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Hi all, im new to this site but open to suggestions , So my story is , i had a gastric bypass in April 2017, weight loss great, all my medical conditions settled , but i had pain in the insides of the left rib area from quite early on, i couldn't get to the pain by touch, i had the camera and CT scans , i was later informed i had ulcers in the new pouch, i was relieved to find out i did have something wrong and this pain would go away , so in 2018 i had a bypass revision to have the ulcers removed , my new pouch had lengthened (stretched due to acide reflux) , so i had further surgery to shorten this and the ulcers were taken out. Further complications arose, as they removed the ulcers they caught my bowel , more surgery was needed and i lost 5 pints of blood, recovering from the surgery , 5 months later I'm still in excruciating pain on the left side, pain killers don't help at all, and my GP said it was my 'Back' i knew this wasn't what was wrong with me and i felt i had no support or getting anywhere with my condition. The hospital were also at a loss what was happening with me, and tried to diagnose me as depressed, the only depression i had was pain and not been believed. i took it upon myself to do my own research and i have came up with Bile reflux, not acid, the GP listened to me and agreed to try me on some medication, as i wa passed myslef by this time, after 5 days of been on the medication , at last i'm getting some relief ,i cant explain the pain i have been in, i thought i was going insane at one point as all the tests were negative, scans all clear , pain that i couldn't get too, yet it had me drinking bottles of strong pain relief to literally put me in bed . My question is ? has anyone else had this complaint of BILE REFLUX and if so what was the outcome as i understand the medication can only be take short term?

My nutritionist is part of Smart Shape weight loss centers in canada. Specifically for bariatric surgery. Vsg, mini gastric bypass, lap band, and revision surgeries. I would hope she would know.... but I am not so confident. Everyone says follow the plan your dr has you on...... what if you dont want to? I paid almost 20 grand out of pocket to have this surgery....I dont want to fail Sent from my SM-G965W using BariatricPal mobile app

He is chief of bariatrics at good Sam. He is a wonderful dr. He's done hundreds of sleeves. Revisions as well. His number is 631-587-5800.

Is a revision like the origianl surgery? Does it cost as much? Is it just a matter of restitching it into place? Please explain how it works. Thanks! Mary Luke

Sorry to hear that bikerchick519 I’m awaiting surgery my insurance covers the revision

I was notified by Alex Brecher that I have been registered with VST for two years now - doesn't seem like it has been that long and I was encouraged to share my story again so I thought that I would re-post my story. I hope you can relate and it brings some encouragement to others that in life you can make changes. I'm a Californian for life! - Wife of 7 yrs to a wonderful husband who I love very much, mother of a 11 yr son, 21 yr old daughter and 19 yr old son , god mother to my 20 yr old god daughter , older sister to 5 brothers and daughter and granddaughter to my mom and father grandmother whom I love and respect and thankful for them loving and teaching me . I enjoy making people life, people say that I'm ALWAYS smiling and I love to swim, play volleyball and aspire to be able to run a marathon. I started my research journey about weight loss surgery in May of 2009. After 10 yrs of failed attempts at losing weight on my own. My story is probably pretty common, I was never a fat or big kid, teenager or young adult always weighed within normal or above normal range and could eat anything and everything I wanted and never really exercised accept when I had too. Always busy and on the go enjoying life, friends and family I guess that kept me thin. But something happened to me when I hit my mid 20's and I started slowing my life(style) down - I started slowly picking up weight that I was unable to drop or loose easly anymore, to top it off by age 28 I became pregnant with my son( love him). I had a difficult pregnancy near the end of my first trimester I was diagnosed with Preclampsia and eventually it affected my weight, blood pressure, and if not monitored could shut down my major organs and death! During my pregnancy I gained 75 lbs which was crazy! 27 weeks into my pregnancy I had to be admitted into the hospital because my Protein levels were too high and I had to be monitored and blood drown 24/7. I gave birth to my son via C-Section at 31 wks so he was a Premie and weigh 3.06 lbs at birth! He (Kalani) was born not breathing and had to stay in the Neonatal unit for 5weeks before they let him come home with me. Initially I dropped the weight with breast feeding, however with dealing with a Premie and being a new mom I think put alot of stress on me so I sought comfort in food most of the time. I had to deal with him being so small and being susceptable to getting sick alot because he was born with under developed lungs - me putting my child in regular daycare was not an option! I eventually went back to work and my grandmother my son's great grandmother took care of him for the first 4 years of his life. She was my daycare provider and I will Always love her for that! During the first 5 yrs of his life I felt like I was always at the Dr. office or in urgent care with him being sick! So, I definitely forgot about me and it became all about him and the only thing I could think of doing in my spare time was eat or going out to eat or snacking on sweets or making sweets and eating big portions of food. I just kept getting bigger and bigger each year. Blaming my clothes not fitting on "Cheap materials!" LMBO SMH To try and get my life back I joined a gym (still a member - not using regularly yet), I tried every diet that was on TV or a friend told me about or the latest and greatest fad diet. from Atkins, Southbeach, Weight Watchers 3X, Lemonade Diet, Cabbage Soup Diet, Vitamin B12 shots, Appetite Suppressants, 7 Day Diet, Detox (Fasting), not to mention how much money I spent on Excercise Vids, DVD's! Sheeeeeesh! But, I did loose weight sometimes anywhere from 20-50lbs but I would always seem to gain it back plus some. So in 2009 I was fed up I had to do something different!!! - I had heard about the Gastric Bypass which was the most common so I did a little research but not much and had a talk with my PCP and he thought it would be a good idea so he started my paperwork and at the time I was with an *** so the requirements were I had to have 6months of weigh ins and some other things so I started in excited however once I started reasearching the R N Y and asking people that I had met and watching YouTube vids I started thinking, "I don't think this is for me I wasn't liking the "Malabsorbtion" and "Restriction" together I didn't think it was for me despite all the positive feedback. I made it to the Surgeon for a Pre Op and decided that I didn't want to go through with it. I knew based on research and talks on obesity.org and on Youtube and speaking with the surgeon that the LapBand was a waist of time (in my opinion) I saw and read about alot of folks getting revisions and switched to the sleeve or the R N Y. But then I started researching the sleeve and flet that this surgery was more along the lines of what I was looking for and since I didn't have CoMorb's like diabetes or cholesterol, etc. and it wasn't Restrictive so I thought Great! Eureka! I've found it. However, my *** at the time did not cover it and I tried to get an exception based on me having a bad back and having to take NSAIDS often for pain and the R N Y did not recommend taking those becasue it could cause issues with the R N Y. But, no go they declined me - so I stopped pursuing and thought well maybe this is not my journey and I should just keep trying to diet and exercise maybe one day I will eventually loose this weight and left it alone for about 5 months. In 2009 my husbands company was bought out by another company and when we had to re-enrolled for benefits the new company had different plans - PPO & *** options so I called each one and asked if they approved Bariactric Surgeries (some don't believe it or not) and if yes, did they offer approvals for VSG and one did - so I felt well Lord maybe this is still a journey I can take! So, I had to go through couple of their guidelines but most of my previous paperwork was still good so I didn't have to re-do anything (GOD is Good) and now hear I am almost two years later and a with a VSG surgery date for next month! Can't say it was easy but I'm so glad i'm here and I had a loving and supportive family! I still continue to read and ask questions to get my mind ready for the change but I'm so excited and ready to begin a new way of life!!! ***And now I'm living my new life i'm 21 months post-op and down 136 lbs never felt better and glad I began my new life and journey!***

I had my VS in 2012, lost 150 lbs and maintained that loss almost effortlessly for 8 years, then Covid hit and in a matter of 3 months I gained 80 lbs back WITHOUT CHANGING MY EATING HABITS!!! I feel like I’ve been robbed. By no fault of my own, the weight came back and stayed. I still can only consume 4 or 5 bites to eat and I’m full. I just don’t understand why this happened and if I do a revision to a DS will that help?

Has anyone seen stats on the incidence of leaks specific in AGB - VSG revisions? I mean universal stats, not any particular revision surgeon's stats. My grandfather died of sepsis from a stomach ulceration, and an aunt recently spent 12 weeks in the hospital after a surgeon nicked her esophagus during a procedure to remove a tumor. It's definitely a risk that is close to home. (If you can't tell, I'm one of those analytical/data sponge type people!) It makes sense that 2-in-1 might lead to hier rates of complication, and the rationale for doing a revision in 2 separate surgeries make perfect sense. I wonder why the tendency is to do them in a single procedure. I'm also adding to my list of questions for the surgeon -- does he take precautions for this, what type of staple technique does he use, assuming I have significant scar tissue, what changes? Etc.

I've read many reports of consistent restriction from VSG vs. tha random restriction I had from AGB. Is your restriction consistent? Yes, I can eat more mushie food like yogurt, but meat 2-3 oz s it consistent both in terms of times of day you can eat and types of food you can eat? Yes I eat anything I want for breakfast lunch and dinner, With AGB "stuck" foods caused me discomfort or pain, often quite a bit of pain, and often for a fairly long time. Does food stick with VSG? Never for me. I've read about people brining stuff up, but is this because of failure to pass through some stoma, or is it because of eating more than you can hold? Or both? I've never had an issue with food coming up,but I've been careful not to overeat. Does it hurt like it did with your band? When it comes up, is it "saliva + stuck bits" like with the band, or is it actual vomit? I've never vomited with the sleeve. I know some dumping can occur with VSG - do you dump? Is it on specific foods, or random? I've never had a dumping problem. I had my gall bladder out at the same time as my revision and now fatty foods nauseate me, but sweets are fine. What period is the greatest risk for developing a leak? I see references to 2 weeks, 2 months... That's a doctor question, but I think you have to be careful for a couple of months until you are completely healed. Is leak the (currently known) most likely complication of VSG? I see people talking about leaks, and pOuch stretching, but that's about it. Surely there's something else out there... That's all I've heard also, though I didn't have any problems. WIthout the need for fills, what does your post-op care look like? I only went back to my surgeon once post-op. After that my primary care doc handles everything. I just have labs once or twice a year. Do you have periodoc leak tests as a bandster might have period fluoro or xray? No. What do you like best about your VSG? The ability to eat healthy foods that I couldn't with the band (salads, certain fruits/veggies), not having to ever worry again about eating too much - I can't, being able to eat like a "normal" person (not counting calories, fat grams, etc.). I eat whatever I want, but in moderation. What do you like least about your VSG? There are times your brain still wants to pig out on something, but your body can't do it, so you have to just deal with that. I lost more muscle than I would have liked to, but that I can build back up. What did you not know going in, that you wish you did? I was pretty well informed, but I guess I didn't realize how hard it would be to get all my protein in without supplements. I still have to eat protein bars to get it all in. I keep reading "recovery is a lot harder than with the band," but no one really elaborates. Can someone please share their comparison of recovery? I've had 12 surgeries in my life, so I may be an old pro about it, but I thought my recovery was just as easy. I work from home on the computer and was back at my desk the day after I got home from the hospital for short spurts. Pain was minimal. How hard did you find the transition in terns of behavior? I'm assuming there are shared rules such as chewing to goo, small bites, waiting between bites, etc. You don't have to worry about chewing everything up super small with the VSG like you do with the band or taking small bites. The opening to your stomach is the same as anyone else's, so that's not an issue anymore. I eat just like anyone else. Do you have a "soft stop" with VSG? (I never had one with AGB, but I'm wondering if it exists with VSG) Not sure what that means... Did anyone out thyere have a difficult revision due to scar tissue/etc. with the band? My surgeon did both the band and my revision to VSG. He had put my port in there really good, so it was a bear to get out. I was left with a large open area internally that filled with blood and caused a hematoma. The incision above the hematoma opened up, the blood drained, and the hole had to then heal from the inside out. I had to keep it packed with cotton tape and change twice a day for a couple of months. I also had a hiatal hernia that I fell was caused by the band. The doc fixed it during the revision surgery. Any bathroom problems? (e.g. the terrible stinkies DSers are known for) None at all. In fact, I used to have IBS but no more. It seems like most people encounter significant heartburn. Is reflux an issue with VSG? Is the heartburn long term, or does it resolve after a while? I continue to take a PPI to control acid, so it's not an issue. Are your food intolerances (if any) the same as with your AGB? I can eat or drink anything I want with the sleeve, no restrictions. I choose to NOT eat much bread, as it swells with liquids and takes up room in my tummy I should be filling with protein. I can tolerate anything - spicy foods, wine and spirits, etc.

I'll do my best. I'm 3 months out and your mileage may vary... I've read many reports of consistent restriction from VSG vs. tha random restriction I had from AGB. Is your restriction consistent? Is it consistent both in terms of times of day you can eat and types of food you can eat? Does VSG seem to be effected by the same variables as AGB? (e.g. flying, stress, humidity, PMS/water retention...)The retriction is extremely consistent. I seem to be a little tighter first thing in the morning, but it isn't too bad. I am able to eat the same quantity at every meal, but I seem to want to eat a little more often in the afternoon. For example, I am more likely to have a snack or 2 in the afternoon than I am in the morning. The amount I eat in one sitting is no different. With AGB "stuck" foods caused me discomfort or pain, often quite a bit of pain, and often for a fairly long time. Does food stick with VSG? I've read about people brining stuff up, but is this because of failure to pass through some stoma, or is it because of eating more than you can hold? Or both? Does it hurt like it did with your band? When it comes up, is it "saliva + stuck bits" like with the band, or is it actual vomit?I never vomitted withe the band and I do not vomit with the sleeve. When I eat too much (and that is the only time I am uncomfortable) I am very uncomfortable for about 15 minutes. I wouldn't call it pain so much as it feels like I have to burp and it is stuck. SOmetimes I get a wave of nausea. Sometimes I get a flushed feeling along with some exhaustion as if my stomach just demanded that all my blood and energy be diverted to my stomach to process my food. It's not the same feeling that you have with the band. Also, I only get this feeling when I eat too much and I don't chew very well. With the band EVERYTHING got stuck because of the texture, dryness, etc. I know some dumping can occur with VSG - do you dump? Is it on specific foods, or random?I haven't had any terrible reactions to food. I have foud that I don't like the taste of anything sweet now, but a small piece of cake does not send me to the toilet. What period is the greatest risk for developing a leak? I see references to 2 weeks, 2 months... I was told 2 weeks, but I think there may be risk up to 2 months, because that is how long it would take for incisions to completely heal. Is leak the (currently known) most likely complication of VSG? I see people talking about leaks, and pOuch stretching, but that's about it. Surely there's something else out there...I have not heard of much else besides complications from leaks. There are strictures that some people get when their pouch heals too narrow in the middle. There are peripheral effects like dehydration, and Vitamin deficiency. WIthout the need for fills, what does your post-op care look like? Do you have periodoc leak tests as a bandster might have period fluoro or xray?My US doctor does not have flouro or barium swallow as part of their follow up protocol. My MX surgeon recommends a barium swallow at 3 months, which I have not had yet. The US protocol is a series of bloodwork to make sure you are not nutrient deficient. It is my understanding that a leak would be apparent in profound discomfort, fever, etc. What do you like best about your VSG?What do you like least about your VSG?I love that it works. Sounds like your band experience has been good, but mine just didn't work. 2 things about the sleeve are tough for me: 1) that I needed a sleeve at all. 2) the recovery is so much harder than the band. The sleeve really forces you to eat less - this is a good thing, but it is so hard to get your mind adjusted to your new reality. I think having a bad befoer is helpful because you are used to not drinking with food, taking small bites, etc. What did you not know going in, that you wish you did?I devoured the posts on this board, so there were not a lot of surprises. I think that the experience of going through it is different than reading about it. I keep reading "recovery is a lot harder than with the band," but no one really elaborates. Can someone please share their comparison of recovery?liquids for 3 weeks. That is rough. Also, your stomach is so much more damaged with VSG that you simply can't eat the way you did after band surgery. Remember that after band surgery you could eat fairly normally for several weeks before you got your first fill? This is extreme restriction and serious stomach altering from day 1. You may be horribly exhausted for 6 weeks or so. You will be desperate to eat something after the liquid phase and you will be very disappointed when you find you can't tolerate hardly any food at all. It is a very tough mental transition. How hard did you find the transition in terns of behavior? I'm assuming there are shared rules such as chewing to goo, small bites, waiting between bites, etc.Same rules apply. I think it varies with each person as far as how hard it is. I find those rules easy to follow. The hard part for me was dealing with the restricted post-op diet. It is a tough emotional ride the first month. Do you have a "soft stop" with VSG? (I never had one with AGB, but I'm wondering if it exists with VSG)Don't know what a "soft stop" is? Did anyone out thyere have a difficult revision due to scar tissue/etc. with the band?There are a few people on this board who have. I had my band for 3.5 years and I had adhesions on my liver and stomach. These were corrected in my surgery and it was not presented as being excessively dangerous. I went to a VERY experienced surgeon with regard to revision. My surgery took about 90 minutes. Any bathroom problems? (e.g. the terrible stinkies DSers are known for)No - I have been really regular (for the most part) since surgery. I also found that my gas is not very smelly at all. Must be my new diet? It seems like most people encounter significant heartburn. Is reflux an issue with VSG? Is the heartburn long term, or does it resolve after a while?Yes, acid is a problem. My doc said to take an omeprazole based acid reducer for several months after surgery, whether I have symptoms or not. I had acid issues (even with the PPI) for the first month. I have since switched to Zegerid OTC and have had no problem at all. I may try to wean off the acid reducer around the 6 month mark. Some people take them forever, some people don't. I did not have any acid probelms with the band or before the band. Are your food intolerances (if any) the same as with your AGB?Not at all. I found that my band was really picky with dry food or certain textures. I did not eat chicken for 3.5 years because I could not get it down with the band. Right now, all food goes down just fine. The difference is what you feel like after the food is safely in your stomach. Sugar makes me queasy. Chicken is my new favorite :-) Best of luck on your decision

I've read many reports of consistent restriction from VSG vs. tha random restriction I had from AGB. Is your restriction consistent? Yes, my restriction constant, and consistent. Is it consistent both in terms of times of day you can eat and types of food you can eat? Just like with a my big huge stomach, slider foods, mushy consistency food goes down much easier, and I can eat larger amounts of these foods so restriction does vary based on what I choose to eat. Rice, pasta, potatoes, and some breads are all sliders for me, dense protein I still max out at around 3-5oz depending on which protein I choose to eat, and how it is prepared. For me there are a lot variables to my capacity. Meaning if I use food lube such as gravy, ketchup, steak sauce I can get in a couple more bites, or if I mix veggies with my meat, I can get in a few more bites. If I stretch my meal out over the 20-30 minutes, I can fit more food in. Does VSG seem to be effected by the same variables as AGB? (e.g. flying, stress, humidity, PMS/water retention...) I've had zero issue with altitude, or humidity effecting my restriction. BUT, I have horrific allergies/sinus issues, and just like with the Band, my stomach does get full of sinus drainage, a simple Sudafed, or Zyrtec before the major symptoms sneak in seem to resolve this issue. With AGB "stuck" foods caused me discomfort or pain, often quite a bit of pain, and often for a fairly long time. Does food stick with VSG? Nopers. I've read about people brining stuff up, but is this because of failure to pass through some stoma, or is it because of eating more than you can hold? Or both? Does it hurt like it did with your band? When it comes up, is it "saliva + stuck bits" like with the band, or is it actual vomit? I've compared it to that one last bite coming up. It's not the retching, hurling, gagging experience puking that I had when food would get stuck with the band. I was a really consistent and religious measurer of portions before I learned to eyeball my food intake. I use references like a deck of cards, or the food amount that would find in the palm of my hand when measuring wasn't available. We don't have stomas. We have intact pyloric valves so pretty much bringing food back up is related to taking that one or two last bites, and simply not having room for it. I know some dumping can occur with VSG - do you dump? Is it on specific foods, or random? I have never dumped. I developed lactose intolerance that mimics dumping syndrome, but I eat every type of sugary, fat laden food imaginable without issue. What period is the greatest risk for developing a leak? I see references to 2 weeks, 2 months... 6 weeks Is leak the (currently known) most likely complication of VSG? I see people talking about leaks, and pOuch stretching, but that's about it. Surely there's something else out there... Leak is the most common and most dangerous. Sleeve stretching is not the same as pouch stretching. The sleeve matures after the healing period. There just isn't enough tissue left to stretch out the stomach tissue that remains after a partial gastrectomy. I'm 2 years out and eat just about the same amounts that I was eating at 7-9 months out when I was getting into maintenance. Of course, there are ways that I cheat the sleeve to fit in more food, and I am not longer restrictive with my food choices, I keep things in moderation, but do not deprive myself of any foods. Strictures, I would say are the 2nd most dangerous and common complication with VSG even though I've read only a handful of stricture issues, they do occur with VSG. Other complications are typically temporary, such as dehydration, nausea, and pain. WIthout the need for fills, what does your post-op care look like? I had follow up appointments for labs at 3.6.9,12, 18, 24 months, and it was recommended to get a scope done at a year out. I had my gallbladder removed at 8 months out, and had a scope. This is just the program through the military hospital I had VSG. I will have labs pulled at 2.5 years out after I deliver Sprout, and then again at 3 years post-op. After that, I will be put on an annual follow up program with the bariatric department to monitor my weight, nutrition and labs. This is all part of the follow up studies to show that VSG is very viable option for weight loss, and with consistent follow up, I hope this will help get Tricare and Medicare to fully cover VSG as of right now it is still considered investigational and is only performed at a handful of military hospitals. Do you have periodoc leak tests as a bandster might have period fluoro or xray? No What do you like best about your VSG? No medication and no food intolerances. I also love that I do not have have physical hunger at even 2 years post-op. What do you like least about your VSG? Not applicable. Honestly, there is nothing to not like. What did you not know going in, that you wish you did? Not applicable I keep reading "recovery is a lot harder than with the band," but no one really elaborates. Can someone please share their comparison of recovery? How hard did you find the transition in terns of behavior? I'm assuming there are shared rules such as chewing to goo, small bites, waiting between bites, etc. Actually my initial recovery from the sleeve was easier except for residual port pain where they removed my port. To this very day, I still have random pain in that area. Do you have a "soft stop" with VSG? (I never had one with AGB, but I'm wondering if it exists with VSG) I never pushed this issue, and today I still try to not eat until full. I can get some pressure or a hiccup if I'm getting close to full. Did anyone out thyere have a difficult revision due to scar tissue/etc. with the band? I had a horrific leak due to scar tissue that was detected on my final leak test. It was repaired immediately, and I had an extensive recovery. I would honestly endure every complication to live the life I have today. Any bathroom problems? (e.g. the terrible stinkies DSers are known for) None It seems like most people encounter significant heartburn. Is reflux an issue with VSG? Is the heartburn long term, or does it resolve after a while? There are varying answers out there. I stay on a PPI because I choose to do so. I never had reflux and have been on Prilosec, now Nexium due to the pregnancy since being around 6 weeks out. I haven't attempted to wean off the PPI because I've read other vet sleevesters stories about rebound reflux and returning hunger. Are your food intolerances (if any) the same as with your AGB? There is nothing that I can't eat, and I eat anything and everything I want. The only thing that still settles heavy in my sleeve is pork, and scrambled eggs. If I put enough cheese on the eggs, I have zero issues. Pork chops, pork tenderloin still sits heavy, like 2oz in and I'm super full and uncomfortable.

With Tricare, all lap band revisions are now required to be a two part process. I am having a revision done. I had my band removed on 2/5/2016 and I'm having my bypass done on 3/10/2016. I had to go through an approval process just as if I'd never had WLS before and I was easily approved.

I had my bypass revision on 12/13/2022, my period came down a few days after. It has now been close to 4 weeks of it non stop. Some days it's bright, other days its brown but the one thing is that its been constant. Previous to my surgery I had a Mirena for 1 year, I had not had a period for over 10 months. The Mirena was removed in November, a few days later I got the depo shot. So my depo was fairly recent to my bypass. I called my gyno and she is not concerned at this point since there is no odor, pain or fever. Has anyone experienced this? Do you guys think its the shock of surgery? A mix of all the BC hormones recently?

I found out a couple of days ago that my port has flipped...has anyone dealt with his/her flipped port without revision surgery? :thumbup: I haven't heard the full plan from my Dr's office yet. Just wondering how others have experienced the problem.

My partner was not on board for RnY so I got the band. I had lots of problems with my band. She started going with me to the doctors appt. she learned so much she worked up the courage to have RNY and was happy when my band was removed and I had my revision. She tells me often how bad she feels for not standing by the Rny to start with. Good news is that we are both healthy now.

Seven years ago when I was banded, I was the biggest diet pepsi holic in the world. Hubby is sure the pepsi stock went down when I quit drinking it. I was a two fister, had my son bring me two one for now and one to be at the ready when the first one was done. Gave it up and never went back. Even without restriction in my band I just don't do it, And now that I am going to be revised from band to RNY I am glad that is something I have already conquered. Crystal light is my go to. because I just can't drink plain water, it strangles me, so I drink 2 qrts of crystal light a day at least,

Chrissy Do yourself a favor and forget you ever heard about the band, it is an aweful contraption!! I had mine for only 9 months, the first 6 were okay, then my problems started!! I had my revision in December and could not be happier with the sleeve. So easy, you just eat smaller portions. As far as being afraid of the surgery, it really is a fairly easy one. They do it lap, so just 5 small insisions. I say go for it, and never look back!!

Do any one know how easy it is to get approval for a lap-band revision to RNY through Highmark BCBS TN or if they even cover it? Approval was easy for the lap-band but wasn't sure about revision surgery. I have to have lap-band removed and wait 3 months and have revision. Not sure if they (BCBS) would count as having 2 surgeries and would pay for the removal but not the revision. I checked the website and it seems unclear to me and I am afraid to call them and ask or do the physician's office take care of submitting whatever is needed to check for coverage and what percentage? I know my questions sound redundant but I am really seeking sincere advise. Thank you in advance!

Well I survived a 3 hour revision surgery and feel like my inners may come out-but I haven't had heartburn or burping everything up. Time will heal-my worst fear was to lose the band toatlly and I didn't do that, so I'm happy once I feel better that is. Small sips and pain medication are my friends right now!

OK so I am just about 1 month out from revision. tummy looks great, I am happy with it finally. Breasts well I wish I wouldn't have done the lift this time as I'm not liking the way the nipples feel, kinda like a button I guess on a couch sewed on... PS says it will get better and back to normal, I sure hope so.... This time around I have awful swelling, the first time, I didn't swell much at all, but this time, swell hell!!!!!! OK well I am off to go buy some bikini panties at Victorias!! WOHOOOOOOOOOOO

I'm sorry to hear about this, it sounds very painful I don't have any experience with this, so can't help much. Would it be possible to just undo this surgery, let you heal and gain a few pounds back, and revise to a bypass later if you needed it?

From a strictly weight loss perspective, there is a lot of overlap between the two, with the DS being better for those starting in the higher BMI ranges. The sleeve works well in the moderate BMI ranges (35-50) and also works well above that with somewhat more intensive dieting and greater discipline needed in the long term. The DS is stronger in regain resistance than any of the other mainstream procedures, so is particularly good for those with long term yo yo dieting patterns. From a diabetes perspective, the sleeve is similar to the bypass, with remission/resolution rates of around 85%, while the DS typically sees 98-99% rates. This should not be overly surprising as the DS started as a procedure specifically targeting diabetes, to which the VSG was added to make it a WLS procedure. Longer term, the sleeve is still relatively new with only some five year data available for any kind of significant patient populations. There are some indications of somewhat significant recurrance after five years, though it is not clear how well correlated that may be with whatever regain problems some may be having. The DS does seem to show more significant staying power in the face of regain, which in itself is less of a problem due to the long term malabsorption, compared to the VSG or RNY Note that this only applies to the "classic" DS and not the newer SIPS/SADI/"loop DS" which is a different procedure for which there is little long term data. There is a fair bit of experience that indicates that the longer one has been diabetic, the longer it takes to knock it out even with the DS. My wife had been under treatment for it for some twenty years when she had her DS and it took the better part of a year for her to be off of all meds for it. Others, even long termers, will walk out of the hospital free of meds with either the sleeve or the DS - YMMV. She is still off of all diabetes meds after twelve years. My feeling is that for a younger patient, particularly one whose obesity problem is only "moderate" in WLS terms can do very well with just the sleeve, particularly if they concentrate on learning long term weight control. If necessary in the future, a move to completing the DS (which is based upon the VSG so one is half way there already,) if the diabetes comes back again can be done. Last year at one of our support group meetings i was chatting with a gal who was some 25 years out on a RNY and by all measures has been successful in her weight maintenance until some of life's stresses hit a few years ago and brought on some regain (not the total regain we sometimes read about,) - enough to bring her diabetes out of remission, so she was lining up to get that revised to a DS to knock it out again (she would have done the DS originally had it been available then.) All of these procedures can give you something of a "do over" and let you start relatively fresh, but one has to take that opportunity to learn how to manage oneself in the long term and not go back to whatever got us here in the first place. Good luck on whatever path you choose.

I was sleeved last Oct 25th I can relate to your issues, I have terrible heartburn, reflux, and nausea. I originally though that it would go away but has only stayed the same and is worse at times. I have been following up with my doctor and it was determined after an endoscopy that I have Bile Reflux. The only believed to correct it is to have RNY. RNY will cause the bile to not be so close to the stomach and having RNY relieves the pressure that is in your stomach that can contribute to GERD or reflux. I am schedule for surgery Oct 31 to have a revision to RNY. I hope that this will be it for surgeries. I like the sleeve and it has done well with a total loss of 106lbs. I hate to get rid of it but need to have RNY done to prevent further issues.

Thanks for sharing that article. I haven't really considered the plication but I do like to learn all I can about the various procedures. I was looking into the band at first as well, but decided against it after seeing so many people getting it removed and revised to sleeve or rny, and so many people having trouble eating healthy foods like meat and vegetables. I decided on the sleeve because while it is not reversible I believe that it is safe and it does away with part of the stomach that produces ghrelin. That sounds wonderful to me. With the band, rny or plication that part is still there producing ghrelin. The sleeve is the only one that gets rid of it. But it is an individual choice. It's just good that we have resources like this board where we can see the good, the bad and the ugly then make our choice.

He just did my revision 1/22/15