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My program didn't offer mini gastric bypass. I would have chose RNY either way. Are there a lot of stats on mini gastric bypass?

I know GERD is definitely a concern with VSG because I take Nexium because of past acid reflux. I had to have numerous GI test in preparation for the sleeve to see if I was able to do the sleeve or would I have to do gastric bypass. From medical studies, it shows that reflux can increase 47 percent after the gastric sleeve so we do know this is an issue with the sleeve. However, if you never had GERD or reflux before, you will probably be okay with not experiencing any after the sleeve.

Dr. D is my doctor too! I was banded in Mexico in 3/10 and Dr. D has taken care of me ever since. He is the most caring and patient doctor I have ever been to. I am having my band removed and revision to VSG surgery with him on 6/17. Although I am within 10 lbs of my goal with the band, we both agree that the and isn't working for me at all. I have had more fills/unfills than I can count. I am so looking forward to a better quality of life with the sleeve! I will update you all and wish you all good luck in your journey!

awesome thanks!.. yeah, i'm trying to look at the actual policy online now. I'm going to try and push it hard so I can get it done quick. I don't want to wait.... I think with him not being able to access the port to my lap band, he told me that I can either have surgery to go in and replace that or he can see about doing the revision (he has to look at my xrays of the band first)... I'll know more on the 27th. I'm thinking since I have gained weight.... He can't even access the port.... and lap band slippage...it may make it a lot easier for him to get the approval from the insurance just do the revision. I just hope they don't make me go through all the hoopla. I can't see having all these complications and then having to turn around and do the 3 month doctor supervised diet.

I don't know whether bypass surgery would have any bearing on lumbar treatment, but with lumbar herniation that has worsened, get yourself to a physiatrist, preferably one who specializes in spine. Left untreated, you have potential to end up with problems that can needlessly make you unhappy for the rest of your life. If i were you and had no knowledge of a possible lumbar-spine connection, I'd make an appointment (get a referral if you haven't seen a physiatrist in the past) and let this doctor know about the WLS. I'd also mention the lumbar problem to the WLS surgeon. Either or both of them would know if there were something to it. (My own guess is not, but I'm no medico.) The exam is pretty much being told to bend this way, that way, do this, do that, does this hurt, does that hurt. Also xrays and MRI. The usual protocol is first, PT. If insufficient result, injection. If that's futile, surgery. Don't get excited; you haven't even made the phone call yet. It may be that doctors proceed differently depending on variables.. In the meantime, if you're permitted nsaid's get an o-t-c product, preferably extra strength. Keep cool and don't ignore this. AT 2:30am I just want to get the thoughts out in any fashion. I hope I didn't scare you too much beyond Halloween.

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.

Had my consult with the bariatric surgeon. He said that sleeve or bypass are both possible after esg. Sleeve would depend on the anatomy of the stomach and could only be done if the stomach had dilated or stretched a lot since esg. He did also add that if the esg did not work for me then a sleeve may also not be as effective. The only way to see what would be best is to do a gastroscope and decide after this. He did say that as this is considered revision surgery, a leak from a sleeve or bypass would be higher risk and that his preference is most likely a bypass but would wait until after a scope to further discuss this with me and decide. As for now, I have lost 15kg in 2019. Hoping not to need surgery but glad to have a plan to move forward if I do. Mel xx

Even with a BMI of 40, Kaiser wants to see that you have tried all the other avenues - ie Healthy Ways at Kaiser and other weight loss programs like Weight Watchers. There is also a Mindful Eating class at Kaiser (I took it at So. Sac) that is in adult psychiatry. My PCP at Elk Grove Kaiser is also not big on WLS, but I had already done Healthy Ways twice, the Mindful eating class, and Weight Watchers a few times. I don't have any co-morbidities - he sent me for the sleep apnea test a couple of years ago when Kaiser only did gastric bypass, but I didn't have it. You can switch PCPs at Kaiser to see if you can get one that is more open to WLS but I think they will all look for certain things in your history as far as attempts to lose the weight. Good Luck.

Eek! I'm considering revising so that scares me that I might be starving after surgery!

Hey all! Just wanted to let you know I received payment from AB Health (out of country) for revision surgery. I was really surprised that they would pay for it (they paid me for a portion of my lapband surgery back in 2008)! Every little bit helps so happy to see a check for just over $2000! Back on the line of credit (although I could use a new ikea kitchen!!)! . Nina (Dr. Aceves office) was awesome in getting everything to me for being itemized for a bill! Now to remember claim it on my income tax time!!

Hey! I had surgery last Thursday (so it’ll be a week in a few hours, lol). I had gastric bypass and I’m going back tomorrow. I feel great. Of course, I pushed hard to walk every hour as soon as I woke up and have been up and about every day.

Hello I would suggest that you go with what surgery is best for you - not let your schooling decide for you! School can be postponed, your health cannot! However, that being said, I would say that in your situation, a band would be better as there's less healing to go through. Remember that with a Bypass you'll have had major major surgery, spent some time in Intensive Care and been pretty poorly. With a band there is not a single change to your anatomy, and to be honest, after 10 days I was feeling more or less back to normal. The "lack of food thing" you speak about - I feel no different - no ligtheadedness etc. I've had my 2nd fill and I'm still not at my sweet spot yet, but I'm getting there and am losing weight slowly. To those that don't know i've had the band, my diet is working well!!!! After the band the pain was completely tolerable - only 2 or 3 days of taking pain killers, and then rest for a few days. after 10 days I was out walking 3 miles a day and enjoying the rest of my time off work (My GP signed me off work for 3 weeks!!!!! - totally unecessary!)

Congrats on your revision, please let me know how it goes. I hope all goes well for you.

I am very private and decided to tell only close family. Now almost 4 months have passed and just last week my stepsons girlfriend saw me and kept hinting if I had a Lapband (I had gastric bypass). I just avoided the questions... I wish I were more like some of you and have no problem telling others about my surgery but my mind goes back to the days of yo-yo dieting... I would tell others I was dieting... I would lose 20 pounds... People would be proud of me... Then I would gain back 30!! In the back of my mind I'm still scared like that!! I've done great so far... My first appointment I was 306 lbs 5'4". During the 6 month diet I went to 280. Ended my 2 week preop diet at 270. Surgery 9/21/15. Today I'm 225. I still have a ways to go but I feel better than I can ever remember in my life!!!

I have around 200 to lose and when I did my research by the numbers it seemed the rny was the best option. I still haven't gotten the all clear from my shrink because one of the meds I'm on has serious issues with dosing. If he can switch my drugs (which that is our goal anyways I am weaning off that med) I get the bypass otherwise the surgeon says sleeve. Sent from my SGH-M919 using the BariatricPal App

Hi Everyone! I am suppose to be taking a pre opt multi vitamin with minerals 2 weeks before surgery. Then it says on same sheet at bottom stop taking vitamin E. Well everything has freaking vitamin E in it. I’m going crazy and my surgery is suppose to be on 21st. I may have to postpone because of this. I’m still taking my multi vitamin that has E in it. Just doesn’t make sense. Can anyone share what pre opt brand of multi vitamin they took before gastric bypass? Thanks so much!

I think you may find it useful to read a British article on the band fluffy http://www.bospa.org/Information.aspx?Page=2 I quote directly from that report.. Risks and Side Effects Fortunately, complications are rare but it is important you learn about the potential problems before you decide to proceed with the surgery. Firstly, being obese makes any surgery more risky. Anaesthetics are more difficult, and obesity–related diseases that you may have can add further complications. Statistics show the death rate associated with gastric band insertion to be about 1 in 2,000 operations. The most common cause of death is the development of a blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism). Occasionally patients may develop other complications at the time of operation such as an infection in the lungs, stomach or at the site where the reservoir is placed under the skin, which may delay recovery. The placement of the gastric band laparoscopically helps to reduce the risk of complications, and the team who manage your surgery and anaesthetic are specially trained in the treatment of obese patients. They will monitor you closely in the period immediately following your surgery, and take a range of measures to prevent complications from arising, including giving you medications to help prevent vomiting (and dislodging the band) and blood clots and getting you up and about soon after the operation. Overall, international studies suggest that 1 in 10 people with a gastric band will need a further operation at some time in the future. This may be due to: Slippage. Months or even years after the operation, there is always the risk that the stomach will move up through the band and the upper pouch will become enlarged. The band can be re–fixed in the correct position. Erosion. Very slowly, and particularly if the balloon is tightly inflated, the band can work its way into or through the wall of the stomach and cease to be effective. In this case the band would be removed and and replaced if possible. Leakage. This may be due to damage of the reservoir or tubing if fills are not carried out with extreme care or if two of the band components come apart. Again, this would necessitate replacement of the damaged component. Infection of the reservoir/port or tubing. It may need to be resited or replaced if the infection persists and in the case of severe infections which have been resistant to antibiotic treatment, the band may have to be removed. The band itself is made of silicone and there are no known side effects to this material inside the body. However, you do have to bear in mind the possibility that some time in the future your band may need to be replaced simply because it has worn out or newer, better bands have been developed to replace current ones (hip replacement prostheses are replaced for these reasons). If you have a lesser known brand of gastric band from a small company, they may not be around in 20 years time when you need your band replacing. Some people will fail (lose less than 25% of the excess weight) with a gastric band and in these cases, the surgeon may advise that a gastric bypass operation is performed. However, don’t give up too soon on your band if you are one of these people – experience in Australia shows that it can take a full 2 years for people to get their heads around how to live effectively with their gastric band, and when they do, they start to lose weight. The most common cause of the worst risk which is death comes from pulmonary embolism which is a result of any surgery, the lapband and sleeve gastrectomy actually are the safest forms of WLS its bypass surgery which carries a 1:200 death risk ( according to statistics) resulting from complications of the bypass, this is not the case for lap bands. Of course you are entitled to your opinions Healthy informative discussion is good, but the US is only 1 country and if you really want to start down the line of facts and figures then you need to look at things on a more global basis.

I am just so impressed with your choosing the band and doing so well when you had so much to lose! My friend is about 350, and is a multi-Weight Watchers failure. I was wondering if the band would still be an option vs bypass, as she also has so much to lose. Thanks for the inspiration! Hope she chooses something surgical before her weight overwhelms her to the point of giving up! Continued success to you! Amazing! Wonderful! Congrats!

There is a condition called "reactive hypoglycemia" which is low blood sugar that occurs after a meal - usually within 4 hours after eating. Several individuals who underwent gastric bypass developed this condition even though they never had diabetes prior to surgery. Signs and symptoms of reactive hypoglycemia may include hunger, weakness, shakiness, sleepiness, sweating, lightheadedness, anxiety and confusion.

Hello Canadian Band Buddies For those of you that have not heard CIBO Clinic in Toronto has filed for bankruptcy. I received the following email today from Dr. Chris Cobourn at Smartshape (formerly Surgical Weightloss Centre) and he has asked me to post this message. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs Hi Tom: We had a meeting at the clinic today and we have come up with the following option for CIBO patients. We will offer them the opportunity to join our follow up program which includes: Initial assessment/consultation with Dr. Cobourn either in person or on the phone Counseling with our team of nurses, coaches and dietitians via email, telephone or in person as necessary Band adjustments as necessary Band adjustments can be performed at our facilities in Mississauga or Downtown Toronto, and with our affiliates across the country Radiologic or endoscopic evaluation as necessary 24/7 access to one of our surgeons if there are concerns or worries after hours Access to weekly webinars by our nurses and dietitian Access to Lap Band Connect – an extensive online support forum for Lap Band patients Access to this comprehensive program is offered to CIBO patients at the cost of $1000 per year and can be renewed annually as the patient wishes. We are not able to offer a fee for individual adjustments because our philosophy of care is that the highest quality Lap Band care is more extensive than simple band adjustments. There was a great deal of empathy for the situation of these patients that are not able to access a follow up program that they have paid for. However there needs to be an understanding that there are real costs associated with the delivery of this extensive follow up and we cannot offer this program without additional cost to the patient. We understand that additional costs may be a burden for these patients and have modified or usual access fee for the CIBO patients. It is important to understand that access to the follow up program does not include the cost of any revision surgery that may be necessary. Revision surgery may include port fixation or placement, as well as band repositioning, replacement or removal. We will develop a schedule of costs for these revision procedures. Please feel free to post this information on the Message Forums that you have access to. You know the quality of the follow up that we provide and we think this is a fair and reasonable option for these patients. SWLC is well known for the quality of care we provide and all patients who join our program will have full access to the post op care we provide to our patients. We want to assure the CIBO patients that we are here to help them if they are interested in our program. Dr. Chris Cobourn | Surgeon and Medical Director SmartShape™ Weight Loss Centre Phone: 905.278.8000 | Toll-free: 1.888.278.7952 | Website: smartshape.ca 1413 Hurontario Street Mississauga ON L5G 3H5

My opinion of this psychologist isn't really changing. I had my first day of educational classes (1 of 2) yesterday, of which she taught the first half. First off, big hats off to this community for the education here. I feel as if I already knew 95% of what was covered yesterday, and that's incredible! So, the psychologist. She is very firmly implanting in our minds that we will not lose beyond the average of 27% total body weight with the sleeve. Very firmly. I realize in her mind she is trying to manage expectations (so we don't all think we're going to be a size 2 and be disappointed down the line), but she went so far as to kind of shoot me down in front of the group when I said I was an overachiever and would still try to lose more weight after the first year. She also said we should not begin any exercise routines (going to the gym) that we would not be able to keep up with for the rest of our lives, and that we would not lose past our set point. She even suggested I would get "bypass envy" and should consider bypass over the sleeve for an extra 7% loss. I understand that this first year is to build healthy habits that will carry over into maintenance and for the rest of our lives. I know that our bodies have a 'set point' that it will want to stop at. But I'm also being told in thread after thread on this forum that it IS possible to lose more with effort. Just venting, I guess. I really am a bit frustrated with her. I'm going to stop thinking about the numbers and continue to prep for surgery and believe that I am not limited by her or anyone else. Will I be happy with the 27%? Yes of course! 77 lbs would be an incredible loss. But people here have given me hope to know that more is possible.

Hello, has anyone gone from Sleeve to Bypass?

As everyone else said— stalls suck and happen. I near lost my mind during mine [emoji51] Hang in there— drink TONS of water and walk . It comes off and kicks in- promise HW 242, SW 236- (Bypass 12/20/17) GW#1- 199 [emoji736] (2/11/18) GW#2- 180 [emoji736] (4/2/18) GW#3- 160 CW 178 5’6”

Congratulations! Nice to meet you???? Sip, sip, sip and walk, walk walk! Try drinking different temperature of liquids(warm may work better than cold or vice versa).Good luck on your journey! 5wks out gastric bypass surgery! Sent from my SM-N920T using the BariatricPal App

Thanks, it sounds awful and it's what is making me afraid of the bypass.