Will a Sleeve Revision Work for Me? How does "full" feel with VSG?

[VSG Tommy B 10]

Hi Everybody,

I was banded in March 2011 and quickly lost 40 pounds of my 90 excess pounds. I experienced reflux and had to have Fluid removed from the band and gained 25 pounds. After an endoscopy and several flouroscopies, it was determined that there are no problems with the band or stomach. One doctor was willing to add fluid, but was also recommending a sleeve revision. I thought that was premature and went to get a second opinion. The 2nd doctor told me that I needed to change my eating and that removing more fluid from the band may actually help me lose weight by eliminating the reflux and, if that didn't work, he would recommend another surgery.

Now I eat 4-5 small meals (3/4-1 cup and 250-350 calories) per day and space them about 3 hours apart, but I am usually starving about 1.5-2 hours after I eat. Since getting the band, I have regularly exercised 5-6 hours/week. I am very frustrated with the band and hate my port. The new doctor is gently suggesting that RNY would be better because of my reflux, but I am very opposed to re-routing the intestines.

Will a sleeve revision work to keep me from being hungry so soon after eating?

What does "full" feel like with the sleeve? Do you eat to a "hard" stop or a "soft" stop? How do you know to stop eating with the sleeve?

My BMI is currently 35 with a weight of 260 and height of 6'0". I don't look too bad, but would really like to lose another 40-60 pounds. I would even be happy losing the 25 pounds I gained back after getting the band. Is it worth getting the revision?

My doctor says that 90% of patients with reflux are cured by the sleeve and that 1-2% have to revise to RNY because the reflux gets worse and becomes intolerable. Given that the band failed me (my doctor's words), I am worried that I will be in the 10% that don't get the reflux cured or be in the 1-2% that have to have another surgery. This scares the crap out of me.

Please let me know your thoughts. While I value all of the input of new sleevers, I am especially interested in hearing from those who are several months or years out from surgery as the long term results is what I am most interested in.

Thanks,

Tom

[apricotsmommy 23]

I never had a band slip or erosion but had a combination of reflux and food intolerances that were very disruptive to life.

One advice I would give is make sure whoever does your revision has done many procedures and find a population of revision patients (virtual or real life) for feedback and support.

Lots of folks say that we revisions still lose well but not as much as virgin sleevers. When I compare weight lost to others sleeved around the same time though, I'm pretty close to average. Just short of 45 lbs. in 3 months.

I don't have a soft stop like I did with the band. Mine was a sniffle. But I can tell what almost full feels like pretty easily now. The first few weeks of solid foods I had to measure because I couldn't feel it.

Eating too much is uncomfortable but I wouldn't call it painful. Way too much I'm guessing would hurt but I haven't tried.

I can eat nearly anything at this point. No more obsession with texture or days where not even tea or Water went down. I haven't tried milk, sugary or fatty foods yet except a bite/taste.

There's no "catch point" like I had with the band. This means when you take too big a bite or first start taking pills again you might find out what too big means. For me it was sliming and foaming a bit. That part was the same as the band and is basically gone for me.

I was afraid to drink for several weeks after surgery because of all of the band issues. For me it turned out to be all in my head and not reality at all.

I don't really feel much hunger at all, not like the band where my stomach was growling and I couldn't do anything about it.

But I do find it harder to stay on top of eating and fluids more than with the band. But I also had the band for six years so I just might not be remembering. Also I think the postop diet was easier to bear the second time around. I think because I knew it was temporary.

Feel free to PM me if I missed a question.

[apricotsmommy 23]

Oh and was it worth it? Yes. Absolutely. And I did have some complications (MRSA infection at port site). I would still do it all over again.

I have had friends and family comment over and over again that they are happy to see me eat normal food. Even when I was still on puréed food I felt and ate better than I had with the band in years.

I was 284 when I got my band, lowest band weight was 217. On my revision date I was 261 and three months later I'm back to 218. This time around I am way more confident I did the right thing. I don't regret my band....six years ago I was scared of cutting and reversibility.

[VSG Tommy B 10]

Congratulations on your WL since getting the sleeve. That is great!

Thank you so much for your thoughtful response.

I never felt the acid from the reflux. It just showed up on the flouro. I also don't have any of the typical band problems now that I have very little Fluid in it. I no longer slime, PB, or vomit. No problems with any food types. It's just the darn hunger and lack of weight loss.

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

A question I would ask is if you revise to the rny do you risk losing too much? If you only have a small amount to lose...

For me the sleeve versus band "Experience" are like night and day. Sleeve is alot better and i just don't have the problems I did with the band.

[AZPete 20]

I had my band 6 long frustrating years. And the past 30 days since my revision has been the best month ever. I have 0 hunger. Never believed that would happen. I have not puked since having the revision. Puked all the time with the band. I am only on the soft food part of my post op as of yet. However eggs don't scare me anymore. tuna doesn't scare me anymore. Get the picture. I had six years of torture. Learning how to eat around the band because it caused so many food intolerances. I love my revision. Best decision ever. And as far as not losing as much as a virgin sleever. News flash, we are virgin sleevers. I have lost 40 pounds since 2/11/13 and I only have 70 total to loose. It's up to you. Follow the rules and this surgery does what the band was supposed to do but now is recognized as not being able to do.

Sent from my iPad using VST

[timetobefree 74]

I'm 4 months out from my sleeve (7 months from band removal and more than a year since my band had fluid) and am down 63 lbs.

I was REALLY hungry the first three months post-sleeve. Hungrier than I'd ever been with my band. But the past month, it has finally died down. My surgeon is convinced it is due to esophageal dilatation from the band, lots of damage. But it is getting better, and the hunger is manageable now. It seems that I pretty much skipped the sleeve honeymoon phase where people are hunger-free and went to what most people experience 6+ months post-sleeve.

I know I need to stop eating if I feel the need to take a deep breath before taking my next bite. I've slimed once and puked once. And those were both earlier on. Other than that, this has been a breeze (well, despite the hunger). I can tolerate ALL foods. Literally nothing is off limits.

I've found that I am most satisfied for the longest if I mix a few good carbs in with my meals/snacks. Straight Protein leaves me hungry sooner. I try to eat a healthy amount of fruits and veggies as well. I eat right around 1000 calories per day (I am not necessarily aiming this low - it's just where I land when I eat comfortably all day).

Best wishes!

[VSG Tommy B 10]

Thanks Pete and Time.

Good info.

Congrats on all of your weight loss since being sleeved.

Tom

[Threetimesacharm 1,400]

Tom, the absolute best decision I could have made. Had my revision on September 10, 2012 after having the band for 5 years. We are all "virgin" sleevers and I lost my weight in a timely fashion: first 60 pounds in 4 months and reached my goal weight one day shy of 6 months. At 6.5 months now I have exceeded my goal weight and have lost a total of 80.4 pounds. You will know when you are full you literally can not eat another bite. I have had no vomiting, no sliming. I learned to eat slow and small amounts with the band so I think the transition was much easier than for someone who never had the band. I can eat all foods now(that I have tried) not like with the band. I am incredibly happy about my success and never thought I would meet this goal weight. The sleeve is miraculous. You will be amazed at how easy it will be to reach your goal weight that you have set out for yourself. You do have to follow your eating plan and eat right though for success. So many members here do NOT and then wonder why they don't lose or are gaining weight. Be smart about it and you will be successful. Good Luck!

[VSG Tommy B 10]

Thanks Amazon. That is great information. Your success is inspiring.

Everyone`s positive feedback is very encouraging. I see my doctor next week and will ask him to start the insurance approval process for the revision.

Than you all.

[brandibandtosleeve2012 12]

I can't even begin to express how much better this experience is than the band. Whole different world. I highly recommend it.

[VSG Tommy B 10]

Thanks brandi.

With so little Fluid in the band, I have none of the typical problems (slime and vomiting) I had when the band was tighter. In fact, the only problem I have now is that I can't lose weight because the doctors won't tighten it due to the reflux (even though I don't feel any indigestion). Today, I ate a bagel without a problem for the first time in years. Other than the lack of weight loss, my only complaint is that I hate the feeling of the port.

[nightingale2u 42]

Wow... I was really sitting in a place of uncertainty with the revision from the Lapband ( 9 years of discomfort and hunger ) ... to the vertical gastric sleeve. My surgery is scheduled the 1st of April but I have found myself questioning my choice...especially after the fiasco of being banded. Tom... thank you so much for posting questions in regards to so many things I was also concerned about and thanks to all that gave such thoughtful responses... honestly... very helpful!

[WeightStruggle 106]

I am having my revision done tomorrow and I am very scared of failing again. I'm also afraid of having another surgery but the support and success stories on here are helping me.

[brandibandtosleeve2012 12]

Weightstruggle I wish you all the best tomorrow. I will be thinking of you. I'm happier with this decision with each passing day. Please let us know how it goes.