VSG to RYGB - after 5 years with VSG

[Paradigm Star 6]

Greetings to everyone,

On May 2, 2016, I received my VSG from my Bariatric Surgeon. Fast forward to February 2019, I start getting experiencing abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting that my general GI specialist couldn’t figure out what was wrong with me. Diagnostic testing revealed a raw sore in my esophagus, a hiatal hernia, and the medical professionals couldn’t diagnose why I was experiencing abdominal pain in my gut. As time moved on, my aforementioned symptoms got worse and worse where I couldn’t keep down my food and medications. Now jump to March 10, 2021, I have my first surgical consultation with the Bariatric Surgeon that had put in my VSG in 2016. My Bariatric Surgeon recommended a revision from the VSG to RYGB to fix my hiatal hernia and the rest of my digestive symptoms. Dr. Chen has fast tracked my RYGB surgery to Monday, March 22, 2021.

I have to admit to everyone that in 2016 when I the VSG, I was fine with it. However, now with the RYGB surgery within 48 hours of this posting in the BariatricPal forum, I’m getting nervous to having this surgery. One of the main reasons why I’m nervous is about having the RYGB surgery is the possibility of complications and after having surgery, and the dumping syndrome that seems to be common with a lot of individuals who get the RYGB surgery. Fortunately for me, while I was recovering from the VSG, I was not subjected to dumping syndrome.

Can anybody share with me about your own experiences with getting the RYGB surgery? How was your recovery period? How was it going from a clear liquid diet to a full liquid diet to purée foods, etc. Share your thoughts and feedback. I would greatly appreciate that very much.

[catwoman7 10,851]

there are more complications with RNY than with VSG, but honestly, complications really aren't that common with either one of them. And most complications are minor and easily "fixed".

about 30% of RNY patients dump. I never have and know lots of others who have never dumped, either. If you're one of the 30% who dump, it's easily controlled by limiting sugar (and for some people, fat - a minority of dumpers dump on fat instead of - or in addition to - sugar). Some dumpers can eat SOME sugar without a problem -- it's when they eat a lot of it at one time that they dump - but a few really can't tolerate sugar at all. Regardless, if it turns out you're one of the minority who dump, you can control it by limiting your sugar (or fat) intake.

Recovery for me was easy. The diets are pretty much the same. My clinic has the RNY and the VSG patients on the exact same diet.

[mae7365 372]

I converted from VSG to RYGB in October 2020. Recovery was similar, yet different. I had a lot of vomiting following VSG, but less with the bypass. I am one of the 30% who experience dumping, but as catwoman7 explained, it is totally controllable by watching what I eat. In fact, I'm almost 5 months post-op and even the dumping appears to have improved (or I've figured out the triggers!).

I can tell you that I don't get that immediate sense of restriction like I did with the sleeve. At this point in my recovery, my body seems to know when to stop eating before I get the pain and discomfort associated with overeating.

All I can really offer is my advise based upon my outcome. I am so happy that I had the surgery. Like you, I has the surgery to correct my stomach and esophagus issues. But I've lost 47 pounds, I feel great, I can sleep through the night without acid reflux and I look and feel 10 years younger. Don't let fear of surgery and complications limit your decision to improve your health and daily living.

[Paradigm Star 6]

8 hours ago, catwoman7 said:

there are more complications with RNY than with VSG, but honestly, complications really aren't that common with either one of them. And most complications are minor and easily "fixed".

about 30% of RNY patients dump. I never have and know lots of others who have never dumped, either. If you're one of the 30% who dump, it's easily controlled by limiting sugar (and for some people, fat - a minority of dumpers dump on fat instead of - or in addition to - sugar). Some dumpers can eat SOME sugar without a problem -- it's when they eat a lot of it at one time that they dump - but a few really can't tolerate sugar at all. Regardless, if it turns out you're one of the minority who dump, you can control it by limiting your sugar (or fat) intake.

Recovery for me was easy. The diets are pretty much the same. My clinic has the RNY and the VSG patients on the exact same diet.

Greetings Catwoman7,

I want to thank you for your detailed response to my post to the BariatricPal forum. I am happy to learn that only 30% of the people who get the RNY surgery get dumping syndrome. I’m hoping that when I get my RNY surgery on Monday, March 22 that I will not be in the minority that gets dumping syndrome. Thanks for sharing with me (if I am in the minority who is subjected to dumping syndrome) that I can control it by limiting my sugar and fat intake.

Also, with the post op dietary eating plan . . . This will probably be easier the second time around because I’ve already been through the post op dietary eating plan with my VSG. I do believe that with the RNY that the stomach pouch will only be able to hold up to three tablespoons of food while when I had the I had the VSG, my stomach could hold a bit more than three tablespoons of food. I do know that I will have to introduce each new food one at a time and be patient with the food introduction process.

When I have my RNY surgery less than 24 hours from now, I’ll post back to this particular BariatricPal forum to update everyone on my progress. I think I’ll probably be in the hospital for two days. After the hospital, I’ll be staying with my parents for a couple of weeks during the post op healing process.

[catwoman7 10,851]

5 minutes ago, Paradigm Star said:

Also, with the post op dietary eating plan . . . This will probably be easier the second time around because I’ve already been through the post op dietary eating plan with my VSG. I do believe that with the RNY that the stomach pouch will only be able to hold up to three tablespoons of food while when I had the I had the VSG, my stomach could hold a bit more than three tablespoons of food. I do know that I will have to introduce each new food one at a time and be patient with the food introduction process.

I can't confirm or deny that you can eat more when you're early out with VSG vs RNY - I honestly don't know. But that microscopic amount is only when you're very early out. Once you're a few weeks out and the swelling is gone, you can eat more than that. And once you're a few MONTHS out, you can eat A LOT more than that. At six years out, I still could never eat half a large pizza at one sitting like I could before surgery, but I have no problem eating 1-2 pieces at one sitting. I probably eat as much as most of my "light eating" women friends who've never been obese do, so no one would be able tell that I've had surgery.

[nessie 15]

So, I am almost 2 weeks out. My sleeve never healed correctly, and my surgeon reccomended revision to rny. I was like you. Sleeve, no problem, I can still eat, just less, but rny terrified me because of dumping. Recovery has been harder for me with this, but, weigh in last Friday, I was told to move ahead to purees, because I've lost so much already. It's getting easier everyday. I know I will be thankful I did this. I'm right ahead of you, so message me if you need any support. You've got this!

[Paradigm Star 6]

On 3/20/2021 at 9:32 PM, catwoman7 said:

there are more complications with RNY than with VSG, but honestly, complications really aren't that common with either one of them. And most complications are minor and easily "fixed".

about 30% of RNY patients dump. I never have and know lots of others who have never dumped, either. If you're one of the 30% who dump, it's easily controlled by limiting sugar (and for some people, fat - a minority of dumpers dump on fat instead of - or in addition to - sugar). Some dumpers can eat SOME sugar without a problem -- it's when they eat a lot of it at one time that they dump - but a few really can't tolerate sugar at all. Regardless, if it turns out you're one of the minority who dump, you can control it by limiting your sugar (or fat) intake.

Recovery for me was easy. The diets are pretty much the same. My clinic has the RNY and the VSG patients on the exact same diet.

Greetings Catwoman7,

I’m currently three days post op and my eating plan has been clear diet in the hospital and when I was released back to my parents, full liquid diet. So, far I’ve had chicken and beef broth, and 1 premium shake. So, far so good. I’ll be interested in what other kinds of food can I eat as I progress in the VSG/RYGB meal plan.

[Paradigm Star 6]

On 3/21/2021 at 9:46 PM, nessie said:

So, I am almost 2 weeks out. My sleeve never healed correctly, and my surgeon reccomended revision to rny. I was like you. Sleeve, no problem, I can still eat, just less, but rny terrified me because of dumping. Recovery has been harder for me with this, but, weigh in last Friday, I was told to move ahead to purees, because I've lost so much already. It's getting easier everyday. I know I will be thankful I did this. I'm right ahead of you, so message me if you need any support. You've got this!

Greetings Nessie,

I deeply appreciate your support as I go through the RYGB eating plan again (just like when I had my VSG). I kinda cautious about the dumping syndrome, I’m planning on taking each food step slowly. Once I get to the puréed stage (where you are now), I will start using my NutriBullet blender to get some delicious food. I don’t know how much weight I’ve lost already because I don’t have a scale at my parents house. When I get home to my house, I’ll have to do a spring cleaning of my pantry because there is a lot of junk food in my house prior to the surgery. I did the pre-op clear liquid diet right before the surgery.

I am already thankful for having the RYGB surgery on March 22. The VSG to the RYGB is the right thing to do in this instance. Before the surgery, I had constant vomiting whenever I tried to eat anything. Now, (after the surgery), I can drink my full liquid diet with ease. No, vomiting whatsoever now. I’m so incredibly happy about that.

[Paradigm Star 6]

On 3/21/2021 at 6:16 AM, mae7365 said:

I converted from VSG to RYGB in October 2020. Recovery was similar, yet different. I had a lot of vomiting following VSG, but less with the bypass. I am one of the 30% who experience dumping, but as catwoman7 explained, it is totally controllable by watching what I eat. In fact, I'm almost 5 months post-op and even the dumping appears to have improved (or I've figured out the triggers!).

I can tell you that I don't get that immediate sense of restriction like I did with the sleeve. At this point in my recovery, my body seems to know when to stop eating before I get the pain and discomfort associated with overeating.

All I can really offer is my advise based upon my outcome. I am so happy that I had the surgery. Like you, I has the surgery to correct my stomach and esophagus issues. But I've lost 47 pounds, I feel great, I can sleep through the night without acid reflux and I look and feel 10 years younger. Don't let fear of surgery and complications limit your decision to improve your health and daily living.

Greetings Mae7365,

I’m am definitely glad that I didn’t allow the fear of the actual RYGB surgery or the fear of getting the dumping syndrome get the better of me. I went into the hospital very early on Monday, March 22. I am now three days post op. I am assuming that my own recovery will be similar to that of the VSG - but will be different for the RYGB because it’s a different surgery. Actually, for the VSG I had more vomiting than do I have had with the RYGB thus far. I’m hoping that processes with no vomiting.

In this phase of my recovery, I don’t see restriction because as I sip, sip, sip my Water, I can drink a lot. Not at the .same time I am not really hungry and I find that I am thirsty a lot.

I appreciate your advice about how your own RYGB recovery has progressed. We all have similar stories to tell - but each individual is unique.

[mae7365 372]

@Paradigm Star

I didn't feel much restriction immediately following RNY either. At least not like I did after VSG. But as time has gone by, it's not really restriction that I feel as much as just feeling full. And yes, I do feel hungry at time. I had a ZOOM meeting with my support group yesterday and the dietician even commented that revision surgery patients don't always feel like the "virgin" RNY patients - maybe because we've "been there, done that", we know what is going on and what to expect and there isn't that huge jump from a normal stomach to 1/4 stomach like we had with the VSG. So we went from 1/4 stomach to 1/8.....not as drastic of a change.

But I know I feel great and have a ton of energy at almost 5 months post op. I feel like I'm fully healed inside.

I'm glad you had the surgery. It should help, or eliminate, the gastric issues you were dealing with.......and you'll get to lose some weight in the process!!!

[Paradigm Star 6]

On 3/25/2021 at 9:55 AM, mae7365 said:

@Paradigm Star

I didn't feel much restriction immediately following RNY either. At least not like I did after VSG. But as time has gone by, it's not really restriction that I feel as much as just feeling full. And yes, I do feel hungry at time. I had a ZOOM meeting with my support group yesterday and the dietician even commented that revision surgery patients don't always feel like the "virgin" RNY patients - maybe because we've "been there, done that", we know what is going on and what to expect and there isn't that huge jump from a normal stomach to 1/4 stomach like we had with the VSG. So we went from 1/4 stomach to 1/8.....not as drastic of a change.

But I know I feel great and have a ton of energy at almost 5 months post op. I feel like I'm fully healed inside.

I'm glad you had the surgery. It should help, or eliminate, the gastric issues you were dealing with.......and you'll get to lose some weight in the process!!!

Greetings Mae7365,

I certainly don’t feel like a “virgin” RYGB individual. As you said in your post, “We’ve been there, done that”. We’ve gone from our VSG into a RYGB revision to tackle difficult health issues. Ever since the RYGB and hiatal hernia surgeries, I haven’t had any amount of GERD. My lower belly abdominal pains are gone. My erosive esophagitis is now healing. This amazing RYGB surgery has done wonders for tackling any medical conditions I had going into the RYGB revision surgery. I just figured out that I will be on full liquid diet for another 10 days. I bought on Amazon a good book on getting the most from the full liquid diet BEGINNERS GUIDE TO FULL LIQUID DIET FOR WEIGHT LOSS: BEGINNERS FRIENDLY GUIDE TO FULL LIQUID DIET FOR WEIGHT LOSS & HEALTHY LIFESTYLE . It’s a very good guide.

[nessie 15]

Checking in to see how you're doing? Holding up ok?

[Paradigm Star 6]

On 4/2/2021 at 10:03 AM, nessie said:

Checking in to see how you're doing? Holding up ok?

Hi Nessie,

Thanks for checking in with how I am doing currently. I am now 12 days post op and I getting bored with my full liquid diet. Happily, on 15 days post up, I get to try soft food. I’m going to have to “think outside the box” in terms of being creative on the soft food diet. My medical dietitian tells me to stay clear of grains. Like things like cream of wheat Cereal, oatmeal, and other grains. However, after my VGS, I remember that when I started the soft food stage, I could do hot cereals like cream of wheat and oatmeal. I guess that with the RYGB, the medical dietitian opinion is stay clear of grains. Also, looking my post op dietary eating plan, I discovered I can’t even have a fruit smoothie in the soft food eating stage. The dietitian told me I can have food like applesauce and cottage cheese in the soft food eating plan.

Does anyone have any recommendations on what I can eat during the 14 days I’m eating the soft food eating plan (that starts on April 6)? I would greatly appreciate any suggestions anybody can provide me.

[Tracyringo 503]

I guessing they told you to stay clear of cream of wheat and other cereals because those things can cause dumping in some RNY people like myself. I cannot eat cereal of any kind even high Protein. I think for me it has something to do with the carbs and dairy combination.

Scrambled eggs, tuna packets and cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, ricotta bake, Soup. Good Luck !

[Paradigm Star 6]

15 hours ago, Tracyringo said:

I guessing they told you to stay clear of cream of wheat and other cereals because those things can cause dumping in some RNY people like myself. I cannot eat Cereal of any kind even high Protein. I think for me it has something to do with the carbs and dairy combination.

Scrambled eggs, tuna packets and cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, ricotta bake, Soup. Good Luck !

Hi Tracyringo,

My Bariatric Dietitian did warn me against eating cream of wheat, oatmeal and other cereals. When I was on the soft food eating plan after my VGS, I was able to eat my favourite cream of wheat and other soft cereals. As I am in the soft food eating plan for the RYGB when I saw the dietary restrictions about the cream of wheat, I had no idea why my Bariatric dietitian would restrict the grains, like cream of wheat and oatmeal. Your post to me about staying clear of cream of wheat really Enlightened me. As I previous VGS person, I didn’t have to deal with dumping syndrome. On the RYGB, I might have to deal with dumping syndrome. Some other members of BariatricPal forum have indicated that around 30% of individuals who have gotten the RYGB have to deal with dumping syndrome. I have no idea as I progress with my post op dietary eating plan, if I will have to deal with dumping syndrome. I will most certainly follow my Bariatric dietitian recommendations about staying clear of grains like cream of wheat cereal and oatmeal.

Thanks for your enlightening post, Tracyringo.