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

[Sunshine1 34]

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' date=' PB, or vomit. No problems with any food types. It's just the darn hunger and lack of weight loss.[/quote']

I can totally relate! Banded 2009, soo glad to get the band out. I was starving all the time with it & lost nothing! Aftercare sucked since I had it done in MX. Sleeved 3/13/13 in MX (diff dr) & no hunger for the 1st time in like EVER! Only time will tell my results thou. Hope you find your answers! Good luck!

[Sunshine1 34]

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

Amen to that!

[VSG Tommy B 10]

Thanks Sunshine. I appreciate the input. I am glad to hear you are doing well and hope that you continue with no hunger and have an easy and speedy recovery.

Best wishes!

[Kristina J. 581]

Hi Everybody' date='

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[/quote']

I'm not exactly your target here, but I'm gonna throw my thoughts in anyway

If you are having problems with your band now, and are still down some weight, I would JUMP on the opportunity for revision!! We had a home inspector once tell us that there are two different kinds of houses in Arizona, ones that have had termites and ones that will get termites... I think of the band this way now. There are the patients who have had complications and the ones who will get complications!

I was actually re-banded in the middle of my journey. At the time, it was still the best option (no one was talking sleeve in '06) and I believed it could work again. With this band, I haven't had any major slips or any erosions, but I have definitely had the reflux. It started about 4 years ago. I would release fluid, refill, release, and never could lose weight without reflux! I eventually ended up with erosions in my esophagus! My point being that this will likely only get worse with a refill or keep it insanely difficult to lose weight while unfilled.

I chose the sleeve after being told the same things about my reflux (though I also add dilation and prolapse to my band complications). After talking with my doctors, I decided that if I have a good chance of relief from the reflux with the sleeve, or if nothing else, it can bring it down to an easily managed (with medication) level. I watched my father fail at his bypass, while also suffering the effects of the malabsorption. If there is a chance that I can avoid it, I would rather take it.

The idea of possibly setting ourselves up for yet another revision is overwhelming and I am with you 100% on that. However, there is an even greater chance that this could be a wonderful solution with no malabsorption and no stretchy pouch!

Again, I know you were looking for answers from those who have already revised, but just thought I would share my thoughts from a very similar situation! Best of luck whatever you choose!!

[BigFatLoser 331]

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.

Dont say you failed

[YURiiMii 6]

I had my revision on 11/15/12 and its been great compare to the band the restriction is really good and I can actually eat unlike the band where slushies were my best friends because that and popcorn were the only thing I could eat with my band. I was at 428 when I had my band. I weighed 280 when they removed my band because I was vomiting in my sleep then 5 months later I weighed in at 311 the day of my sleeve surgery. Today I weight 287. I was at 277 a week ago but somehow gained weight. My diet hasn't changed and I haven't changed my exercise routine. My doctor is kind of stumped at this but says that my body may be just trying to hold on to everything because it was a little slow in realizing what was happening. I love the sleeve I wouldn't trade it for the world and even though I gained a few lbs its ok. It's just a bump in the road. Best wishes!!!

[VSG Tommy B 10]

Thanks YuriiMii,

I appreciate the information and good wishes.

428 to 287 is awesome! I hope you get past your stall and get to your goal soon.

Best wishes to you.

[VSG Tommy B 10]

I would like to thank everyone who posted on this thread. I appreciate all of the input and support.

I saw my doctor Thursday and my reflux looked so much better on the flouro that he put some more Fluid in the band. However, we both think a revision is necessary. When I mentioned that I thought he was pushing me towards RNY and wanted to discuss some of the plusses and minuses, he said that he actually thinks the sleeve is my best option and only mentioned the possibility of a later RNY revision so I knew the risks with the reflux. Now that the reflux is better, he is even more certain the sleeve is my best option.

He is submitting to insurance for approval on Monday. I am very excited, but also nervous (as is to be expected).

Thanks again everyone. Good luck to all of you!