15+ Years with the band - Sleeve revision scheduled - What do I need to know?

[WillyC 0]

Hi All -

I'm sure this has been asked and answered - but here goes:

I was banded in January of 2007 and had pretty good success with it. I lost 140lb - and maintained my weight at around 230-240lbs (I'm 6'2") for many years but after COVID lockdowns my weight started to creep back up to around 260lbs and I developed night coughs/reflux. I went to my surgeon a couple of months ago and he unfilled me which cured the reflux, but I immediately gained 10 lbs. He also did an endoscopy to make sure nothing was wrong. During the endoscopy he discovered I had a hiatal hernia and minor slippage with no erosion but he recommended that I consider removing the band and revision to a gastric sleeve (which I've agreed to do in order to be proactive and avoid any emergency complications if I do develop any erosion or other issues in the future).

So my question is - what do I need to know about the differences between the two? I'd managed the band pretty well - occasionally dealing with PB's, sliming, and other fun - inconvenient but nothing I couldn't handle. I've read a couple of comments talking about foaming (or something)? Just want to make sure I'm going into this with my eyes wide open.

Thanks in advance for any helpful hints!

[liveaboard15 1,294]

Foamies is more of a gastric bypass thing. I had sleeve 2 months ago. idk what restrictions you have on the band. but for us mainly small meal sizes... Protein is first and most important, waiting 30+ minutes after eating to drink anything. taking the Multivitamins, Calcium for life, and the possibility of developing severe GERD and needing a revision to bypass is a big thing and something i worry about. If you have GERD or heartburn then bypass will be what you need to get.

[Tomo 1,196]

Foamies are just like the slimes with the lapband. I went from lapband (complication: slip) to sleeve (complication: severe gerd) to RNY. I never got them with the sleeve. I did get them in the beginning months after the RNY.

Sent from my SM-S908U using BariatricPal mobile app

[Tomo 1,196]

I had the band for years and the sleeve for like 6-7 years. For me, the sleeve was heaven as far as being able to eat without pain but it was far less restriction.

Sent from my SM-S908U using BariatricPal mobile app

[Arabesque 7,607]

A lot of sleevers have episodes of the foamies. It usually occurs if you eat too fast or too much or something that is too dry/coarse. Dumping is less common with sleeves than bypass. (Dumping occurs if you eat too much sugar or fat.) Both side effects can be managed simply by being careful about how & what you eat. I’m three years out & I had a bout two days ago. I ate too quickly because I wasn’t eating mindfully (I was having a ‘discussion’ with my mother 😉) & cough, spit & up came that last bite.

I know you said your reflux developed as a complication with your band & once it was removed the gerd stopped, but I’m wondering if this may make you more likely to develop gerd post sleeve. I don’t know but it may be worth asking your surgeon if bypass might be a better option. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[lizonaplane 1,613]

I'm 9.5 months out from sleeve and I haven't ever had the foamies that I know of. I do sometimes throw up from the Multivitamin, but it's better if I eat a snack right before I take it or eat a large, late dinner.

[Daddyof4 95]

Hi Willy, congrats on your decision to do a revision. On March 21 I had my band removed, my hiatal hernia repaired and revision to bypass. I had been having bad reflux too and had my band unfilled and promptly packed on 40 lb. I went with bypass because my surgeon said that reflux is common with the sleeve but less common with bypass. I’m down 58 lb since starting the liquid diet March 7 and feel great, no reflux at all. Not trying to talk you into anything but you might want to think about why you’re choosing sleeve instead of bypass. I wish you great success either way.