Amy*

Hi all, I had the RNY (revised from gastric band) 7 years ago and had amazing success. I got to my goal weight in 5 months and kept the weight off for over 5 years. In the last 18 months, I've had some medical issues that have resulted in me regaining almost all of the weight. Now that I have resolved those issues, I am maintaining my weight, but finding it impossible to lose again like I did before. There has definitely been some stretching of my pouch, which my surgeon has confirmed. So I guess my question is, has anyone out there had the Edoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty done? I have an appointment with my surgeon next week to discuss non-surgical options and I think this will be one of them. All of the research I've done shows it's a great option for regain after bariatric surgery but I'd love to hear from someone who has had it done. If you have had it, how did you recover? Did you lose as much weight as you did with your initial surgery? Did you keep it off? What was the post op diet like? Any and all feedback and comments welcome! P.S: I'm in Melbourne, Australia

Thanks so much for your reply. You’re right, it could be the TORe that my surgeon is planning on doing, he had mentioned an endoscopic procedure so I made an assumption about the ESG but I could be wrong. I’ll find out on Tuesday when I have my appointment. I’ll definitely ask those questions. Hopefully it’s a good option for me.

If you're looking at revision options, my surgeon is discussing a non-surgical option with me of an ESG (Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty) which is where they go in via your esophagus and stitch the pouch to be smaller again from the inside. There are no incisions and it's done quite quickly. I have a consultation with my surgeon next week to get more information but it looks like a good option with some success. Edited for spelling

Hi all, I am experiencing reflux sypmtoms two years post Gastric Bypass (revision from lap band) and ultrasound didn't show anything so I now have to have an esophageal manometry and 24 hour PH test done. Both tests involve having tubes inserted up my nose and down the back of my throat, and it's causing me some anxiety thinking about having it done. I woke up with an NG tube after the surgery and having it removed was quite uncomfortable, so I'm nervous about being awake while having two seperate tubes inserted. Can anyone talk me through their experience? Did you gag/choke while they were putting the tubes in?

Hi all, I have had a lot of success with my bypass (revision from lap band). I successfully lost 30kg (66lbs) in the first 6 months post op, and I am proud to say I have maintained my loss for the last two years. I am looking to lose the last 10-15kg (22-33lbs) and I am struggling. To be perfectly honest, I feel like I've learned how to 'cheat' the bypass and what foods I can eat to not feel like I'm on a diet, but also not gain weight. I've been doing it for so long now, that any sort of restriction in calories or intake feels like a diet (which I haven't done in so long!) that I'm struggling to stay on track. Is there any advice for someone like me? I don't have a whole lot to lose compared to what I've done already so I want to go slow and steady. Thanks in advance! Amy

Hi all, I can't remember where I read this, but someone mentioned that you can pay for your surgery by withdrawing from your super. I have the form to apply for this, but it says that your medical practitioner (I assume your GP) AND medical specialist (I assume the surgeon) have to confirm in writing that you require treatment for one of the following: A life threatening illness or injury, or An acute or chronic pain, or An acute or chronic mental illness, and That the treatment is not readily available through the public health system I will be attempting to get approval using point one and point four, that it is a life threatening illness and that it is not readily available through the public health system (waiting period is approximately two years). Has anyone else used this option before? If so, did your medical practitioner and specialist use the 'life threatening condition' option, or something else? Any help would be great!

That's awesome Bellarose! I will be 3 months post gastric bypass on Sunday and today I officially hit 20kg lost! 24kg to goal weight, it's getting closer and finally starting to feel achievable.

I'm doing great - 7.5 weeks post op (RNY gastric bypass) and I'm 13.4 kilos down! Seeing the surgeon tomorrow for my second follow up appointment and going to talk to him about dumping that seems to happen when I eat a bit much. I don't really have a trigger to tell me when to stop eating but I don't really get hungry either so I kind of just eat when it's time to, and try to stick to the right portion sizes. We'll see what he says, hopefully things will get to 'normal' soon. How is everyone else doing?

Kogo - Helen Bauzon is very well known for working with bariatric patients. Check out her website she has heaps of information. She consults out of a few locations and you can do telephone or Skype consults too. I'm seeing her for the first time in Glen Iris on the 15th July. Oh and I'm having similar issues to you so I'll be asking for advice on that too!

Hi all, I am seeing my surgeon in a couple of weeks to hopefully book in for a laparoscopic gastric bypass following the removal of my lap band 6 months ago. I've been doing a lot of research about the procedure itself and I understand that I may have both a drainage tube and a feeding tube inserted during the surgery, which will stay in place while I'm in hospital. I assume that both tubes will be inserted directly into the stomach rather that the feeding tube being nasal or through the mouth, but I was wondering what everyone else experienced? In particular, the following: Did you have both a drain tube and a feeding tube? If so, where were they inserted? How long were they in for? Did you have any discomfort or pain while they were in? How were they removed? Was that painful? I've had a drainage tube in before and that was no problem, but I have a very strong gag reflex and I'm worried about a feeding tube going down my throat, even though logically I know that, with this type of surgery, nasal and oral tubes aren't recommended. If anyone could share their experience I would really appreciate it!

Hi all, I saw my surgeon today and he's booked me in for surgery next week! As a private patient, I don't need to wait so I'll be having the procedure done next Saturday 2nd May. Please send all the good juju and any last minute advice would be fantastic! I can't wait for this next chapter to begin.

My answer would be exactly the same as Notinks, with the addition of the fact that there is no adjusting/fills that are needed for the bypass so you come out of surgery with the process pretty much complete with the exception of recovery of course. I'm having the bypass done next weekend, 6 months after having my band removed and I can't wait.

I got my surgery date today! And it's in 10 days!! Saturday 2nd May I'll be having the RNY gastric bypass. After four prior surgeries, ending the removal of my lap band, I can't wait to have this journey come to an end, followed by a new beginning! How's everyone else?

Thanks mrs kaje, I have PHI as well so I'm hopefully going to use super just for the gap too. The wait to go public is just too long!

Thank you all so much for your replies, it sounds like the process varies depending on the surgery, surgeon and patient needs etc. I will ask my surgeon what he specifically intends to do in my procedure, but in the meantime you have all put my mind at ease. Thank you

Thanks Bellarose It's looking likely that I'll be having the gastric bypass rather than the sleeve though, as after 4 surgeries I will have too much scar tissue where the band was to safely staple/stitch in that area if I have the sleeve. Has anyone in Melbourne had the bypass? I'd love to hear your story! Two weeks until I see the surgeon again, hopefully he can get me booked in and I can start this journey again!

Hi all, I've been a long time lurker of this site but haven't posted in years (or ever!). I live in Melbourne, Doncaster to be precise and I had lap band surgery in 2006. It was revised due to a slip in 2008, then revised again in August last year for the same reason. The revision band ended up getting infected and two weeks after the surgery I was hospitalised for 9 days and on IV antibiotics. I came out of hospital but went back in again 10 days later and in October had to have the band removed as the infection had returned. I'm now looking at other options and I've researched and discussed with my surgeon and a new surgeon who he referred me to, about the gastric sleeve or gastric bypass. Bypass is looking like the best option for me as I will have a lot of scar tissue from having 3 X bands and 1 X infection so the risk of leaks with the sleeve are quite high in my case. I am seeing Mr Paul Burton who operates at the Alfred hospital, has anyone here been a patient of his before? I'd love to hear your experience if you've been a patient of his, or if you've had a similar background to mine with multiple lap bands then revised to a bypass. I'd love to stick around and be part of this group as I navigate my way through my next surgery and hopefully new and improved health!

Thanks so much for that link, I was banded in Australia in 2006 and had revision surgery due to a slipped band in 2008. Before the revision I lost 35kg (77 pounds), but while waiting for the second surgery I had to have all of the Fluid out of the band and put on 10kg (22 pounds) and have since really struggled and never managed to lose that last bit of weight. I came on this site regularly before and shortly after my first surgery but stopped visiting when I was regularly losing weight and happy with my results. After my recent struggles I thought I would come back and see if anyone else is feeling what I am. After reading that link I have realised that I have become someone who is looking to feel full and not for the soft signs. So simple but I guess you just fall into bad habits and learn how to cheat your way around the band. I'm now remotivated and I'm sure I can lose that last bit of weight, maybe not in time for this summer but definitely by winter! Thanks again

So what exactly is a "hard protein"? I'm assuming you mean chicken or tuna or some other meat or fish?? I'm having trouble eating solid meat at the moment and you can only eat so much tuna! Any suggestions?? I'd be very grateful as I'm in the "too much carb" zone at the moment where I know a piece of toast will satisfy me and is so easy to prepare.

A similar thing happened to me this week. Had my first fill on Monday, 1.5 ml in a 4ml band. Everything seemed fine, I was so excited about "testing it out" to see if I had any/enough restriction. Anway, on Wednesday a group of us from work went to Fifteen for lunch, (not sure if you'd know of it in the States, Fifteen is a group of restaurants opened by Jamie Oliver where he gives disadvantaged young adults a second chance by recruiting them as apprentice chefs, and the whole process is filmed for a reality tv show) Anyway, I was sitting in the restaurant with 7 other people from work, and started eating my first piece of chicken since the fill...needless to say I now understand that you aren't exaggerating when you all say chew chew chew chew chew chew chew and chew again! I ended up in their bathroom (which was very nice by the way!) for about half an hour with such intense pain in my chest and the lovely "sliming" before eventually PBing, I think I've learnt my lesson! If every cloud has a silver lining, I now know what the warning signs are, and I know that the band is working!! Oldspark I'm glad you went right back and had some Fluid taken out, my surgeon told me the worst thing you can do is wait and see if it gets better, because it won't unless you have some fluid removed

Hi all, I'm fairly new around here, and you all seem so friendly I thought I'd ask for some advice. I was banded just over 3 weeks ago and so far things are going well. I'm booked in to see my surgeon for a follow up and possibly a fill in another week, but I'm experiencing quite a bit of pain where (I think) my port is, and I'm not sure if it's normal. I start off the day ok, but around lunchtime I feel pressure (I'm still bloated from the gas in surgery), and before long there is a stinging, burning pain just below my largest cut on my left hand side. I can relieve the pain if I "lift up" that area of my stomach a bit, or if I lie down, which is hard to do at work. Did anyone else have this happen to them?? I'm starting to worry that maybe my port has flipped

Hi Jenny, congrats on being banded, I had my surgery just over 3 weeks ago, so I know what you're going through. The sore throat is most likely caused by irritation from the tube you had placed during surgery to help you breathe. For me it almost felt like I was catching a cold, a sore, scratchy feeling. It went away within the first week so you shouldn't be in pain for too long. I was lucky in that I had barely any bruising, but what I did have was around the port cut, probably because that's the biggest cut, and the one that was "stretched" the most, to get the actual band in. Not too sure about the chest pain, I was very bloated and felt a lot of pressue from the gas, but mine was in the abdominal area, not the chest. This went away after about a week and half for me, but it did get better every day before finally going away. Good luck with the recovery, I know I wasn't able to sit up at my computer 5 days post op, so you're doing well!

Hi Muggle, like you, I have experienced depression associated with my weight. It's hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel when your mental state is so closely linked to something over which you currently feel you have no control. Like almost everyone here, my advice is to tackle your problems one at a time. Even though they are closely related, it is less overwhelming to tackle each problem one by one, rather than all at once. Why should you have to go through therapy at the same time as barely being able to eat?? Doesn't the hunger just remind you of how down you are?? Surely having an unfill will enable you to start making those healthy choices you've mentioned, plus you'll actually be able to keep some food down Don't even worry about having another refill down the track, just concentrate on getting through the next little while as easily as possible, without the stress of not knowing whether you'll be able to keep your eggs down. I truly feel for you, it's never easy having health problems drag out for so long. Baby steps are always easier

Thanks, I'm glad to know it's not just me! My appointment with the surgeon is exactly a month after my surgery, so if I'm still in pain then I'm sure he can sort me out. The Water aerobics sounds like a great idea, I've done it before, years ago and I remember it was fun. Plus I didn't feel so self conscious about my weight when I was surrounded by other ladies who obviously didn't care what other people thought!

Thanks Fee, I think I'll give him a ring tomorrow How long did your pain last? I want to get back to the gym!