KristinaW

Hi! I lost almost 140 lbs w/my sleeve but have slowly regained 35 lbs over the last 3 years. I'm scared I'll be back to where I started at this rate. Since my original bariatric surgeon passed away, I went to see another WLS doc and he performed an endoscopy. Said I have a hernia, reflux, kink in my sleeve and stretched out sleeve, so that is why I'm gaining weight. He recommends a revision from sleeve to bypass. He also said the surgeon who did my sleeve had a different (inferior) technique for doing sleeves, thus this Dr. does a lot of revisions for my original surgeon. Insurance has approved but I'll have out of network coverage. Here is my concern: In the waiting room of this surgeon's office, it just so happened there were 5 revision patients, and they told horror stories of complications, and ending up in severe pain, kinked intestines, needing additional emergency surgeries, not being able to eat, pain months after, regret, etc. I'll be honest....it scares me!! I asked this surgeon about those patients, and the doc said it was flukes, that there are a few people who have complications, but they may not be following directions, or maybe they had numerous WLS before, etc. I'm scared if I do go forward with my planned revision, I could end up in worse health and have regrets, but I am scared if I don't, I'll end up where I started 5 years ago....very unhappy!! Would love to hear from a good number of folks who have had sleeve to bypass revisions, and what your experience was? Thank you in advance!!

Your advice was so helpful Thank you!!

That is awesome! Congrats and thanks so much for sharing!! By chance, had you had many other abdominal surgeries? Just curious since I keep hearing a lot about scar tissue causing complications like intestinal blockage.

Wow, greenlitego, that is scary! I'm sorry you had to go through all that. I'm glad you can eat now, but yikes! Ok, these are the stories that kind of freak me out....all the scar tissue that creates problems. I'm worried about that too.

Awesome, thanks Ellie! I just messaged you!

Thanks MissPoodle. Congrats and very glad to hear you are doing well!! 1st q: Do you mind if I ask...was yours covered by insurance? I have sought a couple 2nd opinions and they say it won't be covered (I have no bariatric benefits with my insurance; but the one said "fluke" doctor is able to get it covered under insurance because of GERD/hernia, etc. (I asked other docs' billing folks why they can't do the same....just their policy). 2nd q: did you see how many abdominal surgeries I've had? Have you or any of the folks who you know that just had the revision had as many? Thanks again! Really appreciate the input!

I had a consult with him years before that, like 2005-ish, maybe. I didn’t use him because I wasn’t feeling it. I understand he has a very good surgical reputation. He was very experienced back then and referred because he was one of THE lap band guys when it was pretty new. I’d imagine, at this point, his level of experience in all areas has only increased immensely. I didn’t happen to like him. I was also a lot younger than I am now and thought that had some correlation to whether or not he was a skilled surgeon. One has nothing to do with the other. Thank you Screwballski!

Hi DFW peeps! Any of you have experience with Dr. John Alexander? I've looked on several forums and find old reviews, from 2011 or 2013 and older. Odd. Just curious? Thanks!

Thanks MissPoodle. Did you have your revision surgery yet? If so, how far out are you and how has your experience been?

Wow, Marfar, I am feeling for you, as I read your story. Yikes! But, that gives me much hope....like you said that first week or so sucks, right?! Sounds like you have a great hubby, and so glad you are doing well now! That's amazing your reflux is gone! What do you find is the biggest difference between sleeve and gastric bypass? I should probably read up on it more and educate myself, but I tend to get anxiety then if I "know too much". I know, many of you reading this are probably shaking your head. Just how I cope and get through life. Ha ha! I study after. I did everything to a tee the first 2 years post-sleeve. I still haven't had a sip of soda since my sleeve, nor do I drink during a meal, etc. etc. I am a little scared about multiple abdominal surgeries and scarring because I've had 1. sleeve/gallbladder removal 2. Ovarian cyst 3. FOUR c-sections and 4. tummy tuck. So.... yikes!

Thank you SHNGSTAR. I've felt so frustrated I can't find anyone else in my position. I'm shocked still it's crickets on the bariatric support groups. Wish you were in TX too! Ha!

Thank you guys...that's kind of what I've been thinking, and feeling like I should go with my gut. But yikes, it's scary too.....I am scared about what will happen if I don't do something drastic (i.e. revision). Ugh! What I'm shocked about....surely this has to be more common, right....sleeve to bypass revisions? Why is no one talking about it?