A year ago, I went in for a Lap band to SIPS revision, but there were complications with the removal of lap band, so the surgeon cut things short and only did the sleeve portion of the procedure. I was massively disappointed (especially since I was self pay), but wasn't much I could do about it. I had good results initially. I lost 50 lbs during the first 'honey moon' 4-5 months, then things just stagnated. I dieted really really hard, went to gym every other day, and even tried Intermittent Fasting, but my weight would just bump around the same 3-4 lb range. I just was stuck. This went for 2-3 months, until I finally gave up, at which point the weight starting coming back pretty fast.

Kinda crazy (and very $$$$) but I decided to go back in and have the SIPS procedure completed. My surgery was a few days ago. I now have a ton of questions post-op, but for starters, I'm wondering if anyone else out there is Sleeve to SIPS revision. I figure there can't be too many of us...

My #1 question would be: Will there be another weight loss 'honey moon'? Or - since my sleeve wasn't touched - will my eating habits remain pretty much were they were pre-op? I ask because I've heard that the Sleeve is responsible for losing the weight, and the bypass part is responsible for keeping it off. Just curious.

Your body will get better at processing carbs the further you get out. I was still having a lot of difficulty with bread at 5 months out, but now I can tolerate it at 11 months. I try to keep my intake of it to a minimum, however. Too much sugar also gives me diarrhea. I haven't had "an episode" (horrible smelling gas that just builds and builds and kills all earth life) for a few months. Your digestive system will continue to change and adapt as time goes on. Even though I occasionally have to use the bathroom in the middle of the night, the DS was still the best thing I could have done for my health.

Woot! Thanks for the advice. Crossing fingers.

Update: It's been about 9 weeks.

This morning, I fit into a size 36 jeans for the first time since I got married 25 years ago. Woot! I was so excited I forgot to get on scale, but I figure I'm down around 20 since surgery.

The gastrointestinal issues are still there, but they don't seem to be as "explosive" and I'm getting better and better at managing them. Interesting note: I seem to be able to cheat at carbs much better in the AM. I've had a breakfast sandwich or burger - including bun - a few time and got away with it. If I try the same thing in the evening... fart city.

I just started back up in the gym, which feels great. Shocking how much strength I've lost since stoping before surgery, but I expect that to come back pretty fast. This has been a difficult decision for me because the "great stall" I experienced after my VSG correlates to the time I started hitting the gym really hard. Basically, I stalled for a few months, then all the weight started to come back. I'm worried the same thing is going to happen a second time.

I attribute it to a few things: The most obvious answer is "muscle weighs more than fat", but I think that's an overstatement. I think what really happened was, after working out, my appetite goes through the roof. I start eating like a horse, and it's exaggerated because a little voice in my mind says, "It's okay. You can have that double cheeseburger! You just worked out!"

So I'm starting weights again tentatively, and if I start having appetite swings, I'm going to stop. I like being a muscular guy, but "abs are built in the kitchen." I might be better off just losing all the lbs without the weight training, then re-introducing once I'm in maintenance mode. Dunno.

Disco Stu: I've been having a lot of gastrointestinal distress lately, too. My one year surgiversary was on Saturday, and on Sunday, the day after my one- year milestone, I had my very first feeling of regret over the surgery due to the gas issue. Some people experience those feelings in the hospital or their first week home, but for me realizing that I was going to have the worst smelling gas known to man for the rest of my life hit me after I hit my milestone. Some weeks are better than others and last week wasn't a good week for me. Every single day I struggled with what you call "fart city." It was like the fourth of July going off in your intestines.

The good news is that the doc said my blood work looked fantastic, so my vitamins are doing what they need to do and I don't have any deficits. I'm happy about that because I only take two ADEK, two chewable calcium, and one vitamin B12 a day. I've heard of some DS patients taking handfuls of vitamins and, honestly, that was almost made me change my mind about getting the DS. My blood pressure is amazing and so is my cholesterol. Now if we could just get rid of the gas.....

Today has been much, much better so it must have been nerves. I'm in the process of organizing my closet and weeding out more clothes I am either no longer interested in wearing, despite that they can finally fit again, or clothes I should have eliminated months ago. Yes, it feels good to look in the mirror and see a healthy person. No better feeling. I'm getting ready to start up exercising again, just like you stated you were, so I hope I don't see a gain on the scale.

Edited June 11, 20188 yr by Strivingforbetter

Have you tried not eating the “cheating carbs”? That is what is probably causing the pain, gas, massive diarrhea.

@Strivingforbetter . My heart goes out. Keep up your spirit.

I piece of me is scared to do the closet thing.... a little sketch to throw away all those so-hard-to-come-by fat clothes that I've hoarded over the years. Suppose I just got to go for it.

Edited June 12, 20188 yr by disco stu

I got my first round of labs back the other day. I was surprised that almost everything came back within range, seeing as how I'm only taking a non-bariatric multi-vitamin once a day. Especially surprised I didn't have low calcium. I was a little low on iron, but not anemic. The only thing that came in low was potassium, which kinda makes sense because of the frequent diarrhea. I've stocked up on white beans and PowerAid Zero, and they are gonna re-test in a week.

Regardless, they spooked me enough that I went ahead and picked up the Bariatric Advantage multi (with Iron), and some calcium citrate. Will try to take doses both day and night, although they said something about taking the calcium two hours after the multi, which is gonna be difficult.

@disco stu Loose stools are pretty normal. Did you know that raisins have more potassium in them than bananas? If you're experiencing muscle cramps, you can pick up some of those. It helps.

Edited June 19, 20188 yr by Strivingforbetter

I did not know that. But I think raisins are one of the things that make me fart.....

The Googles did let me know bananas are kinda middle of the road for potassium compared to their reputation. The food that out shines them all is white beans, and since I'm a "go big or go home" kinda guy, that's my strategy. They taste okay.... kinda salty and bland at the same time. What can you say? They're beans.

I'm gonna mix some chopped bacon with them tonight for dinner and make it a party.

Just wanted to let you know how happy I am to find others in the same boat as me! I’ve had so many of the same issues and feelings as stated above. Makes me feel a bit normal!

To quote the comedian John Mulaney, "Adult life is already so God damn weird."

Ack!!!. Had a horrible bloat\gas attack last night and I'm racking my brain to figure out what triggered it. I had a simple grilled chicken Caesar salad with dressing on the side for dinner.... a dish I eat at least twice a week with no issues. I also picked at my wife's avocado salad, in particular I had two or three large avocado slices. Could that be it? Does anyone else have issues with Avo? Otherwise, I'm completely at a loss....

10 hours ago, disco stu said:

Ack!!!. Had a horrible bloat\gas attack last night and I'm racking my brain to figure out what triggered it. I had a simple grilled chicken Caesar salad with dressing on the side for dinner.... a dish I eat at least twice a week with no issues. I also picked at my wife's avocado salad, in particular I had two or three large avocado slices. Could that be it? Does anyone else have issues with Avo? Otherwise, I'm completely at a loss....

Yes, it's the avocado. Ice-cream also does it to me. There's nothing worse than a DS gas attack. So uncomfortable.

Update: 12.5 weeks. Down approx 25lbs.

For 3 or 4 week I was pretty much in a giant stall. Weighing myself every day, the scale never moved. Completely stuck. I chalked it up to getting a little lazy. I had started to eat things like double cheezy burgers and Chicken wings, with the justification of, "It's protein. I can eat all I want." I knuckled down for a week, including the use of some Intermittent Fasting techniques. And? The scale didn't move. Arg. Frustration. Plus, my GI issues seemed to be improving, which, while more comfortable, made me start to wonder if my SIPs was past the "honeymoon." Gotta be kidding me!

So then I got depressed and kinda gave up and stopped looking at the scale, but continued to eat reasonably smart. Protein first. No more chicken wings...etc.

Been a couple of weeks, and I finally got on the scale this AM expecting to be the same or probably a pound or two higher. Instead I was down 4lbs. huh.

Emotionally, I'm liking this. Gonna stay the course another 2 to 3 weeks before jumping on scale again and see if I hit the jackpot again.

...until next time.

- Your pal, Disco Stu.

Update: 20 weeks. Down approx 36lbs.

Overall, I'm pleased. Slow and steady wins the race, and so far - knock on wood - things just keep headed in the correct direction; i.e. no re-lapse.

I admit that it could be even better if I cleaned up some habits. I still eat fast food on the regular, and I was drinking A LOT of beer. I'm in the process of trying to cut back on the alcohol, so am excited to see what happens without an extra 1000 empty calories a day....