Considering revision to Gastric Sleeve -- should I?

[Meley24 18]

Hello everyone,

I am a newbie to the forum, but have read many of the posts relating to the Gastric Sleeve. I was banded in January 2013, and was doing great for about a year, then I started having complications -- getting stuck all the time, throwing up everything I ate and severe heartburn. My doctor tried loosening the band, then filling it with small amounts, but I could never it right. Eventually, all the throwing up caused my band to slip and I had the band repositioned in December 2014. I was hoping that the band would start working again, like it had when I first got it, but I've actually gained 30lbs since the repositioning and I am still having complications! I am now considering getting the sleeve but I have reservations...

I must admit, I am very hesitant because of the stories I'm reading of leaks, and regaining weight after a couple of years. I just keep asking myself "is it worth the risk?” What I'm not finding are posts relating to complications from band-to-sleeve revision. Is there a higher known risk factor for banded patients? Do you regret your decision to get the sleeve?

Any advice you can offer would be a tremendous help for one nervous gal from NY.

Edited July 28, 2015 by Meley24

[hockeyfan7 249]

I revised from band to sleeve on June 1st and I not have any regrets about it at all. I do not miss that band one little bit.

I didn't have any complications with the surgery and have been fine so far. I do not miss throwing up all the time. I do not miss my stomach hurting. I do not miss having that port in my body where it would slide around over a nerve and give me a sharp stabbing pain.

My surgeon opted to make my sleeve a little larger than usual to line up with some scar tissue on the esophagus where it hits the stomach. He said the weight loss may be slower but I will have less of a risk of a leak.

[Meley24 18]

Thank you @hockeyfan7. This is great info to keep in mind about making the sleeve a little larger due the scar tissue from the band. I will be sure to mention that to my surgeon if I decide to have the surgery. I relate very much to the issues you had with your band and regret ever getting it done, but I know that I can't lose weight on my own and I need the help. Deciding on having something irreversible is nerve-wrecking to say the least.

[brian1360 10]

I had the revision surgery 6 weeks ago.I am so happy getting the band removed.I lost 75 lbs from the band and was always sick.I was 25 lbs from my goal weight but my dr told me My body has been rejecting it and he had to take all the Fluid out and I gained 40 lbs.My health was getting worse and my diabetes was geeting worse.I have lost 22 lbs in 6 weeks and i saw my general practioner and he could tell thedifference for my physical.I am a heart patient and January my condition deteriated.He told me when I saw him he didnt know i wuld make it by the end of the year.My bloodsugar has dropped from a fasting 180 to a average of 100-130.My nurse practationer shared with me the people that endured the band have much better reults you will love the diferance

[Pinkgirl1234 761]

I am dealing with this band..my insurance is being crappy and it is 2 weeks before I can get a barium swallow and a look to see if my band has slipped or erosion etc.Inwant it out .Still open to sleeve revision or bypass.My surgeon I met with only does 2 part revisions.Band out wait 3 months then revision....I am not sure I want to go through 2 surgeries.

[Meley24 18]

@@brian1360 that's great news on your weight loss and health improving! I hope you continue to have a success with the sleeve.

[Meley24 18]

@@Pinkgirl1234 I'm sorry to hear that you're also having problems with your band. So many people have, and it makes me wonder if they should just discontinue lapband surgery all together. I regret having them reposition the band after it slipped. I should have done more research and went with the sleeve or had it removed. I have an 11cc band and after they repositioned it, I can't go past 5cc without getting stuck all the time. At 5cc I hardly have any restriction so it's useless for me at this point. I meet with my surgeon in two weeks and hopefully I can start the process for the sleeve.

[sweettea 300]

@@Meley24

I've never had the band. I had gastric sleeve. I've not had many problems. None that I didn't cause. I eat to fast, to much, and don't chew enough. You'd think I'd learn. I'm getting better about my issues, so the problems I did have are disappearing. I'm almost two years out. I'm at my goal weight. I'm still losing though. Really, best decision I've ever made.

[geronimo 52]

Be sure they run tests for possible Gerd. It would be a bummer if you revise to a sleeve only to have you revise again down the road to RNY.

[Meley24 18]

@@SWEETTEA congrats on your success. Your story makes me hopeful about the sleeve. With the band you have no choice but to eat slowly or suffer the consequences. I'm pretty good at chewing slowly, especially now so that shouldn't be a problem for me.

[Pinkgirl1234 761]

What test are for Gerd? I have a barium swallow and a CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis /PO and IV contrast.Also an adjustment to scope the band and remove any fluid.This is also to check for slippage.What am I missing?

[geronimo 52]

They would probably start off with an endoscopy, so they can check your esophageal lining for things such as Barrett's, which would be a sign of Gerd. If they see anything of concern, then they would run pH monitoring and manometry.

I was all set to have the Sleeve, but during all of my initial tests it was discovered I had Barrett's, had the rest of the tests to find I have bad acid reflux, so we switched my operation to the Bypass.

Sleeve is known to cause an increase in Gerd for people who already have it, and it can cause Gerd in people who haven't had it before.

[Pinkgirl1234 761]

Thanks.I am calling the office now..

[Meley24 18]

Thanks @@geronimo! I'm going to speak with my doctor about testing for gerd. I do have mild heartburn but I can control it with Tums, wonder if that could be a result of gerd. How are you doing with the bypass?

[geronimo 52]

The surgery isn't until the 25th, so right now going through the pre-op diet. Very excited about it, wishing the 25th was already here, and just a tad bit nervous too.