How often does a sleeve need to be converted to bypass?

[Pabc 0]

I had sleeve placed last week. Sleeve was chosen because I had pre-existing pancreatic insufficiency resulting in a lot of loose stools requiring use of pancreatic enzymes. My GI doc and surgeon thought sleeve would cause less problem with malabsorption and further diarrhea. As I read, I’m seeing a large number of sleeve patients develop severe reflux/gastritis and new hiatal hernias. Can anyone comment on how often this happens or ways to prevent it? Thank you!

[catwoman7 10,975]

from what I've read, about 30% of sleevers have or develop reflux, but it usually can be managed medically (e.g., with PPI's such as omeprazole). There are some who have it so severely that they end up revising to bypass - I don't know the percentage, but I don't think it's huge. It may appear that there are more people who revise than actually do, because people post about it. Those who don't have issues aren't as likely to post about it. Your surgeon may know the stats, though...

Edited February 23, 2022 by catwoman7

[SleeverSk 627]

To add to what catwoman said another reason people revise to a bypass is weight gain which I would imagine to be the biggest reason

[Meg3722 14]

14 hours ago, catwoman7 said:

from what I've read, about 30% of sleevers have or develop reflux, but it usually can be managed medically (e.g., with PPI's such as omeprazole). There are some who have it so severely that they end up revising to bypass - I don't know the percentage, but I don't think it's huge. It may appear that there are more people who revise than actually do, because people post about it. Those who don't have issues aren't as likely to post about it. Your surgeon may know the stats, though...

It just so happens I was doing a bit of light reading this week on the ASMBS.org website. I discovered stats on bariatric surgeries including revisions. Check out this link to the ASMBS site: https://asmbs.org/resources/estimate-of-bariatric-surgery-numbers

When you take in the numbers holistically. Revision rates are climbing rapidly.