Band revised to sleeve revised to bypass! Please help

[jamiep5 13]

My name is Jamie and I started my weight loss journey many years ago but my surgery journey started in February 2010. I was 330 pounds at 27 years old. I was always a healthy person but after 4 knee surgeries I gained over 100 pounds and tried EVERYTHING to try to loose the weight. When I hit 330 I knew it would end up being life or death.

I attended a bariatric surgery meeting at my mothers suggestion. After meeting with my surgeon and discussing all options with my husband we decided on the lap band. (Man was that a mistake) I had the lap band surgery in May 2010 and it only took me 3 weeks to recover!! I thought I had done enough research to prepare my self but I was very wrong. Eating was hard and I was seeing the Dr almost every 4 to 6 weeks for 3 years trying to figure out where the perfect fill was. After 3 frustrating years of throwing up and learning how to cheat with the band we decided it was time to revise the band. I decided to do the a sleeve, it seemed like a safer and less invasive surgery. I was very excited to start this new journey after seeing co workers have great success with it.

I had my revision to the sleeve May 2013. The recovery was much harder then the recovery from the band and I think it was due to doing the band removal and the sleeve revision at the same time. After 6 weeks I was as good as new and dropping weight at a nice pace. I was very excited to eat right and exercise because I was actually loosing weight!!! After the first 3 months I began to get really painful chest pains. Being a person that never had to deal with acid reflux, GERD or heartburn I didn't know what the pain was from. I went back to my Dr and he began seeing me every 2 - 4 weeks and we tried every acid reflux, hernia, heartburn and GERD medication we could. By the time I was 10 months out I was in such bad pain and no medication would help my Dr decided we needed to revise my sleeve to the full bypass to eliminate the acid from being created in my stomach. I am very unhappy with this decision so I went to 3 other doctors that specialize in acid reflux and weight loss surgery and sadly they all agreed with my surgeons prognosis. We began the insurance approval process and it was a little harder to get the bypass surgery approved this time since I am 178 pounds and they didn't see a reason for the surgery.

Last Tuesday the pain got so bad I ended up in the ER for 6 hours as they tried to figure out how to make the pain stop. The prognosis was esophagus spasms so I had to be put on a liquid diet since eating hurt. Finally my insurance approved the surgery and my doctor is rushing the surgery date due to the severity of this issue.

My revision to bypass is scheduled for May 13 2014 and I am completely freaking out!!!! This is not a surgery I want and I am concerned that I am going to have all the bypass side effects I really never wanted to have! I know the surgery is inevitable and the only way to get rid of this intolerable pain for good! I am coming top grips with it and feel more assured that this will work since I did seek other opinions from multiple specialists.

I am telling my story because I really need help from others out there that may gave went thru the same issues I am and what did you do to resolve it?

What should I expect to be different from the sleeve to the bypass?

Please help! I am really scared and really don't want to have to go thru this again!!

Edited May 5, 2014 by Alex Brecher

[jodie1961 77]

Jamie, I am sooooo sorry you have to go through all of these struggles. I have a lap band and I am having it removed plus revising to bypass on May 13th myself. My doctor discussed changing over to sleeve at first, but I have reflux now myself and he said it wouldn't be good w/the sleeve. I know my recoup time is going to be longer because of both procedures at once. Makes me nervous. I have faith that the RNY Bypass will be the right tool for me, and I pray it will help you to feel less pain as well. The good news is at least there is something out there that will help you. I start my pre op liquid diet tomorrow. Hang in there, and I will keep in touch. Maybe we can support one another. My band is a long story, surgery was in 2007, revised 2008, still not good. I can understand some of your frustration.

[tebowfan 70]

I also have the band as on May 7th I will be having a revision to the bypass. I don't weigh much more than you. I found out I have Barrett's esophagus and I cannot do the sleeve. I was told in most cases the bypass cures acid reflux. Anyhow, I've wrapped my head around it.

Side note, this is my 3rd wls surgery. I had an a Molina band that didn't adjust ( first band used) It tightened up on me and I couldn't keep food down. I went from 310 to 119, size 2. I had it revised to the adjustable band on 2007. I had foot surgery and gained about 30ish lbs. this year. I had no real issues with band but I went to talk to wls surgeon anyways and found out my esophagus was turning into a stomach and that contributed to the weight gain and then found out with scope biopsy I have Barrett's, precancerous cells. The band has to come out I know I need a tool so if bypass is what I have to do so be it.

I would love to keep on touch with both of y'all. I don't understand this site fully, but if u know how add me. . Wednesday at 7, go time

[tebowfan 70]

Oh and I've lost 14 lbs on my liquid diet!

[jamiep5 13]

I also have the band as on May 7th I will be having a revision to the bypass. I don't weigh much more than you. I found out I have Barrett's esophagus and I cannot do the sleeve. I was told in most cases the bypass cures acid reflux. Anyhow, I've wrapped my head around it. Side note, this is my 3rd wls surgery. I had an a Molina band that didn't adjust ( first band used) It tightened up on me and I couldn't keep food down. I went from 310 to 119, size 2. I had it revised to the adjustable band on 2007. I had foot surgery and gained about 30ish lbs. this year. I had no real issues with band but I went to talk to wls surgeon anyways and found out my esophagus was turning into a stomach and that contributed to the weight gain and then found out with scope biopsy I have Barrett's, precancerous cells. The band has to come out I know I need a tool so if bypass is what I have to do so be it. I would love to keep on touch with both of y'all. I don't understand this site fully, but if u know how add me. . Wednesday at 7, go time

14 pounds down is awesome!!! Way to go!! I'm worried the bypass will cause too much weight loss now and all those side effects scare me. What did your surgeon say would be possible side effects for u?

[jamiep5 13]

Jamie, I am sooooo sorry you have to go through all of these struggles. I have a lap band and I am having it removed plus revising to bypass on May 13th myself. My doctor discussed changing over to sleeve at first, but I have reflux now myself and he said it wouldn't be good w/the sleeve. I know my recoup time is going to be longer because of both procedures at once. Makes me nervous. I have faith that the RNY Bypass will be the right tool for me, and I pray it will help you to feel less pain as well. The good news is at least there is something out there that will help you. I start my pre op liquid diet tomorrow. Hang in there, and I will keep in touch. Maybe we can support one another. My band is a long story, surgery was in 2007, revised 2008, still not good. I can understand some of your frustration.

Thanks Jodie!! I would live to stay in touch during this journey!! I don't know this site very well, how do I add u as a friend!

[tebowfan 70]

Thank you! Dumping when u eat sugar or to much fat. This only happens to 50% of patients. Also, carbs can make you sleepy. Leakage can happen along the staple line of the stomach. You have to wait 30 minutes before eating and drinking. If you gulp your beverage or don't chew well you can throw up.

I ran into a lady I haven't seen in 14 yeas today & guess what, she openly told me she had the bypass 6 mos ago. I didn't even tell her I was having the bypass. God is good! She was the one that offered me some if this knowledge.

I don't think you will have to worry about the weight loss cause studies show you will only lose 60-70% of what you need to lose. Even before when I got down to 119 after revising to adjustable band I gained 60 lbs within the first 3 months. I was malnourished though.

[jnana 5]

This my beginning to LB revision to ByPass. I will be having surgery on May 7th too, I hope. I had an abnormal EKG and this may postpone my surgery date. Has anyone had an abnormal EKG and if so did you get clearance fast. I will see the Cardiologist tomorrow and I am praying for good new both ways.

[Ginger Snaps 1,323]

@@jamiep5

Thanks for telling your story. I'm pre-op and stories like this are what have me deciding to go straight to bypass. I have reflux already and I just want to do what is the healthiest for me with the biggest chance of success.

Hope you start feeling great soon! Best wishes!

[jamiep5 13]

@@jamiep5 Thanks for telling your story. I'm pre-op and stories like this are what have me deciding to go straight to bypass. I have reflux already and I just want to do what is the healthiest for me with the biggest chance of success. Hope you start feeling great soon! Best wishes!

I hope my story helps you in your decision. If I could do it all over again I would have went straight to bypass. My doctor said if you already have acid reflux the sleeve just makes it worse! I would defiantly talk to your doctor about this before surgery! There is nothing worse then loosing weight and not being able to enjoy it due to all the pain your in!! Good luck!! When is your surgery date?

This my beginning to LB revision to ByPass. I will be having surgery on May 7th too, I hope. I had an abnormal EKG and this may postpone my surgery date. Has anyone had an abnormal EKG and if so did you get clearance fast. I will see the Cardiologist tomorrow and I am praying for good new both ways.

I have always had a normal EKG, sorry I'm no help here.

@@jamiep5 Thanks for telling your story. I'm pre-op and stories like this are what have me deciding to go straight to bypass. I have reflux already and I just want to do what is the healthiest for me with the biggest chance of success. Hope you start feeling great soon! Best wishes!

This my beginning to LB revision to ByPass. I will be having surgery on May 7th too, I hope. I had an abnormal EKG and this may postpone my surgery date. Has anyone had an abnormal EKG and if so did you get clearance fast. I will see the Cardiologist tomorrow and I am praying for good new both ways.

I have always had a normal EKG, sorry I'm no help here.

. Prayers coming your way for a fast approval!!

Thank you! Dumping when u eat sugar or to much fat. This only happens to 50% of patients. Also, carbs can make you sleepy. Leakage can happen along the staple line of the stomach. You have to wait 30 minutes before eating and drinking. If you gulp your beverage or don't chew well you can throw up. I ran into a lady I haven't seen in 14 yeas today & guess what, she openly told me she had the bypass 6 mos ago. I didn't even tell her I was having the bypass. God is good! She was the one that offered me some if this knowledge. I don't think you will have to worry about the weight loss cause studies show you will only lose 60-70% of what you need to lose. Even before when I got down to 119 after revising to adjustable band I gained 60 lbs within the first 3 months. I was malnourished though.

I guess I'm just psyching myself out thinking about all the possibilities lol!

[Ginger Snaps 1,323]

@jamiep5 -- My surgery is June 9th. My doctor didn't even offer the band -- he says he hardly ever does that surgery any more as the weight loss from it statistically isn't significant and it has so many complications. Because i have pretty severe reflux, he said the bypass is really my only option.

I'm not worried about that though -- I want to do what has the best success record and that's bypass.

Wishing you all the best!

[jamiep5 13]

@jamiep5 -- My surgery is June 9th. My doctor didn't even offer the band -- he says he hardly ever does that surgery any more as the weight loss from it statistically isn't significant and it has so many complications. Because i have pretty severe reflux, he said the bypass is really my only option. I'm not worried about that though -- I want to do what has the best success record and that's bypass. Wishing you all the best!

Perfect! I wish more doctors would just stop offering the band as an option!!

[LilMissDiva Irene 3,280]

I've had an abnormal EKG and have been told I have a slight heart murmur. I do have a cardiologist and they are always able to clear me quickly for surgeries. Praying all goes well and smooth for you!

This my beginning to LB revision to ByPass. I will be having surgery on May 7th too, I hope. I had an abnormal EKG and this may postpone my surgery date. Has anyone had an abnormal EKG and if so did you get clearance fast. I will see the Cardiologist tomorrow and I am praying for good new both ways.

It is better to go for one surgery than be like me and have 3! I am also an ex bandster and revision to sleeve. My GERD is so bad I aspirate and choke in my sleep at night. I will be revising to bypass soon.

@@jamiep5

Thanks for telling your story. I'm pre-op and stories like this are what have me deciding to go straight to bypass. I have reflux already and I just want to do what is the healthiest for me with the biggest chance of success.

Hope you start feeling great soon! Best wishes!

[jodie1961 77]

Tebowfan and jnana..surgery coming up fast for you both! Good luck, and let us know how you do. Gingersnap, hope all goes well for you as well. I would like to keep in touch with you all, I am adding you as my friends. Prayers for us all.

[jnana 5]

Jodie, thanks for your encouragement. All will go well I have a very good Doctor who is at the top of this surgery. With God's mercy and grace, a long with prayers, I will be victorious!!! Will continue to post as things unfold. Blessings to Tebowfan and the rest of my new Bariatric family!!!!