cgshrink

Hello 'Bypassers,' There doesn't seem to be much information for those that have had gastric sleeves converted into gastric bypasses. There isn't even a forum for us...we must be a small minority, indeed. Back in 2010, I made the decision to undergo the gastric sleeve surgery in Tijuana, Mexico. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea, was pre-diabetic, had knee and back issues, and was just overcome with a general feeling of fatigue and malaise. Unfortunately, I was ten pounds shy of reaching the BMI requirement to have my insurance to pay for surgery. Basically, my doctor told me, "You can gain ten pounds, wait a year, and apply again" or, "you can self-pay." I flew to Mexico and self-paid- where it was much cheaper. Surgery went fine; I came back with no issues, and started losing weight immediately. Sleep apnea went away, no more pre-diabetic status, and I became very healthy and active...I even ran in three 5k races (quite an achievement for me). I reached 168 and I was thrilled; I hadn't seen a number like that since I was in high school. What is more important...I felt fantastic! I started to climb back up the scale in 2012. Carbs were my nemesis; sneaking candy, donuts, cakes, and breads were easy ways for me to work around my sleeve; I quickly mastered which were slider foods and which were the foods that would quickly fill me up. Admittedly, I was opting for the slider foods and was always hungry. This past year I began thinking I needed an extra tool to help out with my head hunger...and there was no way my insurance company would approve me for a revision so there was no point in trying. At a weight of 203, I flew back to Tijuana this past June and had my sleeve revised into a gastric bypass. It was a great success, Dr. Ortiz and his team are very skilled doctors. My hope is that I can finally reach my goal, and with the rerouting perhaps I have an additional tool to help stave off my addiction to carbs (a girl can dream, eh?). Three weeks later, I am already down 15 pounds and the hope that I might reach my goal keeps me going. I am looking for sleevers that have converted to bypassers. What complications have you encountered? What advice can you give? Do you mind sharing your story with me? I am theorizing here that with the absence of my stomach and gherelin, the creation of my pouch, and the rerouting of my intestines should provide a much longer and permanent result than with one surgery alone, but I do not know anyone else that has gone from a sleeve to a bypass. Any and all advice are welcome, however, I am really looking for "sleevers to bypassers," as other procedures can have such different post-operative experiences. Thank you!

I went to Mexico by myself both times and was fine. The nurses are very attentive and my driver made sure I was never bored. The hotel and city of Tijuana is beautiful.

Feeling good! I am about a month and a half out of surgery and about to go on a cruise. 19 pounds down when I last checked (I check weekly). No reflux issues. Can anyone tell me, is the revision from sleeve to bypass essentially the duodenal switch? In researching I am not sure of the difference. We call our surgery revision, but it not; it's not like the doctors put the stomach we lost back. Just curious.

Yay! I am just over 2 months post-op and this morning I gingerly stepped on the scale. It read 199!!!! Man it felt good to see a 1** something; I haven't seen that in several years! Whoo hoo!:wink0:

Thanks guys for all the well wishes! One question: A lot of people have noticed at work (I am a teacher so I just came back yesterday 40 lbs lighter hee hee). I haven't told anyone at work. Some are asking how I did it but I don't want to talk about it. I feel like Star Jones- what should I say?

I used to do it everyday, and it really affected my mood. Now, I don't weigh myself at all the week of my period, and I only do a body test every couple weeks on my Wii Fit. I prefer the body test on the Wii as opposed to the regular scale because its more comprehensive and my traditional scale kept giving me different numbers depending on where I stood.

I am now doing yoga 5 days a week. I do gyrokinesis (dancer's yoga), pilates on the Reformer, a pilates mat, and a Hatha yoga class. On the days when I am not in the studio, I practice on the Wii fit. I find it has been very helpful with my mood, flexibility, bowel regularity, as well as strength. I like how I am building muscle without the bulk. Yoga is definitely my exercise of choice!

I really love Yoga and now that I am on the "losing" end of the weight debacle I want to resume it after a several year hiatus. I just had surgery June 11th, when do you think it is safe to take a yoga class? Has anyone out there found it to be a reliable form of exercise?

I had surgery with Dr. Almanza June 11 and am quite pleased with my results. I flew out of Raleigh, NC and stayed at the Hampton Inn by the San Diego airport the day before my surgery. I was picked up by a driver at 7 am the day of surgery. So far, I am almost 40 pounds down and very active. If you'd like anymore information feel free to PM me. C

I am two weeks into my yoga classes and I really love it. I take gyrokinesis (dancer's yoga), pilate's on the Reformer equipment, and a pilate's mat class. I am considering Bikram yoga (hot yoga, makes you SWEAT!) too once I am done with my eight-week session. On the days I am not in the studio, I do yoga on my Wii fit. I am feeling great!

I really love Yoga and now that I am on the losing end of the weight debacle I want to resume it after a several year hiatus. I just had surgery June 11th, when do you think it is safe to take a yoga class? Has anyone out there found it to be a reliable form of exercise?

Thanks Tiffykins and Goodlife, I feel very reassured. I put the scale up high in my shoe closet; I will try to stick to a once a week schedule...and definitely not until my period is over!

Hey guys, Maybe I am way too early to be complaining about this but, why has my weight loss stopped?? When I returned home from surgery, I had dropped an amazing 11 pounds. Then from that day, I lost an average of 1 pound a day until the scale read 217. I was like, "wow"! However, I came on my period and I have gained back 3 pounds. I am so confused because I am barely eating anything and don't see how I can gain back an ounce (I mean, I JUST started eating cream of wheat)! I know stalls happen but do they happen this early? And does it include gaining weight?! My friend suggested I put the scale away and stop being obsessed with it, but it is scary to think I have invested in this complete lifestyle change and my body just refuses to take off the weight. I am an eternal optimist but this has thrown me for a loop. What am I doing wrong?

Hey Everyone, I have felt like such a voyeur; I have reading the posts on this site for months and now that I am taking the plunge to have surgery, I might as well put myself out there. Hi! I have not been a big girl all my life. I come from a very fit family and am eager to get back to an active life I once had. The death of my husband six years ago, the pursuit of a PhD, and the hardships of single parenting have contributed to the state I am in. But I am pulling myself out, and I am beginning with this surgery. I am from Raleigh, and my insurance denied my request to have weight loss surgery because I was .5 below the BMI requirement in the year 2008. I'd have to wait until 2011, maintain the same weight, and submit all my paperwork again for re-approval. I have sleep apnea, back pain, fatigue, and am at risk for diabetes. Needless to say, I am not going to sit and be fat for a year, so I can pay a huge deductible and finally have surgery. So...off to Mexico I go ??ndale! ??ndale! ?Arriba! ?Arriba! I am scheduled to undergo the knife Friday, June 11th with Dr. Mario Alberto Almanza Reyes. For those of you that are ready to swarm me with warnings please hold off. I have done my research, talked to many people, read the good, bad, and the really ugly, and feel comfortable with this doctor. I don't like it when people accuse others of going to him because of cost; lets face it, if we had a lot of money to spend, we'd just get surgery close to home. 20 days until the big day; I am recording my experiences on film; look for a link soon!

I just came back from surgery with Dr. Almanza. I had surgery Friday and came home Monday. I feel great! Right after surgery I felt terrible; very nauseous. The staff were right on point; everytime I hit that call button someone was there to help me. Lobito is an exceptional nurse and she knew right where to draw blood and to stick my IV (there are like, only two places to draw blood from in my arm). Dr. Alamanza was efficient and I can speak about his past English, but he explained the procedure to me in English and needed no translator. There were two fellow sleever and one bandster that day and we are left intact; the bandster left a day early. I know some others had complications but I was very happy with him. The condo was great, the staff was great (Claudia, while young, is super smart), Omar was a wonderful driver who was great company and a great bodyguard while he took me shopping, and I will probably be back for a mommy makeover:)

I am going to Almanza June 11th, I will look for you once I am in TJ!

I am June 11th with Dr. Almanza

Anyone getting sleeved June 11th. It would be nice to have a contact once I get there:)

Thanks for the look out. I have been to plenty of places on my own; Mexico included! As some of you said earlier; I thought it would be nice to meet up with someone who was having the surgery the same day...maybe I will call Sandy. P.S. Please no scare tactics...I have already read the threads about the leaks and infections; thanks for the heads up!

I am at 35.8 but in 2008 I was at 34.5; I have to be at BMI 35 for two consecutive years...thus the reason I am going to Mexico.

When are you hoping to go out there. I am scheduled for June 11th and am looking for a buddy!

Nah, I am a writer and an English Instructor. The shrink refers to watching my body shrink to normal levels.

Maddie, I am looking for you to tell me about your experiences as soon as you return!!