What to do after my sleeve has failed.

[Mamasitaks 0]

Hi, I had a band put in in 2006 at WLSC in KC. I had great success - 100 lb. loss. The band prolapsed and my original surgeon was not available so another surgeon stated that it had to be removed and could not be replaced. That was in 2009. I then regained all of my weight. I was very upset and was told I couldn't have the band put back in. I then went to another doctor (Dr. Stanley Hoehn) to see about a gastric sleeve. I had the sleeve done in 2011. I had some complications in that I got quite sick after the surgery. I had upper GI done and was told nothing wrong. I originally lost about 20 pounds, but after that nothing. I went back to see Dr. Hoehn on numerous occasions and no solution was found. I decided to keep trying on my own. I didn't have a restriction like my band. In fact, I could eat anything I wanted and still can. I have again contacted Dr. Hoehn to see what I can do. I am waiting to hear back from him for an appointment. What do you all suggest? Has anyone had a revision of their sleeve? Before having it done did you have another upper GI or barium test? What results should I look for? Should I have to pay for the revision? Especially since I didn't lose any weight and asked for help 3 years ago? Has anyone else gone to Dr. Hoehn? I really like him, but just felt he didn't know what to do with me when I wasn't losing weight. Would I be better off having the DS or another surgery rather than a revision of the sleeve? I don't want to keep going back for a major surgery every 3 years.

[CowgirlJane 14,261]

Tough set of questions.

What I will say is that restriction of band vs sleeve is very different. I failed miserably with the band, so clearly that was not my kind of restriction. I am maintaining 160# weight loss with the sleeve.

My personal experience with the band is that the restriction was inconsistent, but often very "tight". Like I would vomit alot if I had any fill in the band. I could not tolerate most dense Proteins or veggies... and I didn't have proper support and education so slid into slider habits.. it was NOT good. I never found a comfortable rythem of eating with the band, but I did with the sleeve.

Sleeve, after the initial healing period I could eat more, can tolerate all sorts of foods that I could not banded. It is like, it gave me more choices and freedom which i could see why for some people it made it harder. For me though, I was able to really focus on dense Protein and veggies which i never could with the band.

I think you should pick a couple of TOP surgeons in your area to discuss options. The DS was always my "last resort, back up plan" which luckily I haven't needed. Please please please do your research. That is a bad a$$ procedure with amazing results and a high risk profile. go to dsfacts. com and educate yourself. Those dedicated ladies maintain a list of surgeons who are truly skilled... this is not childs play!

i had plastic surgery a year ago. During my consults, one very very experienced surgeon told me that his most difficult cases were DS patients as they might have more nutritional issues. You really need to be dedicated to supplements etc to be truly healthy post DS.

[CowgirlJane 14,261]

Oh, and eating low carb is my big "secret" to success. I guess everybody knows this works, but I could not really do it prior to my sleeve.

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

You should be able to have a scope done to see what size your sleeve is. I agree with CGJ. You need another opinion.

Research who is available to you and ask for a consult.

DS should be your last resort. There has to be a reason you don't feel full on a small amount of food with a sleeve. I am 5 years out and I still can't finish any meal I try to eat, like steak and veggies. If I eat 3 oz of steak, I might be able to eat one pc of broccoli . Are you eating dense Protein or sliders like yogurt?