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Glad to see that things worked out in the long run. I was banded in 2011, lost 70 but that was it, stuck there for the next 6-7 years no matter what I did. My doctor wouldn't do the band to sleeve revision due to the potential for complications by putting a scar line right through the scaring caused by the band. I went with the bypass and couldn't be more happy. I've got a friend that lost a lot with the sleeve and he's being revised to the bypass because the sleeve stopped working for him. Now, something to aware of, there is going to be scar tissue under/around the band. And until the doc cracks you open, they won't know how much. My band took far longer to remove than it should have and more than doubled the length of my surgery due to scar tissue. My band was totally encapsulated in scar tissue and posed a major issue with removal. I'm lucky that they continued with the revision and didn't just stop at the removal, which I've heard is a potential with revision. I'm glad I got it out of me and didn't just deal with it longer. Whatever you chose, good luck!

I had the band installed in 2011, and whereas I lost 70 lbs then, it just stopped working and ended up causing more issues in the long run. I revised to RNY March 21, 2018. I was nervous as well, but, it was the best thing I've done and I really wish I did it before. Now, to your questions. It's going to be hard for you to just hide your new eating requirements. You can keep it to yourself, but, you might get questions about why you are not eating breads, or sugars, or high fat foods. If you haven't researched it, the bypass can (and does) cause dumping if you eat certain foods, dumping sucks. My nutritionists hammer the 5/5 rule. If the food has added sugar, then it can't have more than 5 grams of sugar per serving, and fats should be less than 5 grams per serving. This is harder than it looks at first because of how many foods have added sugar that you just wouldn't figure would. So, ordering appetizers (which are typically bready or fried) might not be the best answer. But you can eat a nice side order sized salad with some grilled chicken and balsamic or other dressing that would fit your personal restrictions. I've eaten a whole slice of pizza, took me a while, no dumping or major issues, except I felt like crap shortly afterwards, very run down and drained. It's a major lifestyle change. Not to scare you off, I wouldn't go back to eating the way I did for any reason at this point. Don't think you can't enjoy yourself, oddly (for me anyway and it seems most people are the same) I have ZERO problem with natural sugars. So, I could sit and eat a ton of strawberries and not have a single issue. Plus there are the whole taste changes that seem to happen to folks. For me, I can't stand the taste of things that are too sweet or have too much added sugar in them anymore. So, bottom line, you can flub a bit, tell folks that you've made an eating habit change, which isn't a lie exactly, and that's why you are eating differently, but that's really going to depend on your friend/family base if that answer is going to appease them. Good luck on whatever you decide!

Hello all! Today I start my 2 week pre-op diet for a revision from the sleeve to gastric bypass. My sleeve was 12/2012 and I’ve had nothing but problems and a terrible doctor (ugh). Well I stopped with that doctor soon after the surgery (LONG STORY) and was followed by my PCP. Other Bariatric doctors would not follow me because of the original doctor. Finally a doctor who had worked with both my Mom and Dad agreed to see me. It was like a consult about my weight loss and habits. That was in 2015 ish. I continued to have problems like severe heartburn and nausea. Finally they did an endoscopy and found a large stricture. Who knows how long it’s been that way. Because of the multiple problems insurance agreed to pay for the revision. First, I’m furious that I even have to get the revision. I thought I was playing it safer with that procedure. I did lose 90 pounds but still need to take off another 40-50 lbs. Who knows how long the stricture has been there. Now I have a great doctor!!!! I’m so happy about that because I need that consistent follow up and a doctor who will LISTEN to me. I’m just discouraged because the sleeve failed. Now I’m not sure what to expect. I do KNOW that a better doctor with good follow-up is essential. Any feedback on sleeve to bypass revision because of complications is more than welcome.

If I had type 2 diabetes and GERD before surgery I'd likely have gone with bypass (either RNY or the newer omega loop mini bypass) since GERD tends to worsen with sleeve, and bypass seems to be more effective at curing diabetes symptoms. I didn't have either of these conditions though, and I eat a lot of organic home grown produce and home made chicken stock/bone broth and I didn't want to lose some of that nutritional value through bypass malabsorption (and then have to take larger quantities of artificial nutrients to make up for it, including B12 injections). I also don't tend to eat much sugary food, but would prefer to avoid the risk of dumping syndrome if I were to have the odd sweet treat or fatty meal once I'm at goal weight (especially if I lean towards paleo or ketogenic diet long term). I felt the sleeve was a better option for me, however if in future I developed GERD that wasn't sufficiently managed by medications then I will consider a revision to bypass.

I’m one week post op today. I imagine that we will all need to revise our perspective of food as we move through this process. Last night my husband and I had dinner at a restaurant with a team from church. I had the tiniest bites of meat and little bits of baked potato and was done eating after a few bites. I maybe ate an ounce or two in total. I now have about 10 meals worth of leftovers. It’s just a whole new world. Today I had a protein shake for breakfast , 2oz of canned chicken with bitty pieces of sweet pickle and 1 tbsp of low fat mayo for lunch and 2oz of protein pudding for a mid afternoon snack. I couldn’t eat another bite. It’s going to take time to adjust.

Hey all, I've lost about 200 lbs in my WLS journey (first lap band, then revised to gastric sleeve) and back in 2015 had a lower body lift and arm lift. As I've since gender transitioned, I am now looking to have breast augmentation as well as a bra line lift to remove the excess skin on my back. Not sure if that's the same as an upper body lift / back lift? Has anyone had any experience with this procedure? It seems pretty uncommon in relation to how many people deal with loose skin around their backs. Thank you!

Well, as the title suggests I've been a member of the form for a while but just as a reader I haven't posted anything yet. I figured it was time to post my story so I could get some feedback, and possibly a little guidance. My journey started about a year ago when I had made the final decision to go ahead with the gastric sleeve. I was very confident in my surgeon and was excited about the surgery. As per protocol, he did and endoscopy beforehand and didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. I had my sleeve gastrectomy done on August 28th 2017. Almost immediately, I noticed what I would call an agonizing amount of pain and extreme gastric reflux. This was before I was even off of my post-surgery liquid diet. Over the coming weeks it didn't get better, only worse. I was continually told by my surgeon that it's normal, and it happens to some people. Within about 2 months the pain in my stomach to get better, at that point I was developing a pain on my right hand side below my rib cage. I had done some research, so I had a pretty good idea that it was my gallbladder. My surgeon agreed with me, and without even running any tests he decided to remove my gallbladder. My gallbladder was removed in January of 2018, and almost immediately I noticed the pain in my abdomen was gone. However, the gastric reflux still persisted. In early February of this year by surgeon decided to do an endoscopy to see what could be causing the acid reflux. He told me that I had numerous moderate to severe ulcers and that revision surgery would be advised. I was scheduled for traditional gastric bypass on March 22nd of this year. I'm pleased to report that the gastric reflux has gone away. However, I'm not able to keep down any solid foods without violently regurgitating them. I was following my post surgery diet without any deviation. The first soft food that I tried was mashed potatoes, no salt or butter and it didn't go well. Almost immediately I violently regurgitated them. Within about three minutes of that I had some of the most excruciating pain I've ever had in my life, it started near my stomach and felt like a travel down. I told my wife that I had to go to the emergency room immediately, once I got there she called my surgeon. The surgeon conferred with the emergency room physician and ordered a CT scan with contrast. I was advised that my stomach was clear and I didn't have any blockages. My surgeon had told the emergency room physician to prescribe me Prilosec 40 mg and I was to take it twice a day until I saw him again. A few days later I saw the surgeon, and he informed me that it was most likely an irritated stomach and that it was normal. This was about 3 weeks ago. I'm still not able to keep down any soft food of any type. I'm still on liquids, and even when I take in liquids I feel very uncomfortable. I'm not exactly sure how to describe it, it's not cramping, it's not nausea or pain it's a very awkward feeling. At this point, I've decided to get a second opinion and had all my records sent to another surgeon. I'm just curious if anyone has had these symptoms, rather these combination of symptoms or if anyone has any ideas for me to try. If you're reading this and considering weight loss surgery please I implore you to not let this deter you. From people I've talked to and information I've read, this amount of side effects is very out of the ordinary. I've lost almost a hundred pounds since my first surgery and I am feeling pretty good other than the symptoms I've described. Thanks everyone so much for taking the time to read, I look forward to any advice that can be offered. I hope everyone out there is doing great, and I wish everyone the best of luck and whatever stage of the journey they may be in!

Your story sounds exactly like mine. I'm seeing more and more sleeve revision posts so I don't think the sleeve was the magical surgery everyone thought it would be. I too felt pressured to have the sleeve over the bypass. I'll be almost exactly 4 years out from my sleeve surgery in July when I'm scheduled for my revision to the bypass. Hoping second time around is the last time. Good luck to you.

Yes, I already had the sleeve 2 years ago, it was a failed surgery, the doc didn't take out enough of my stomach. I initially lost over 50lbs and went down to 180, however after the initial 6 month loss, I started to get more hungry. I was maintaining my diet but eating more food since my stomach was not a normal sleeve. Therefore, I started gaining it all back. I went back to a different doctor a year and half later, who told me it wasn't done properly the first time. Some luck I have. So now he is doing a revision to the bypass to ensure the weight stays off.

So you already have the sleeve? Are you having a revision to the bypass? Can I ask why <<nosy!>>

I had sleeve surgery 12/2012. Fantastic results! However, I am finding that I can eat much more now. I feel I need to go back in to have my sleeve checked out to make sure all is well. They recommended me to return post-op, however, this was the last thing on my mind! I've had a wake-up call when I realized that I have gained 20 lbs back in the last 2 years. Has anyone else had to have a revision? I do NOT want to go through this again, but for my health, I can suck it up and go back. By the way, I NEVER thought I'd be experiencing this. My fat clothes are long gone and I'm running out of things to wear!

I went with Michael Talbot. You don't get much face-time with him, but his staff are all really good. Especially his nurse Patricia. Progress is going alright. Mine was a revision from lapband so my weightloss is probably going to be slower. But so far I'm really pleased. Start a new job this Friday and they were able to get me in for surgery with enough time to recover so I'm very happy.

Has anyone had a revision on their sleeve. I was thinking pfnsleeve to bypass but had a GI barium swallow. Had my sleeve about 5 years ago. Between the age of my sleeve and the big size of it I think I’m opting for a sleeve re do to make it smaller. Any thoughts ? Anyone have a redo ?

I have not had it but have been thinking of it. I also never reached my goal and have been regaining. Tell me about the revision. Did they just agree to do it? How did you get them to do it? And what do they do? Did your insurance cover it?

Hi there! Welcome!! I had my band out just before Christmas and revision to RNY. Best thing I ever did! Yes you can keep it secret. The first month or two isn’t hard at all (esp if you are ‘on leave’ for the op itself). Within a week you’ll likely be up and about, many return to light duties. I needed 3 weeks but had full open 5 hour surgery. I am 5 months out. NOW it is hard to keep it secret! I look normal. People who saw me 3 months ago when I was 20 or 25kg weightloss didn’t really notice - but the last 10kg I have gone from chubby to normal - and it is dramatic. NOW people are asking if I am well etc. If you want to keep it private, and I did because I am a sort of public figure, then in those early months make it clear you are dieting hard, on a high calorie restriction diet like optimist (All will be true, so no problem!) and also have people see you exercise. I do the stairs at work, 7 stories, and people see it and talk - positively. All of this is not RNY specific - any optifast-type severe calorie diet will do the same - my strong recommendation is, use that early food-restrictive time to get people used to “you’re gonna get thin’ - and double benefit is you’ll find some buddies who will help you stay on track with it all!! Good luck!

So, I had a band 10yrs ago and nobody knew about it. I never had a very high bmi - around 36 but looked very big. After the band I lost minimal and have just eaten badly due to the vomiting. I am back up to original weight and am going in for a revision. I think I have decided on the RNY due to reflux and one surgeon said that the first restrictive didn't work on my so why do another. I am pretty nervous to do such radical surgery but the band has to come out. My questions are... I understand the first months or 2 are really obvious..but after that, is it possible to hide RNY surgery from people? Not talking about the weightless, talking about the going out to restaurants for meals etc. Obviously I know I can only order appetizers. My friends always meet for meals - breakfasts and lunches etc. Even if not a big meal it's just usually convenient for people. Is it realistic to not want to make it public? Should I suck up the reflux and have the sleeve?? I know most of you tell but I am pretty private with personal stuff. Am single mother and would just rather keep it to myself. Help....

I had RNY gastric bypass in 2012, lost about 115 and regained about 25 but never made it to goal. I had the gastric bypass revision (pouch smaller) 6 weeks ago. Anyone had a revision? What kind of results??

Hi all, I had my sleeve, which is 4 yrs old, revised to Rouyen Y on the 17th. I told the Anesthesiologist I get nauseated and he gave me a patch, so no problems. Also, if nausea persists you should ask for an RX of Zofran. My pain is mostly gas I think. Love the baby food prunes idea! Good luck all! Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi All! I'm new here...sorta. I gave an intro on another post here a few days ago. I mostly read and absorb all the posts. I'm a revision from lap band to RNY. My surgery date is June 4th. Thurday I had my last pre-op appointment. I found out I actually have to do a 2 week liquid diet. Booo! I had already geeked myself up for 1 week now I have to give myself another pep talk. Ha! Of course I have a graduation party 🎓 and a BBQ during those two weeks😔 I'm definitely ready to get this show on the road. June 2nd is my pre surgical appt. with the anesthesiologist. My Dr. recommends I take 4 weeks off. That will give me a chance to get my eating together and quite frankly I'm looking forward to the break from work😏 How long are some of you planning to be out off work?

Hey everyone! I actually got gastric sleeve 2 years ago in March, and it was a failed surgery due to the surgeon not taking out enough of my stomach. I'm scheduled to get a revision bypass done on May 30th! Is anyone else having surgery on that date? (different hospital and different surgeon!) Also, my doc has an extremely strict 2 weeks pre op liquid diet, where I can only drink 5 GNC lean protein shakes, black coffee, and sugar/calorie free drinks... I'm on day 2 and it sucks! Any one else have to do something like this?

Yes. There are actually quite a few reports of people that end up getting GERD after sleeve. One of the only options is to revise to a bypass.

I am having my sleeve revision to bypass tomorrow morning. I never thought I'd be doing this again, but 4 years later, here I am. Fingers crossed for no more reflux and more weight loss! Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

I had a revision from band to bypass 12/17 and I’m very happy with my weight loss. Congratulations on your surgery date. This is your first step to anew you!!

Congrats! I am 6 days post op from sleeve to bypass so I don’t have enough experience yet but my recovery is easier than the sleeve thus far. i too was a bit pressured into the sleeve vs. bypass 7 years ago. I never even heard of it back then. Only the band and bypass; I wanted the bypass for the restriction & malabsorption. i didn’t lost about 40 pounds with my sleeve and gained it all back. I also had no restriction after about a year. GERD also developed welcome to the revision crew!

I got my surgery date yesterday! I am scheduled for September 10th. I am having a revision from a Gastric Sleeve to Bypass! I had my sleeve 5 years ago. I did really well the first year and lost over 90lbs. I was never able to reach my goal weight and seemed to hit a wall after a year. I couldn't lose anymore and struggled to maintain even with slight diet changes. I have regained about 50lbs and I am struggling with reflux again. I wished I had picked the bypass from the beginning. There was so much hype about the sleeve at the time but not as much long term data. Now I can compare and understand the bypass has better long term results. I am feeling a sense of relief just getting the surgery date that is what I need to do and I can get back to a place were I am happy with myself and maintain it. Any revisions out there that can share there experience with a revision from sleeve to bypass?