Lisa's Hope

Thank you so much Laura!

Laura, I would like to order a couple of boxes of this! Can you help me?

May I ask how you make your protein hot chocolate? Sounds yummy. Especially since it is getting cold.

Keep us posted when you can on your progress!! Praying for a great surgery and full recovery!!

This is so sad! I had the sleeve on 5/21/12 and have been having issues with GERD and acid reflux, bile reflux and esophageal spasms. I was told by my surgeon that the only solution FOR GERD is to convert to bypass. NO WAY. I told him no and I mean that. Only way I will do anything is if I get an ulcer or something. As of now, I don't have one. I will take my chances with the sleeve. Seems Gastric Bypass surgery just brings on more and more problems. Even years after having it. I am 18 months out from the sleeve on the 21st. I see a few people on there that are doing revisions from sleeve to bypass and I pray it works out for them. I feel for you ladies. I feel sad reading your post. I pray for you to get better and be able to gain weight and have your life back. So sorry this has happend to you. God bless you!!

Thank you so much for responding to me. I'm so glad to hear you are doing better. I still haven't made up my mind yet but I think I'm going to just see how I do in the coming months before I make a decision. As of right now, I'm not losing any more weight. I'm disappointed about that but I know it will take work. The test that I've had like the upper GI and EGD showed that my sleeve looks ok. No strictures or anything of that sort. I do have gastritis but seems it is getting a little better. I'm really hoping that I can do this on my own. I did have to pay for my sleeve and I'm not sure the insurance would cover the RNY anyway. There is no way I can come up with the money to pay for it. :/ I'm on Levsin to combat the spasms and so far it has worked but still can't lay on either side at night to sleep. A spasms will happen for sure! Ugh.. I hate that most of all. Not being able to sleep on my side! lol Please keep me posted on your progress I would love to follow you and hear how you are progressing!! Congratulations on your weight loss. I will be praying for your full recovery and I pray that you have no other problems getting food down. God Bless!

I had my sleeve on 5/21/12. I've lost 128 pounds to date. I have very bad GERD and the worst part is esophageal spasms. They are taking over my life! They are so painful and they feel like a heart attack. I've been having them daily and usually wake up around 4 am with this terrible pain in my ears, then throat, chest, and right side where my sleeve is. These things will throw you down on your knees they hurt so bad. I'm on Levsin that I put under my tongue when they happen to help relieve them. I've never experience anything like this. My surgeon thinks they could be caused from GERD. I'm not so sure. I was scheduled for a Bravo Capsule endoscope on Monday and a Manometry on Wed and I've decided to back out of both. I've read where the capsule can damage the esophagus and could get lodged in the intestines when it falls off the esophagus in 7 days if you're lucky. Sometimes it doesn't fall off and there it is stuck and causing more problems. I just can't take the chance, I know I have GERD and all this test does is measure how much acid I have in my stomach over a 24 hour period. Nahhh I think I will just not do it. I'm tired . Sick and tired of these test!!! I'm more sick of the spasms that feel like labor pains and then leave me drained and sore. Well, I'm not sure what I'm going to do. The surgeon wants to revise me to RNY but I absolutely do not want to do it. I guess I will take my chances and see if something else can be done. I know that gastroenterologist will use botox to stop the spasms but I'm scared to go to someone who isn't familiar with the sleeve but I'm not trusting my surgeon either right now. He is so busy and he just heards people in and out like cattle. Ok, well if anyone has had experience with these horrid things, please respond! Thank you!

I had my surgery on 5/21/12. I've had an upper GI and 3 EGD's. I was diagnosed with bile reflux and gastritis caused from the sleeve surgery. I really don't think I need those other two test. I had GERD before but not near as bad as I do now after the sleeve. I hope you did not have GERD before the sleeve because it will get worse. My spasms are in my chest and feel like a heart attack and can last from 15 minutes to hours. I am so thankful though that I haven't had one in over a week but I still can't sleep on my sides. I know if I do, they will surely come. Congrats on your surgery. I've had great success with weight loss I just wish I didn't have these problems. I have to be thankful though because some have a lot more severe problems. Thank you for commenting about the test. I think though the Bravo test after sleeve has a higher chance of getting stuck because of the sleeve being so narrow.

So happy to hear this news Niki!!!!! YAY for you!! I have been waiting to hear back from you. The capsule camera is easy I thihk. With this one, I think you just swallow the capsule and it takes pictures on the way down. Good luck!! Oh I forgot, what is the surgery for again? You will be as good as new! So happy for you.

Hi, I've just now found this post and I have to express how sorry I am you have been through all of this. WoW... You really have been through a lot! I hope now that your life is better. I had the sleeve 5/21/12. I had my gall bladder removed in March. I too have severe esophageal spasms and I know how painful these things are!!! I have severe bile reflux and gastrits. My complications though are no where near what you have suffered. My surgeon is trying to get me to do the GB to help with the GERD and spasms and now that I've read your post I know the RNY will not help with the spasms. I had already refused to do the RNY. I am taking levsin as well for the spasms. I can't sleep on either of one of my sides at night because if I do, I will get a spasms and you are so right, they make you feel like you are having a heart attack and feels like labor pains in my chest and right side! How are you doing now with the spasms and your life in general. Again, I hope things are better for you. God Bless!

So sorry your husband said those thing to you. It is probably just the stress of everything you have been through. He was probably just letting off frustration eventhough there is no excuse for it. I too have the same issues. Although, I don't think they are as severe as yours as of yet. I've posted about this and how scared I am that I may too be facing gastric bypass. I had my sleeve surgery 5/21/12 then gall bladder surgery in March of 2013. I have also been diagnosed with bile reflux and gastritis. Also the worse diagnosis is esophageal spasms. UGH.. so painful. My surgeon mentioned the bypass to me and I told him no. Not yet. I will see how things are. Unlike your conditions, I can still keep food down. You are underweight I see and you really have to do this so you can get nutrition in. I'm praying for you. I hope all all is well for you on Thursday. Please keep us informed on how you are doing. Good luck and God bless you!

Wow Chrissy! I'm so sorry you are going through this! I feel like my problems are nothing compared to that. I pray they will find out why you have this infection! I don't think I've heard of this before. Please keep me posted on how you are and what they find out. God bless you!!

Nicki YES you are! Girl, you are amazing. You are going through all this stuff and you ask me about my testing. So sweet. Well, I backed out of them!haha I just did not see the reasoning behind the stupid things. I know I have GERD. I've had an upper GI, Cat Scan, and EGD. I decided it wasn't necessary for my surgeon to pin that capsule to my esophagus to measure the acid in my tummy. I was told from the last endoscope that I had bile reflux. I would do it if I were going to swallow the pill camera but this is different and it can cause all sorts of problems. When they pin it to your esophagus it is supposed to fall off in 7 days. I've heard how painful it can be and I just couldn't do it. My stomach hurts to much as it is now. And the Manometry, well, I'm a chicken!! Just terrifies me to think of doing that! SO anyway, I backed out. I plan on seeing my PCP and having him refer me to a gastroenterologist and get a second opinion about the testing I've had so far. I know I'm going to do everything I can not to have RNY but I'm not sure I can live like this forever. I would be ok without the spasms. The GERD I can live with but the spasms.. thats something else. I am able to eat though so that is good. I wish I could lose the rest of this weight but I'm ok if I don't. Thank you so much for asking! I appreciate it so much! From the responses I've gotten or lack there of, I don't think anyone is experiencing the spasms like I am. This is why I need to see a GI doc. Also, not too many people have had these test after the sleeve either. That is why I thought twice about it.

OH girl! Wow... I am praying so much for you. I know this has to be so hard!! One thing after another! I hate so much that you have to have another surgery but since they've found why you can't eat and are still losing they can get that fixed and then you won't feel so faint and be able to keep your weight maintained. The artery, I've never heard of it but I'm going to think positive and say it isn't narrowed that much. I wonder what caused that? If it is, maybe they can put the stent in through a cath. I've had three of those and they aren't bad at all. But mine were heart and kidney caths. You will get all of this taken care of and I believe with my whole heart you will get better. I don't know you but you seem to have the best attitude and you are handling this very well. I've heard that our attitude can heal us! Again, I know this has to be so hard for you. God bless you!! Many prayers going up for you Niki.

Niki, Please let us know how you are. I backed out of having the Capsule EGD. I heard to many bad stories and I didn't want to do it. The one I was having is different than the one you are scheduled for. Mine was a normal EGD and they go down and clip this capsule to the esophagus and it falls off in 7 days and it causes alot of pain unlike the one you just swallow. I would do it if I could just swallow the pill. I know I have GERD really badly and I don't need that test to tell me. I am is so much pain from the spasms that I didn't want to risk this getting stuck. I'm not sure if my surgeon will drop me because of this or not but if he does, I will find someone else. I'm thinking of having my PCP to refer me to a Gastroenteroligist and I will tell him the same that I'm not having these test but I will have a normal Endoscopic procedure for him to look. I just had the endoscope a month ago and found out I have gastritis, and bile reflux so this test was just for nothing if you ask me. I'm still so very scare to face the RNY. I don't want this surgery. I think about you daily and pray that things get better for you! Please keep us informed.

You look so good!! I'm so envious! Amazing results. Congratulations!

Hi, I just came across this thread. I too may be facing revision sleeve to bypass because of GERD and esophageal spasms. I've lost 120 pounds with the sleeve and still have 20 to go but these spasm are so terrible. I've never had so much pain in my life. Not even having my daughter. I'm so scared to go to bypass. I was wondering how you have been doing?? I hope things are going well for you. If you wouldn't mind can you tell me how you experience is going and how it differs from the sleeve? Thank you so much and wishing you the best.

I remember reading your story. My stomach hurts too. Every day. I have gastritis and bile reflux also. I can eat though. I mostly drink Protein Shakes. Good luck on your revision. Please keep us posted on how you are doing. I'm so scared that I will have to do this as well. Praying all of your issue reslove and you are much better after the revision!

Hi, I'm so glad I found this thread and all of you! I had the sleeve 5/21/12 and have lost 128 pounds to date. My highest weight 294 and today 166. The thing is that I'm having terrible GERD and Esophageal Spasms! I can handle the GERD. It is the spasms that I can't take anymore. I have been advised by my surgeon that I may need to revise to RNY. I really don't want to do this at all but I can't live my life this way. I have spasms daily and they feel like labor in my throat, chest, and under my right ribs in my sleeve. SOOO painful!! I have to sleep on my back every night because if I turn over on my sides, it brings on the spasms. I'm taking prilosec 20 mg twice a day, carafate 4 times a day, and hyoscyamine SR (Levsin or Levbid) not sure which under my tongue for relief of the spasms. I'm at the end of my rope. I am 20 or so pounds from my goal so revising would not be for the weight loss but It would be a plus to be able to get to goal for sure. I'm so tired of these spasms. They have taken over my life for sure. On Monday I will have a Bravo EGD and on Wednesday I will have a Manometry. Have any of you had these test after sleeve surgery? It has been hard for me to find one person that has. Seems according to my surgeon these test are standard for GERD problems to find out how severe it is and check the LES to see if it is closing properly and also the pressure. I'm so concerned because the Manometry is an NG tube and the nurse places it. So I'm afraid of them puncturing my sleeve! I'm not too trusting. Plus, I have to be awake for this. Niki, has read my story many times I'm sure. Hi Niki, I hope you are doing much better. Anyway, any advice ladies you can give me will be much appreciated. If any of you have had these test, please respond. I've been told that the Bravo capsule is very painful for some being stuck to the esophagus for 7 days. UGH.. Not looking forward to this but I know I have to go through with both test. I will just be glad when it is over. Then there is the decision of whether or not I will revise. My insurance did not pay for my sleeve so I don't know if they will pay for this after the first of the year since the ACA is in place. My husband will have the same insurance but I'm not sure if they will be able to exclude the surgery. Thank you again and any advice is appreciated! Lisa

I am in same boat. My surgeon has expressed to me that I need to revise to bypass and I'm doing everything I can not to do it. I have severe GERD with esophageal spasms that are horrid and I have them daily. I'm beside myself and don't know where to turn. I am to have a "Bravo EGD" on Monday and I don't even want to do this. This is where they measure the acid in the sleeve and how severe it is. On Wednesday, I am to have a Manometry. This is where they put an NG tube in the nostril and down the throat to measure pressure and how the LES is closing. Did yor husband have these test? I'm so scare to do this !! I'm having a breakdown here. I'm sorry to hear about your husband. I wish I could give encouraging words but I am like he is and I don't want the bypass. I will pray for him. Please keep us updated as to how he is doing.

Back in 2008 I was diagnosed with Graves Disease. I had to have my thyroid ablated (RAI) radiation and had it killed off. So now I have a dead gland in my neck. I was 245 pounds then. After the radiation, I gained another 50 pounds which put me at my higest weight of 295 -299. I started on meds and my weight gain leveled off but I couldn't lose. So that is when I decided to have surgery. Anyway, my meds have been adjusted down 3 times since being sleeved and as I've lost weight. Just got my labs back and I'm hypothyroid again so I need to go back up on my meds a bit. I haven't lost any weight in 6 months really.Nothing has worked. My hair is still falling out and I've been an emotional wreck! I sure hope this helps me. I'm praying this adjustment on my medication will get my weight loss started again! Very hopeful! I want to be at 150! I decided to take some pics yesterday just to remind myself of where I've come from. At least, I haven't been gaining to much. Well, I did gain 7 pounds and lose two. I really think this is the reason. I pray that it is! Starting on new meds tomorrow.

Niki, I know you are so scared and so tired of going through all of this. I am so happy though you have a Dr that is going to do these test on you to find out what is causing your pain in your tummy. I will pray you find some answers!! I to am having the Capsule EDG. I go Monday to do this and on Wed to have the Manometry. I am not worried at all about the EDG but the Manometry is another story. I'm not fond of the thought of someone putting a tube in my nose down my throat. UGH.. I know they do this to measure pressure in the esophagus and stomach. Like I said before I've been having issues with GERD and esophageal spasms. I think the EDG is such a good idea for you to have. They will be able to see if have twisting of your intestines and so much more. I pray you do not have to have more surgery but that they can find out what is going on with you and you can get better. I just said a prayer for you!! Please let us know what the test tell you.

Thank you so much!1

BLESS YOU!! I'm so sorry you are going through all of this! It must be hell! I feel for you and I will pray for you believe me! I am on prilosec twice a day, carafate, Tramadol, and hyoscyamine for the spasms. I'm so surprised you didn't have these test I mentioned. The first one monitors the acid in the stomach and motility of the esophagus for 24 hours. Since we have severe bile reflux it can cause the spasms of the esophagus. The other test, Manometry measures the level of pressure in the esophagus. This is the one I'm scared to do because they do have to put an NG tube in and I'm terrified. When my surgeon mentioned me having the bypass to get rid of this GERD, I cried. I DO NOT want it. I don't think I will proceed. I too would not have this surgery if I could go back. I've lost 128 pounds but sometimes I don't think it was worth it. My issues are not near the severity of yours. I just feel for you so much. I know that you may think that your experience may be for nothing but you are helping people by sharing your experience. I can't imagine going through what you do on a daily basis. Thank you for sharing and know that I am praying for you. I am a Christian and I believe in the power of healing through Christ. Not ashamed of my Jesus! Sorry to be preaching..lol It is just that my heart goes out to you. I'm not sure I will even proceed with the Manometry. I will do the EDG but the other as I said scares me. I'm going to continue to take the meds I'm on now and live my life as best as I can. I can't work because of the spasms and I have disc herniations as well but I've been out of work since this surgery. God bless you!! Thank you again. Keep your head up and don't give up!!! Oh, my liver enzymes are elevated all the time as well and they always ask if I drink. I do not. Please let us know how you are doing.

Hello, I've been reading your thread about your revision from sleeve to bypass. I'm in the same boat that you were before you revised. I have severe bile reflux, gastritis, and very very painful esophageal spasms. The pain is almost unbearable. I feel as if I'm having an heart attack every time this happens to me which is usually daily or every other day. I went back to my surgeon and he is going to do two more test on me. One is the chip inserted into the esophagus that records for 24 hours. Not sure exactly what its called. Maybe a capsule endoscopy. The other being a manometry. I'm really scared to have the manometry done but I know I have too. So anyway, my surgeon informs me that I may need to have the revision from sleeve to gastric bypass and I'm scared to death. I also don't know how I can live with this pain from the spasms caused by the GERD. From reading your story, it seems you are still having such problems. What should I do? I have no other options out there. I'm not sure if you had esophageal spasms before with the sleeve or just GERD but the spasms are UNBEARABLE! How are you doing at this point and can you tell me about your experience since the by pass? I know you talked about it before but it would be so helpful to hear exactly your experience since the surgery. I hope you are doing better. I know this is so much for someone to have to go through. Thank you so much.