Martin64

I had band that was revised but lost only 20 lbs which I gained back. I'm having my gallbladder out by a bariatric surgeon and he wants to talk to me tomorrow about possibly revising my pouch if it looks too large. Has anyone every had your sleeved stomach revised? Thanks, Monica

OK, met with the bariatric surgeon today. I really like him! Dr. Hargroder in Baton Rouge, LA. He said one view of my films it looks like a "normal" sleeve, but on another view, it looks like it is larger from the back. He said he knows of possibly two reasons I may be having trouble. If my sleeve surgeon did not dissect the stomach far enough, it would have left a bulb-like protrusion on the back side, which he thinks he is seeing on the film. This would mean I have a much too big pouch. The other problem my be the hernia repair surgery he (Dr. Hargroder) performed on me when I had my band. He said it was a Nisson fundoplication (sp?) in which the upper stomach is wrapped around the esophagus. My sleeve doctor may not have unwound it and just "sleeved" (stapled) around it making a larger pouch. He also may have unwound it, cut/stapled the stomach and not wound it again - also resulting in a larger pouch and explaining why the hernia came back. So, he proposes that he look at it while removing my gallbladder and repairing my hiatal hernia. If it looks too big, he will resection it - just like the original surgery. But it would have to be pretty big to have enough room to do this. The other possibility is he may be able to do a pliacation (pleat the upper, enlarged pouch - fold it over on itself). He really won't know until he get in there to see what was done and if it looks "unusual". I think I'm having it done on 8/2 or 8/4. They will confirm with me tomorrow. Thanks, Monica

Kelly - that is so great that you found something that works for you. I will anxiously watch this thread to see if we can all figure out what works! Hopefully we will find a common element! Monica

Oh boy do I feel your pain! I was banded in 2003, lost 90 lbs, all Fluid removed in 2007 due to severe reflux issues, gained 40 lbs back, sleeved in 2009, lost 15 lbs on liquids, gained all that back and am at the same weight I was when I got sleeved! I'm so mad and feel like there must be a reason for this. I know people just try to help when they say reduce your carbs, but if I could diet, I wouldn't have needed to get half my stomach cut out! I have NO restriction. I can eat a whole sandwich or larger hamburger and be hungry two hours later. I fight hunger all the time and I guess that is why I've "only" gained back 15 lbs since getting sleeved. Yes, I've had all the test to and everything is normal. I hope we find something out! Good luck to you! Monica

When I first got sleeved (2.5 yrs ago) - I had that exact same feeling after I ate too much - very sleepy. I felt like I had been drugged! I don't know how long it lasted, but it finally went away. I don't get that feeling anymore. But you are the only other person I have ever heard mention it. It must be something to it! Good luck to you! Monica

OMG! I can't believe I finally found some of "my kind"! I thought I was the only one! I have searched and searched and couldn't find others. I never was NOT hungry. I lost 15 lbs on the liquid/soft diet the first month (while starving) and have slowly gained back that 15 lbs after 2.5 yrs. It is a constant struggle and I am so MAD that I have not lost one pound! I thought maybe it was because I had my band removed and sleeved all in the same surgery. My doctor just tells me I am taking in too many calories and need to reduce my carbs! Duh, if I could have dieted I would not have paid so much for a sleeve. Now don't go flaming me - I know I have to work with my sleeve and make healthy choices, but something is definitely wrong! I have been on Nexium (or it's precursor) for 22 years. In other words, I've always had acid reflux issues. Maybe you are on to something! I'm going to try the gaviscon. I hope everyone will keep posting your success or failure with the antacids. I have to have my gallbladder out in a few weeks and my doctor is going to give me a price to "revise" my pouch if he sees it needs it once he gets in there. I have spent so much on first my band (which I lost 90 lbs with) but had to have it removed due to sever reflux problems. I gained back 40 lbs once it was "deflated" and that is why I decided to get the sleeve. My doctor removed the band and did the sleeve all in one operation. Thanks, Monica