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I know everyone is different, but I had very little pain with my RNY (I'm not a revision, though). I thought plastic surgery was MUCH more painful.

I had the sleeve surgery in 2015 i lost about 70lbs, then my Gerd came back with a vengence plus i had a hiatal hernia. I gained all my weight back and i decided to give it another try and revise my sleeve to gastric bypass. I'm so glad i did. My surgery was 7/25/19 and after my surgery my doctor told my sister that this surgery was necessary because once he got in there he had to do major repair from the sleeve surgery that was done as well as repair the hernia. He told her he understood why the sleeve was not successful. even though this is a weight loss surgery, for me it was more medical and i will still get the pleasure of losing the excess weight. So far I've lost 30lbs. I have no regrets. Sent from my SM-G965U using BariatricPal mobile app

Why are you scared of RNY? I read this from lots of people and I don’t understand it. Yes it is major surgery but that just means that you need an experienced surgeon. It is regarded as the gold standard of WLS and technically it is reversible ( although this is usually only done under extreme circumstances). No part of your insides are removed, everything is still there. It is the most effective option for resolving GERD although there are a few people that still suffer with it. Taking daily vitamins is not a problem. If you have had a band you will find the variety of foods that you can eat with a bypass a lot better, you feel full in the stomach not that horrible feeling in the chest. You can go out to eat without spending the night chucking in the bathroom because your first bite went down the wrong way. I can’t comment on what having a sleeve is like because I have never had one but I do see a lot of people that are revising because of GERD. I also personally know a lot of people that have not achieved much success when going from band to sleeve or in some cases as Virgin sleevers .

So a little bit about me, I was lap banded when I was 17 years old, got it taken out when I was 22 because of pouch enlargement. Now I am thinking of getting sleeve done. But the GERD part scares me, it's like exchanging disease states for one to the other. It helps get rid of Diabetes, but you acquire GERD, so severe to the point that people need revisions to another sleeve or another bariatric procedure. I would be scared to get an RNY or a Bypass, I am happy getting a Sleeve (and this was a decision I thought a lot over to even get to it), so the thought of so many revisions due to GERD scares me to even get this done in the first place. It makes me wonder if I will be one of those who undergoes this too, I don't have current GERD right now, sometimes I do get heartburn maybe three times a month, but I'm not taking anything for it chronically. Anyone have any thoughts? Thank you so much!

I was band to bypass revision. Done because the band was no longer working, because studies show that over the long term the band causes a lot of damage and also reflux.

I'm finally come to a peaceful mindset about my conversion surgery from Sleeve to Bypass. My surgery date is set for Sept 19th. I have met with my surgeon's assistant and the hospital pharmacist to go over my current meds and meds post op. My surgeon's assistant informed me about changes to recovery meds. My surgeon office no longer prescribes the pca pump or heavy narcotics. I don't know what to make of this. I'm a little worried about pain after surgery. I had plastic surgery last Sept and I was only given 7 days of opioid meds. The first 7 days were trouble. Nothing like my recovery from VSG. I'm praying my recovery from Bypass will be similar to VSG. I will be prescribed gabapentin and tramadol. In addition, some other meds while in the hospital. My surgeon office calls it ERAS protocol. I will see my surgeon again on the day before my surgery. I'll be sure to ask him about this new recovery pain meds protocol.

Sleeved on 6/28 and now have horrible GERD. Looking to have revision surgery next spring. Not happy to have to go through surgery again, but glad there is an option to get rid of the reflux.

To the OP--Achieve Goals--why are you considering a sleeve revision? Just curious. Thanks.

Good Luck 💜 What are you revising to?

Hey guys, just wanted to hear some of your stories. Especially people who are needing to undergo a SLEEVE revision to an RNY or Bypass. Could you guys tell regarding the reason for your revision? Was it because of GERD? or Sleeve stretching etc? Thanks

I know this is old post, but it was brought back up by EdenDesired's reply. I thought I'd reply just in case someone else runs across this and has the same questions. I have bipolar type II. I've been diagnosed for over 20 years and have tried pretty much all drugs that was for BP/Depression or even thought to have a benefit for BP's. There was some cocktails that worked and would work for a good while. Other cocktails would make things worse. But such is the life of BP. I've had two bariatric surgeries. RNY in 2001. I lost 200 pounds and was stable for about 15 years. I gained it back due to what ever reason, divorce, having to take over the complete care of my father, depression/stress from work, etc... ya know Life. I had revision surgery on June 28th, 2019 from RNY to DS. I was able to go forward with this new surgery only because I had a Pdoc that knew about new drugs that are working now and was willing to work with me to adjust things till we got to the right recipe. There is one main new med, and then re-adding some oldie but goodies that i have tried in the past, but are working better with the one new med. It stabilized me more than usual. Didn't stop being depressed/manic, but it limited the cycles in a major way. As to what my Surgeon and Pdoc thought. Pdoc thought I was stable on the meds and had been for a year, so it was a good idea, but told me I should expect to adjust everything as I shrink. Surgeon didn't have an issue as long as I passed the Psych eval. As to the surgery and the meds, I took all my meds all the way up to the morning of the surgery. I was off of some of them while in the hospital, but as soon as I could swallow pills, I was released from the hospital and I was to continue my meds as normal. 1st surgery, they gave me liquid versions of the medication when I went home for a time. The liquid versions don't taste good. When I was having issues and the cocktail wasn't adjusted well, I looked into ECT and a bunch of other things. ECT was one of my choices if other things didn't work out. Have you considered Ketamine Treatments? It is being used for Resistant Depression and you don't need hospital stay for it. Its doing wonders for many. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/ketamine-for-major-depression-new-tool-new-questions-2019052216673 Be mindful though when finding a Doctor that provides the treatment. Several clinics are setup by non-psychiatric physicians. _kimga_ I hope you're doing well and you are able to move forward with the surgery. Any questions, feel free to ask.

Who did your rny to ds revision?

I was recently revised from VSG to RNY at my goal weight. So when the surgeon said I needed to do a pre op diet I was pretty resistant and questioned why constantly. He said they place everyone on the preop. The reason he gave was to shrink the liver by ridding it from excess fat making it easier to mobilize and more pliable so it doesn't crack/tear/break. I was confused: how do you break a liver? He likened a fatty live to a marblized piece of beef and the fat makes it stiff/vunerable during retraction. It will be handled alot during surgery. I begrudgingly followed my 2 week diet (except 1 day) because i didn't want any extra issues Good Luck with the rest of your preop 💜

I'm not a revision so some of this I can't really answer, but as far as what you can eat, I can eat pretty much anything at four years out. I can't eat a ton of fat or sugar at one sitting, though, or I'll feel like crap -- but then again, we're not supposed to be eating that way *anyway*, so... btw - I went through UW as well

I'm very newly revised so im curious to hear others experiences as well Good Luck 💜

Hi Johnny, we're here to help. I was sleeved in Feb. 2018, then revised to RnY in Oct. 2018 due to reflux. I think it was worth it. 1. How long did you take off work? I'm told 2 weeks. I usually work from home at a computer. Was there much pain? I took 2 weeks to return to a desk job. Pretty much the same as the sleeve and similar pain level. 2. How long before you could work out again? I had other complications that skewed this one, so I won't comment. 3. Did you lose more weight than you wanted? No, I still had about 20# to goal and it took me 4-5 months to get there. 4. Did it resolve your acid reflux (if that was the reason)? Absolutely and immediately. 5. Were you able to enjoy good food at special meals (holidays, etc.) with RNY? I'm terrified of losing ability to have a nice meal with family. What does a normal meal capacity look like at a year out? I have less restriction with my RnY than I did with the sleeve. I am eating 1-2 cup meals now (10 months out). 6. Are bowel movements normal at some point? No problems, in general. 7. Could you drink alcohol again? I'm fine going months without but at some point would like to enjoy a glass of champagne again. I can't right now as carbonation is brutal. I enjoy the occasional 1-2 glasses of wine. I can't handle carbonation, though.

I’ve had the RNY 18 years ago and my depression improved with the weight loss. Some of the meds I was taking dropped off but I’ve been on other meds for decades. Recently had a revision to DS and my moods have been up even under extreme stress. I’m hoping that I will be able to decrease some of my meds as my body shrinks. The surgery is totally worth it. Ping if you have any questions.

I had VSG on 11/30/2012 and have kept off about 110# in the 6.75 years since then. I am ~ 25# overweight but right about at my original goal. I'm 5'11" (male), 195#, 34" waist, very fit and active, etc. I was down to 175# when I ran marathons but have had a few hip issues that are now resolved and had a minor regain. I actually really like how I look / feel at this weight as I looked a lot older at the lower end. I'm pretty happy with my weight loss. But since about 2 weeks out I've had ridiculously bad GERD. I get an annual endoscopy (familial cancer syndrome) and ever since VSG, I have had erosions show up from the reflux. This last time it was diagnosed as Barrett's Esophagus, which is a pre-cancerous syndrome. I cannot control it fully with meds. I either take 5-6 PPI (200-240mg esomeprazole magnesium) or 6-8 extra strength Zantact (900-1200mg ranitidine). These are of course way above the recommended limits and in the case of the PPI there are long-term risks associated with it they don't want for me as I need good bone density for my hip implant. The bariatric surgeon (University of Wisconsin) has recommended for years that I convert to RNY and after the Barrett's Esophagus diagnosis, my PCP and the genetic cancer team both strongly recommended it as well. So I'm going to do it despite not really wanting to. I have been approved by my insurer and have an early November surgery date. I have several concerns, most notably that I don't really have more than 25# to lose or I drop to the < 18 BMI range and I don't want to be there. The surgeon says he will make a larger pouch and a smaller bypass portion but it's still there and I work out all the time so I already know I will lose more than I want in the beginning. I guess I have a bunch of questions. Feel free to answer any and all if you've had this type of revision: 1. How long did you take off work? I'm told 2 weeks. I usually work from home at a computer. Was there much pain? 2. How long before you could work out again? 3. Did you lose more weight than you wanted? 4. Did it resolve your acid reflux (if that was the reason)? 5. Were you able to enjoy good food at special meals (holidays, etc.) with RNY? I'm terrified of losing ability to have a nice meal with family. What does a normal meal capacity look like at a year out? 6. Are bowel movements normal at some point? 7. Could you drink alcohol again? I'm fine going months without but at some point would like to enjoy a glass of champagne again. I can't right now as carbonation is brutal. I'm just reluctant even though I know I have to do this. Any re-assurances would be helpful.

Thank you both, Orchids&Dragons and MsBosse! I appreciate your insight. I really have no clue what the policy will look like until open enrollment since it was previously a written exclusion and this is the first time they've covered it. I'm a state employee with group health insurance/uniform benefits, so I'll be curious to see if each plan will have the same language regarding revision, or if they'll be different. I spoke to a nurse with the bariatric program last week and felt a little defeated because I felt like she was pushing towards the idea that if there's nothing wrong with the band, I'm SOL. Now, whether or not that is true, I don't know. That may just be me being hyper-sensitive. Again, I appreciate the feedback from you both! Once the plans are out, I'll start digging, calling, and consulting. Thank you!

I have had the lap band for 10 years now and it wasn't until the last 3 years I started having issues with it. Now I am back over 240 and my doctor had to remove fluid because of my heartburn/gerd. I ended up with ulcers on my esophagus that are now cleared up. I have gotten almost all my clearances done in about 2 months and wondering if anyone has had UHC approve that quickly? My doctor is submitting to insurance this week. Everything I am reading says 6 months but its also all for initially getting one of the surgeries done not the revision.

Had my first phone consult the other night. This surgeon also specializes in post bariatrics, and uses some different techniques, such as a flankplasty vs a LBL. He publishes about these techniques extensively as well. I loved what he told me he could do to my body. He talked a lot about body contouring, narrowing my waist, creating a shelf booty, etc. Hr then sent me the quote, and it was on the lower end. I was excited.... Then I went back and took a good look at his photos. Everything he talked about did not show in his pics. He actually had a lot of outcomes that I wasn't impressed with at all. I'm feeling a little like Goldilocks right now. I think there are several surgeon out there who can give me a flat stomach and improved thighs. But finding surgeons who excel at body contouring in addition to skin removal, are few and far between. I don't want to make this investment of money, time and pain, and then be unhappy with a boxy figure and flat butt Here's where I'm at on consults Dr. NB - The only surgeon so far I'm confident can give me the figure I want, but pricing was astronomical. Benefit of being local Dr. B - Local, probably the front runner so far. He wasn't enthused about doing any butt contouring/fat augmentation. Need a revised quote, but more reasonable then the other local surgeon Dr. P - Not at all impressed with his result pics, out of the running Dr. N - Phone consult later this week. I'm very impressed by how lean and taunt his results are, but all results have a flat butt Dr. B2 - Local consult next week. Need to look at photos more closely Still need to look at and potentially schedule consults with a few of the other surgeons mentioned on this thread.

I was banded in 2012 and now I am doing a revision to the sleeve with insurance. I have Aetna and they pretty much approve anything. I did have a revision on the band in 2015 due to acid reflux and my gallbladder. After my gallbladder was removed I started to gain the weight I lost back and the band gives me horrible pain in the port. If possible I would see if your insurance shows the clinical information on what they approve for certain procedures and what the requirements are to get approved. Aetna has it where you just call them and tell them what you are trying to do and they give you a clinical id that tells you what you need to be approved. Based on that information I should be approved soon for my revision to the sleeve. I would just check with the insurance company and ask. I hope this helps.

Mine was a revision from RNY to DS. It took 9 hours.

You may not think it’s the band’s fault but having a band actually makes healthier foods difficult to eat whilst the slider foods are really easy. It has been shown that over time it is dangerous for the oesophagus to have to continually work that hard to push food down. They are now seeing a lot of cases of band related oesophageal failure. My diet is far healthier now that I have revised to bypass and my band was neither tight nor effective. I eat less now and am far less hungry.

Hi, All: I was banded in 2009 and never had much success with it. Any time I got restriction, it came with a lot of heartburn (which manifested itself as nausea). I also struggled with a lot of food intolerance. Eventually, because my insurance switched and I have a written exclusion regarding bariatric surgery, I had the band mostly unfilled due to too much restriction and cost. At any rate, in January, my health insurance plan will now include bariatric surgery, although it’s unclear as to what language looks like regarding revisions. One concern I have is how to make a case to the insurance company deeming the revision medically necessary. I have had many EGDs, which showed mild irritation in my esophagus, but nothing extreme. Grandest, it’s been almost 10 years since anyone’s looked at the band and who knows what the current state of affairs is—I will have an evaluation once my insurance kicks in. Does anyone have any suggestions or tips in dealing with insurance companies covering revision when severe symptoms, slippage, erosion, etc isn’t present?