My surgeon (one of the top) recommended the sleeve for me. Brief story : I was banded in 2007 and very successful 100% loss of excessive weight. 8 years and 2 kids later the band no longer working and hard to adjust, esophagus mildly enlarged but returns to normal with unfill. I love the sound of the sleeve but worry when I read that bypass is a better revision from band. Do not want to make the wrong choice! I trust my surgeon who knows my history. What do you all think? Also important- I regained most of the weight!

Edited March 19, 201511 yr by kkbrod

When I read the postings from those that had bypass, they seem very happy. And the same is said for those that had the sleeve. I choose to revise to the sleeve because it seemed more natural for me, I didn't want any re-routing of my organs. I would just read both forums so you can see the different views from people. And talk to your surgeon about the pros & cons of each

Oops , just realized your surgeon recommends the sleeve.

Neither is the wrong answer. They are both successful tools if you work with the program. Weigh the pros and cons of both and decide which is best for you.

I am just wondering why bypass is sometimes recommended.

Some doctors prefer it. It may depend on the doctor's familiarity and comfort with the bypass.

Edited March 20, 201511 yr by BLERDgirl

I revised to the sleeve and it has never worked for me at all, I however had great success with the band. I'm now seeing a lot of information that says because of the damage the band can do to the stomach and because a lot of band patients are already adapted to reduced calorie lifestyles that the mini gastric bypass may be a better option. I'm considering revising to this myself. I'm reading great things about it!

I am just wondering why bypass is sometimes recommended.

I revised to the sleeve and it has never worked for me at all, I however had great success with the band. I'm now seeing a lot of information that says because of the damage the band can do to the stomach and because a lot of band patients are already adapted to reduced calorie lifestyles that the mini gastric bypass may be a better option. I'm considering revising to this myself. I'm reading great things about it!

If someone has severe GERD and/or Barrett's esophagus, needs to take NSAIDS for a medical condition - these can all be reasons to recommend the by pass over the sleeve.

How do you revise from the sleeve to a mini bypass?

I revised to the sleeve and it has never worked for me at all, I however had great success with the band. I'm now seeing a lot of information that says because of the damage the band can do to the stomach and because a lot of band patients are already adapted to reduced calorie lifestyles that the mini gastric bypass may be a better option. I'm considering revising to this myself. I'm reading great things about it!

I revised to the sleeve and it has never worked for me at all, I however had great success with the band. I'm now seeing a lot of information that says because of the damage the band can do to the stomach and because a lot of band patients are already adapted to reduced calorie lifestyles that the mini gastric bypass may be a better option. I'm considering revising to this myself. I'm reading great things about it!

Hi Band07 - can you elaborate? How does it not work for you? It seems like you are quite close to goal (30lbs) what was your loss with Band, why was it removed and how long have you had the sleeve? Why don't you think it is working? Thanks!

According to the surgeons I've talked to the revision is pretty easy, they just need to do the malabsorption part and maybe tighten the sleeve. As far as my sleeve, I was a band patient and did amazing! I lost over 100 lbs and maintained that for a long time, i revised to the sleeve and my surgeon used a 42 bougie and went liberal with that. Due to that and the damage that was already done by my band I was left with a large distorted sleeve that I never felt restriction with and never lost a bit of hunger. I've actually gained 10lbs since my sleeve surgery and the only reason it's not more is because I work like crazy to keep it off but unfortunately it's turning into a losing battle. I've had the sleeve since September 2013, I revised because I was sick of feeling stuck all the time and concerned what could come if I left it in long term, that and everyone said how amazing the sleeve was.

Edited March 20, 201511 yr by Band07