More deep thought about revision

[txladybug1993 31]

This can be very risky. This is the reason my friend has "failed", her surgeon didn't let her upper stomach and scar tissue relax and heal.

It's saves money to do it all in one go but in my opinion is risked. If you haven't had Lapland complications it may be safer but my surgeon said its super rare.

I don't think it was the Dr but the insurance that dictated the same day. When I originally spoke to my Dr he had stated he usually did them separately. When I found out I was approved all in one surgery I called the Dr and was told it was not uncommon for the insurance company to approve it that way.

[BrokeMyHalo 107]

I don't think it was the Dr but the insurance that dictated the same day. When I originally spoke to my Dr he had stated he usually did them separately. When I found out I was approved all in one surgery I called the Dr and was told it was not uncommon for the insurance company to approve it that way.

I wish I could do it in one go! I'm sure it'll go great!! Do you know what bougie he's using?

[Ms.AntiBand 2,984]

I wish I could have done it in one surgery too. I had to wait 18 months and go through countless endoscopic procedures before I could be cleared for sleeve. Hence my 75lb weight gain!?!!

As long as I was getting sleeved I didn't care what size my stomach was going to be.. And I'm ecstatic with what ever it is..

[asherje 81]

I was so happy they did it in one pass, I had gained another 30lbs in 4 months with the band opened while we were waiting for approval and going through all the red tape. I can only imagine having it removed, going through the pain or surgery, healing and doing it all over again with weight gain in the middle.

[txladybug1993 31]

I wish I could do it in one go! I'm sure it'll go great!! Do you know what bougie he's using?

I asked what size bougie and the nurse said he did not use a bougie but instead used the camera they use for the EDG. She said which means it is approx. 32 mm. Now my naieve assumption was that meant diameter but now that I am looking at bougie size comparisons I am a little worried that was circumference. My thinking it is circumfrence is because she also said that the 32 was on the small size of the bougie scale. I was told the reasoning for using the camara as a size guide was so they could monitor the stitches inside and out as they went to better control issues if any.

[soocalchic 1,087]

I continue to read about bogies.. I'm a revision and my surgeon doesn't use them he uses the scope as measuring gauge I thought that was interesting

[txladybug1993 31]

I continue to read about bogies.. I'm a revision and my surgeon doesn't use them he uses the scope as measuring gauge I thought that was interesting

Glad to hear another Dr. uses the scope as well since all I hear is bougie.

[CowgirlJane 14,261]

Please, none of you take this wrong, but you are fixating on the wrong topic. I do think there are tradeoffs and it is a good question to ask your surgeon why they do what they do... and either you trust their approach or you don't. I personally picked a surgical practice that has a good reputation and outstanding results and let them figure out how to do the surgery.

I did ask why they use a 38 and not the 32 that so many of the Mexican docs do. I liked their answer, and for me the proof is in the pudding as the saying goes. I have had wonderful success and no complications and thank god, no reflux (that is one of the risks with a smaller stomache).

So, what do I think you should be fixating on? Learning to live life without food as your crutch, best friend, enabler, emotion numbing device or whatever it is you use it for. I am telling you that over the long run the emotional / mental part is much harder then the physical. Be thinking about how you are going to get the support and education you need - hope you have a NUT who is as brilliant as mine was. It is AFTER the surgery that all the work is really done.

Now, over a year out i am feeling pretty good and comfortable with my new life, but it hasn't always been easy.

Strap on your seatbelt and be ready for the rollercoaster ride!

[Olivereindeer 30]

Melissa, I am waiting for my first surgeon apt after having my band removed by my surgeon in my state who does not perform sleeves.

He has advised me to go to a particular surgeon who has vast experience in band to sleeves as he states it is more complicated and has a higher leak rate. He stated the band to sleeve is not nearly as simple. . I need to fly two hours to get to him.

As this is really important surgery for me and its MAJOR surgery I don't want to take any further risks so I am happy to go interstate. It also gives me peace of mind.

[The.new.g 48]

Please, none of you take this wrong, but you are fixating on the wrong topic. I do think there are tradeoffs and it is a good question to ask your surgeon why they do what they do... and either you trust their approach or you don't. I personally picked a surgical practice that has a good reputation and outstanding results and let them figure out how to do the surgery.

I did ask why they use a 38 and not the 32 that so many of the Mexican docs do. I liked their answer, and for me the proof is in the pudding as the saying goes. I have had wonderful success and no complications and thank god, no reflux (that is one of the risks with a smaller stomache).

So, what do I think you should be fixating on? Learning to live life without food as your crutch, best friend, enabler, emotion numbing device or whatever it is you use it for. I am telling you that over the long run the emotional / mental part is much harder then the physical. Be thinking about how you are going to get the support and education you need - hope you have a NUT who is as brilliant as mine was. It is AFTER the surgery that all the work is really done.

Now, over a year out i am feeling pretty good and comfortable with my new life, but it hasn't always been easy.

Strap on your seatbelt and be ready for the rollercoaster ride!

Amen sister!

[The.new.g 48]

I had my band for 5yrs, sick & miserable for 5yrs lol. Slips, dilations, you name it.

I was revised dec 10th 2012, they removed my band and sleeved me all at once. My band made it easy to remove, since all the sutures had broken and the damn thing decided to wrap around my esophagus.

I had esophageal spasms for 2 weeks because of it but I'm doing good now & feel so much better

Holy crap! That is scary. My band was unclasped when they went in. What you went through sounds miserable. I'm glad things are much better for you now!

I do think that each surgeon decides whether to do a revision in 1 or 2 procedures based on the damage they see in each patient. That's why we hire our surgeons, for their experience and surgical expertise. Same goes for bougie size. There's no real way to say that anyone's revision in 1 or 2 surgeries was "safe" or "unsafe" if we weren't the surgeon looking at the patient at the time of the surgery. My surgeon told me he would try to do it in 1, but that he couldn't guarantee that until he got in and actually saw what was there. I'm glad he was able to do it in one, but if he had to do it in 2 I would have been grateful to have had his expertise to make that decision at the time of surgery.

[MelissaGG 9]

Melissa, I am waiting for my first surgeon apt after having my band removed by my surgeon in my state who does not perform sleeves.

He has advised me to go to a particular surgeon who has vast experience in band to sleeves as he states it is more complicated and has a higher leak rate. He stated the band to sleeve is not nearly as simple. . I need to fly two hours to get to him.

As this is really important surgery for me and its MAJOR surgery I don't want to take any further risks so I am happy to go interstate. It also gives me peace of mind.

[MelissaGG 9]

Oliver... Having a hard time responding but if you get this, can you let me know which revision surgeon you are using. I am seriously considering the Cleveland Clinic. a 1 hour plane ride or a 5 hour train ride from here

[Olivereindeer 30]

Melissa, I live in Australia. Bit far away to travel for a revision for you

[*susan* 1,709]

I am a band to sleeve revision as well. My band slipped twice and then started to erode. My surgeon had me have my band completely unfilled about a month prior to my revision. Then, for two weeks prior I was on a liquids only diet. All this was to give my tummy the opportunity to heal. I knew going into surgery there was a chance I might have my band removed only, and have to come back later for the sleeve. Fortunately, all the pre-op precautions Dr. Aceves had me do worked, and I was able to have my band to sleeve revision in one surgery. I have had no complications and absolutely no regrets!

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