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My revision from sleeve to bypass is on June 9th, my question is , is it easier to get out of bed or recliner? Recliner seems like it would pul on stomach to get in and out of. Please let me know your experience. Thank you

The 6 month wait and pre-surgical testing has nothing to do with being the US, it's required by your insurance company, so even if they covered international surgery you'd still need all that stuff. Every insurance company is different. When I got sleeved in 2016 I had Empire and I had to wait 6 months. When I got my revision last year I had Fidelis and only had to wait 3 months. My doctor said if I still had Empire I wouldn't have had to wait at all because they changed their policy. Mexico should only be considered if you can self-pay.

Congrats and good luck! All I can say is that after two surgeries in five years (sleeve, then revision to bypass) I've never thrown up from overeating. A few times if I ate more than I should I felt very uncomfortably full and even had to lie down to relax a couple of times, but never even close to puking. As long as you eat VERY slowly at first you'll quickly learn your limitations. Just be sure to move from the mindset of cleaning your plate, although if you weigh and measure everything and have the appropriate small portions you should be able to finish what's on your plate without stuffing yourself.

I just had my revision from Sleeve to Loop DS/SIPS/SADI two days ago. I was having your exact symptoms BEFORE my surgery from the powder protein shakes. I was using Bariatric Advantage, Vanilla, which is why I logged in today to see if I can return 75% of the bag. Those shakes made me feel horrible, constipated and bloated, WITH diarrhea and all the other symptoms you described. I stopped doing the poweder protein shakes from Bariatric Advantage, and switched to similar count Protein/Sugar/Calories/Vitamins, made by Slimfast. The chocolate flavor was divine after drinking down chalk for 5 days! I bring all this up because this all happened BEFORE the surgery, and it was because of the powder protein shakes. Add Benefiber to every shake, or take Colace twice a day to get you back to normal. Or better yet, switch to the Slimfast Advanced Nutrition High Protein ones. They taste 1000% times better and no horrible symptoms, but you still need the Benefiber or Colace bc of the High Protein. Sent from my SM-N986U using BariatricPal mobile app

Building on my comments above, if you got along well with your band - it seems like you did - but just had mechanical problems with it, then the sleeve is a good replacement as its' character is similar, being strictly restrictive, but without the foreign object problem potential of the bands. The bypass is a good procedure that has been done for over forty years as a WLS, based upon procedures that are about 140 years old developed for gastric cancer, so it is a well established and understood procedure, both the good and bad. There has been a continuing effort in the industry to develop better procedures (as there should be) and a number have come along, with some remaining and becoming established as viable alternatives (such as the BPD/DS and VSG) and others falling by the wayside, never getting traction (such as the mini-bypass,) and others where the jury is still out (the SIPS/SADI/Loop DS.) The BPD/DS generally works better, being stronger metabolically, but is also technically more challenging to perform, so few surgeons have adopted it; the VSG came out of the DS (the DS is based upon the sleeve, and adds malabsorption) and has established itself as being comparable to the bypass in average performance - overall weight loss and regain resistance - in a more straightforward procedure that has fewer long term compromises for the patient. GERD is the main potential bugaboo with the sleeve, which compares with the bypass's predisposition toward marginal ulcers, dumping and reactive hypoglycemia. The ulcer potential is what presents restrictions on some medications with the bypass, the biggest group being NSAIDs, but there may be others that one encounters in life that will also be off the table, or severely restricted, with a bypass. There is also the blind stomach and upper GI loop with the bypass, which makes those areas more difficult to monitor and evaluate through life (can't just stick an endoscope down there to take a look,) and there are an increasing number of endoscopic treatments for a variety of maladies available these days that would also be off the table. If one needs periodic monitoring in that region, for instance for a history of stomach polyps or family history of some cancers, the bypass becomes much less interesting. Another factor to consider is what I call the "Plan B" case - what to do if things don't work out as expected and things need to be revised? While the bypass is technically reversible, that is rarely done as that in itself is another fairly complicated procedure. The bypass, overall, is something of a dead end procedure in that it is difficult to revise into something else is need be. As weight regain is similarly possible with either the sleeve or the bypass, there isn't much to be done to correct that with the bypass - installing a band over the pouch or tightening up the stoma are the most common revisions, and neither has a very good track record for resolving regain problems. The VSG, on the other hand, can be revised (some would say "completed" into a DS fairly easily as it is the first step in a DS, or it can be revised into an RNY if GERD problems can't be resolved with meds (the RNY is usually reversed if an ulcer problem can't be resolved with meds. So, more options are available with the sleeve should a "plan B' be necessary. These are the reasons why the sleeve is building in popularity; there are good reasons to choose either, but one needs to take a close look at one's circumstances going into it to determine what is the best trade off for one's needs.

I had a revision from vsg to rny last august for gerd. It didn't take long to lose a lot of weight and hit and pass goal. I actually lost faster on the revision than the with the sleeve. My workout is less than when I had the sleeve due to much lower calorie intake after the revision. I had quite a bit of side effects with the sleeve (gerd, TMI stuff... Etc.) but none so far with the rny. Everything was resolved. I'm at the 10th month mark. Like you, I was concerned about whether I could lose more weight and the surgeon remarked "Oh, you WILL lose weight. Your pouch will be the size of an egg." He was correct. You'll definitely lose weight after the revision.

I hit goal weight a couple of months ago, and continuing to lose weight, and am so glad I had the revision done. Had a blood test recently, all good numbers. The best I have ever had in my adult life. My cholesterol and triglycerides, protein, vitamins/minerals, everything is in normal range. I was one of the few that had complications with the VSG so I'm hoping I won't get complications later on with my RNY. So far so good. No more severe gerd, feeling really good. Wishing you all great continued journeys. Glad to see someone posting on this still. Ahh, sorry. I didn't see this was for sleeves. I know I was talking one thread for August 2021.

I had the revision from sleeve to RNY last August due to severe gerd. Have lost all my excess weight and I can finally sleep restfully all night long. No severe gerd. I can't say whether you will screw up again but I assure you, with the RNY, it'll be much harder to slide back into bad habits. I'm in my 10th month and it's been a lovely journey for me so far. I am still elated that I can get full on 2 eggs. Unfortunately, complications can happen with all surgeries. I had a complication with the lap band and the VSG. No fault of my own. RNY is no longer a permanent surgery, but it is a risky procedure to reverse it. The sleeve is considered permanent. As for vitamins, I had a complete bloodwork 2 weeks ago and I was not deficient in any vitamins, minerals or protein. Cholesterol, triglycerides, sugar, all perfect. I only take a vitamin patch by patchaid. It may not work for others but it sure works for me. I hope this helps.

I usually drink a protein shake a day (usually as coffee creamer) even at almost 2yrs post revision.

I had my revision on May 9, and my weight loss was steady, but the last few days I’ve been stuck. It’s hard for me to exercise. Is it common to have this problem? I suspect it could be that my body has grown accustomed to processing food in a certain way after 18 years post-RNY. I hope it’s just a speed bump. I’m trying to ingest mostly protein shakes and nonfat Greek yogurt.

Good Morning All, I am New here! My name is Mischa I am 5’4.5 and I am from Colorado. Would you believe that it is snowing in our Mountains! Any-who… I had my VSG April 2014, but I fell into depression, Stress. My husband cheated, so I gained my weight back. The exact amount I had before! I had a revision (Gastric Bypass) Nov 9th 2021... SW 260 CW 194 GW 165-170… I am down 65lbs with 25 more to go.

I'm also band to bypass. Bypass revision is next month. I got GERD with my band... and GERD after wls sucks. You have wls thinking you're going to improve your quality of life, only to develop GERD... then you get placed on PPI's to prevent the acid issues... and the PPI's come with side effects, and now it's recommended to not take them long term. I got a kidney stone due to overuse of PPI's... so I would say if you have wls and are dependent on the use of PPI's longer than the normal post op period, it's a crutch. How can you say your GERD that you had previous to wls is gone if you're still taking an acid reducer? It's probably just masking the GERD that's still there. Come off the PPI and see if the GERD is there or not, then you'll know if it's really gone. Why have wls if you have to stay on a PPI?

I am speaking from my personal experience and would recommend the bypass. I got my sleeve 8 years ago and have had GERD since (was not an issue prior). It has progressively gotten worse and I now have a hiatal hernia as well. My doctor is considering a revision to bypass to address the issue. I also have issues with vitamin and protein deficiencies. I have been on Prevacid for the entire 8 years since my surgery. I realize everyone is different but research some of the risks of GERD after sleeve. It is not fun.

On May 9, I had a revision to my original gastric bypass RNY (2004). It’s called Endoscopy with Argon Plasma Coagulation. Basically they go down your esophagus to the pouch’s exit and zap it to create scar tissue which makes the opening smaller. I’ve had to go back to the post-surgery meal plan. I’ve worked my way up to chicken. I’ve lost 21 pounds since. It seems like it’s a slower loss than before, but maybe my body has grown accustomed to having the smaller stomach, and maybe the gastric juices aren’t as concentrated as they were. Here’s me now (top) and before revision (bottom). I’m glad this forum is here. I need the support from fellow bariatrics.

Hello gang, I had WLS in 2004. I was one of the early lap band recipients in Australia under Prof. Paul O'Brien. I did great and lost 46kg (101lbs), but then life set in and I had two kids and a suicidal husband so I let the weight creep back up. I had a revision in 2013 due to a hiatus hernia so large I was having esophageal spasms. So now, I'm at the heaviest I've ever been, and I've got a ventral hernia that goes from my navel to my sternum. My surgeon said he won't even try to fix it if my BMI is over 30 because it will just come right back. He then talked to me about how the lap band has fallen out of favor because it was not as effective as the original studies promised. He suggested a revision to a VSG, and set me up in my insurance's approval program for WLS. The first step is the removal of the band and port and recovery from that. Surgery is scheduled for July 7th. After that I'll progress through the "hoop-jumping" to qualify for the VSG, which providing everything goes smoothly, I'll qualify for in October. So far no one has stated any pre-surgery weight loss requirements, but I have been studying the various plans and doctor's programs I've found online, as well as reading personal stories from support forums like this one, so I can get an aggregate view of the entire procedure both pre and post-op. I must admit that the pendulum swings widely across what I've seen, both in program execution and in individual responses. Of course, I realize that there are outliers on every scale, and I'm averaging what I see. I got this little binder from the program introduction meeting (Dignity Health), and I've been adding my own research to it, things like print out of appropriate bariatric (or equivalent) vitamins based on their recommendations, worksheets for tracking eating and drinking, pre and post-op protein shakes, mixes, and recipes, motivational type posters, and text documents on things like how digestion works, how protein is used by the body, etc. Note, all the research is stuff from actual university or journal studies, I'm not taking answers from Reddit or Quora as facts! I've decided the biggest issue I've seen is the grief process that hits people after the surgery when they suddenly realize they can't eat what they want. I've read a lot of threads (not just here) of people rebelling and hating themselves and hurting themselves because of this. I do not want to deal with this. I'm already working on changing my eating habits, albeit slowly. I want to be more in control of this transition than I've seen, So, if you've read this far, my questions to you are: Did you make any effort pre-op to really change your eating habits? Did you experience grief or regret post-op if you didn't? Did you regret your surgery for any reason OTHER than the food restriction/complications? Thanks for discussing!

I'm not a VSG patient, but I have RA and like you, hoping for symptom improvement and remission would be absolutely amazing. There's a few others on here with RA scattered around on here. There's a few threads about RA and weight loss if you search the topic in the search tool. I did have lap band previously and I can tell you that symptoms did improve markedly as I lost weight with that surgery. I'm hoping for more improvement with revision to RNY soon. Best wishes on your journey!

A revision is any kind of rework on an original (or revised) surgery. I had a lap band in 2006, I had a revision in 2013 due to it ripping my diaphragm open. Now I'm going to have a revision later this year when my surgeon first removes my lap band, lets me heal, and then does a VGS. You can have a revision to plastic surgery, say fixing a lopsided boob job, or something like a revision to a circulatory bypass. Bariatric revision is usually done because the initial procedure didn't produce the desired results. Sometimes they modifiy the original procedure or other times they change to an entirely new procedure.

Unfortunately I put some weight back on and am considering revision surgery. I have it nailed down to a mini bypass in Mexico or a kind of newer procedure involving endobariatrics in North Carolina. I am not sure what's better for me long term. It seems like the doctors are competing and trying to sell me something.

A lot of people look at revision surgery due to severe Gerd and reflux. Many report that don't get a lot of extra weight loss. So I was thinking if it's just weight loss for you why wouldn't you try to go back to basics with the tool you already have ( your sleeve)?

Is the only reason you are looking at revision surgery for weight loss ?

Congrats! I had revision (lap band to bypass) on 5/18. Best of luck on your journey!

Totally been there. Had a lapband for 11 years and kept off about 60 lbs. Started aspirating at night, and my surgeon determined that my band had to come out. I had the band deflated and my surgeon had me start a supervised diet at the same time while we started jumping through the insurance hoops to try to get a revision to gastric bypass. My bmi was 33 at this point. I'm sure he knew I'd gain weight, and I did -- about 30 pounds, which easily pushed my bmi up into the range for revision surgery. I just got approved today to have a gastric bypass at the same time that the lapband comes out. It took me about 6 months from when I went in with problems to get to this point and jump through all the insurance hoops. July 6 can't come soon enough. And yes, I agree that it's insane that you have to raise your bmi to qualify. It was the first weight loss surgery that allowed me to get my bmi down in normal range in the first place!!! It would have been SO MUCH BETTER to just have gotten the revision right away when the doctor determined the lapband needed to come out instead of gaining the weight back. It's a ridiculous policy. I constantly reminded myself that while I was gaining weight temporarily, that my first weight loss surgery was successful and the revision will be as well, so it's a temporary pain in the rear in order to get a permanent solution. I feel your frustration and fully understand.

Woohoo! I have insurance approval and a surgery date of July 6! Lapband coming out, fixing a hernia, and getting revised to a gastric bypass. Should be $0 out of pocket. I've been working toward this since November. So relieved, excited, and ready.

I had the band to sleeve revision at the same time. That is, they removed my band and did the sleeve. While unfilled for a long time (esophagus issues), I had put on some weight. I did lose the weight I gained after I got the sleeve. The restriction (to me) was less than the band so it was hard work. I never reached my goal but was content with losing the weight I had regained. In August, I had the sleeve to rny revision due to severe gerd, and the weight loss was far more significant and faster. I got to goal fast. This is my case, since everybody is different. Sent from my SM-S908U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi all… has anyone gotten sleeved quickly after having a band removed and not have great results? This was my Story and now I am scheduled for a revision next month. I am Really hoping I have more success this time around. Anyone else similar story?