Resleeve after 8 years and 6 months

[deana03 9]

I am scheduled for a resleeve after having my surgery Jan 7th 2006. 8 years 6 months. I got pregnant (not planned) 3 months post surgery and had to force feed myself. All was still good walked and did sit-ups regularly and maintained my weight until I had to have c-spine surgery, total disk replacement and a fusion. I was put on pain killers 1 month prior to surgery, hello Constipation. I didn't know that pain killers caused this... Then I did very minimal activity for 1 year and regularly took Gabapentin/ Neurontin which I didn't realize causes weight gain. I was all clear with all blood test results however my stomach had returned to normal size. My surgery was new in Jan 2006 in Mexico and hadn't hit the US yet. I had a 36 bouge and got pg and meds made my stomach return to allow me to eat way too much. I am doing a resleeve after my upper GI etc. as the weight hurts my body, back especially but I miss being 145-165 and feeling good. I'm just curious if there are any others who are years post op and have regained the weight have been resleevers or are considering it? I am more nervous this time than before. Even 2 years after my surgery the Doctors procedures changed and he is quite a bit more Americanized as far as treatment etc.. He was good then and much better now. I went to Dr. Guillermo Alvarez which is where I'm headed back to... Cost is $2k cheaper than original however I'm still paying what he charges full price to new patients. Worth it to me. If anyone has any resleeve info or questions feel free and I would appreciate any info. Thanks

[boccob81 244]

They do a resleeve ? What is it ?

[woo woo 872]

I am curious about this as well. Assume they remove another portion of the stomach to make a new, smaller sleeve?

Also curious how much of a regain have you had if you care to share?

[deana03 9]

I was in the Army so I kept fairly active I didn't run, I walked and did sit ups and push ups on my knees but toward the end I wasn't doing much. My stomach seemed to be close to normal size after 4-5 years however in 2011 when I was bed ridden and on meds I did close to no exercise for a year. 5 years post op, I had cspine surgery after that I lingered around 175. I came home in 2012 and wasn't working for several months went to 178-180 but then lost 10lbs working at the post office. Took a job sitting without much exercise May 2013 and stayed around same weight, then quit 2014 feb and was 183. From Feb-June I increased every week to 205. Currently 203 but I've been hurting so bad with my back I don't get off the couch much. So even though my stomach stretched out I kept active and it kept me down. I quit moving and my weight shot up. I didn't do a whole bunch of exercise but I lived life. My weight causes back problems and I promised myself with but a few shirts and sweats that fit, I would not get this way again. Had upper GI and 2 doctors said my stomach is normal size so,,.. I'm going back for #2 before it gets out of hand. I'm thinking this time it will not stretch as much and I will be quite miserable for quite awhile... This is why I'm scared, don't see any resleevers..

[Jersrose43 837]

Am curious what you mean normal size? Even with stretching I was told by my surgeon it would be the difference between 4 and 6 ounces not a normal size ever again

[deana03 9]

Not sure exactly, that's just what the doctors said that did my barium swallow. I have reflux which the original vsg helped as I lost weight. I can eat or drink anything at this point. 2 pieces of pizza at a time etc.. I still have some restriction as I can't eat in one sitting more than that without feeling full. But drink and eat same time no problem. I've had 8 years and 6 months to stretch it out tho. I just try not to eat poorly. My cousin had a 32 bouge and still looks good 6 years post op. She also exercises regularly and is quite active. I haven't asked her if she has to watch what she eats. She was always thin though and I'm sure she was also a compliant patient where I got pg and ate what I wanted. One thing my doctor told me was not to eat ice cream and I have been a lot lately. It's easy to eat and is very fatty... I'm sure given someone who is compliant and tries to eat well and exercise their stomach wouldn't stretch as much. You can regain the weight, I would say watch your weight and when you see yourself gaining 5 lbs try to start eating only Protein and get moving...

[julieb7525 0]

I am getting resleeved on January 14, after 4 years.

[tomi71 581]

Am curious what you mean normal size? Even with stretching I was told by my surgeon it would be the difference between 4 and 6 ounces not a normal size ever again

Thats similar to what I was told....that it will stretch but not to its old size. I think they said it could go up to 8-12 oz of food.

[tomi71 581]

D

Edited December 28, 2014 by tomi71

[Jersrose43 837]

What is pg?

I can eat and drink at same time as well. But I choose not to. It's not like the sleeve restricts that for me.

I stick to the wait half an hour rule.

I am reading between the lines based on your comments that you're no longer following the rules as set forth by your nutritionist or doc?

Do you really need another surgery ?

If you don't follow the rules now for your tool how will you be in a year?

I don't mean this in a mean way. I just want you to realize it's a tool not a cure. And the tool has rules

[boccob81 244]

What do they do for reseleve ? I was not aware they could reseleve one

[Lifeafter40 89]

My doctor said one sleeve a lifetime so I am curious about the re-sleeve as well

Edited January 17, 2015 by Lifeafter40

[Venusgitana 0]

Hi Deana,

did you do it? How are you doing? Can you tell us about your results?