Search the Community

We need more information. Which type of bypass did you get? Distal? How much intestine was bypassed? Or did they just do the stomach stapling? DS is more extreme than bypass. Sometimes RNY can be revised to DS but not always. Each person is different. The OP is describing the old stomach stapling procedure but calling it bypass. I think a lot of folks with the 70s/80s version of the stomach stapling were told it was bypass, I've seen that written too many times for them to not be told they were bypassed. If it was the old stomach stapling revision options are better. If it was bypass revision options are limited.

RNY April of 2012, so that makes 9+ years out. My surgeon no longer practices bariatric surgery and most likely isn't even in my state any longer. I have had to make due with visits to hematologists, psychologists, primary care docs and more recently, went to a different WLS center for a consult and also to an endocrinologist to address the weight creep up that has taken years to put on--really can't blame the Covid, but rather letting a combo of sloppy habits and less intense exercise run the course to the expected outcome: the dreaded regain. To complicate matters, I have been so exhausted that I have been trying to get to the bottom of that as well. Ruled out anemia (I have had to get iron infusions three times), ruled out thyroid (although I do take NP thyroid and the endo upped the dosage a little bit), and while menopause is a factor, I got on bioidentical hormones to try and feel better. Somewhere in the middle of this, I had the brilliant idea that perhaps I should wean myself off antidepressants because they might have contributed to the weight gain as well. Uh. This is not the year to get off antidepressants, being all stressed out at work with all the students back to in-person learning and no clear direction about how to distance kids who seem determined to sit on top of one another, etc. After the new bariatric consult, where I was basically told that because I had open gastric bypass and then had incisional hernia repair and fleur de lis abdominoplasty, my insides are too messy to do any kind of revision, with the adhesions and all. But what I NEEDED to hear was what I have been doing: back to basics. Push that protein--90 grams. Watch the carbs and fat. Exercise. And eat less calories. 1200-1400. Since that visit I have tracked my intake on MFP and gave myself one day a week to have a higher calorie day and some kind of splurge. The rest of the week I do two very high protein meal replacement shakes, a Greek yogurt, a couple of hard boiled eggs and something small but proteiny and veg for dinner. I have to say, keeping it boring has kept the appetite at bay. And so far, so good. Nearly back to Onderland again, and I plan on keeping going until I get back to my lowest weight, which hilariously still has me in the overweight category according to the BMI. In addition, since not crawling into bed as soon as I get home is one of my major goals, I went back on the antidepressant, at a little higher dosage after explaining my symptoms of exhaustion. All this to say that the work is never done and I wouldn't have it any other way! This is my first post and I figured I would just throw it all out there and include the juice, since that is what it is all about for me and I have been very much enjoying reading all the posts here. Didn't want to be a freeloader with nothing to contribute

Thank you so much for your response! That’s what I’m scared of doing, by getting the sleeve and it not working. And having to do a revision. You are strong for going through the surgery more than once! ❤️

Wow that's amazing! Yeah I'm already fighting weight gain but it's so hard because since I no where have no fluid in my band everything goes through and I'm hungry all the time!! I have to control myself...especiallly since I'm able to eat EVERYTHING with no restriction. I just want this out and revised to be 100% on track with my weight loss goals. Being hungry all the time I still terrible! I really hope I have similar success as you have had!!!

Oh my! I'm so sorry you've had such terrible issues! Fortunately once the fluid was taken out of my band I was able to eat and drink normally again. I plan on getting this moving as quickly as possible because my appetite since my band was completely unfilled has been insatiable!! My dr put in a request for band removal in to my insurance today so hopefully I will hear something back soon. I just wish my surgeon wouldn't do the removal and revision at the same time.

I got sleeved 5 years ago and had terrible reflux/GERD every single day since. My esophagus is a mess! Doctor said RNY bypass is the way to go & I’m having revision on Monday. Doctor said that every single patient he did revision to RNY for bypass for no longer suffered from reflux. I’ll let you know how it goes, but don’t jump the gun and get the sleeve.

My revision is may 12th

I had GERD and a hiatal hernia for about 15 years. When I started to think about weight loss surgery and do my research, I decided gastric bypass with hiatal hernia repair was the right choice for me. I know I am not a revision like you, but I decided getting rid of GERD forever, and not taking the chance of having to revise later, was very important to me. I am almost 3 weeks post op now. The first two weeks I had a bit of regurgitation, but that has gone away. I will continue my proton pump inhibitors for another month or so while I finish healing per the recommendation of my surgeon and then get to drop them from my meds. Yay! My recovery has not been perfect. I have had three separate incidents of vomiting, likely due to the hernia repair, but I was able to go back to work full time last Monday after two weeks off. I actually feel great and have plenty of energy. I have not tried to eat anything with processed sugars yet, just some fruit, so no dumping at this point. I am glad to have the potential for dumping as a deterrent to eating processed sugars. I do plan to try a small piece of dark chocolate soon, just to settle that craving. At some point I will try a glass of dry white or red wine too, but it is still too soon in my healing process. I hope you come to a decision that is right for you. Consider what you are willing to tolerate in the future. Possible dumping vs. possible GERD and another revision. Best thoughts coming out to you!

Hello All, Hoping someone who has gone through a gastric band revision to a gastric sleeve can help me. I got the band 10 years ago and for awhile it was the best thing that ever happened to me. I lost 100 pounds and I was working out every day and life was good. Then the reflux started. So bad I spent months sleeping in a chair because lying in bed made me choke with all the stomach acid coming up. They took all the fluid out of my band and now I'm on track to get the band removed and get a gastric sleeve. Very worried about going to a hospital in the middle of the pandemic, but I'm going to be 60 soon and they're telling me that it's pretty much now or never. I'm hoping someone here who has had the experience with a band conversion to a sleeve can give me some advice about how different it is, or if it's similar and how much harder it is than the initial surgery. If there is no one on here who has had a conversion I'd also like to hear from people who got the sleeve and if they'd do it again. Any advice would be very much appreciated. Thank you in advance.

I'm over 4 years out and I don't have any of those issues but I do have a stretched sleeve and bad acid reflux. An EGD showed the stretch and reflux so I'm waiting for insurance now to decide if they will pay for a revision. If I were you I'd stay on the doctors to find a solution for you. I'm seeing on her a lot more people are having revisions due to not only regain but also complications. Good luck.

When did you get unfilled before your revision. I am looking at mid March (have time off from work, scrapping and get the $$) Do I need to get a complete unfill??? So afraid of gaining too much weight back. Thank you for your advice (Of course I am going to ask the MD.. leaning towards Dr. Aceves but he may be too expensive (I know..cost isn't everything..) Did anyone get a revision from him and he had you get unfilled?? What was the time frame?? D.

Did you decide on a surgery and surgeon? I'm curious as to why you didn't choose a revision to DS if you've already got the sleeve? Do you have GERD? Sent from my PhabulousPhablet!

Hi! I'd love to be your buddy! It sounds like we are in a similar boat. I was also banded, was successful, and then had complications... My revision to RNY is next Monday, July 20 I am curious to hear about how the surgery went for you? How does the healing compare to the recovery from band surgery? Be well! I'm right behind you!

Hi Stuck, I had my revision with Dr. Aceves. He had me have a complete unfill two weeks prior to the surgery. That gave my tummy time to have any swelling from the band go down. He also had me do liquids only for one week prior to the surgery, due to all the problems I had with my band.

I had my revision to bypass June 23. Im having no issues recovering. The thing is im having issues losing all of a sudden. Lost 25 then ive stopped last 5 days. I dont get it. Im tracking everything. So frustrated.

The itching is just caused by healing :biggrin: I'm having the same problem now on my port incision, five days after revision surgery. I had the same problem with my tattoo a week or so after I got it!

I know that at 2 weeks post op I am moving further away from the highest risk period. I start pureed foods on Wednesday, and resolve to continue being careful. My surgeon told me that they think most leaks actually happen in the first two weeks, but we all know that many are discovered weeks later. I have an optimistic view, I feel like I am recovering fine, but there is this little niggling worry since revision patients have a much higher risk of leak. Just curious if any of my fellow revision patients were told anything in particular about this - what to watch for, when they can consider themselves "out of the woods" for a leak.

The band is not supposed to stop you from eating. It's supposed to help with satiety so you don't overeat. Before looking to have revision surgery, I'd speak with the doctor and/or nutritionist to determine what type of food plan you should be following and if you indeed need an adjustment. I have no fills and can eat anything. I don't get stuck and I don't slime. I eat slowly, and take small bites just so I don't look to overeat. The satiety usually kicks in shortly thereafter but not always. Sometimes I just have to grit me teeth and find something else to do besides eat more. You also don't mention if you exercise. Physical movement also can help you drop the weight. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

Hi everybody. I've been reading the forums and cheering yall on for a few months now. I currently have the lap band. I've had it a few years and was never really successful with it. The little bit that I lost I gained back plus some. I made the decision to have the revision to sleeve done. It took me about a year to make that decision but I'm hoping to finally live my life to the fullest. I got the call today that I'm approved! I'm scheduled for March 2nd. Seems as if it took forever to get here but now seems like a whirlwind. I'm very excited and very afraid to fail at this one too. Yall are so encouraging and informative. I can't wait!

I'm losing slowly but I expected it - because mine was a revision surgery, I'm older and I carry my weight in my lower body. I also hVent exercised as much as I would like. I used to go to the track all the time to walk, I now have a bone spur in my heel. Have an appt scheduled with a podiatrist but they couldn't fit me in until mid- April.

I can't seem to get past the 3 week stall. [emoji20] I'm a month out from Lapband revision with Gastric bypass. At 3 weeks, when I went to the pureed stage, hit the stall. I've increased my walking, a bit frustrated and concerned. Any suggestions or insight welcomed! Thanks for the support!

I went to Mexico for my band and then when I wanted a revision my doc is the only one I trusted for a revision since those surgeries are a lot more difficult to do and carry more risk. I'm completely sold on MX! I did go back to MX for my aftercare with a band because I'm driving distance but with my sleeve I have no aftercare or maintenance so it's a non issue now. But I could have had my aftercare with a band done locally.

Dr. Aceves banded me and then did a revision to a sleeve later. He's great! I would (and did) go back to him. Sleeves are fantastic, I love mine so far.

My revision surgery was on June 10th 2013. I arrived at the hospital at 10 am. My surgery was was set to begin at noon. However due to an emergency, he was called away. We didn't get started until 1:45. I remember being rolled into the operating room. The next thing I remember was waking up in my room. It was 9:40 at night. Dr. Simon had no trouble removing my slipped lap-band and constructing my new sleeve. He was happy to report that I had little damage from the band. No hernias. Minimal scarring. At first I felt like I was hit by a train. But, the pain meds they gave me worked well and I slept throughout the night. The next morning I was up walking. I walked 1.5 miles. I passed my water test and was then brought my lunch. (Tea, chicken broth, and jello) I had minor discomfort. But I was exhausted. I slept most of the day. The following day I was released. I was sent home with a PPI and a pain med. Once home I put myself on a schedule and continued to sip sip sip. I have had no issues with my sleeve. It likes both hot and cold liquids. I also have had no nausea or gas pain. In fact, I felt so good that I stopped taking my pain meds after two nights at home. I just didn't need them. I am one week post op. I am down 14 lbs!!!!!!! I am on liquids until Wednesday. Then I get to move to mushies!!!! I can't wait to have some refried beans. I am not hunger but every time I see a Taco Bell commercial I crave Mexican. HEAD HUNGER!!!! (Oh and by the way..... I hate Taco Bell! But, if I don't get some real food soon I might just lick a taco shell!) Oh..... I forgot one major thing. I had an allergic reaction to the surgical glue. Very painful and itchy. My incision sites were all blistered up by day three. I have to take Benadryl around the clock. It is however, healing nicely. Well, I wish I had more to report. It has actually been pretty uneventful. May your surgery go as well as mine!

I am almost 3 weeks out now and' trust me, it will become a distant memory and you will be so thankful you were able to have a revision, I know I am