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Hello everyone! I kind of disappeared during the holidays but came back by to poke my head in and see how others were doing. Seems like most of us are plugging away at this 'getting healthier' thing. Reminder (and FYI for any who read this and didn't know) I got the SADI surgery, which is the intestinal revision with the sleeve all in one go initially. This makes me feel extra obligated to update for some reason - maybe because I had to dive so far into my journey to find this option and how eager I was to hear about the results from others. So - my surgery was Sept 5th, and I lost 10 lbs in my pre-surgery liquid diet, which I had for one full week. On the day of surgery I was 352 and now, about four months out, I've lost right at about 70lbs. The weight loss has slowed a bit as I found my balance but I'm still losing 1-3lbs per week on average, about 7 lbs lost in the last 30 days. I got through my weight loss stalls by eating more, as I was only getting around 500 calories per day for a while as I maintained ketosis, with VERY few carbs. That was nice, but my energy was lacking. I shifted to included more fruits, veggies, and upped my protein from 60g per day to more like 75g. Now I get around 900-1200 calories per day, try to really focus on getting my water for the day, and angle for simple protein snacks with a small carb total when I get hungry. I have found cottage cheese to be a life saver as a replacement 'side' - and stirring it into my salads gives the salad more bulk and makes it easier for me to feel full. Eggs are not quite as weird for me as they were for a while - I still prefer boiled eggs over scrambled or fried. I do aim to get at least 5k steps per day and usually make that goal.I definitely slacked on exercise around the holidays and did snack more than a few times on things I shouldn't have. I feel lucky that my intestinal malabsorption keeps me accountable for poor choices. I have gotten the foamies once - and have overeaten like three times by a few too many bites. I feel like my relationship with food is much healthier and am far more likely to cook now as opposed to grabbing greasy garbage food. However your path feels like it's going - this is a great time to correct the course if it feels a bit off track. Your bodies are working for you, and you are working for those bodies! Kudos to all of us for taking these steps to a healthier lifestyle! Remember, too, that no one day of slipping up is going to sink you. As I said to my perfectionist son the other day - an A in school is 90%-100% (generally, anyhow!) so it's still an A even if you slip up one out of ten times ❤️✨

Surgeons will have their preferences based upon their experience and background. When I had my VSG around 14 years ago, the sleeve was fairly new, but most surgeons included it in their practice, though most were not that experienced with it yet (and it often showed in the outcomes, with quite a few rapid revisions needed.) I travelled to SF to have my sleeve done as there wasn't anyone in the LA area where we lived that was very experience with them, but there were several good BPD/DS surgeons in the Bay area, and as the DS uses the sleeve as its basis, those are the guys most experienced with it - my surgeon had been doing them for around 20 years at the time. Note another difference is that we do see more revisions of the sleeve, in part because of that "infant mortality" problem of when most surgeons were still working up the learning curve on it, but also because it CAN be readily revised, whereas the RNY is difficult to revise, so it, or reversals, are not done commonly owing to the complexity. So, if one does wind up with, say, a GERD problem, which does happen occasionally with the RNY, too, then one is stuck with medicating it, or reversing it if things are that serious.

Another factor is insurance. For example, I know my insurance would happily (as happily as they do anything) cover sleeve or bypass. Meet the requirements and you could have either one of those, no questions asked. Everything else was considered "experimental" and was not covered. Based on my brother's experience of significant regain after sleeve, plus not wanting to risk GERD and the possibility of a revision, I opted for bypass right out of the gate. I felt like that would be a one-and-done surgery, and I have zero regrets. A few key differences to consider are bypass is a stronger metabolic surgery, so you tend to get more durable weight loss if you look at 5-10 years post-op. But weight regain after sleeve can be managed with GLP-1 meds (if you have coverage or can pay out of pocket). If you have reflux or diabetes/pre-diabetes, seriously consider a bypass as this surgery is great for reducing or eliminating these conditions. If you smoke or require a lot of pain meds, seriously consider sleeve because your risk of ulcers with bypass is elevated by smoking and NSAID use, and the ulcers are very hard to cure. Dumping can be unpleasant but managed through dietary choices. I have had a couple very minor instances of dumping. Once after eating too much sugar (I absolutely knew better when I did it), and once after a few bites of a very rich, very fat-filled Thanksgiving side dish (this one surprised me). In both cases, my heart raced for about 15 minutes to the point my Fitbit thought I was exercising and awarded me "zone minutes." For me, that was the extent of it and nothing I couldn't handle. I'll just avoid that green bean dish next time. Some people do get worse responses. A lot of people never dump at all. One thing to consider if choosing a less-known surgery in the US is your doctors outside the surgeon who performs it may not be very familiar with it. Everyone should know what a bypass or a sleeve is. Hospitals or EMTs might not know much about your anatomy with a MGB or a DS, and that could cause delays in treatment, which in an emergency might become an issue. Not to say don't get those if they're right for you, but you may have to spend more time educating yourself and your healthcare team if you do.

My understanding is sleeve is more prevalent as a first time surgery, but a not-insignificant number of people have revision from sleeve to bypass down the road because of GERD or insufficient weight loss. There are reasons you may choose one over the other, and you want a surgeon who is just as comfortable with either. If he is suggesting one because he's better at it (sleeve is a much easier surgery to perform) then he is not the surgeon for you! This video has some good information on both surgeries from a doctor who does both:

Hi.. I’m so sorry you have had problems with your GB and the pancreatitis🙏I had my lap band in 2005, original surgery, SW-325 and had my 1st revision in 2008 SW-263. I had problems with my port and pain on my left side where it was, had many tests, but nothing came up. I started having major autoimmune problems like a connective tissue disease, a fast growing case of Rheumatoid Arthritis,Celiac Disease and Sjorgens Syndrome… come to find out , my lapband was the cause!! I had it removed and my Surgeon did the sleeve on me 8/18/23, SW-260, CW-163, GW-150! This was the Best Decision I’ve ever made!! I no longer have problems with my Autoimmune Stuff!! Nothing!! Don’t be afraid!! You can do this!! Plus you have a community to fall back on!! We’ve all been there at one time or another!! Good Luck and keep me/us posted!!

I recently had pancreatitis from gallstones and will have to have Galbladder removed. Doc will also prob remove lap band at that time. I'm on the fence about also having sleeve revision (if covered). Terrified to lose lap band and be off shots (possibly forever) and have massive retain but also don't love the idea of having half my stomach removed FOREVER! Anyone been down this road have wisdom to impart!?!? SW 250 (in 2017). Lost and regained til started shots in Oct 2022 at 241. Currently 205-210.

Exercise may end up being your “you time” if you find something that you enjoy doing. I never in a zillion years would’ve pictured myself exercising and I have not always been obese either. My issues began when I was like 25 so I was active And fit but never did actual exercise in my life until post revision. Well, no I absolutely love YOGA. That, and my crochet group are my time. I shut my phone off for both and I am just present for the entire time. The YOGA makes me feel so good for the entire day. I love it.

Sleeve was recommended to me by the surgeon as I have pernicious anaemia and after reading up on both I felt the sleeve was more for me, so I could be in more control, especially given that I could then get a revision to bypass if needed.

I chose sleeve over bypass because at the time it was considered a safer profile surgery with the same effectiveness. I had other medical conditions I needed to focus on and could not risk dealing with complications. It still makes sense to that past nervous version of me. However this version of me (which needed to be revised from sleeve to bypass from complications from sleeve 🤣) would choose differently. All things considered, All things being equal and if I had to choose again I would pick bypass over sleeve (especially if I was a self pay patient or my insurance excluded revisions).

This is a very good point about having a different procedure. I went with the SADI because it was a revision to an existing sleeve and revision surgeries do not produce the same results in terms of weight loss and durability, but the SADI offered more. In terms of other medical issues, though you will constantly have to have your bariatric doctor in the loop with any issues that may even remotely have to do with your gastro system and this can be complicated because the doctors don’t want to step on one another’s toes. But in terms of family doctors or doctors of any other specialty, I have not met one since I started researching this surgery or since I’ve had it that I have even heard of it. If you do go with this one, you need to educate yourself so that you can explain that to them. And it is possible that you find yourself in a position where something could get messed because the doctor just hasn’t seen it before where it’s more likely if you had something as common as a bypass they will have seen it. I mean there’s pros and cons with everyone. There’s no perfect answer or they would only do one and we wouldn’t be here naming off a handful of surgeries that are sort of commonly done and in terms of revisions, they do even more. I think they just make up names for them as they go along, honestly. My best advice would be to educate yourself as much as you can and go back a couple of times to make sure you get all of your questions answered by the doctor. They usually only want to give you one appointment but if you say you’re not ready to choose, they should give you another appointment with the doctor or a PA or NP. But that is a very good point about having the less common procedure does present obstacles or potential ones down the road. I mean if you raised the fact that you have it to any good doctors attention, they know where to find the information and should be able to still provide you adequate care but in an emergency situation it’s better for the information to already be in the doctors head.

I don’t know much about the mini gastric bypass but the SADI is now covered by insurance and it has better stats thus far than then bypass and sleeve. Its weigh loss is statistically quicker, more weight lost and more durable than the bypass and it’s considered comparable in terms of safety. It is relatively new so not all surgeons do it and the research is still coming in but Maybe look into it. I have been very happy with it as a revision surgery. I have lost 75 pounds already. I have some other medical stuff that’s slowed my loss a bit because the doctors don’t want me to be at such as calorie deficit right now, but I feel like once I’m back at it I will lose the rest pretty steadily. Also, There was a guy on here that put a whole lot of information out there about the mini gastric bypass a while back. If you search for it you should find some of his posts and if you respond to one of them it should send notifications to the others who were active in the thread so hopefully someone who knows about it will get an email the thread is active and come back and read your questions. I just did a search and he must’ve deleted his account because now it’s listed as guest. His screen name was MiniGastricBypassDude but I guess he won’t receive the.notifications. Others who were active on the threads will though and there is lots of information there to read about the surgery that he posted In the past.

I feel the exact same way about when I don’t eat clean. I don’t sleep as well and I feel fatigued all day. It’s weird I didn’t realize how good I was supposed to feel until after this revision and now I know when I eat poorly because I feel like crap. Oh sugar free popsicles. I forgot about them. I am pretty sure I’ve got some in the freezer. Them will help at night. I wake up at night, several times a night, when I am off the wagon with carbs. That’s when I usually give in just so I can go back to sleep.

Yea since I was a revision to SADI they did not operate on my stomach. My portions are the same as they were years out from my sleeve which was about a single serving of most things. The weight I have lost is really just from eating 100% clean and exercising quite a bit. I really don’t worry too much about portions (although I still can’t eat a ton at once). I truly do believe that I am a carb addict though. It’s hard every single time I eat a lot of them to get back off of them. My plan is just to allow myself to have as much fruits and veggies as I want until the cravings ease up and then go back to my normal portions. We celebrate on Christmas eve and just have breakfast on Christmas while we watch the parade so I started yesterday and my plan worked, but I still ate a lot of calories because of eating all day long and I still want carbs just as bad today. My body just screams out for them. And for a while too. It’s really almost not worth it.

Yea since I was a revision to SADI they did not operate on my stomach. My portions are the same as they were years out from my sleeve which was about a single serving of most things. The weight I have lost is really just from eating 100% clean and exercising quite a bit. I really don’t worry too much about portions (although I still can’t eat a ton at once). I truly do believe that I am a carb addict though. It’s hard every single time I eat a lot of them to get back off of them. My plan is just to allow myself to have as much fruits and veggies as I want until the cravings ease up and then go back to my normal portions. We celebrate on Christmas eve and just have breakfast on Christmas while we watch the parade so I started yesterday and my plan worked, but I still ate a lot of calories because of eating all day long and I still want carbs just as bad today. My body just screams out for them. And for a while too. It’s really almost not worth it.

Has anyone else experienced severe, stabbing pain in the left side of their abdomen after eating - sometimes not even then but random times. About 3 inches to the left of the navel that is sharp & stabbing. Bowels normal for patient, never experienced constipation, no particular food sets it off and lasts for up to 30 minutes? Patient is 4 months post sleeve revision to mini gastric bypass.

also, your surgeon may not want to do a re-sleeve. Some still do but many consider it to be too risky and it yields too little reward (the weight loss for a second sleeve is statistically less than a virgin sleeve which is already less than the other surgeries). The typical surgery for revision is usually the bypass although a newer alternative to that is to revise to a surgery called the SADI which is what I just did and it is a little more aggressive so it yields faster loss and so far the research shows more durable loss as well. I have lost quite a bit rather quickly with it. You don’t need to know any of this yet. Your doctor of course will know if any of the options apply to you and explain them at that point but just know that it may be a little different surgery if you do go with a revision. One that alters your intestines this time which is a bit riskier.

Not sure what your coverage is for them but I strongly suggest you talk to your doctor about the GLP-1 if eating different is the cause for regain. Your tool is still there, you most likely just need help switching your diet back and the GLP-1 should take your appetite away almost completely making that a great deal easier. I have a friend that lost all of her weight and was actually losing too much and had to back off of them because she wasn’t getting enough nutrition. I had to keep reminding her to get in her protein and fluids. She has great coverage for them through her work insurance (she pays $25). I actually wanted to do them when I did my revision this year but I didn’t have adequate coverage for them and financially they just weren’t an option so I went for the revision. I talked to my doctor about waiting but she thought it would be a couple years before anything changed in terms of coverage and my labs were creeping up so waiting wasn’t a good idea. I am doing great in terms of weight loss but faced with another medical issue now, the gastro changes I’ve had aren’t making things any easier for me. Losing the weight is for sure the goal but if you can do it without surgery that’s always better. As far as I know revision is for people who gain without any real known reason. You are saying that you’re eating different for an emotional reason so you probably just need help changing back to your better habits both mentally and physically. Honestly, I think the GLP-1 will be the first option for many people in the very near future. They are considered safer at this point. It’s just a matter of them becoming more accessible for people. Take it with a grain of salt but it’s something I would at least consider before jumping to the surgery option.

I lost $ close family member in a 5 month period. I didn't handle it well..I just ate trough my grief! Then, I lost the mind set. I should of hopped here for support, or reached out to my Dr...but I didn't. Aaaaaanyway, yes, if I can have a revision , I'm going to do it.

I don’t think a surgeon will ever assure you of your loss or your ability to sustain the loss because the surgery are not always a perfect fit for everyone nor is everyone compliant in doing their part to make the surgery successful. I had the gastric sleeve several years ago and that was not a good fit for me. I lost weight a pretty significant amount, but I gained it back. Recently, I had a revision surgery and the difference has been night and day in terms of how it has helped with my metabolism this time. I have energy that I never had before and I am exercising like I never have and healthy food still isn’t preferred over pizza, but it isn’t awful like it was before, which makes the choices to have good nutrition and fitness a bit easier. Nothing is going to make them easy. I’m sure but the surgery does make them easier if it’s a successful fit for you.

Sounds like you are doing awesome. So glad to hear it. My only advice would be to incorporate some activity as you are able with the extra energy. I have done this twice and the first time I didn’t add exercise and with my revision I did and I’m telling you that made the energy I felt triple. Plus if you are more active you get to add in some healthy carbs. Congratulations on your loss.

Calories snd weight loss aside, I was warned that immediately post op that you may physically be able to eat more than you should and you really need to measure to avoid injuring yourself by eating too much until your insides are healed. Those portions they put in your book are not just a suggestion. They are really important. Once things heal you should start to feel your restriction better but you do still need to eat slowly and to pay attention to it or you will overfill yourself. The difference between okay and stuffed can be just one or two bites for most people. That being said, I could’ve eaten more than expected with every single stage post op and I could eat more than most when I was healed as well. I still can’t eat a lot but more than most sleevers. I still lost a pretty significant amount with the sleeve and then I revised to SADI recently in which my dr didn’t touch my sleeve and I have lost a pretty big chunk of weight again. If you choose healthy foods you won’t really be consuming that much more calorie wise with an extra quarter or half cup of food, honestly. I’m talking about like broccoli or salad greens. Stuff like that. If you do your protein first and do fruits and veggies after that you still probably wont have room for much else even with a slightly larger pouch. I know that I don’t. Sometimes when I’m exercising pretty intense I do add a third cup of brown rice but I have to cut the veggies to do so.

I did get pain meds with my sleeve and my SADI revision. I told them right away with the sleeve to take me off right after surgery, but for the SADI I did need them (I also had my gallbladder removed but I’m not sure if that was the difference). When I was released from hospital I only took 1/2 of one because my husband forgot to buy Tylenol though. That was because I finally passed gas and when I did that a few times I felt such relief. I honestly don’t know that the pain meds were doing anything for my pain given that it clearly was just really really bad gas with the revision. Some people do need them though. I would ask to make sure if you really need it that they will give you something. Maybe even a stronger Tylenol. That may just be the typical plan but they have to have alternatives if your situation is different. If not, that would be a little concerning to me as well.

Surgery day is tomorrow. Gonna be a long day today of clear liquids. I have a slight dry cough so I am keeping my fingers crossed it doesn’t cause an issue. I will be sure to let the peeps know when I arrive tomorrow, hopefully I can get a cough suppressant for after or a belly binder. Like you @Waggy I planned this on my off time. I work at a school also and plan to return Jan. 6th. This is a revision for me from a sleeve to GB. I took 2 weeks off last time and it was perfect. Just got a bit tired during the day.

Hi Meg! I had a lapband for 14 years and successfully kept off 100 pounds. I was never hungry with it. Sadly, it died in 2023 and had to be removed. The first weeks without it were glorious-- I was able to eat things I missed--- salads, brocolli, bagels. I told myself I would stil eat smaller meals but it was impossible without my tool. I started eating bagels weekly, would have a second slice of pizza, etc. I tired to keep my calories to 1500 but even then I was still eating more. than the 800 cal a day with the band. The weight packed on quickly. I gained 30 pounds in 4 months. And all 100 pounds within 10 months. I totallty failed. With the added. weight, came all of the medical problems again. My blood pressure went up, I had the rashes and skin rub, my plantar facuitis made it impossible to walk far.I hated myself again. I was finaly approved for a revision and converted to RNYGB a week ago. I am taking my life back and only wish I had pushed for a revision at the get go.