Sleeve to Bypass, Anyone?

[cgshrink 1]

Hello 'Bypassers,'

There doesn't seem to be much information for those that have had gastric sleeves converted into gastric bypasses. There isn't even a forum for us...we must be a small minority, indeed. Back in 2010, I made the decision to undergo the gastric sleeve surgery in Tijuana, Mexico. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea, was pre-diabetic, had knee and back issues, and was just overcome with a general feeling of fatigue and malaise. Unfortunately, I was ten pounds shy of reaching the BMI requirement to have my insurance to pay for surgery. Basically, my doctor told me, "You can gain ten pounds, wait a year, and apply again" or, "you can self-pay."

I flew to Mexico and self-paid- where it was much cheaper.

Surgery went fine; I came back with no issues, and started losing weight immediately. sleep apnea went away, no more pre-diabetic status, and I became very healthy and active...I even ran in three 5k races (quite an achievement for me). I reached 168 and I was thrilled; I hadn't seen a number like that since I was in high school. What is more important...I felt fantastic!

I started to climb back up the scale in 2012. Carbs were my nemesis; sneaking candy, donuts, cakes, and breads were easy ways for me to work around my sleeve; I quickly mastered which were slider foods and which were the foods that would quickly fill me up. Admittedly, I was opting for the slider foods and was always hungry. This past year I began thinking I needed an extra tool to help out with my head hunger...and there was no way my insurance company would approve me for a revision so there was no point in trying.

At a weight of 203, I flew back to Tijuana this past June and had my sleeve revised into a gastric bypass. It was a great success, Dr. Ortiz and his team are very skilled doctors. My hope is that I can finally reach my goal, and with the rerouting perhaps I have an additional tool to help stave off my addiction to carbs (a girl can dream, eh?). Three weeks later, I am already down 15 pounds and the hope that I might reach my goal keeps me going.

I am looking for sleevers that have converted to bypassers. What complications have you encountered? What advice can you give? Do you mind sharing your story with me? I am theorizing here that with the absence of my stomach and gherelin, the creation of my pouch, and the rerouting of my intestines should provide a much longer and permanent result than with one surgery alone, but I do not know anyone else that has gone from a sleeve to a bypass. Any and all advice are welcome, however, I am really looking for "sleevers to bypassers," as other procedures can have such different post-operative experiences. Thank you!

[Jillbeme65 1]

Finally I am not alone. How are you feeling ? I am hoping for the same revision. I am having reflux issues. Doing the hoops right now. Them up to insurance if they say no I can't afford the self pay.

[Caligirl99 1]

Finally I am not alone. How are you feeling ? I am hoping for the same revision. I am having reflux issues. Doing the hoops right now. Them up to insurance if they say no I can't afford the self pay.

Hi there, I'm on the fence about the sleeve and am scarred of reflux. Can you tell me more about when it started and what you would do to help. My biggest fear is having reflux too. I'm so confused.

[icon23 273]

Thank you for creating this topic, @@cgshrink! I am currently looking into having this revision because I did not do well with the sleeve at all and I followed the correct diet for a year (then I got frustrated and started giving in to slider foods)! I also have reflux issues.

@@cgshrink, can you tell me how you felt post-surgery? I might have to go to Mexico alone and I am worried about being weak and/or in a lot of pain. I went alone when I got my sleeve and I was fine, but I guess I'm more worried about this because it is a revision and a bypass. Thanks.

[green*eyed*girl 170]

@@LilMissDiva Irene just had her sleeve converted to bypass, and she is doing great!

[LilMissDiva Irene 3,281]

Yes I am just two weeks out from my revision from Sleeve to Bypass. I am doing excellent! No more reflux, and healing is going as planned minus one tiny setback, but is being remedied. Nothing major. I feel great and just today and only 2 weeks out my Dr. has taken me off my blood pressure meds. YAY!!

[sevenb07 5]

Lilmisdiva how bad was yiur recovery?

[cgshrink 1]

Feeling good! I am about a month and a half out of surgery and about to go on a cruise. 19 pounds down when I last checked (I check weekly). No reflux issues.

Can anyone tell me, is the revision from sleeve to bypass essentially the duodenal switch? In researching I am not sure of the difference. We call our surgery revision, but it not; it's not like the doctors put the stomach we lost back. Just curious.

[cgshrink 1]

can you tell me how you felt post-surgery? I might have to go to Mexico alone and I am worried about being weak and/or in a lot of pain. I went alone when I got my sleeve and I was fine, but I guess I'm more worried about this because it is a revision and a bypass. Thanks.

I went to Mexico by myself both times and was fine. The nurses are very attentive and my driver made sure I was never bored. The hotel and city of Tijuana is beautiful.

[LilMissDiva Irene 3,281]

My surgery has left me with a lot of pain which I see my surgeon about on Thursday. I do believe I'm fine and the pain might be due to scar tissue. I've had 2 other surgeries so it makes sense. I will know more then though. I feel good ultimately and the bypass has taken care of my reflux so I am def thankful for that!

Lilmisdiva how bad was yiur recovery?

[lin1970 5]

hi girls

I am in the process of having my sleeve converted to a RNY bypass which is different to a DS. I need it because I have horrible reflux which I had prior to sleeve. I also have a hiatus hernia and part of my stomach is involved with the hernia. My surgeon has to pull down my stomach from above the diaphragm, do some trimming and stitching (Cardioplasty procedure) and then can do the RNY.

Re: head hunger. This needs professional help and lots of reading. Any WLS doesn't make weight loss a permanent thing. We will always have to work it. The bypass will help for abit. As my surgeon has discussd with me you can always drink lots of calories and find foods that are easy but not healthy too eat. With the RNY the small opening between the new pouch stomach and intestines is about 2cm initially but does stretch which means we can fit more food in.

Its good to read other sleevers having to convert to bypass, not that we necessarily want too. I am glad I live in Australia as I don't have to wait for approval. The hospital contacts them and lets them know and that is it.

[isabellasky0 1]

Following:)