Is revision worth it?

[FifiLux 578]

I have read through so many posts on the topic of revision and see that people are mostly very happy to have gone through with it but a lot of them seem to be due to regain, hernias or bad GERD so my query is a bit different.

My surgeon has mentioned a number of times to me about doing a revision from sleeve to bypass as following my surgery a year ago I had bad reflux.
When I was released from hospital in November I was prescribed two pantomed (PPI) a day and since then GERD has become less frequent, for the last three months I am now on just one a day and I don't consider that the GERD impacts me, maybe once a week I might have a bit of gas, but the surgeon was still suggesting bypass and at my last appointment (in May) even mentioned that it would help me lose more weight, even though I was then just 5kg/11lb from the target he gave me and still only 10 months post-op.

Given all the complications I had after my sleeve surgery in July last year I am very hesitant to have any further operations as I don't know if it was the medical teams fault and/or my body. If it is something that the surgeon says is needed I am torn between asking for a referral to another hospital or risking his team again in the belief that they would be extremely careful with me after everything that went wrong the year ago.

So far, in just under 12 months, I have lost 47kg/103lb and am only 7kg/15lb away from my goal weight (3kg from the surgeon's target) and therefore I was wondering, from those who have gone through the revision process, if you think it is worth it?
For me the only benefit I see is that I would be able to stop taking the daily pantomed, so not sure that is worth risking another surgery for.
I have not had a single dumping episode and for the last few months have been able to tolerate all foods without issue so am a bit fearful that the bypass may lead to a backwards step on those fronts.

If my GERD is not impacting me is there any other long-term benefit to the revision when I am still (slowly) losing weight?
I don't want to go more than a few kg below my goal weight as it is not a good look on me.

If there is no drastic weight loss, given so much has been achieved already, is there Hair loss with the revision?

Any insights would be appreciated as I have my one year check-up in a couple of weeks and I want to be prepared for when the topic is raised

[swimbikerun 1,048]

As someone who developed multiple medical issues that became very serious, more so as the time went on, I would do again. My recovery and ability to eat, etc. has been slower, but that's fine. It beats those medical issues I had than before.

[SleeveToBypass2023 2,682]

I had a revision from sleeve to bypass (hence my name on here lol) because I developed such severe gerd that I was taking the highest possible dose of PPI in the morning and at night. I developed gastritis, esophagitis, and so many polyps because of the high doses of PPI over an extended time that I needed 4 endoscopies to remove them.

The surgery to the bypass was so much easier in terms of recovery. Like night and day. I wish I had just done the bypass to begin with. I was losing weight really well with the sleeve, but I ended up not being able to work out anymore, couldn't eat well at all (or normally), had to be so so careful what I drank, couldn't sleep, it was all just a big mess.

I don't, for one minute, regret my revision. Not one negative thing about it at all. I would absolutely do it again. Had I decided not to do it, my quality of life would be in the toilet (already was, really). High levels of PPI over a long period of time can really cause problems, so if that's what you need in order to not have the gerd affect your daily life, that will likely backfire on you at some point. Personally, I say seriously consider the revision.

[Arabesque 7,624]

Haven’t had a revision @FifiLux, but I think if I was in your situation, I‘d ask for a second opinion or tell your surgeon you‘re not ready/interested now but will keep it in mind as a possible option in the future.

Considering your GERD is so mild & manageable, there doesn’t seem to be a medical reason for the revision. If you are happy with your weight loss (& you should be - congratulations) what is the need for a revision for additional weight loss? At ten months, you have plenty of time to lose any additional weight you may want to lose (many of us continue to lose for a total of 1-2 years).

The cynical side of me wonders if your surgeon wants to buy a new house, go on an overseas holiday, etc. Said cynical. 😁

[FifiLux 578]

6 hours ago, Arabesque said:

Haven’t had a revision @FifiLux, but I think if I was in your situation, I‘d ask for a second opinion or tell your surgeon you‘re not ready/interested now but will keep it in mind as a possible option in the future.

Considering your GERD is so mild & manageable, there doesn’t seem to be a medical reason for the revision. If you are happy with your weight loss (& you should be - congratulations) what is the need for a revision for additional weight loss? At ten months, you have plenty of time to lose any additional weight you may want to lose (many of us continue to lose for a total of 1-2 years).

The cynical side of me wonders if your surgeon wants to buy a new house, go on an overseas holiday, etc. Said cynical. 😁

My mind was set to telling him thanks but no thanks but wanted to find out a bit more from everyone here first as aside from the possibility of no more PPI and reflux I don't see any necessary benefit, considering how severe my complications were from the original surgery, when I seem to be doing ok now.

I am thinking of asking if I can come off my daily PPI to see if it has any impact. I haven't had any bad episodes since they fixed the stomach leak but I think he just wants to keep me on the meds and do the bypass to put his own mind at rest.

Edited June 23, 2024 by FifiLux

[swimbikerun 1,048]

It has been worth it to me to get rid of all the problems I had before. Granted, my recovery was slower, but I had other problems that also had to be fixed that were getting out of hand.

Reflux is not always fixable and there can be other issues. Life is infinitely better now than it was before.

[Arabesque 7,624]

16 hours ago, FifiLux said:

I am thinking of asking if I can come off my daily PPI to see if it has any impact. I haven't had any bad episodes since they fixed the stomach leak but I think he just wants to keep me on the meds and do the bypass to put his own mind at rest.

It can’t hurt to see if you need them or need them as frequently. And it may reveal what your reflux (GERD) is really like. I still take mine every day because of my reflux is worse than pre surgery but the PPIs manage it. I used to take them just when I needed them before surgery (maybe once every 2 months +/-) & managed my reflux by dietary choices back then. Still do which I think helps.