACS.org) This means that the American College of Surgeons has done an extensive background check on the doctor. He has to exceed the same standards as a US surgeon. His background is completely verified, his licensing, credentials, certifications, absolutely everything. If he does not maintain his reputation and current standards he cannot maintain his affiliation with the FACS. FACS is a really impressive issue in the world of medicine. Not all US doctors can maintain the background and honesty necessary to be a Fellow of the ACS. But Dr. Aceves can. There is a doctor in MX that claims to have almost 600 VSG procedures completed. He claims to have been doing this procedure for 3.5 years. Yet according to his CV he was just trained in the procedure 2.5 years ago. We know full well he has not done as many VSG procedures as he claims but unless you know what to look for you won't know that his statistics are impossible. This is why going to an FACS surgeon is critical whether you are going to a US or MX surgeon. Surgeons from all over the world (including the US) inflate their stats so they appear more experienced than they are. If they told the truth about their inexperience they wouldn't get any business. So, they are less than honest. Dr. Aceves is the Vice President of the Mexican version of the American Bariatric Assn. This is a position that is voted, so the doctors of MX voted him into this position. They recently voted again and he will be President this year. There is another organization called the International Federation of Surgical Obesity. (IFSO.com) This is an organization where weight loss surgeons all over the world belong. A few years ago Dr. Aceves holds the position of Secretary for this organization so this means that even the US doctors voted him into this office. Dr. Aceves is a proctor surgeon meaning he trains other doctors in various bariatric procedures. He typically travels to one country a month and either attends lectures to further his own knowledge on the new advances in medicine or he trains other doctors in various surgical procedures. He recently returned from Chile and Argentina training their doctors in the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. He trains US surgeons in the various procedures as well. Mexico has been doing the sleeve longer than US doctors and there are simply very few doctors willing to train other US doctors because then they would have competition. Dr. Aceves believes competition in this procedure is good as patients have more surgeons to choose from. Dr. Aceves has done over 2200 Lap Bands, over 1000 Gastric Sleeves, and over 1000 Gastric Bypass procedures. This means he has over 900 staple lines, a technique that is critical in a safe surgery for a VSG procedure. When researching surgeons you want someone that has done at least 250 VSG and at least 250 Gastric Bypass procedures. The reason is that the Gastric Bypass procedure has a very difficult staple line. It is an interrupted staple line and quite difficult to do. If a surgeon can do the more difficult Gastric Bypass staple line, he can do the easier VSG staple line. (This was sent to me over 3 years ago, so I am sure he has done way more sleeves by now) Leaks are a potential problem with this procedure but he has a technique where he over sews the staple line and we believe this one of the many reasons he has never had a leak with a VSG. I think one big issue here to remember is that just because someone is practicing in the US, that does not make them a good or skilled surgeon. Just because someone is in MX does not mean they are not a skilled surgeon or a person without ethics. I had a choice to go to any surgeon I wanted for my own sleeve and the only doctor I wanted to go to was Dr. Aceves. He is the surgeon with the most skill, the best stats, the best reputation, and the safest location. I include US doctors in that assessment as well when it comes to the sleeve procedure. I am a nurse, I've been in his OR many times during surgery and after watching him operate I was quite certain he is the only surgeon I wanted operating on me. Another upside to going to Dr. Aceves. In the US if you have the VSG you will likely spend one night in the hospital. Dr. Aceves does not agree with this. He keeps you in a fully equipped hospital for three nights following surgery. He believes you need to be medically supervised, have a total of three leak tests to be 100% certain you have no leak upon returning home, and he wants someone monitoring your vital signs, drain tube, and he wants someone available to manage your pain should you have any. He does not believe in sending you home before three nights/four days. Keep in mind, we completely and totally depend on reputation for business. We have no insurance companies referring patients, we have to do it by reputation. Dr. Aceves has been operating on US citizens for many years. He wouldn't have the reputation he does if he didn't do the best possible job for each patient. He has a great rep because we all do the job the right way. He has another belief, he only hires educated people around him. I am his patient coordinator and I am an RN. Most in this position (US or MX) are merely patients that have had surgery, they do not necessarily have any medical training. His Office Manager (my boss) is an engineer by trade. Her Office Assistant is a Law student. His OR techs (OR techs are used in the US and typically have 9 months of training) are actually 4 year RNs. His hospital coordinator is a retired teacher that previously taught English in the MX school system. His Aftercare Specialist is a PhD. She is a licensed psychologist in MX and available to all Dr. Aceves patients by phone or email. This was sent to me by Dr. Aceves' office when I had my surgery. I don't think they are telling lies about his experience and certifications.