kate33

I am currently in the process of researching the band to sleeve revision surgery and am concerned about reflux and it's effects. I have watched many videos featuring interviews with sleeve recipients. In the majority of the videos it appears to me that the majority of the patients have unusual swallowing reflexes, awkwardly pausing while speaking to swallow, cough, or clear the throat. It could just be my eyes playing tricks on me..but I'm wondering if it could be a result of acid reflux? Has anyone noticed or experienced this?

I had lap band surgery in Mexico in 2007. I had a very good experience with my trip to Mexico for the surgery and felt that it was an excellent option for me as a lower weight, self pay patient. Now, a little over 4 years later I am hoping to revise to the gastric sleeve. While I have had good results with losing weight with the band(currently at 158lbs), I find that I have a difficult time eating the healthier foods that I want to. With the band I have a very difficult time eating fruit, lettuce, or fibrous veggies leaving me very frustrated! I have had lots of reflux that I never had before surgery and I have had a very hard time finding anyone in my area to follow up with for fills and haven't actually had ANY followup in 3 years. I feel like by keeping the band that I am sitting on a ticking time bomb. I originally went with the band because it was "reversible" and "minimally invasive". However, now the constant fear of getting a stomach bug, slip or erosion is prompting me to research a revision. I would love to hear from others who have had revisions regarding your experience with restriction and any food tolerance issues. Please share the good, bad, and ugly! If I had known then what I know now about the band I'm not sure that I would have done it. Also, because I had my first surgery in Mexico, I will be doing the same with the revision and while I was not nervous with the band, I am more concerned about the sleeve as it is a much more involved procedure. What to do if you get home and have complications? Just go to the ER and pray that the surgeon on call is willing to help the crazy person who went to MEXICO for surgery?! Obviously, having been to Mexico for my first surgery I have seen first hand that the facilities are top notch and cleaner that the U.S. and that the skill level of the Surgeons is excellent, but people are quite judgmental and opinionated with their own preconceived notions. I am not close enough to go back to Mexico in case of emergency. So if you have had a complication after getting home what did you do? I had my band done with a Doctor who doesn't have much revision experience so I am looking at having my revision with Dr. Aceves. In looking at his statistics he is one of the more experienced with revisions. Has anyone been to Dr. Aceves for the revision surgery specifically, and what was your experience? Also, If anyone has been through a pregnancy after VGS, I would love to hear about your experience, as I am 25 years old and most definitely see that in my future. Wow, that turned into a very long winded story! Thanks in advance for any information you can give. It is much appreciated!