My band to sleeve story (so far!)

[jessicaanders29 17]

Hello All! So glad I'm coming across these boards, I love reading your stories, triumphs and pitfalls! Here's my story. I was banded in March of 2007 and just had the band removed on Dec. 24 2012, due to years of vomiting issues, complete obstruction, and slipped band. Starting weight then 272, I'm 5'9 and 1/2 and lost about 40lbs initially. I was stalled and what broke me out of my stall was going back to Protein Shakes etc. I was able to get down to 190 at my lowest- was happy with the weight loss but miserable. I was scared to eat anything for fear of having to throw it up! Not sure if I lost the additional weight from throwing up so much or from not hardly eating at all, probably a bit of both. I got pregnant in Jan 2010 and that's when things really went downhill. The acid reflux was horrible! I went up to 255 with the pregnancy and got down to 217 afterwards. I'm think breastfeeding contributed to my loss after pregnancy to be honest. My weight ups and downs have been a rollercoaster- currently I'm about to the top of that coaster weighing in at 268! I gained about 50 lbs in about 9 months. Its devastating. My surgeon explained to me that I became a maladaptive eater (basically eating crap that I know my band would tolerate) I guestimate that I forced myself to vomit an average of once a day since March of 07. Not fun at all. For some reason I was ok with all the crap the band threw at me for years because I was at a much healthier weight, but now that I gained all of it back I was no longer ok with that tool implanted inside of me any longer. After a radiologist visit on Dec 24th it was determined that I needed to have the band out pronto. I had it taken out that day and well, now here I am almost a month later and I had my revision consult with the same surgeon who took my band out. We discussed the sleeve and I had been researching the sleeve for a month now and I was really leaning towards getting it done, until my surgeon mentions the fact that I have GERD and that sleevers experience an increase years down the road with acid reflux and that he is a big proponent of the sleeve just not so much in my case. He recommended the RNY. I wasn't even considering that procedure!! I don't think I can consider that procedure. Can't the acid be controlled with medication? Also, when I'm at a healthier weight my reflux is almost non existent! I understand that the sleeve shape and size is what creates more acid over time. Does anyone have experience with the acid issues? I'm really not sure what to do at this point. I feel like if I decide on the sleeve anyway my surgeon will do the procedure. I guess I just didn't like him recommending something I don't want! lol I trust him completely though. Oh and I have to get an endoscopy to see if I have any damage from my GERD issues and my surgeon will be doing that procedure as well. I'm thinking that if there are no issues to report after the endoscopy I'd like to go ahead with the sleeve. Ugh, so many questions so few answers. It's times like these I wish I had a crystal ball and could predict the future so I would know what decision to make!! Thanks for reading my ramble, I've never written my story down before with stats. It was good to get off my chest. Thanks! Jessica

[MsLissa12 29]

First and foremost, welcome to the board! I'm 6wks out of VSG surgery. I had severe acid reflux prior to my surgery decision, and while I was being sleeved, my surgeon also removed my hiatal hernia. I used to have reflux/gerd with almost anything i ate, and yes, i too forcefully was a purger after binging or eating guilty foods...it was normal for me after awhile. I'm guessing that contributed to the acid production?? I have virtually NO REFLUX issues now! And that's even trying spicy foods!!! Maybe it's a reflux issue and not a gastric one?

[The.new.g 48]

Welcome! I have a similar timeline to yours--banded 2007, had a baby in sept 2010. My band stopped working after I delivered--it was actually unclasped so it no longer worked. I am about 3 weeks post revision now. I had terrible reflux during my pregnancy too, but none after until a few months before my surgery. I don't have any at this point with the sleeve. But I would trust your surgeons opinion on this. You can certainly get another surgeon's opinion. But that is what you are hiring him for, his professional expertise, not just to give you a one size fits all solution. I have heard that sleeves can have more reflux problems and that RNY is essentially a cure for reflux. Good luck with your decision!

[Keepgoing247 116]

I have had issues with GERD also. But I noticed when I ate healthy foods, my heartburn was much much better. When I would gain weight and eat crappy foods, my heartburn was horrible.

I'm 3 weeks post op and I'm very happy to say that my GERD is more under control now than prior to surgery. I do take Prilosec almost daily, but that's something I don't mind taking. I think in the next six months I may not have to take the Prilosec.

I'm very thankful I chose the sleeve. Good luck making your decision!!!