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@FluffyChix I'm sorry to hear you developed a complication. Rest up and recover.** What you wont do to get a few pounds off, Just kidding.**😉

Hi y’all! Fair warning, I’m posting PUI (posting under the influence) right now! 😳🥳🤩🤪🥰😂🤣😅😇 Seems I had a serious case of the fomos this week with @GreenTealael having her upcoming VSG to RNY surgery for GERD and @Alex Brecher having his RNY reversal for bowel obstructions/necrosis. I just had to wrap up a pending tri-fecta! LOL What I thought was a serious case of food poisoning — or as I like to say, “When good refrigerator roulette goes bad”...was actually a sudden onset of internal hernia with twisted gut. It came on so quickly Sunday night and by Tuesday I couldn’t eat. And Wednesday ended up curled up on a cold tile (filthy) floor in the ER convinced I was dying, moaning, sweating profusely and making quite a spectacle! My only regret is I didn’t have a tip jar handy to earn a few quarters!! It’s a risk of WLS that is part of less than 3% total for complications after surgery—so no need to fear complications from WLS. To put in perspective that 3% is lower than the national averages for all sorts of surgeries!!! I’m 17 months out from RNY and was just so super surprised by this new development! But initial surgery went very well! I went into surgery at 12 midnight and was back in my room after recovery by 3:45am! Woot! I have a rockstar surgeon and team who were able to do it all laporoscopically! She said if I play my cards right and am able to eat something later today and get my walking in that I can probably go home late this afternoon! Yeah, baybee!!! Now I just have to proactively start medicating to guard against having a Rosemary’s Baby sort of post op poo! 😞😥 i’m so grateful to everyone and for our Bariatric Pal Family! Thanks Alex for creating such a special place! (Oh and I don’t recommend doing it this way, but this morning was back to being only 3.4lbs away from final Goal #3 of 130lbs!!! Woohoo! With my post op plan progression in place I expect to shed this post surgical fluid weight gain in a couple of weeks and reach Goal #3!)

From the research I did, I found the sleeve has less complications than other ones. Also the part of the stomach they remove has a hormone that send signals to your brain to eat even when you are not hungry. Good luck on which ever you choose to have 😊

It was just interesting in my reading on the subject that that was the case in some studies. The size isn't always the be all end all and sometimes smaller comes with more strictures and other complications. I'm just curious I guess. I asked a ton of questions and always meant to ask but it was one that always slipped my mind.

@Draven298 don’t feel bad about your reaction. I was utterly speechless when the first doctor I saw said the things he did. He started off saying something like people seeing a buffet of food and eating everything in sight. My brain shut down. I barely remember anything that he said. I tried to maintain composure but was having a meltdown. I barely made it out of the office and not without being an embarrassment. I tried to email the office about it and they told me I wasn’t a good fit for the doctor and turned me away. Maybe it was for the best, he would only do sleeve, and the insurance process was way too complicated with his office. Thankfully the endocrinologist recommendation that Cleveland clinic was an easier process turned out to be true. I’m on the Autism spectrum and doctors treat me differently and don’t take my physical conditions seriously. I’m not trying to scare you, just expect the possibility that the surgeon won’t listen. I didn’t even know if I’d have to give up on the idea of bariatric surgery. But I kept pushing my primary care and pushing to try to figure out why nothing I was doing was helping me lose weight and made sure my doctor had record of this for months. Write down what you need to say to the doctor and bring it with you. I hope that the doctor listens to you and your needs. But if you feel uncomfortable than Finding another doctor might be necessary. There are risks with any surgery. So that should not be what makes your choice. It’s not easy, dealing with difficult doctors, and I have for much of my life and it’s hard trying to fight for the right thing. especially when a doctor won’t listen to what you need. I just know for me personally I knew the sleeve would not be enough. I had to listen to my gut instinct. Which can be hard to do. I wish I had better advice.

I am so very sorry to hear about your complications. Sounds like you have really been put through the ringer. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers for a safe and speedy recovery. Gentle (((hugs)))

I was convinced I wanted a bypass to get the "best results possible" based on percentages and lose the most weight, but after talking to my therapist and another one of my doctors, they both recommended the sleeve instead and I had it, no complications, it worked, and I'm very pleased with it.

Thanks for the reply Alex and I see what you mean by looking closely at the picture. I know there's always risk of complications from any surgery. I have never experienced any but I know the risks. Thanks for the encouraging words. Allie in SC

It's not really open. The incision is actually sutured at the lowest portion of the skin. The wound is left open like that so it heals and doesn't get infected. If you look closely you can see it's starting to close up at the top of the wound. Gastric Bypass reversal isn't a simple procedure but it's definitely possible, as you can see. Good luck with your surgery! I wouldn't let my complication worry you!!

OMG Alex! [emoji46] I’m so sorry! I hope they’re managing your pain well...[emoji3064] You will be in my thoughts and prayers! [emoji1317] May you heal without any more complications and gain all of your strength back! God be with you and watch over you! [emoji2310][emoji171]

Alex, Omg seems like you have been to hell and back!! So sorry you have had so many problems. Why on earth would they leave the open incision? Did they think they were going to have to go back to Operating room?? Have you had complications from this surgery? I am having RNY revision surgery on July 16th from my sleeve surgery 0ct 25th 2016.I have to have it because my GERD has gotten so much worse than it was before the sleeve surgery. I didn't know you could have the bypass reversed. Good luck with your new journey and you don't look like you need help with weight loss anymore. Allie in SC

I’ve been searching the forum for any mentions of Stomal Stenosis. I wasn’t sure the exact term to search. I came across your post - (I don’t want to scare the OP since my RNY experience is different since I have so many medical issues.) I had a upper gi fluoroscopy and am having a upper gi Thursday, that I waited weeks for. I need to research as much as I can yet even then you can’t find everything you need to know. Risk isn’t high but if there is a side effect to a medication or complications from surgery, im bound to get it. I don’t quite understand narrowing of the gastrojejunostomy aka stricture. The mechanism yes, but there isn’t a lot of information. I see some research studies and how stenosis is <9mm stricture. Average seems 5mm and balloon to stretch during endoscopy. (Can’t find my words right now) to around 15mm. And the dr shouldn’t stretch it more than 3-4mm per session. But my stricture is 3mm. I’m not comfortable with going into the endoscopy with him just messing around in there and me not knowing what he might do. I trust my dr, it’s not that. My body can’t handle the at least five endoscopy session it would take. I’m not sure what the alternative would be. Having RNY was a necessity, my last chance to fight my weight. I just need doctors to be honest and straightforward about it, not sugar coat it with, it’ll get better. I didn’t hear from the doctor after the first test showing hiatal hernia, Schatzkis ring and this 3mm stomal stenosis. I don’t know what treatment options are but I cannot take proton pump inhibitors. I did post about this but it’s not common here. It’s also hard finding information. I’m also still in protein shakes, broth, easier to eat soups, purée made me sick. I did try soft pasta but feel sick no matter what. Water ... I loved drinking water. Now I can’t. When I get thirsty I try and it’s quite painful. Im also seeing a neurologist for dysphasia, whatever mechanism that sends food to the stomach vs lungs isn’t working properly. Not likely caused by the surgery, just revealed after surgery. He is testing me for myasthenia gravis. one thing no one discusses is how surgery changes how you take medication. Pills that are bigger or time release will never absorb properly. And no nsaids for life. I have no chronic pain management and it’s hard to find medication in liquid form. Living with chronic illness all my life I understand being abandoned by people including doctors that just can’t deal with the complications. And don’t acknowledge they exist. I have that with my uro/gyn I need some clarification on a pelvic mass and he told my mom wait two months after I’d already waited long enough and he didn’t look at the test to see I needed another test to determine if I need laparoscopic biopsy. I saw a nurse practitioner thinking the appointment was with him, they gave me an appointment that was supposed to be tomorrow but canceled it. Ugh. Sorry. I am likely posting too much out of exhaustion and frustration. All I want is proper information so I can deal with things.

It’s been great. Not a single complication. Very minimal loose skin. No weight gains.

🔼🔼🔼🔼 Everyone is spot on 🔼🔼🔼🔼 Additional things to consider: Who exactly is saying it's a waste of time? What evidence is provided? (You can't get positive feed back from negative/biased sources) Why are you worried you chose the wrong surgery? (Complications can happen with any surgery, some cannot be avoided despite the best preparations) A conversion conversation is best between you and your surgeon. IMHO It should also be medically necessary not fear based since you are only 2 weeks post op. Get Well Soon & Good luck 💜

you'll be hard pressed to find a surgeon who'll place a lap band anymore. Too many complications with them - a lot of surgeons just stopped doing them. RNY (gastric bypass) and VSG (the sleeve) are the surgeries most people get now.

Many people with the sleeve lose weight and keep it off. Link below may help with perspective https://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/423992-what-you-had-no-surgery-complications/?tab=comments#comment-4758950

Awe! What a sweet hubby! I would check with your surgeon, just to be sure. I had to do magnesium citrate the day before my surgery to clear everything out of my system, so a spa day would have been uhhmm, complicated. 😮 I also had to wash with special soap the day before and day of, so lotions etc. might have been troublesome. Some surgeons don't even want patients to shave for a few days prior to surgery to minimize the chance of small nicks and cuts that could be a pathway for infection. Good luck with your surgery!

I don't know why people are saying this (do they really? never saw this). However, there are quite a few that get conversions to bypass because of reflux complications.

Look at how many of us here are had no complications or problems with the surgery. It 's only natural to have cold feet. It's okay, you've got this, you can do it!

I was very excited about this surgery until a couple of days ago when I read about post-gastric bypass hypoglycemia. That lead to me reading about more complications post surgery. Last Friday, I was so excited and couldn't wait thinking only positive things would come of this. Now I am pretty scared and wondering if I'm doing the right thing. I weighed 274 going into my first appointment and am now 264 as of this morning. Over the recent years, I've developed sleep apnea and just found out I have diabetes. This surgery is the better choice for me -- I know that. I'm just scared. Cheer me up?

Well, I have a different perspective. I am 3 months post RNY, and despite having serious complications which prevent me from eating food for the most part, I have absolutely NO REGRETS! I feel amazing, have gone down 3 sizes in clothes, move better, sleep better, and my diabetes is in remission!! I was mentally prepared for the surgery, but was unaware I could develop a severe stricture and marginal ulcers. I'm going with the flow, and Imagine I will eventually heal. Im sorry for those with regret, and I hope with time you feel better about your decision. Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

^^^^OP please note this is an unusual situation...part of the 1% of 1% that experience this kind of complication!

💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚 🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂 20 MONTHS POST OP & MY BIRTHDAY IS IN JULY 🎊🎊🎊🎊🎊🎊🎊🎊🎊🎊🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜 ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤157 lbs BMI 27❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ WELL WELL WELL WELL WELL WELL WELL WELL updates: I need to be revised to RNY for GERD, etc. Through extensive testing my issue was found to be *mechanical* in nature. Without disclosing too much personal medical information all I will say is would need to continue with mutiple invasive treatments over an extended period of time plus meds w/ a surgical procedure for an aux related issue or fix it all at one time with one procedure. Y'all know what I'm gonna choose, right? Yeah... Other than that it's a burden lifted to have relief within my grasp. Surgery is scheduled for 7/15 barring any complications/surprises I'm already approved by insurance and I'm really shocked/dismayed because it took them just 2 lousy days... I was hoping my case wasn't that serious and I was just being dramatic/hypochondriac. But that approval coming back so fast really has opened my eyes. I should have gone in for this consult sooner maybe? Saved my summer? Whatevs. Already in the dreaded 2 week preop diet. No. Words. Dante's unexplained layer of hell. Reserved for people who met goal but still need to shrink their livers 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 but enough whining. Here are lifestyle pics and pics of what I enjoyed while I could... Because liquids for quite a while *disclaimer: + I NEVER eat sauce + I 💚 Kale (fight me) +All Starbucks cups are homemade teas/protein shakes +I do smile more often but not usually without cause because I'm conscious of preventing wrinkles 😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝

i had my surgery on june 12. i was under and in surgery for 90 min and out in recovery. they kept me overnight for fluids, keeping an eye on me and making sure that there was no complications. i was released the next day. i wont lie, the first two weeks are the worst. i had lots of pain, lethargy and serious bruising. now, im in the pureed food stage and things are SLOWLY getting better good luck on your surgery!!!!!! Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using BariatricPal mobile app

Barring complications I was told expect about 3 hours. Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app