VSG Tommy B

Hi everyone, Does anyone know if you have a sleeve done at Duke University Hospital, do you get a private room or semi-private room? Thanks!

Hi Everybody, I was banded in March 2011 and quickly lost 40 pounds of my 90 excess pounds. I experienced reflux and had to have Fluid removed from the band and gained 25 pounds. After an endoscopy and several flouroscopies, it was determined that there are no problems with the band or stomach. One doctor was willing to add fluid, but was also recommending a sleeve revision. I thought that was premature and went to get a second opinion. The 2nd doctor told me that I needed to change my eating and that removing more fluid from the band may actually help me lose weight by eliminating the reflux and, if that didn't work, he would recommend another surgery. Now I eat 4-5 small meals (3/4-1 cup and 250-350 calories) per day and space them about 3 hours apart, but I am usually starving about 1.5-2 hours after I eat. Since getting the band, I have regularly exercised 5-6 hours/week. I am very frustrated with the band and hate my port. The new doctor is gently suggesting that RNY would be better because of my reflux, but I am very opposed to re-routing the intestines. Will a sleeve revision work to keep me from being hungry so soon after eating? What does "full" feel like with the sleeve? Do you eat to a "hard" stop or a "soft" stop? How do you know to stop eating with the sleeve? My BMI is currently 35 with a weight of 260 and height of 6'0". I don't look too bad, but would really like to lose another 40-60 pounds. I would even be happy losing the 25 pounds I gained back after getting the band. Is it worth getting the revision? My doctor says that 90% of patients with reflux are cured by the sleeve and that 1-2% have to revise to RNY because the reflux gets worse and becomes intolerable. Given that the band failed me (my doctor's words), I am worried that I will be in the 10% that don't get the reflux cured or be in the 1-2% that have to have another surgery. This scares the crap out of me. Please let me know your thoughts. While I value all of the input of new sleevers, I am especially interested in hearing from those who are several months or years out from surgery as the long term results is what I am most interested in. Thanks, Tom

I would like to thank everyone who posted on this thread. I appreciate all of the input and support. I saw my doctor Thursday and my reflux looked so much better on the flouro that he put some more Fluid in the band. However, we both think a revision is necessary. When I mentioned that I thought he was pushing me towards RNY and wanted to discuss some of the plusses and minuses, he said that he actually thinks the sleeve is my best option and only mentioned the possibility of a later RNY revision so I knew the risks with the reflux. Now that the reflux is better, he is even more certain the sleeve is my best option. He is submitting to insurance for approval on Monday. I am very excited, but also nervous (as is to be expected). Thanks again everyone. Good luck to all of you!

Thanks YuriiMii, I appreciate the information and good wishes. 428 to 287 is awesome! I hope you get past your stall and get to your goal soon. Best wishes to you.

Thanks Sunshine. I appreciate the input. I am glad to hear you are doing well and hope that you continue with no hunger and have an easy and speedy recovery. Best wishes!

Awesome! Congratulations. Keep up the good work.

PaperBullets, I hope all went well today and you are recovering nicely. Please let us know. Dr. Yoo is my doctor too. I haven't yet decided if I am doing a band to sleeve revision yet. When you feel better, please PM me with your thoughts and experiences. Thanks!

My doctor also thinks that RNY is a better option for me. I have bad reflux that prevents him from tightening my band to the level I need for proper restriction. He and I don't think I need malabsorption. His concern is that my reflux will get worse and that I will eventually need to revise to a RNY anyway. He said that the RNY is a "low pressure" system that would virtually guarantee no reflux whereas the sleeve is a "high pressure" system that could make reflux more likely. He said that 90% of people with reflux have significant improvement after the sleeve, but a small percentage of patients experience reflux that is so bad that a revision to RNY is necessary to prevent esophogeal deterioration and disease. Given the low percentage of those having to revise to RNY (and the fact that insurance covers revisions), I am going to take my chances with the sleeve. Best of luck to all.

Thanks brandi. With so little Fluid in the band, I have none of the typical problems (slime and vomiting) I had when the band was tighter. In fact, the only problem I have now is that I can't lose weight because the doctors won't tighten it due to the reflux (even though I don't feel any indigestion). Today, I ate a bagel without a problem for the first time in years. Other than the lack of weight loss, my only complaint is that I hate the feeling of the port.

Hey everyone, I am seriously considering lapband to sleeve revision surgery with Dr. Yoo at Duke. I could really use a local mentor/buddy to talk to about the sleeve or band to sleeve revision. Thanks!

For how long after surgery is heavy lifting prohibited? What is the weight limit? I have a very tall, solid, and heavy (30 lbs) 13 month old that. How do I deal with him wanting me to pick him up, changing his diapers, putting him in his crib, putting him in his car seat, etc? It is usually just me and him at home. Any suggestions?

Smoothie King has a high protein/low carb powder called Gladiator that I really love.

Karen, Thank you very much for the message. I appreciate it. Yes, some of the messages are uplifting and give me hope that this surgery will succeed even though the band failed. Best wishes on your surgery. When are you having it?

Thanks Roserie and newcomb9. My lapband was done with one incision and you can't even see a scar. I hope the sleeve surgery is the same. But I like the gallbladder answer. Very good idea. Pixie Dust, there is a method called SILS (Single Incision Laprascopic Surgery) that can be used for lapband or sleeve. They typically go in through the belly button, but, for a variety of reasons, sometimes go in elsewhere as they did with my lapband.

Thanks Amazon. That is great information. Your success is inspiring. Everyone`s positive feedback is very encouraging. I see my doctor next week and will ask him to start the insurance approval process for the revision. Than you all.

Hi. I am in Raleigh too and am also planning on having VSG (revision from lapband) by Dr. Yoo. I will probably have it at the main Duke hospital because he is there on Fridays and I don't like Duke Raleigh. I wish he worked at Rex. I switched to Dr. Yoo for lapband care because I wasn't happy with the postop care of my lapband surgeon. So far, I love Dr. Yoo. He spent a lot of time working with me to try to get the lapband to work for me. Unfortunately, due to reflux, he can't tighten it to the point where I feel satiety and can lose weight so, when I see him next week, I am going to tell him that it is time to ask for insurance approval for the sleeve. I am sold on Dr. Yoo's knowledge and bedside manner. Could anyone who used Dr. Yoo, please let me know how you felt about his surgical skills and postop support. Thanks!

Thanks Pete and Time. Good info. Congrats on all of your weight loss since being sleeved. Tom

I had a band put in a few years ago because the sleeve wasn't yet available and the idea of RNY seemed to extreme to me. I am now considering the sleeve because I now have reflux and had to have Fluid removed from the band. I have had two doctors who said they can't put more fluid in the band because of the reflux. I now have a useless band and am struggling to maintain my current weight which is only 20 lbs less than I was on my surgery date (I initially lost 45 lbs. but regained 25 lbs. after the fluid was removed from the band). Yes, you can "eat around" the band by having slider foods, but it seems to me that thus would be easier with the sleeve because you don't have the same texture restrictions that you have with the band. No matter what you choose, you have to relearn how to eat and understand that it (sleeve, band, etc.) is just a tool that you have to use correctly for it to work. Unfortunately, it didn't work for me, despite eating correctly and exercising religiously, due to the reflux. Good luck with your choice. Only you know what is right for you.

I am in Raleigh, NC and looking for someone local who had a band to sleeve revision that I can talk to. I want to learn about their experiences so I can make an educated decision on whether or not to get the revision. Thanks!

Hi Everybody, I was banded in March 2011 and quickly lost 40 pounds of my 90 excess pounds. I experienced reflux and had to have Fluid removed from the band and gained 25 pounds. After an endoscopy and several flouroscopies, it was determined that there are no problems with the band or stomach. One doctor was willing to add fluid, but was also recommending a sleeve revision. I thought that was premature and went to get a second opinion. The 2nd doctor told me that I needed to change my eating and that removing more fluid from the band may actually help me lose weight by eliminating the reflux and, if that didn't work, he would recommend another surgery. Now I eat 4-5 small meals (3/4-1 cup and 250-350 calories) per day and space them about 3 hours apart, but I am usually starving about 1.5-2 hours after I eat. Since getting the band, I have regularly exercised 5-6 hours/week. I am very frustrated with the band and hate my port. The new doctor is gently suggesting that RNY would be better because of my reflux, but I am very opposed to re-routing the intestines. Will a sleeve revision work to keep me from being hungry so soon after eating? What does "full" feel like with the sleeve? Do you eat to a "hard" stop or a "soft" stop? How do you know to stop eating with the sleeve? My BMI is currently 35 with a weight of 260 and height of 6'0". I don't look too bad, but would really like to lose another 40-60 pounds. I would even be happy losing the 25 pounds I gained back after getting the band. Is it worth getting the revision? My doctor says that 90% of patients with reflux are cured by the sleeve and that 1-2% have to revise to RNY because the reflux gets worse and becomes intolerable. Given that the band failed me (my doctor's words), I am worried that I will be in the 10% that don't get the reflux cured or be in the 1-2% that have to have another surgery. This scares the crap out of me. Please let me know your thoughts. While I value all of the input of new sleevers, I am especially interested in hearing from those who are several months or years out from surgery as the long term results is what I am most interested in. Thanks, Tom

Thanks Jrr. I appreciate the response. Your comment about portion control and timing is part of what I needed to hear. My original WLS was fine with allowing me to believe that it was ok to eat until full (not over-stuffed). I was able to eat a 16oz steak, veggies, and dessert. He and the PA never told me that just because I can, doesn't mean I should eat that much. The new doctor has corrected that misconception and gave me an eating plan that should work for the band, but isn't for me which is why I am considering the sleeve. When eating the correct amount and at the correct times, is physical hunger gone? (I know head hunger is a separate issue).

Congratulations on your WL since getting the sleeve. That is great! Thank you so much for your thoughtful response. I never felt the acid from the reflux. It just showed up on the flouro. I also don't have any of the typical band problems now that I have very little Fluid in it. I no longer slime, PB, or vomit. No problems with any food types. It's just the darn hunger and lack of weight loss.

Due to complications with my band, my doctor is recommending revision to the sleeve. However, my insurance company requires a BMI of 35 or greater even for revision surgery (I also have to do the doctor supervised diet program again). I am 8 pounds below a BMI of 35 so I can either have the band removed in which case I will automatically get fat again and then have the sleeve done as a second surgery or I can use all the tricks in the book to gain the 8 pounds necessary to get to a BMI of 35 so I can qualify to have the revision in one surgery. If I couldn't lose the weight before the band and the band helped (albeit with complications) does it make sense to force me to gain back weight I worked so hard to lose so I can qualify for a revision and hopefully get to my target weight? Does this make any sense????

PEVette, I do want it and will make sure my weight is up to the 35 BMI requirement. I am just in shock that the insurance company is requiring it. Thanks!

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I was already planning on the rolls of quarters, but now will be buying ankle weights this weekend! Thanks, Tom