Sleeve to Mini Bypass Revision

[Bogart79 3]

Hello All,

I'm looking for a little advice. I was sleeved in August of 2014. I lost about 50 lbs after surgery but then went completely stagnant. I couldn't lose another plan no matter what I did, so in effect, this felt just like another one of those diets where you feel like you are doing everything right and the weight just stops coming off. After several months of losing and gaining back the same 5 lbs, I got lazy and started gaining back. I'm currently back to my starting weight before surgery. Up until recently, I just felt like I failed the WLS fight and that the gain was all my own fault. A few months ago, I started looking into revision in Mexico. Once I spoke to the surgeon, he asked me a lot of questions that led me to believe the maybe the surgeon that performed my surgery did not do it properly. The first example is that I know a couple other people who had the same surgery with this surgeon and they had the same results (lost about 40-60 lbs, then stagnant, then gain). I also have this strange thing that happens rarely where I eat a moderate dinner (not overeating) and then go to bed 3-4 hours later and then I wake up around midnight and much of what I ate for dinner is vomited up. I've heard of overeating and then vomiting, but never 5-6 hours after you ate!! With these things, the surgeons that I have spoken to both think I'm a good candidate for revision surgery, but I'm concerned that maybe they are just trying to sell me on it. Others have told me to go back to my original surgeon, but since multiple people think that he did things incorrectly, is he maybe not the best person to go back to??

I guess I'm just looking for feedback. I know I'm a little all over the place, but I'm curious if anyone has dealt with anything like this before? I know the surgeons aren't perfect, but are there times where they cut the stomach too large or small?? or cut out the wrong section of the stomach? And don't get me wrong, I do take much of the responsibility for my sleeve failure. I definitely think that I went into the original procedure thinking that there was no way to fail and I forgot that there is a lot of work that I need to put in. Which is why I want to make sure I do things right this time and go in fully prepared. Thank you in advance for any advice.

[Band07 374]

Some will swear that a sleeve won't stretch, I believe it does over time. Also, it's true some surgeons play it safe and make a larger sleeve to reduce possibility of leaks. Only you can decide for sure what is best for you. I was a successful band patient, an unsuccessful sleeve patient and now a successful MGB patient. The MGB combines restriction with malabsorption, it's a great option with wonderful long term success. Dr. Rodriguez in Juarez did mine and I'm very happy.

[Bogart79 3]

Thank you for the response. The more I read about MGB, the more sure I am that it is the right decision for me. I don't know that my sleeve stretched though. I think there might be a little bit of that, but the theory is more that my initial doctor either did not cut the right amount or the right section out when performing my sleeve. I know I'm probably not using the correct verbiage here, but that is how I understand it! Im a little nervous about surgery in Mexico, but I'm in San Diego, so it isn't like I'd be too far from home and the more I read on that, the safer it seems to me....I think the hard part is convincing others that haven't researched it that it is a safe option

[Band07 374]

My family more less staged an intervention before I left! lol I flew from Ohio to Juarez they were completely freaked out but I had done my research and felt good about my decision. Now I'm almost one year out and doing great! Who is the surgeon you're consulting with ?

[bikerchick519 202]

I had the sleeve in Nov 2011 and lost 88 pounds. Then I gained about 35. I also had a lot of acid reflux. I just got the revision to mini bypass in Tijuana 4 days ago. I was scheduled with Dr. Illan but he had an emergency appendectomy the day of my surgery so Dr. Zavalza stepped in and did my surgery. I would not hesitate to recommend Mexico for weight loss surgery to any of my family. I've had very positive experiences here. I'm flying home today and I feel great. I would have went with my original surgeon Dr. Kelly for the revision but his price was a lot higher. It sounds like you should go with a different surgeon than your original one if you are having doubts that he did it wrong. good luck

[FloraBama Girl 116]

I was sleeved in August 2011. Lost 90 lbs, gained 40 and have been stuck. Horrible acid reflux. Scheduled July 28 with Dr.Illan in Mexico for mini gastric bypass.

[monroe50 2]

Thank you for the response. The more I read about MGB, the more sure I am that it is the right decision for me. I don't know that my sleeve stretched though. I think there might be a little bit of that, but the theory is more that my initial doctor either did not cut the right amount or the right section out when performing my sleeve. I know I'm probably not using the correct verbiage here, but that is how I understand it! Im a little nervous about surgery in Mexico, but I'm in San Diego, so it isn't like I'd be too far from home and the more I read on that, the safer it seems to me....I think the hard part is convincing others that haven't researched it that it is a safe option

I use to work for the surgeon that created the MGB (Dr. Rutledge) and had the surgery in 2002 with a revision in 2003. Like all gastric surgeries, this is just a tool until you change your lifestyle. Protein is every important and you will gain weight with any of them if you eat a lot of slider (carb) food. Good Luck, you have made a great choice.

[gina171 626]

I wish insurance covered the mini bypass....would rather have less resectioning of my intestines, honestly....

Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

[utahgirll 81]

@@monroe50,

Can you talk about your revision after having MGB? I haven't talked to anyone that's had an MGB revision. Also can you talk about your weight loss and timing, if you don't mind?

[Sue K 2]

Hi everyone. I had a lap and put in 9 years ago. My surgeon suggested MBS as I have a real sweet tooth. I am struggling to find people who have had MBS and hear their stories. I am scared about the Vitamin and mi real deficiencies. I am also worried about the bile reflux that can be hard to treat and lead to sto a huge cancer? Would love to hear from anyone who has had it done

[FloraBama Girl 116]

I am going to MGB to get rid of acid reflux made worse with the sleeve. The current procedure is much better than the very first surgeries that gave the procedure a bad name. I am having surgery July 28 so I can verify these claims. Best of luck to you.

[summerset 5,265]

I had MGB because of severe volume reflux and a band that was beginning to erode into the stomach. So far the volume reflux seems to be gone.

I can start weaning of the PPI in about two weeks. I will see if the heart burn is completely gone in a few weeks.

[Band07 374]

Hi everyone. I had a lap and put in 9 years ago. My surgeon suggested MBS as I have a real sweet tooth. I am struggling to find people who have had MBS and hear their stories. I am scared about the Vitamin and mi real deficiencies. I am also worried about the bile reflux that can be hard to treat and lead to sto a huge cancer? Would love to hear from anyone who has had it done

[Band07 374]

Who is your surgeon ? If they do things right you should never have to worry about bile reflux. I was a band too, mgb 14 months ago, only thing I'm low on is Iron. Very happy with my decision.

[Sue K 2]

Hi, I haven't had the procedure yet... Just learning about my options. My surgeon suggested the MBS, I would be his first one though. Kind of scary! He is a very experienced bariatric surgeon though.