Revision from Gastric Sleeve to Gastric Bypass-due to acid reflux?

[ren0318 81]

Hi there, it's been a very long time since I've been on the boards. However I had gastric sleeve surgery in September 2014. It has been very successful, I've had virtually no complications. I only need to lose 20lbs to be at my goal weight.

However, I had acid reflux prior to having this surgery and for whatever reason, the person that did my endoscope prior to surgery ok'd me for the sleeve and I stupidly thought that once I lost weight and was eating right, the acid would somehow go away.

I was wrong...I don't know if it's really worse than before surgery but it is certainly not any better.

I've taken prescription medicine for about 20 years for acid reflux and I still continue to need it now.

I've had a few attacks in the last 6 months that have been what I would call sever. I am also concerned about new reports linking dementia and osteoporosis to acid medicines.

I went 2 weeks ago to see my gastric surgeon about this and I didn't really know what to expect at that visit, however once I told her what had been happening she said here are your options.

First, thing was do nothing up your acid medicine and the second thing was revision to by pass. The second one, I was not expecting, it never ever crossed my mind that I would need a revision.

Now the surgeon explains how the bypass would get rid of the acid, however I have a friend that has had a bypass or still takes acid medicine.

I go tomorrow for a PH balance test and an endoscopy to see what things in there are looking like, however I'd like to know after bypass do you still have acid issues? If you do, I'm not sure what the point of revision would be.

Also if I were to get the revision, how much more weight would I expect to lose? I don't have much more to go and I would worry that then I'd be to thin....(never thought I'd say that:))

Anything you'd be willing to share would be appreciated.

Edited February 2, 2017 by ren0318

[Soviv 5]

I also have a lot of reflux 9 weeks PO, but I would never go back in for the bypass.... to risky for my level of tolerance !

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[parrott06 18]

I wanted the sleeve so bad and my surgeon told me I would hate him if I went through with the sleeve. I have no info to give you, but from the articles I've read bypass seems to be the cure for reflux. I had damage from years of reflux so bypass was strongly suggested. He told me I'd be begging for a revision if I went with the sleeve. I just wanted to say best of luck to you. I know this is a tough decision. I will say I've had no reflux since surgery last week.

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[bearhugs1975 57]

I am also currently going through this process. I had my sleeve about the same time as you, Oct 2014. I was a band to sleeve revision at that time. (Had band 5 years). I was having reflux at that time and my dr said sleeve may or may not be a problem with reflux. I have not been able to get off of the nexium and my endoscope last month showed Barrett's esophagus in 4 spots and I actually refluxed for the camera. After seeing that damage, I felt better about the bypass. My dr explained the process and said it is virtually physically impossible to have reflux with the bypass. I have come to peace with this as I really need to get off the nexium and the attacks in the past 6-8 months have still been very severe. I have my appointment tomorrow to finalize everything for insurance. Good luck, and if you need someone to discuss your situation and fears too, let me know!

[ortega07 59]

I did sleeve to by pass bc of acid, no issues here! Recovery wasn't bad at all the second time. This time we knew right away which pain meds worked for me in the hospital, so no trial and error!!

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[ren0318 81]

I am also currently going through this process. I had my sleeve about the same time as you, Oct 2014. I was a band to sleeve revision at that time. (Had band 5 years). I was having reflux at that time and my dr said sleeve may or may not be a problem with reflux. I have not been able to get off of the nexium and my endoscope last month showed Barrett's esophagus in 4 spots and I actually refluxed for the camera. After seeing that damage, I felt better about the bypass. My dr explained the process and said it is virtually physically impossible to have reflux with the bypass. I have come to peace with this as I really need to get off the nexium and the attacks in the past 6-8 months have still been very severe. I have my appointment tomorrow to finalize everything for insurance. Good luck, and if you need someone to discuss your situation and fears too, let me know!

[ren0318 81]

So sorry not sure what happened to the reply I wrote, lol. But anyway thank you for responding! I had my endoscope yesterday. She found that I do esophagusitis at LA level B, which I had to look up, lol. But basically I have lesions on the esophagus, showing signs that the acid is doing damage.

She also inserted a Bravo capsule, and I'm currently wearing a PH balance monitor until tomorrow evening.

Bad part is I can't take any acid medicine until this monitor comes off! I'm dying from the burning!

So once I return it on Monday, and she reads the results I'll know more!

How did your appointment go for finalizing your revision?

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[ren0318 81]

Ortego07, thank you for your reply! I'm having problems responding directly to responses. How far into your sleeve were you when you had your revision? Also did you lose more weight? How long were you off work? What about hospital stay?

Sorry for all the questions! Thanks Ren

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[ortega07 59]

Let's see, starting weight 240, sleeve on 12/26/12. I'd say I dropped to 183. Revision to bypass 8/14/14 starting weight around 183. No reflux after revision. So here is the doozy, I got pregnant and had twins oct 2015. As of July 2016 I was 166. However, as of today I am back to 183 (my body is obviously comfortable here), even though I am not! I noticed weight gain from July until December (166-181). I had an upper GI done and my stoma is stretched. My pouch is fine, not stretched at all. So my stoma is rounded now which allows good to pass through too fast, so much so that I'm allllllways hungry. So now I am in the insurance stage for approval for a revision. At which time if approved my doc wouldn't either redo my bypass or staple the stoma so it doesn't gather food and push it through quickly.

Revision was easier than sleeve, mainly bc I knew what to expect and the pain meds I had the first time didn't help so I knew what they needed to give me from the start of recovery. My sleeve I was supposed to do one night but bc of pain I did two. My revision was two nights bc it was a revision and they needed to see how my body would react. My second revision would be one night stay. The issue I am having now with my stoma is rare, don't let it scare u. Oh and days off of work, sleeve I did two weeks but it was over xmas vaca so I had the time and just took it. Revision I think 4-5 days and mainly bc of being tired not bc of pain. Please ask me anything else!!!

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[ren0318 81]

Wow that is a lot, so once you had the revision you really didn't lose a lot more weight right away? Did you have to have a ph balance test before hand?

[ortega07 59]

I started out with a low bmi so I did not have that much to drop. I'm 5'8 so 166 is perfect for me. I just haven't been able to maintain it. My entire pregnancy with the boys I only gained 35 lbs and they were twins. End of the day, I'm glad I did both and hoping the next revision is approved! I work out 5 days a week and eat fairly well! Good luck! Please let me know if u have anymore questions.

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[ren0318 81]

I had a low bmi too! Thanks again please keep me posted about the new revision

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[ortega07 59]

Will do! U as well! Good luck!

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[bearhugs1975 57]

So sorry not sure what happened to the reply I wrote, lol. But anyway thank you for responding! I had my endoscope yesterday. She found that I do esophagusitis at LA level B, which I had to look up, lol. But basically I have lesions on the esophagus, showing signs that the acid is doing damage.

She also inserted a Bravo capsule, and I'm currently wearing a PH balance monitor until tomorrow evening.

Bad part is I can't take any acid medicine until this monitor comes off! I'm dying from the burning!

So once I return it on Monday, and she reads the results I'll know more!

How did your appointment go for finalizing your revision?

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Appointment went well. Dr says that he is ready to do bypass, of course he wants me to do some strange things, like go to an info session again (seriously!? I have been bariatric since 2009, I know how this all works). But I can get in for that next week and they are going to submit to insurance early next week. I am coming to peace with my decision. He says reflux will be gone. I hope! He also says that insurance should not be a problem for 2nd revision because it is not due to lack of weight loss. He also said to expect 20-25 loss with this one. I weigh 149 now (5'2") so I guess I can deal with that.

[ren0318 81]

Wow that's great! My dr didn't say how much more I might lose although I would love to lose about 20-25 more! My Dr said the acid will be gone too

I'm really dying today with the acid and not being allowed to take any meds at all not even tums!

Tomorrow afternoon can't get here fast enough so I can take off the acid monitor and overdose on my acid meds, just joking! Please stay in touch!